Finnish metallers BATTLE BEAST — who last fall parted ways with lead singer Nitte Vänskä and replaced her with Noora Louhimo — have issued the following update:

"Some slightly disappointing news, friends. Due to business-related reasons, the release of the upcoming album was pushed further until June. It's a long wait, but we promise you it'll all be worthwhile in the end! Believe us, it's gonna kill! To help you cope with this setback, we'll try to put out some cool new stuff in the nearby weeks. We have some SERIOUSLY disturbing video material from the past 12 months some of you crazy people might actually enjoy watching. So stick around, folks, and take care!"

BATTLE BEAST recently toured Europe as the support act for SONATA ARCTICA.

Fan-filmed video footage of the band's November 4, 2012 concert in Berlin, Germany can be seen below.

Regarding Vänskä's departure from the band, BATTLE BEAST previously said: "On August 19th, Nitte sent the rest of the band an e-mail stating that she was leaving the band, effective immediately. As the reason for her leaving, she cited her will to focus on her family life. As this happened without any prior notice, the rest us were slightly disappointed. But what's done is done, and we're thrilled to announce the new BATTLE BEAST vocalist with a voice and character to take the band to heights of glory."

According to a press release, Louhimo "is already experienced in performing some of the most demanding rock songs in existence and is now ready to take her big step into the metal world. With lungs of leather and a voice to order gods with, Noora possesses all the requirements to deliver the kind of power needed for performing BATTLE BEAST's music.

BATTLE BEAST's debut album, "Steel" — which was originally released in Finland in 2011 via Hype Records — was made available internationally on January 27, 2012 through Nuclear Blast Records.

Formed in 2008, BATTLE BEAST won the Wacken Open Air Metal Battle contest in Finland last year, enabling the band to perform at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany and represent its home country in the international Metal Battle finals. The group beat out 26 other acts from all around the world, which led to a record deal with the world's biggest independent heavy metal label.