During the Finnish Metal Awards, FMA, (held on Saturday February 18th in Helsinki) the best in Finnish metal were awarded for the 7th time in seven categories. Over 20,000 votes were given in an open voting with no predetermined nominees. Out of seven awards (and out of five possible ones), Hämeenlinna's battle metal originators TURISAS received four: Band Of The Year 2011, Album Of The Year 2011 ("Stand Up And Fight"), Vocalist Of The Year 2011 (Mathias "Warlord" Nygård) and Album Artwork Of The Year 2011 ("Stand Up And Fight"). Even the fifth award wasn't far, as violinist Olli Vänskä landed on #2 in the Musician Of The Year 2011 category.
INSOMNIUM received the silver medals for Band Of The Year 2011, Album Of The Year 2011 ("One For Sorrow") and Album Artwork Of The Year 2011 ("One For Sorrow") as well as Niilo Sevänen a position #3 for Vocalist Of The Year 2011 and Ville Friman (guitars) a position #7 in Musician Of The Year 2011.
"What can I say - this an overwhelming honour! After all, it's a direct voting by fans; this is no back-patting promotional gala of the record industry or anything. Even if we haven't been doing gigs in Finland lately or received mainstream media attention, our fan base here is extremely supportive, dedicated and active. This kind of feedback is great and gives you faith in your own doing - especially because we've had our fair share of setbacks and hardships during our career. We've worked our asses off, but things like these make every drop of sweat worth it. Thanks go to all the people who voted us, I hope to see you at next summer's festivals!" says vocalist Mathias Nygård.
TURISAS is leaving to Australia for the huge Soundwave Festival tour soon. After this, the band will embark on North American tour, headlining the "PaganFest: America Part III" tour, with support from Scotland's Alestorm, Arkona from Russia and Huntress from the US.
"We got 3 silver medals and 1 bronze in the Finnish Metal Awards! Huge thanks to all those who voted! Congratulations to our label mates TURISAS for winning everything!" comments INSOMNIUM.
INSOMNIUM will play 3 shows in Finland in early March, support PARADISE LOST on the upcoming UK tour this April and will attend Hellfest (France), With Full Force Open Air (Germany), Tuska Open Air (Finland), Wacken Open Air (Germany), Party San Metal Open Air (Germany), Brutal Assault Open Air (Czech Rep.), Summer Breeze Open Air (Germany) and many more European summer festivals.
Upon their releases TURISAS' album "Stand Up and Fight" debuted at #5 while INSOMNIUM's "One For Sorrow" debuted at #6 in the official Finnish charts.
The results of the FINNISH METAL AWARDS for both bands at one glance:
BAND OF THE YEAR 2011:
1. Turisas
2. Insomnium
3. Nightwish
4. Amorphis
5. Amoral
ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2011:
1. Turisas - Stand Up And Fight
2. Insomnium - One For Sorrow
3. Nightwish - Imaginaerum
4. Amoral - Beneath
5. Amorphis - The Beginning Of Times
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR 2011:
1. Mathias D.G. "Warlord" Nygård (Turisas)
2. Tomi Joutsen (Amorphis)
3. Niilo Sevänen(Insomnium)
4. Ari Koivunen (Amoral)
5. Marco Hietala (Tarot, Nightwish)
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR 2011:
2. Olli Vänskä (violin, Turisas)
7. Ville Friman (guitar, Insomnium)
ALBUM ARTWORK OF THE YEAR 2011:
1. Turisas - Stand Up And Fight (Album art by Pasi Juhola & Titanik Helsinki)
2. Insomnium - One For Sorrow
3. Nightwish - Imaginaerum
4. Amorphis - The Beginning Of Times
5. Amoral - Beneath
Source: Century Media
