LEVERAGE Parts Ways With Bassist, Announces Replacement

Finnish melodic metallers LEVERAGE has announced the addition of bassist Sami Norrbacka to the group's ranks. The band's original bass player, Pekka Lampinen, stepped aside "for private reasons."

Norrbacka has been LEVERAGE's live bass player for all of 2009, and is now an official member of the band.

Commented LEVERAGE: "Pekka Lampinen is an awesome musician, and we've been lucky to have him in this band. A big thank you for that, bro. We wish you all the best and good health.

"Sami has practically been in the band band for some time already filling in for Pekka live. He's proven he's a rock solid player and a great guy to work with. So when this situation emerged, it was a given that we'd ask him to become a permanent member of LEVERAGE."

Added Lampinen: 'Many friendly fans have asked on several forums about the whereabouts of Pekka Lampinen. I announce now, that I am no longer a member of LEVERAGE. The reasons are a personal matter. I've been with the band all the way from the beginning, but now it is time to take some distance. This doesn't mean that I will abandon making music all together, but that now there is time to heal and gather strength for the future. I want to thank the whole band for the times together, and especially the loyal fans that have year in year out come to the gigs and supported this great band. It is good to continue on from here."

Stated Norrbacka: "It is a great honor to be the new bass player for Leverage. For me it is like coming home, because I have known some of these talented guys for so long and because I have been a fan of LEVERAGE from the beginning. I will pursue to continue the good work that bass maestro Lampinen did with the band and I wish him the very best."

"Circus Colossus", the third full-length album from LEVERAGE, entered the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 27.

"Circus Colossus" was released on November 4 via Spinefarm Records. A song from the CD, "Legions Of Invisible", is available for streaming on the group's MySpace page.

LEVERAGE's second album, entitled "Blind Fire", was released in the U.S. on October 21, 2008 via Blistering Records USA, Inc. with Ryko distribution.

LEVERAGE came out of nowhere in 2006, causing a stir with the release of its debut album, "Tides". The group's blend of modern metal sound and old-school, melody-based songwriting earned rave reviews from the media and created a fanbase both in Finland and throughout the rock community in many countries.

"The warm welcome for 'Tides' was a pleasant surprise for us," the band's guitar player and main composer Tuomas Heikkinen previously said. "We got good radio airplay in Finland, even climbed to the charts, all before our very first gig with our own material! Since then, we’ve played throughout Finland at clubs and festivals. Our music has been described as melodic metal or melodic heavy rock, which is fine by us."

LEVERAGE is:

Pekka Heino - vocals
Tuomas Heikkinen - guitar
Torsti Spoof - guitar
Sami Norrbacka - bass
Marko Niskala - keyboards
Valtteri Revonkorpi - drums