Metal Storm logo
Turisas - Line-Up Changes


Finnish folk metallers Turisas have announced that current bassist Hannes Horma and accordionist Netta Skog have decided to leave the band due to personal and motivational reasons. Jukka-Pekka Miettinen (ex-Arthemesia, ex-Ensiferum) will be joining the band on bass for forthcoming shows, and Robert Engstrand (ex-Kotipelto, The Flower Kings) will be coming into a completely new role in the band - as keyboard player.

This announcement will not affect Turisas' tours this Fall in any way: the band will perform as advertised at this year's Heidenfest tour in Europe, and afterwards will do a full-length headlining tour in the UK, Ireland, Spain and Portugal.

The band comments: "A band is not something that can be kept together by force. If someone wants to quit, there's not much the rest of us can do about that. Both for Hannes and Netta it came down to the same thing: a choice between the band and other personal interests had to be made. We tried to find a compromise where both could be combined, but unfortunately in both cases it didn't seem possible at their end. Neither Hannes or Netta played a critical role in the creative process and studio work of the band, so in this sense not much will change. Still, they were always great onstage and we shared many memorable moments together."

"We would like to make it very clear that there is no drama here, and thankfully no hard feelings. Both Hannes and Netta made their decisions completely independently, based on their own personal reasons. Their departures are not connected in any way, it was just that this short quiet period between the Euro festivals and the forthcoming touring was the only meaningful time to make a smooth changeover to the new members. We'd like to thank Hannes and Netta for all the good times we had together over the years, and wish them both the best of luck in the future. As far as Jukka-Pekka and Robert go, these guys are both very talented musicians, and we are very excited about hitting the road with this new lineup. Please welcome our newest reinforcements - this is the beginning of a new era!"

Hannes Horma joined the band on bass right after the release of the debut Battle Metal in 2004. He says:

"My career with the band started 2004 - at the time I was only nineteen years old. It felt like a dream come true and since then, we've had some amazing time and unbelievable shows during these years. For the past couple of years I've been studying orchestral composing, arranging and classical singing and with the touring responsibilities, I haven't had a lot of free time and couldn't pursue my other interests. Lately, I've also felt that the "flame" is not there any more for me personally: it was time for me to move on to do the things I feel most passionate about. I love playing concerts with Turisas but I cannot be on tour for 6 or more months a year and try to study at the same time - no one can. I would like to thank everybody I've met during the years, all the fans around the world, the bands we're toured with and our crew - you rock! I also hope all the best for everybody in Turisas: thanks for letting me to be a part of this for all these years. It's been a hell of a ride but now it's my time to jump off. Hopefully we'll meet again, someday, somewhere."

Netta Skog has been with the band since 2008 (the previous accordion player Lisko having disappeared whilst on tour in Amsterdam). Skog was only 16 years old when she first joined the band as a last minute stand-in player for a European tour in 2007, subsequently becoming a full-time member. Earlier this year, she was forced to leave the band's U.S. tour because of personal issues, but returned for summer festivals. She says:

"I sadly announce that now is the time when I have to say goodbye to Turisas. I'm going to start my studies in college soon and also need to focus on my personal life; thus, I had to make the decision and this is the final result. These almost four years with the band have been amazing. I've got a lot of new friends and seen the world all around. I'm so lucky I was the one the band wanted to have as their accordion player and there are definitely no regrets. All the good memories will stay in my heart forever! Of course, It's sad to leave but still, I have to think that this band was one chapter in my life, and now it's time for me to turn the next page. I'm more than thankful to all of you for your amazing support and just for being amazing fans! I've had so much fun and I will never forget you. Thank you for everything."

[Also thanks to Dominus for sending in this news!]


Source: turisas.com
Band profile: Turisas
Posted: 18.09.2011 by WinterChild


Comments

‹‹ Back to News
Comments: 10   [ 1 ignored ]   Visited by: 152 users
18.09.2011 - 20:30
Susan
Smeghead
That's too bad! Netta was a BEAST live; so much fun to watch. Good luck to them all
----
"A life all mine
Is what I choose
At the end of my days"
--The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
Loading...
18.09.2011 - 21:17
AngelofDeth
Cyborg Raptor
Dam. sucks i cant see netta again. she was a babe furshur
----
pewpew.. gotcha
Loading...
18.09.2011 - 21:18
ImperialTroll
Account deleted
Hmm Having an actual keyboardist might as well change the band's musical direction in the future, let's hope such change would be for the best.
Loading...
18.09.2011 - 21:52
Promonex
Cathemeral
A good change in my book. At live shows there were two things that bothered me: Netta not being able to offer as much a show as Lisko used to, and that awful lot of keyboard music coming from tape. I won't miss Netta, but I'm looking forward to a band which doesn't need to rely on playback anymore.
----
All life begins with Nu and ends with Nu... This is the truth! This is my belief! ...At least for now.
- The Mystery of Life, Vol. 841 Ch. 26
Loading...
18.09.2011 - 23:05
moe5512

Well, There were almost no accordion on the new album so maybe it isn't such a big loss...
Loading...
19.09.2011 - 02:56
Doc G.
Full Grown Hoser
That new line-up looks like it could be interesting. If they play a role in the creative process of the next album maybe something a little better will come up.
----
"I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck."
- George Carlin
Loading...
19.09.2011 - 02:59
Opethian

They probably listened to Stand up and Fight! haha, god that album bad.
Loading...
19.09.2011 - 11:40
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
News text is to long, there shood be audio news, Im to lazy to read it
----
Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!!

Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''
apos;'
[image]
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
Loading...
19.09.2011 - 12:45
Elodie Artour
Slania
Written by Bad English on 19.09.2011 at 11:40

News text is to long, there shood be audio news, Im to lazy to read it

Lol, that comment was epic win! xD

The chick seemed to be pretty cool but I can totally get why she doesn't want to do this thing any more. However, I'll definitely miss the accordeon in their work. Keyboards are definitely more... typical and mainstreamish although I surely love their sound too.
----
Speak up dear 'cause I cannot hear you...
Loading...
20.09.2011 - 03:19
LeChron James
Helvetesfossen
I sense a change in musical direction a comin'.
----
Kick Ass, Die Young

Less is More
Stay Pure
Stay Poor

Music was my life, music brought me to life and music is how I will be remembered long after I leave this life. When I die there will be a final waltz in my head that only I can hear.
Loading...

Hits total: 4682 | This month: 5