Kiuas
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| Kiuas | |
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 Kiuas at Sauna Open Air 2008
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Espoo, Finland |
| Genre(s) | Power metal Thrash metal Pagan metal |
| Years active | 2000-present |
| Label(s) | Spinefarm |
| Associated acts | Iconofear |
| Website | www.kiuas.net |
| Members | |
| Ilja Jalkanen Mikko Salovaara Markku Näreneva Atte Tanskanen Teemu Tuominen |
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Kiuas is a heavy metal band from Espoo, Finland. Their music has got influences from power metal, folk metal and the different styles of extreme metal. Influences from progressive metal can also be heard in some songs. All the band members are Finnish pagans,[citation needed] which lead to many of their songs incorporating themes about paganistic gods, such as "Ukko." The band has had a steady line-up ever since they formed.
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[edit] Background
Before the formation of Kiuas, three musicians (Markku Näreneva, Teemu Tuominen and Ilja Jalkanen) played in a band known as Iconofear, which plays a genre of music known as dark heavy metal. Iconofear had formed after the break-up of a blackened death metal band known as Agonia. They released a single EP before those three musicians left the band to concentrate on Kiuas. Kiuas was formed in 2000 when the four original members (Mikko Salovaara, Markku Näreneva, Teemu Tuominen and Atte Tanskanen) found a lead singer, Ilja Jalkanen.
In 2002, funded only by themselves, they released their first demo known as The Discipline of Steel, that featured four songs, and was rooted deep in the mysticism and importance of steel, and its effect on Finnish culture.
In 2003, they successfully released Born Under the Northern Lights, and soon had many offers for record deals. With fans on their side, and a deal from Rage of Achilles, they signed the contract.
In 2004, Kiuas's first label-aided release was completed. Winter in June (MCD EP) was released in Finland and was well received in the metal and hard rock community. Their ability to combine extreme sub-genres of metal with hard rock and classical guitar have led them to become a recognizable force.
Later that year, Rage of Achilles reported that they were going out of business due to the fact they could not support themselves due to belonging to so many record deals in such short amount of time. For this reason, Kiuas, and their co-workers, and associated acts; Amoral, Elenium, Omnium Gatherum, Manitou were cast out without a label, and some without any official release. A few months later, an offer came from the major-label Spinefarm Records.
In 2005, they completed and released their first full length album, The Spirit of Ukko, which was based on Pagan gods. In May, 2006 their second full-length album Reformation was released. It is generally more structured and technical, while keeping the signature sound of Kiuas.
Their new album, The New Dark Age, was released on March 12, 2008 in Finland with other dates to be announced.[1] Their new single, "Of Sacrifice, Loss and Reward", was released on February 20, 2008.[2]
Kiuas is also confirmed to support Children of Bodom in their forthcoming show at London's Astoria alongside with other Finnish folk metal act, Moonsorrow.[3]
[edit] Etymology
The name 'Kiuas' in Finnish translates to 'sauna stove', while the name of the band is derived from the word 'hiidenkiuas'.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Demos/EPs
- The Discipline of Steel (Demo, 2002)
- Born Under the Northern Lights (Demo, 2003)
- Winter in June (EP, 2004)
[edit] Albums
- The Spirit of Ukko (2005)
- Reformation (2006)
- The New Dark Age (2008)
[edit] Singles
- "Race with the Falcons" (2006)
- "Of Sacrifice, Loss and Reward" (2008)
[edit] Line-up
[edit] Current members
- Ilja Jalkanen − vocals
- Mikko Salovaara − guitars, vocals
- Markku Näreneva − drums
- Atte Tanskanen − keyboard
- Teemu Tuominen − bass
