Up and coming metallers BEAST IN BLACK are about to perform their very first headline shows this weekend – and both of them are already sold out! But these concerts are just the beginning of a promising 2018 for the band, featuring ex-BATTLE BEAST guitarist Anton Kabanen: On Saturday, February 17th, the band will kick off their EU run with Italian symphonic metal legends RHAPSODY, before heading to Japan and playing at several European summer festivals.
Additionally, BEAST IN BLACK are pleased to announce their new permanent drummer Atte Palokangas today. He has been touring with them from the end of 2017 and is a worthy successor for former drummer Sami Hänninen who left the band recently.
Sami stated:“Due to new circumstances in my life, I’m not able to take part in the upcoming shows nor tours and I feel the band, especially in its early stages, requires a drummer who will be able to give his absolute hundred percent for the band.”
Atte commented: “I’m honored, excited and thankful for this opportunity! I can’t wait for the future adventures with the guys!”
Watch Atte‘s video introduction, here:
w/ OCEANHOARSE
02.09. FIN Jyväskylä – Lutakko *SOLD OUT*
02.10. FIN Helsinki – Nosturi *SOLD OUT*
20th Anniversary Farewell Tour
w/ RHAPSODY, SCARLET AURA
02.17. I Bologna – Zona Roveri
02.18. I Treviso – New Age
02.19. I Rome – Orion
02.20. I Milan – Alcatraz
02.21. D Freiburg – Crash
02.23. NL Eindhoven – Effenaar
02.24. B Antwerp – Trix
02.26. UK London – Islington Academy
02.28. NL Leeuwarden – Neushoorn
03.01. D Bochum – Zeche
03.02. D Hamburg – Grünspan
03.04. S Stockholm – Fryshuset
03.06. PL Warsaw – Proxima
03.08. H Budapest – Barbra Negra Club
03.09. CZ Zlín – Masters of Rock Café
03.10. SK Zvolen – Rates Sports Hall
03.11. D Regensburg-Obertraubling – Eventhall Airport
03.13. D Munich – Backstage
03.14. D Mannheim – MS Connexion Complex
03.15. CH Pratteln – Z7
03.16. F Paris – Trabendo *SOLD OUT*
03.17. F Toulouse – Metronum *SOLD OUT*
03.18. E Barcelona – Razzmatazz 2
03.20. E Madrid – La Riviera
Suomi Feast 2018
w/ TURISAS, S-TOOL, FROSTTIDE, MORS SUBITA, NUOMENA
05.24. J Osaka – Shinsaibashi Soma
05.25. J Nagoya – Holiday Next
05.26. J Tokyo – Shinjuku Blaze
06.07. FIN Hyvinkää – Rockfest
06.08./09. FIN Tampere – South Park Festival
06.14.-17. A Nickelsdorf – Nova Rock
06.23. FIN Nummijärvi – Nummirock
06.29. FIN Puolanka – Lankafest
06.30. FIN Helsinki – Tuska Open Air
07.06. N Kvinesdal – Norway Rock Festival
07.13. FIN Joensuu – Ilosaarirock
07.20. FIN Laukaa – John Smith Rock Festival
07.21. FIN Lahti – Mukkulan Tapahtumapuisto (w/ NIGHTWISH)
07.27. FIN Oulu – Qstock
07.28. FIN Kuopio – RockCock
08.10. FIN Lieto – SmugglerRok
08.17. S Falun – Sabaton Open Air
Helsinki-based five-piece BEAST IN BLACK was founded by Anton Kabanen soon after he had parted ways with BATTLE BEAST in 2015. By the end of 2015 the band had played their first gig, where they opened for NIGHTWISH.
Berserker was produced by Anton in his Sound Quest Studio. Its cover artwork marks the return of the collaboration between Anton and Roman Ismailov who was the original illustrator and graphic artist for BATTLE BEAST.
Berserker maintains the style of Anton’s previously composed works, which include the first three BATTLE BEAST albums. Influenced by 80‘s metal bands such as JUDAS PRIEST, MANOWAR, W.A.S.P., BLACK SABBATH and ACCEPT, the record contains all the elements of a great heavy metal album. “It’s very straightforward, catchy, powerful and occasionally mixed with some symphonic influences,” Anton adds. Lyrically, Kabanen also continues his previous style: “Many songs such as the title track, ‘Beast In Black’, and ‘Zodd The Immortal’, are strongly influenced by the Japanese manga and anime Berserker.”
