TURISAS Announces U.K. Headlining Tour

Finnish folk metallers TURISAS have announced a U.K. headlining tour in support of their new album, "The Varangian Way".

Commented TURISAS leader Warlord Nygard: "It's been well over a year since the last TURISAS headlining show in the U.K. It seems we have only been over for short one-off support and festival sets, but now that will finally change. We felt so bad about us having to cancel a show in London earlier this year that we are now not only returning to make up for that show, but with a full tour consisting of eight shows across the country. We will be bringing over the full package, not only a 15-minute showcase set, so prepare yourselves for one of the greatest nights out you will be getting for a while."

Since its release, "The Varangian Way" has reached No. 11 in the U.K. rock chart and entered the Finnish album chart at No. 17. The CD will be released throughout the rest of Europe in the coming weeks. Over the summer the band will be performing at many of Europe's top metal festivals.

TURISAS' U.K. headlining tour:

Sep. 15 - Nottingham, UK - Rock City
Sep. 16 - Manchester, UK - Academy 3
Sep. 17 - Glasgow, UK - Cathouse
Sep. 18 - Newcastle, UK - Academy
Sep. 19 - London, UK - Islington Academy
Sep. 20 - Birmingham, UK - Academy 2
Sep. 21 - Bristol, UK - Academy
Sep. 23 - Portsmouth, UK - Wedgewood Rooms

Professionally filmed video footage of TURISAS performing at the Download festival earlier today (Saturday, June 9) at Donington Park, Leicestershire, England has been posted at YouTube.

Central to "The Varangian Way" is the group's concept of a journey through the East-European river route through the lands of modern day East Europe. The Northmen who traveled this path in the 9th-11th centuries were called Varangians. Key to the album's concept is a search for self and identity, both of which are explored by the protagonist in "The Varangian Way"'s eight songs. Truly a display of the band's dedication to the conceptual elements of the album, TURISAS made sure to include cultural influences from the lands the Varangians would have traveled through.

Due to the warm reception of their highly acclaimed debut, "Battle Metal", the band wanted the new album to sound like a natural progression on that sound while reflecting a greater maturity. Warlord had the following to say about the release: "The sound is big, pompous and orchestral, but also features a lot of progressive elements and ethnic influences. It's a daring blend of many different styles, but I'm confident that people are musically open minded enough to swallow this album."

Check out www.myspace.com/turisasofficial to sample new music and video performance clips.