08.09.2011 – TURISAS ANNOUNCE LINE-UP CHANGES

Now the European summer festival season is finally wrapped up, and with extensive Heidenfest and headline touring looming for the autumn, we come to the start of a new chapter in TURISAS’ history.

TURISAS are delighted to announce that JUKKA-PEKKA MIETTINEN (ex- ARTHEMESIA, ENSIFERUM) will be joining the band on bass for forthcoming shows, and ROBERT ENGSTRAND (ex-KOTIPELTO, THE FLOWER KINGS) will be coming into a completely new role in the band – as keyboard player.

Jukka-Pekka Miettinen

Robert Engstrand, picture © Jussi Eerola www.jussieerola.com

This change is in response to the sad news that current bassist Hannes Horma and accordionist Netta Skog have decided to leave the band due to personal and motivational reasons.

This announcement will NOT affect Turisas’ tours this fall in any way: the band will perform as advertised at this year’s Heidenfest tour in Europe, and afterwards will do a full length headlining tour in the UK, Ireland, Spain and Portugal. (see the tour schedule at http://www.turisas.com/live or at the end of the newspiece)

The band comments:


”A band is not something that can be kept together by force. If someone wants to quit, there’s not much the rest of us can do about that. Both for Hannes and Netta it came down to the same thing: a choice between the band and other personal interests had to be made. We tried to find a compromise where both could be combined, but unfortunately in both cases it didn’t seem possible at their end. Neither Hannes or Netta played a critical role in the creative process and studio work of the band, so in this sense not much will change. Still, they were always great onstage and we shared many memorable moments together.


We would like to make it very clear that there is no drama here, and thankfully no hard feelings. Both Hannes and Netta made their decisions completely independently, based on their own personal reasons. Their departures are not connected in any way, it was just that this short quiet period between the Euro festivals and the forthcoming touring was the only meaningful time to make a smooth changeover to the new members.


We’d like to thank Hannes and Netta for all the good times we had together over the years, and wish them both the best of luck in the future.

As far as Jukka-Pekka and Robert go, these guys are both very talented musicians, and we are very excited about hitting the road with this new lineup. Please welcome our newest reinforcements – this is the beginning of a new era!”

–Mathias, Jussi, Tude and Olli

***

Hannes Horma joined the band on bass right after the release of the debut “Battle Metal” in 2004. He says:


“My career with the band started 2004 – at the time I was only nineteen years old. It felt like a dream come true and since then, we’ve had some amazing time and unbelievable shows during these years.  
For the past couple of years I’ve been studying orchestral composing, arranging and classical singing and with the touring responsibilities, I haven’t had a lot of free time and couldn’t pursue my other interests. Lately, I’ve also felt that the “flame” is not there any more for me personally: it was time for me to move on to do the things I feel most passionate about. I love playing concerts with Turisas but I cannot be on tour for 6 or more months a year and try to study at the same time – no one can. 
I would like to thank everybody I’ve met during the years, all the fans around the world, the bands we’re toured with and our crew – you rock! I also hope all the best for everybody in Turisas: thanks for letting me to be a part of this for all these years.


It’s been a hell of a ride but now it’s my time to jump off. Hopefully we’ll meet again, someday, somewhere.”

-Hannes



Netta Skog has been with the band since 2008 (the previous accordion player Lisko having disappeared whilst on tour in Amsterdam). Skog was only 16 years old when she first joined the band as a last minute stand-in player for a European tour in 2007, subsequently becoming a full-time member. Earlier this year, she was forced to leave the band’s U.S. tour because of personal issues, but returned for summer festivals. She says:



”I sadly announce that now is the time when I have to say goodbye to Turisas. I’m going to start my studies in college soon and also need to focus on my personal life; thus, I had to make the decision and this is the final result.



These almost four years with the band have been amazing. I’ve got a lot of new friends and seen the world all around. I’m so lucky I was the one the band wanted to have as their accordion player and there are definitely no regrets. All the good memories will stay in my heart forever! Of course, It’s sad to leave but still, I have to think that this band was one chapter in my life, and now it’s time for me to turn the next page.


I’m more than thankful to all of you for your amazing support and just for being amazing fans! I’ve had so much fun and I will never forget you.
Thank you for everything.”

-Netta

HEIDENFEST


http://www.heidenfest.eu


SEPTEMBER

30.09. DE – Geiselwind, Music Hall
*EXTENDED SHOW + Wintersun & 2 more bands

OCTOBER
01.10. DE – Gießen, Hessenhallen
*EXTENDED SHOW + Wintersun & 2 more bands
02.10. DE – Berlin, Postbahnhof
03.10. PL – Warsaw, Stodola
04.10. PL – Krakow, Studio
05.10. DE – Hannover, Faust
06.10. DE – Hamburg, Markthalle
07.10. DE – Stuttgart, LKA Longhorn
*EXTENDED SHOW + Wintersun & 2 more bands
08.10. DE – Oberhausen, Turbinenhalle
*EXTENDED SHOW + Wintersun & 2 more bands
09.10. NL – Tilburg, 013

*EXTENDED SHOW + Wintersun & 2 more bands
10.10. NL – Leeuwarden, Romein
11.10. UK – London, HMV Forum *TURISAS headlining*
12.10. FR – Lille, Aeronef
13.10. CH – Pratteln, Z7
14.10. DE – München, Backstage
15.10. DE – Leipzig, Hellraiser
16.10. BE – Antwerpen, Trix
17.10. DE – Lindau, Vaudeville
18.10. IT – Bologna, Estragon
19.10. SI – Ljubljana, Cvetlicarna Mediapark
20.10. HU – Budapest, Club 202
21.10. AT – Wien, Arena

22.10. AT – Linz, Posthof
23.10. AT – Innsbruck, Hafen

TURISAS “STAND UP AND FIGHT” TOUR

27.10. – Brighton Concorde 2
28.10. – Bristol O2 Academy 2
29.10. – Plymouth White Rabbit
31.10. – Norwich Waterfront

NOVEMBER

02.11. – Newcastle Northumbria Uni
03.11. – Glasgow Garage *date change*
04.11. – Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
05.11. – Leeds (Damnation Festival)
07.11. – Belfast Limelight (co-headline with Devin Townsend)
08.11. – Dublin Whelans (co-headline with Devin Townsend)
09.11. – Wrexham Central Station
10.11. – Sheffield Corporation
12.11. – Cardiff University SU, The Great Hall 2
13.11. – Reading Sub 89

15.11. – Southampton Uni Garden Court
16.11. – Leicester Sub 91
17.11. – Manchester Academy 3

21.11. – Barcelona, ES – Salamandra (w/ Northland) *date change*
23.11. – Madrid, ES – Heineken (w/ Northland)
24.11. – A Coruna, ES – Ola Green (w/ Northland)
26.11. – Lisboa, PT – Cine Teatro Corroios (w/ Gwydion)
27.11. – Porto, PT – Hard Club (w/ Gwydion)