In a new interview, Battle Beast founding member Eero Sipilä revealed that he was completely blindsided by longtime vocalist Noora Louhimo‘s decision to leave the band late last year.
Speaking with Australia’s “Metal Mal,” the bassist explained that there were no warning signs before Louhimo announced her departure in December to pursue a solo career.
“Well, first reaction was absolute shock, because it totally came out of the blue, completely random to me,” he said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).
Sipilä noted that the band attempted to convince Louhimo to stay on for their scheduled March 2026 tour dates in Japan, Australia, and China, but they were unsuccessful.
“I don’t remember the exact date, but, yeah, she announced that she wanted to leave, and then we really tried to talk her over to do these shows [in Japan, Australia and China] that had been already set [and] arranged [for March 2026]. But, eventually it just didn’t turn out [like that]. And here we are now. That’s life, I guess.”
Despite the initial setback, Sipilä emphasized his determination to keep the Finnish power metal unit moving forward, noting the band’s history prior to Louhimo‘s tenure.
“But, yeah, after that, slowly over time, I just kind of started thinking that this band has been around before [Noora], so why couldn’t it be afterwards? I’ve been in this band for 17 years. I’m gonna keep going. And that was the common mood.”
The search for a replacement was swift, leading them to Brazilian vocalist Marina La Torraca, known for her work with Phantom Elite and Exit Eden.
“And then we just really started actively searching for new singers. And, yeah, Marina‘s name came on top of our list. We called her. She was interested. We flew her over to Finland. Stuff worked out. And now we have a new singer. That’s how it kind of went down, in a nutshell.”
With the tour fast approaching, the band is currently in intense rehearsals. Sipilä described the current situation as a “trial by fire” but promised a high-energy show for fans in Asia and Australia.
“Yeah. It is a trial by fire. Nobody knows exactly what’s gonna happen, but the mood in the band is super high, motivation is high. We are now, during this week, rehearsing every single day. So we are putting all the work and the effort and the focus we can to make this tour success. And I don’t have any doubts in my mind on why it wouldn’t be great. The atmosphere is there, the energy is there, the music is there, so it’s gonna be great. And for the fans, I think it’s not gonna be kind of a stadium class — it’s not like you’re gonna see Metallica, which is super polished and oiled up. This is gonna be something raw and exciting and a fresh, new energy for everyone to witness.”
La Torraca previously shared her excitement about the role in a statement released when the news broke in December:
“When I first saw an e-mail 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.”
Meanwhile, Louhimo‘s farewell statement expressed her need for new adventures after more than a decade with the group:
“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!”
Battle Beast will hit the road with La Torraca in March 2026 for a run of shows across Japan and Australia.
- March 06 – Tokyo – WWWX
- March 07 – Osaka – Shinsaibashi Sunhall
- March 10 – North Perth – Magnet House
- March 11 – Adelaide – Lion Arts Factory
- March 13 – Melbourne – Max Watts Melbourne
- March 14 – Sydney – Manning Bar
- March 15 – Brisbane – Crowbar
