TURISAS: Medley Of Two New Songs Posted Online

A medley of two brand new songs from TURISAS' upcoming "The Varangian Way" album — "To Holmgard and Beyond" and "A Portage to the Unknown" — have been posted online at the band's MySpace page.

"We definitely have high expectations lined up after the success of our debut album 'Battle Metal'," says vocalist and producer Warlord. "Quite often the second album is done in a rush and doesn’t live up to the standards of the debut. We took three years to get it right, and there's no doubt about it: 'The Varangian Way' tops 'Battle Metal' with such ease I almost feel sorry for our debut."

Another small detail that still emphasizes the uniqueness of "The Varangian Way" is the fact that all solos were played on an electric violin instead of a guitar — and there are many more tiny details that you will notice while listening to the album. Graphic artist, illustrator and designer John Coulthart (CRADLE OF FILTH; HAWKWIND; poster and cover art for spoken word albums by writer Alan Moore ["Watchmen", "V for Vendetta"]) did the stunning artwork for this special album that will give you further insight on the brave travelers' journey through the East.

"The Varangian Way" was recorded at Sound Supreme Studio and mixed and mastered at Finnvox Studio (NIGHTWISH, H.I.M., APOCALYPTICA).

Warlord explains the complex ideas behind this stunning new opus: "The album is based on a concept story which is fictional, but strongly tied to real historical persons and events. It's a journey of a group of Northmen, who travel down the East-European river route through the lands of modern day East Europe. This was an important trade route in the 9th-11th centuries and the Northmen going in this direction were called Varangians who took this route to Kiev and finally Constantinople. The album follows this journey and the songs are events that take place on the road. As much as it is a journey of these men, it is also a journey in a search for self and identity — something which the protagonist is going through throughout the story. The varying surroundings can clearly be heard on the album as it features a lot of influences from the different cultures and people our travellers would have encountered on their journey.

"Making this album was a very challenging task. I started developing the idea and framework for the concept soon after 'Battle Metal' was released in 2004 and it demanded a lot of groundwork and studying. The songs were written between mid-2005 and 2007 when it was clear what every song would be about. In the end of 2006 we were finally ready to enter Sound Supreme Studio together with co-producer Janne Saksa to record the album. It took over two and a half months of work to record the album and two weeks of mixing at Finnvox studio together with Teropekka Virtanen to finally finish the album in March 2007. 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. All in all I would say that it is a natural step forward from 'Battle Metal' to a more mature sound — still definitely TURISAS, but at the same time different."

"The Varangian Way" will hit stores in Europe in June and will contain the following new battle hymns:

01. To Holmgard And Beyond
02. A Portage To The Unknown
03. Cursed Be Iron
04. Fields Of Gold
05. In The Court Of Jarisleif
06. Five Hundred And One
07. The Dnieper Rapids
08. Miklagard Overture

Having converted many a fan to join their army during past appearances at renowned festivals like Wacken Open Air, Tuska, Earthshaker Fest, Party.San Open Air, Bloodstock, Nummirock and Summer Breeze, as well as an European tour with DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER and more recently a sold-out U.K. tour with Finnish megastars LORDI, TURISAS are now launching their second and most striking attack with the release of "The Varangian Way" and they have subsequently confirmed slots at summer events like Graspop Metal Meeting, With Full Force, Rock Hard Festival, with plenty more relentless touring to come.