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BATTLE BEAST announces new vocalist MARINA LA TORRACA

Photo credit: Jord Otto

05-09-2025

Finnish metallers BATTLE BEAST have unveiled Marina La Torraca as their new lead singer. She replaces longtime BATTLE BEAST frontwoman Noora Louhimo, who announced her departure from the band on Monday (December 15). The band had just completed a 35 track European tour. 

BATTLE BEAST states: “One story ends, another begins. We’re excited to start this new chapter and introduce you to the new voice of BATTLE BEASTMarina.”

Marina La Torraca is a Brazilian vocalist from São Paulo, best known as the powerhouse frontwoman of modern metal band PHANTOM ELITE and as a member of the symphonic metal project EXIT EDEN. She began performing in her teens in local cover bands before moving into formal training, including studying musical theatre in New York.

Renowned for her versatile, commanding vocal range, Marina effortlessly transitions from dramatic, melodic passages to fierce, harsh screams. Alongside her career in metal, she has starred in professional musical theatre productions across German-speaking countries. Beyond the stage, she is also an accomplished graphic designer, vocal coach, producer, and songwriter.

La Torraca comments: “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.”

Says BATTLE BEAST on their Facebook page about the split with Noora:
Battle Beast and Noora Louhimo Part Ways After 13 Years
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.
Noora shares: “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! ”
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 & Pyr

Last September, BATTLE BEAST released the official music video for the single, “Angel Of Midnight”. The song was the fourth single from their seventh studio album, “Steelbound”, released in October via Nuclear Blast.

Watch “Angel Of Midnight” below.

Also watch the previously released “Here We Are”, the title track “Steelbound” and “Last Goodbye” below.

BATTLE BEAST guitarist Joona Björkroth commented: “‘Here We Are’ captures that moment after the storm has passed — you’ve faced challenges, been tested, and somehow come through the other side a little stronger, a bit wiser, and perhaps a bit more grounded. Things might not have gone perfectly, but you’ve endured. The song is a tribute to perseverance and resilience — to standing tall just the way you are, nothing more, nothing less.”

Then BATTLE BEAST singer Noora Louhimo added: “We’ve all been down in the depths — each of us and all of us together. Still we’ve always gotten back up, even if bruised and bloodied. And here we are still, stronger than ever. No matter how tough the journey, we’re always stronger when we face it together.”

In May, BATTLE BEAST released the first single from “Steelbound”, a song called “Last Goodbye”. At the time, BATTLE BEAST bassist Eero Sipilä commented: “The spark for ‘Last Goodbye’ was lit in the least rock and roll place imaginable: a hospital. In 2020, I spent a few weeks there and met an older woman battling cancer — a fight she’d been waging on and off since 1985. It made me wonder: how much can a person take before they give up? But she never did. She kept showing up, kept pushing through the treatments, kept being around. ‘Last Goodbye’ is a tribute to that human fighting spirit — the will to rise every time life knocks you down. As long as you’re breathing, you’re still in the game.”

The album’s second single, the “Steelbound” title track, followed in June. BATTLE BEAST keyboardist, producer and “Steelbound” title track composer Janne Björkroth stated: “‘Steelbound’ is a song that is both heavy and light at the same time. It goes through the walls with a bang, both in terms of composition and lyrics, without forgetting the groove and the little twinkle in the eye.”

‘Steelbound’ is a song about all of us,” Janne reflected. “About the power to resist injustice and the respect that belongs to everyone. Sometimes the settings can be a little off, but you can, and should, constantly adjust your attitudes.”

Louhimo added: “As a child, I was bullied at school, and as an adult, I’ve experienced misogyny and sexism in my professional and private life. Through all these experiences, I’ve become a person who always fights against injustice. ‘Steelbound’ is a power song for all of us trying to navigate difficult life situations and relationships. The song deals with painful things, but at the same time, it gives us strength to keep fighting against the world’s injustices. Let’s rise together, because we are ‘Steelbound!'”

“Steelbound” track listing:

01. The Burning Within
02. Here We Are
03. Steelbound
04. Twilight Cabaret
05. Last Goodbye
06. The Long Road
07. Blood Of Heroes
08. Angel Of Midnight
09. Riders Of The Storm
10. Watch The Sky Fall

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