NOORA LOUHIMO explains her exit from BATTLE BEAST
22-12-2025
In a new interview with Finland’s Chaoszine, former BATTLE BEAST frontwoman Noora Louhimo discussed her decision to leave the band after 13 years. She has since been replaced by Marina La Torraca, a Brazilian vocalist from São Paulo, best known as the powerhouse frontwoman of modern metal band PHANTOM ELITE and as a member of the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. Asked how long she had been contemplating her departure from BATTLE BEAST, Noora said: “Well, for me it has been kind of a long process. Nothing happens in an instant or anything like that. But in my life so many things happened, these kind of situations, like health wise — people have heard about my health issues with the artery ruptured, and a year before that I was in a car accident — and things like this that really make me prioritize what I want in my life. And maybe because of these events also I started to think about what things I wanna do in life and what I want to achieve. And because in BATTLE BEAST, it is very demanding schedules, and it’s always, like, either you are making an album with them or you are preparing an album or you are touring. There is no time for a solo career or whatever you want to do, like extra. And that was something that became too big of an issue for me because I’m an artist and I need to do different things to express myself to feel fulfilled.”
Noora, who in 2021 released her debut solo album, “Eternal Wheel Of Time And Space”, under the NOORA LOUHIMO EXPERIENCE banner, continued: “When I released my solo LP, it was like I had already thought about a solo album for a decade. And when the pandemic came, I was, like, ‘Okay, now I can do it.’ But after that, I haven’t been able to do anything, almost, in my solo career for five years, and it’s been really kind of… I need that. It’s, like, when people have been asking, like, ‘Why are you doing so many things and not just focusing on BATTLE BEAST?’ or something that, and all I can say is that it’s my nature to do many different things to express myself, and that keeps me going and that keeps me happy.”
Louhimo went on to say that she wanted to present the news of her exit from BATTLE BEAST in a way that was respectful to everybody, including her now-former bandmates.
“When we informed the fans about this, everything that we said on the video announcing my exit was honest and true,” she explained. “13 years I was building the band with the guys, and I have a huge respect towards them as well and also towards our fans. And what I feared the most breaking the news was losing the fans, because I love all of them. And it is like when you say out loud that actually I need to do this to be happy and maybe disappoint some people, it was the scariest thing I have ever done, because being rejected is maybe the worst nightmare for me. Just to put myself out there honestly, what I want to be happy, has been maybe the hardest thing I have ever done.”
Asked if it was surprising to her how hectic it actually is to be in an internationally touring metal band like BATTLE BEAST, Noora said: “No. No, no. And in a certain point, I really loved it. But like I said, it’s just not enough for me to be in one band. And also I have so many ideas and visions that I want to achieve in my lifetime. And as I said, I’ve realized so many times how fragile our lives can be, as also we could realize it’s very much on our tour as well, because we had this man having a heart attack at our (December 1) show (in Bratislava, Slovakia). But it was underlining this. I was just thinking with myself also, when that happened and when these other things happened in my life, that I don’t want to regret anything in my life. I want to do things that make me happy. And when I’m doing those things, I can make other people around me happy. But if I always try to just make other people happy and then get depressed myself, it’s not cool. And I want to encourage people to do this. Like I said in the news as well, that I wouldn’t be Noora Louhimo or Mother Beast (referring to Noora‘s stage person) if I didn’t walk the talk, that I have been encouraging people to go to their dreams and stand behind themselves a hundred percent. And now I’m doing that and showing maybe some example to others.”
Asked when she announced to the other members of BATTLE BEAST that she was planning to leave the band, Noora said: “I did announce this after the summer, after the summer shows had been done. Because I wanted to have enough time with the guys to think through, what are we gonna do? And also with our record label and our agents and stuff like that. So this has been a long process, but I also definitely didn’t want to say that, ‘Okay, I’m leaving now,’ and then new album was coming out and things like that. But I knew also that there is no right time for this kind of announcement.”
Regarding her plans for the coming months, Noora said: “I am definitely now a hundred percent focused on my solo career. And I’m really excited about the future and, and things that will happen in the future. And I’ve got already so much music in my mind and in the works that will be released in the near future. And, yeah, a lot of different projects that I really want to get into.”
As for a possible release date for her new solo music, Noora said: “When this year is done, then I will concentrate, focus totally on the songwriting process. But I definitely want to give people something before the whole album is released. So definitely there will be singles coming out.”
On the topic of the musical direction of her new solo material, Noora said: “I really like to play around with different genres, as I have always done that. So I don’t really want to label myself into anything specific, but I will definitely do something different as well. I will definitely do heavy metal in the future as well. I would really be interested in doing some like guest vocal stuff as a guest in some other projects and not necessarily put myself into, ‘Now I’m in this band.’ But now I just wanna fly free and try different things and experience different things. And in the future, because I want to be an artist that can do anything she wants, including heavy metal music, it’s never out of question, so I will definitely do also heavy metal music. And just wait for it.”
Last week BATTLE BEAST unveiled Marina La Torraca as their new lead singer.
BATTLE BEAST stated: “One story ends, another begins. We’re excited to start this new chapter and introduce you to the new voice of BATTLE BEAST, Marina.”
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.”
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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