You may have seen an announcement by JSR that the Turisas Australian tour is cancelled. The truth is that they have gone bust and have pulled out of all their commitments, including our tour.

However, we are not willing to give up so easily, and are currently in negotiations with another promoter to save these shows and continue with the tour as planned. We are doing everything we can to make this happen. Everyone who has tickets already should hold on to them until further notice.

We will keep you updated, and please note that the only official word on this tour will come from us – ignore anything else you may hear!

Turisas will perform in China for the first time in May: the band will play three gigs on 25–27 May in Beijing and Shanghai in connection with Shanghai World Expo 2010. The band is excited about this rare opportunity and is highly looking forward to the shows.

The Chinese dates:

25 May – Helsinki Festival, Star Live, Beijing

26 May – Helsinki Festival, Mao Livehouse, Shanghai

27 May – Europe Square Stage, Finland Day, Shanghai World Expo Area

Helsinki Festival shows w/ Stratovarius, Negative, Before The Dawn

The Expo will be held in Shanghai, China from May 1 to October 31, 2010 and is a scheduled World Expo in the tradition of international fairs and expositions. The theme of the exposition will be “Better City – Better Life” and signifies Shanghai’s new status in the 21st century as a major economic and cultural center . It is expected to generate the largest number of visitors in the history of the world’s fairs in terms of gross numbers.

In addition to the newly added Chinese shows, Turisas has already earlier announced a row of tour dates in Australia and Japan. The complete tour is as follows:

21 May – The Globe Theatre, Brisbane (AUS)
22 May – The Factory Theatre (All Ages), Sydney (AUS)
23 May – Billboard the Venue, Melbourne (AUS)
25 May – Star Live, Helsinki Festival, Beijing (CHN)
26 May – Mao Livehouse, Helsinki Festival, Shanghai (CHN)
27 May – Europe Square Stage/ Finland Day, World Expo Area, Shanghai (CHN)
29 May – LiquidRoom, Finland Fest 2010, Tokyo (JPN)

As published earlier, Turisas have also begun work for their upcoming third album in Sound Supreme studio, Hämeenlinna, Finland – the same studio where they recorded their previous album. The new album, successor to previous albums Battle Metal (2004) and The Varangian Way (2007), is due to be released still later this year. The band posts regular video blogs at http://www.youtube.com/turisasofficial

TURISAS – Battle Metal LP

Due to the high request TURISAS’ debut album “Battle Metal” is now finally (and for the first time ever!) available on vinyl. Please note that the LP version is worldwide limited to only 400 of which 200 copies include solid gold vinyl, another 100 copies include transparent yellow vinyl and the remaining 100 copies include solid red vinyl. All versions comes on 180g virgin vinyl with full colour labels, full colour printed inner sleeves (with all lyrics) and sleeves on matte heavy cardboard. Get it now or NEVER!!!!

Out on April 5th:

TURISAS – Battle Metal Box set

In the scope of Century Media’s annual METAL FOR THE MASSES price campaign, “Battle Metal” is released as a special collector’s box set. The box is made of solid cardboard and contents the album on LP (black 180g virgin vinyl, full colour labels, full colour printed inner sleeves with all lyrics and sleeves on matte heavy cardboard), the CD version of the album (CD in plastic sleeve) as well as the “Battle Metal” shirt (two-sided full colour print). Please note that the box is worldwide limited to only 600 copies. Act fast if you want to get hold of a copy!!!

Turisas will play in Japan for the first time in May: the band will perform at Finland Fest 2010, 29 May in LiquidRoom, Tokyo. The event is titled Metal Attack and will also feature other Finnish acts Tarot, Poisonblack and Before The Dawn.

The band has published video greetings for their Japanese fans:

More info at the following addresses:

http://www.creativeman.co.jp/artist/2010/05finland/

http://www.myspace.com/finlandfestinjapan

5/29/2010 5:00 PM at Metal Attack @LIQUIDROOM
3-16-6, Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, , ??? 150-0011
Cost: 5800

We have begun work for our upcoming third album in Sound Supreme studio, Hämeenlinna, Finland – the same studio where we recorded the previous album “The Varangian Way”. The new album, successor to the renowned records Battle Metal (2004) and The Varangian Way (2007), is due to be released still later this year. We have also just posted the first part of our video blog / studio diary at
www.youtube.com/turisasofficial

Studio Diary Part 1

Vocalist, songwriter and producer Mathias Nygård comments:
“After a nine-month break from touring to be able to fully focus on songwriting, we’ve finally moved forward and have now started recording. It’s going to be a long project, and keep us busy all the way until the break of summer, but believe me, the wait will be all worth it. With three years between albums, there’s been enough of time to find a fresh angle and new ideas not to repeat ourselves or albums we’ve done in the past. The songs rock big time, but the epic elements aren’t going anywhere – it’s going to sound larger than ever before. The leap forward is going to be just as big as between Battle Metal and The Varangian Way. “

Last week Turisas announced a row of Australian tour dates for May, and more Asian shows are to be announced shortly. Currently, the tour schedule for this year is as follows:
21May – The Globe Theatre, Brisbane (AUS)
22 May – The Factory Theatre (All Ages), Sydney (AUS)
23 May – Billboard the Venue, Melbourne (AUS)
18–20 June – Myötätuulirock, Vantaa Hakunila (FIN)