Battle Beast
There are two bands named Battle Beast.
1) Battle Beast is a Finnish heavy metal / power metal band established in Helsinki in 2005. The initial line-up consisted of guitarists, Juuso Soinio and Anton Kabanen, and drummer Pyry Vikki, who were high school friends. The rest of the original lineup, bassist Eero Sipilä, keytarist Janne Björkroth, and lead singer Nitte Valo, joined the band after auditions. Before gaining a record contract, Battle Beast was best known for having won two major band competitions in year 2010: the international Wacken Metal Battle 2010, participated by thousands of bands from all around the world, whose final stage was held at the famed German metal festival Wacken Open Air; soon after that, the band was announced the winner of Radio Rock Starba, a band competition held by the major Finnish radio station Radio Rock. With their victory in the Finnish competition the band received intense media exposure, and before the end of 2010 they had signed a record deal with the Finnish label Hype Records.
Battle Beast's first album, titled Steel, was released in Finland in Spring 2011. With the support of the two singles, "Show Me How to Die" and "Enter the Metal World", and their heavy airplay on Radio Rock, the album peaked at No. 7 upon its release. Although released only in Finland, the album soon caught the attention of the international metal label Nuclear Blast, with whom the band signed a licensing deal in late 2011. A reissue of Steel, which included one bonus track, was released to the European market in January 2012. The band was voted at the third place in the list for Newcomer Of The Year 2011 at the Finnish Metal Awards in February 2012. To support the European release of Steel, Battle Beast toured for the first time as opening act for their countrymen Nightwish in many European dates of the Imaginaerum World Tour. The tour was reported a success by both bands. On the final show of the tour Nightwish paid their respects to the support band by performing a cover of "Show Me How to Die" as a part of their acoustic set.
In Autumn 2012, after touring the Finnish rock festivals for the summer, Nitte Valo was announced to be leaving the band because of family issues. With the news of her departure, came the announcement of a new lead singer Noora Louhimo from Tampere, Finland. With Louhimo in the band, Battle Beast started another European tour in November, this time supporting the Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica.
After the tour, the band immediately went into studio to record their second album. The label Hype Productions had gone out of business and the band moved on to Warner Music Finland, with Nuclear Blast still handling international releases. The first single with Noora Louhimo on vocals, "Into the Heart of Danger" was released on 26 April 2013, followed by the album Battle Beast on 17 May 2013. Another single and a music video for the song "Black Ninja" was released to coincide with the release of the album. The album topped the sales of its predecessor easily, peaking at No. 5 and staying on the charts for 17 weeks The album also charted on various European countries including Germany. The following autumn Battle Beast headed on another European tour, this time supporting the German bands Powerwolf and U.D.O..
In January 2014, Battle Beast was announced one of the five nominees for the best Finnish metal album in the national Emma-gaala awards.
In January 2015, Battle Beast released their third album Unholy Savior, topping the Finnish album chart on its release week. Soon after a European tour supporting Sabaton, in February 2015 the band parted ways with Anton Kabanen with both parties citing musical disagreements and other unsolvable issues within the band. He was replaced by Ossi Maristo and keyboardist Janne Björkroth's brother, Joona Björkroth, on a sessional basis. Joona Björkroth became a permanent member in 2016. Anton Kabanen moved on to form Beast In Black.
The first single with the renewed line-up "King For a Day" was released in January 2016, immediately picking up heavy airplay in Finland's Radio Rock, followed by another single "Familiar Hell" in early 2017. Battle Beast released their fourth album Bringer of Pain on February 17, 2017 again topping the charts in their homeland. The album was also their first to reach the top 20 in Germany, debuting at #14 on its release week. Following the release of Bringer of Pain Battle Beast went on a 5+ week European tour with support from Majesty and GYZE. They toured for the first time in North America that spring supporting Sabaton's "The Last Tour" with Leaves' Eyes. The band performed in Japan for the first time in September 2017.
On 22 March 2019, Battle Beast released their fifth studio album, 'No More Hollywood Endings'. On 4 October 2021, the band announced their sixth studio album, 'Circus of Doom'. It was released on 21 January 2022.
On December 15th of 2025, roughly 2 months after the release of their 7th studio album 'Steelbound', the band announced that vocalist Noora Louhimo has parted ways with Battle Beast.
In a post on social media, the band stated:
"After six albums and 13 incredible years together, we announce that Noora Louhimo is leaving BATTLE BEAST to focus on her solo career. While we are saddened by her departure, we fully support her decision to pursue new creative paths — something she hasn't been able to explore wholeheartedly with the demanding schedule of BATTLE BEAST.
"We are deeply thankful for the music, the tours, and the magic we created together. These memories will never be tarnished nor forgotten, and we wish Noora nothing but success and happiness on her path forward.
"We know you — our fans — will miss Noora as much as we do. But rest assured: the flight of BATTLE BEAST continues, and so does Noora's, now simply on a different trajectory.
"A new era begins. We will announce the new voice of BATTLE BEAST tomorrow on December 16th.
"With gratitude and love, Noora, Janne, Eero, Juuso, Joona & Pyry".
Noora added: "For 13 years I got to grow, learn, develop and explore with BATTLE BEAST who I am as a musician and as a person. And now my heart desires more adventures, and flying with my own wings towards my dreams that I can only pursue if I give them my full attention.
"Life is full of different eras and now it is time for a new one.
"I am forever grateful and love BATTLE BEAST and our fans. This is not the end, this is a beginning of a new adventure for both of us. See you soon Little Beasts!"
Marina La Torraca of Exit Eden and formerly of Phantom Elite was later announced as Louhimo's replacement.
Marina comments:
"When I first saw an email with both Battle Beast and my name in the subject line, I honestly thought it had to be a mistake. But once I opened it, I couldn’t have been happier. I’m incredibly honored to be part of this new chapter and deeply grateful for the trust and support from the band.
Is it a little terrifying to follow in the wake of a vocal legend like Noora? You bet! Is it also very exciting? Absolutely. Battle Beast is one of the hardest-working and most genuinely talented bands out there, and I’m proud to be here to help them keep growing and spreading joy. Buckle up — this is going to be fun."
2) Battle Beast is a grindcore/powerviolence band.
1) Battle Beast is a Finnish heavy metal / power metal band established in Helsinki in 2005. The initial line-up consisted of guitarists, Juuso Soinio and Anton Kabanen, and drummer Pyry Vikki, who were high school friends. The rest of the original lineup, bassist Eero Sipilä, keytarist Janne Björkroth, and lead singer Nitte Valo, joined the band after auditions. Before gaining a record contract, Battle Beast was best known for having won two major band competitions in year 2010: the international Wacken Metal Battle 2010, participated by thousands of bands from all around the world, whose final stage was held at the famed German metal festival Wacken Open Air; soon after that, the band was announced the winner of Radio Rock Starba, a band competition held by the major Finnish radio station Radio Rock. With their victory in the Finnish competition the band received intense media exposure, and before the end of 2010 they had signed a record deal with the Finnish label Hype Records.
Battle Beast's first album, titled Steel, was released in Finland in Spring 2011. With the support of the two singles, "Show Me How to Die" and "Enter the Metal World", and their heavy airplay on Radio Rock, the album peaked at No. 7 upon its release. Although released only in Finland, the album soon caught the attention of the international metal label Nuclear Blast, with whom the band signed a licensing deal in late 2011. A reissue of Steel, which included one bonus track, was released to the European market in January 2012. The band was voted at the third place in the list for Newcomer Of The Year 2011 at the Finnish Metal Awards in February 2012. To support the European release of Steel, Battle Beast toured for the first time as opening act for their countrymen Nightwish in many European dates of the Imaginaerum World Tour. The tour was reported a success by both bands. On the final show of the tour Nightwish paid their respects to the support band by performing a cover of "Show Me How to Die" as a part of their acoustic set.
In Autumn 2012, after touring the Finnish rock festivals for the summer, Nitte Valo was announced to be leaving the band because of family issues. With the news of her departure, came the announcement of a new lead singer Noora Louhimo from Tampere, Finland. With Louhimo in the band, Battle Beast started another European tour in November, this time supporting the Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica.
After the tour, the band immediately went into studio to record their second album. The label Hype Productions had gone out of business and the band moved on to Warner Music Finland, with Nuclear Blast still handling international releases. The first single with Noora Louhimo on vocals, "Into the Heart of Danger" was released on 26 April 2013, followed by the album Battle Beast on 17 May 2013. Another single and a music video for the song "Black Ninja" was released to coincide with the release of the album. The album topped the sales of its predecessor easily, peaking at No. 5 and staying on the charts for 17 weeks The album also charted on various European countries including Germany. The following autumn Battle Beast headed on another European tour, this time supporting the German bands Powerwolf and U.D.O..
In January 2014, Battle Beast was announced one of the five nominees for the best Finnish metal album in the national Emma-gaala awards.
In January 2015, Battle Beast released their third album Unholy Savior, topping the Finnish album chart on its release week. Soon after a European tour supporting Sabaton, in February 2015 the band parted ways with Anton Kabanen with both parties citing musical disagreements and other unsolvable issues within the band. He was replaced by Ossi Maristo and keyboardist Janne Björkroth's brother, Joona Björkroth, on a sessional basis. Joona Björkroth became a permanent member in 2016. Anton Kabanen moved on to form Beast In Black.
The first single with the renewed line-up "King For a Day" was released in January 2016, immediately picking up heavy airplay in Finland's Radio Rock, followed by another single "Familiar Hell" in early 2017. Battle Beast released their fourth album Bringer of Pain on February 17, 2017 again topping the charts in their homeland. The album was also their first to reach the top 20 in Germany, debuting at #14 on its release week. Following the release of Bringer of Pain Battle Beast went on a 5+ week European tour with support from Majesty and GYZE. They toured for the first time in North America that spring supporting Sabaton's "The Last Tour" with Leaves' Eyes. The band performed in Japan for the first time in September 2017.
On 22 March 2019, Battle Beast released their fifth studio album, 'No More Hollywood Endings'. On 4 October 2021, the band announced their sixth studio album, 'Circus of Doom'. It was released on 21 January 2022.
On December 15th of 2025, roughly 2 months after the release of their 7th studio album 'Steelbound', the band announced that vocalist Noora Louhimo has parted ways with Battle Beast.
In a post on social media, the band stated:
"After six albums and 13 incredible years together, we announce that Noora Louhimo is leaving BATTLE BEAST to focus on her solo career. While we are saddened by her departure, we fully support her decision to pursue new creative paths — something she hasn't been able to explore wholeheartedly with the demanding schedule of BATTLE BEAST.
"We are deeply thankful for the music, the tours, and the magic we created together. These memories will never be tarnished nor forgotten, and we wish Noora nothing but success and happiness on her path forward.
"We know you — our fans — will miss Noora as much as we do. But rest assured: the flight of BATTLE BEAST continues, and so does Noora's, now simply on a different trajectory.
"A new era begins. We will announce the new voice of BATTLE BEAST tomorrow on December 16th.
"With gratitude and love, Noora, Janne, Eero, Juuso, Joona & Pyry".
Noora added: "For 13 years I got to grow, learn, develop and explore with BATTLE BEAST who I am as a musician and as a person. And now my heart desires more adventures, and flying with my own wings towards my dreams that I can only pursue if I give them my full attention.
"Life is full of different eras and now it is time for a new one.
"I am forever grateful and love BATTLE BEAST and our fans. This is not the end, this is a beginning of a new adventure for both of us. See you soon Little Beasts!"
Marina La Torraca of Exit Eden and formerly of Phantom Elite was later announced as Louhimo's replacement.
Marina comments:
"When I first saw an email with both Battle Beast and my name in the subject line, I honestly thought it had to be a mistake. But once I opened it, I couldn’t have been happier. I’m incredibly honored to be part of this new chapter and deeply grateful for the trust and support from the band.
Is it a little terrifying to follow in the wake of a vocal legend like Noora? You bet! Is it also very exciting? Absolutely. Battle Beast is one of the hardest-working and most genuinely talented bands out there, and I’m proud to be here to help them keep growing and spreading joy. Buckle up — this is going to be fun."
2) Battle Beast is a grindcore/powerviolence band.
