Finnish folk/metal overlords TURISAS have scheduled the following European tour dates:

May 31 - Paljassaare Rock Fest - Tallinn, Estonia
Jun. 06 - Rock Im Park - Nürnberg, Germany
Jun. 08 - Rock Am Ring - Nürburgring, Germany
Jun. 14 - Myötätuulirock - Vantaa, Finland
Jun. 21 - Nummirock - Nummijärvi, Finland
Jul. 04 - Ruisrock - Turku, Finland
Jul. 12 - Voimasointu Festival - Mäntyharju, Finland
Jul. 13 - Ilosaarirock - Joensuu, Finland
Jul. 18 - Rock Harz Open Air - Osterode, Germany
Jul. 19 - Wanaja Festival - Hämeenlinna, Finland
Jul. 26 - Lorca Rock - Lorca, Spain
Aug. 08 - Jurassic Rock - Mikkeli, Finland
Aug. 15 - Jalometalli - Oulu, Finland

TURISAS is set to invade North American shores this upcoming spring as part of Paganfest 2008, which also features fellow Finns ENSIFERUM, TYR and ELUVEITIE. This Metal Maniacs-sponsored trek, which kicks off on April 25, is in support of the group's critically acclaimed new album, "The Varangian Way". The critically acclaimed disc is going to be re-released on April 29 and this special tour edition package features a bonus DVD jam-packed with live performance footage.

"The Varangian Way" bonus DVD content:

01. Rasputin (video clip)
02. Battle Metal (live) (recorded at Rock Hard Festival 2007)
03. To Holmgard And Beyond (live)
04. In The Court Of Jarisleif (live)
05. Battle Metal (live) (filmed live at Download Festival
06. Battle Metal (live) (recorded at With Full Force 2007)

Central to "The Varangian Way" is the group's concept of a journey through the East European river route through the lands of modern day East Europe. The Northmen who traveled this path in the 9th-11th centuries were called Varangians. Key to the album's concept is a search for self and identity, both of which are explored by the protagonist in "The Varangian Way"'s eight songs. Truly a display of the band's dedication to the conceptual elements of the album, TURISAS made sure to include cultural influences from the lands the Varangians would have traveled through.

Rakesh Burton of Baconmusic conducted an interview with TURISAS vocalist Mathias Nygård on March 5, 2008 prior to the band's sold-out show at UK's Liverpool Academy.

Watch the nine-minute chat below.