Turisas

Turisas is a Finnish metal group from Hämeenlinna, formed in 1997 by Mathias Nygård and Jussi Wickström. The band takes its name from an ancient Finnish war deity. It is active from 1997 and is associated with folk metal and melodic death metal, with its music also described as drawing on power metal and symphonic metal elements.

Style and instrumentation

Turisas uses harsh vocals and is known for prominent electric violin parts, including solos that often replace traditional guitar solos. The group’s line-up has included a wide range of musicians over time, with touring and session players contributing to different periods of its work.

Albums and recording history

The band signs to Century Media Records in 2003. Its debut album, Battle Metal, appears in 2004 and is followed by extensive touring in Europe with guest musicians such as violinists and accordion players. The second album, The Varangian Way, comes out in 2007. During its recording, Jussi Wickström plays all guitar parts after guitarist Georg Laakso leaves the band following serious injuries from a car accident in 2005. Keyboardist Antti Ventola also leaves in early 2007, after which Mathias Nygård performs the keyboard parts on the album and the band later uses backing tracks for live keyboard parts.

The group’s third album, Stand Up and Fight, is released in 2011 and is preceded by live performances of “The March of the Varangian Guard” and a free download of the title track. In 2013 Turisas releases its fourth album, Turisas2013. In 2022 the band’s first three albums are reissued on vinyl.

Touring and live activity

After The Varangian Way, Turisas continues heavy touring. It supports DragonForce in Europe and North America from 2008 to 2009, then appears with Cradle of Filth and Moonspell on the Filthfest Tour in 2009. The band also performs at Wacken Open Air and Bloodstock Open Air in 2009. In 2010 it plays a limited run in Asia and Australia, including shows in Japan, China and at the Shanghai World Expo.

Later touring includes dates in North America and Mexico with Cradle of Filth, Nachtmystium and Daniel Lioneye, European shows with Die Apokalyptischen Reiter, and the Paganfest: America Part III tour in 2012 alongside Alestorm, Arkona and Huntress.

Line-up changes

Georg Laakso leaves after his 2005 accident and later departs permanently. Janne “Lisko” Mäkinen leaves in 2008 and is temporarily replaced by Netta Skog, who then becomes a full-time member. Hannes Horma, Olli Vänskä, Janne Mäkinen, Antti Laurila, Catheline De Ville and others are associated with the band as touring or session musicians at different points. In 2019 Olli Vänskä leaves for family reasons and Catheline De Ville covers touring duties.

In its later period the band becomes less active, and after the 2022 vinyl reissues it stops active operations online and offline, without a formal announcement of disbandment.