Kiuas
Encyclopedia
Kiuas is a heavy metal
band from Espoo
, Finland
. Their music has influences from power metal
, folk metal
and different styles of extreme metal
. Influences from progressive metal
can also be heard in some songs.
. 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 the Pagan gods, primarily Ukko
hence the name. 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. This album was a slight departure from their previous, as it adopted a much heavier, more serious sound. Their new single
, "Of Sacrifice, Loss and Reward", was released on February 20, 2008.
Kiuas also supported Children of Bodom
in their show at London's Astoria
alongside with other Finnish folk metal
act, Moonsorrow
. Kiuas also performed with Serenity Dies and Nothnegal
on 5 September 2008 at Alimas Carnival, Malé, Maldives. The show was called "Revolution begins". Vocalist Ilja Jalkanen stated in an interview that guitarist and primary songwriter Mikko Salovaara wrote material for a follow up to 2008's The New Dark Age
in Summer 2009. The album was released March 31, 2010 and is titled "Lustdriven
."
On October 27, Kiuas announced the departure of singer Ilja Jalkanen. In Ilja’s own words: “My heart is not in heavy metal anymore, and a great band like Kiuas deserves a singer completely dedicated to the music.”
On January 16, 2011, at Nosturi, Helsinki, stand-in vocalist Asim Searah was officially inaugurated as the new frontman of Kiuas.
translates to 'sauna stove', while the name of the band is derived from the word 'hiidenkiuas', which more literally means 'barrow consisting of a pile of rocks'.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Espoo
Espoo
Espoo is the second largest city and municipality in Finland. The population of the city of Espoo is . It is part of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area along with the cities of Helsinki, Vantaa, and Kauniainen. Espoo shares its eastern border with Helsinki and Vantaa, while enclosing Kauniainen....
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
. Their music has influences from power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
, folk metal
Folk metal
Folk metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal with traditional folk music...
and different styles of extreme metal
Extreme metal
Extreme metal is a loosely defined umbrella term for a number of related heavy metal music subgenres that have developed since the early 1980s. The term usually refers to a more abrasive, harsher, underground, non-commercialized style or sound nearly always associated with genres like black metal,...
. Influences from progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
can also be heard in some songs.
History
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 metalHeavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
. 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
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
known as The Discipline of Steel
The Discipline of Steel
The Discipline of Steel is the first demo by the Finnish power metal band Kiuas self-released in 2002. The demo's theme concentrates around the importance of steel and features an album cover edited by computer graphics of a working blacksmith....
, that featured four songs, and was rooted deep in the mysticism
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
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
Winter in June
Winter in June is an EP released by the heavy metal band Kiuas, released on May 29, 2004 by the Rage of Achilles label. This release would secure Kiuas for a deal with Spinefarm Records...
(MCD
Mini CD
Mini CDs, or “pocket CDs” are CDs with a smaller diameter and one third the capacity.-Formats:Amongst the various formats are the* Mini CD single, a small disc. The format is mainly used for audio CD singles in certain regions , much like the old vinyl single...
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
Omnium Gatherum
Omnium Gatherum is a six-piece melodic death metal band from Finland, founded in the autumn of 1996. Although the band mainly follows the path of melodic death metal genre, the music created by the band, especially the later albums, has a strong feel/presence of other sub-genres, such as black...
, Manitou
Manitou
Manitou is a general term for spirit beings among many Algonquian Native American groups.Manitou may also refer to:- Geography :* Manitou, Manitoba, Canada* Manitou, Kentucky, USA* Manitou, Oklahoma, USA- Other uses :...
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
Spinefarm Records
Spinefarm Records is a Finland-based record label focusing mainly on heavy metal artists. In 1999, a sub-label titled Spikefarm Records was started by Sami Tenetz from Thy Serpent...
.
In 2005, they completed and released their first full length album, The Spirit of Ukko
The Spirit of Ukko
The Spirit Of Ukko is the debut full-length studio album by the Finnish heavy metal band Kiuas, released on May 4, 2005 by Spinefarm Records. "Ukko" in Finnish mythology is the greatest of the pagan gods and is a Finnish male name. The Japanese version features a bonus song eponymously titled from...
, which was based the Pagan gods, primarily Ukko
Ukko
In Finnish mythology, Ukko, in Estonian mythology Uku, is a god of sky, weather, crops and other natural things. He is the most significant god in Finnish and Estonian mythologies, and created the goddess Ilmatar, creator of the world. The Finnish word ukkonen, thunderstorm, is derived from his...
hence the name. 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
The New Dark Age
The New Dark Age is the third studio album by the Finnish power metal band Kiuas. The album was released through Spinefarm Records on March 12, 2008 for Finland with new dates to be announced for other areas. The song, "Conqueror", directed by Owe Lingwall was shot as a music video on February 18,...
, was released on March 12, 2008 in Finland with other dates to be announced. This album was a slight departure from their previous, as it adopted a much heavier, more serious sound. Their new single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Of Sacrifice, Loss and Reward", was released on February 20, 2008.
Kiuas also supported Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom is a Finnish heavy metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993, the group currently consists of Alexi Laiho , Roope Latvala , Janne Wirman , Henkka Seppälä , and Jaska Raatikainen...
in their show at London's Astoria
London Astoria
The London Astoria was a music venue, located at 157 Charing Cross Road, in London, England. It had been leased and run by Festival Republic since 2000. It was closed on 15 January 2009 and has since been demolished...
alongside with other Finnish folk metal
Folk metal
Folk metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal with traditional folk music...
act, Moonsorrow
Moonsorrow
Moonsorrow is a pagan metal band formed in Helsinki, Finland, in 1995. Musically, the band incorporates elements of black metal and folk metal in their sound...
. Kiuas also performed with Serenity Dies and Nothnegal
Nothnegal
Nothnegal is a Maldivian heavy metal band from Malé, formed in 2006. The band is currently signed to Season of Mist. Nothnegal is endorsed by Jackson and LTD guitars.-History:...
on 5 September 2008 at Alimas Carnival, Malé, Maldives. The show was called "Revolution begins". Vocalist Ilja Jalkanen stated in an interview that guitarist and primary songwriter Mikko Salovaara wrote material for a follow up to 2008's The New Dark Age
The New Dark Age
The New Dark Age is the third studio album by the Finnish power metal band Kiuas. The album was released through Spinefarm Records on March 12, 2008 for Finland with new dates to be announced for other areas. The song, "Conqueror", directed by Owe Lingwall was shot as a music video on February 18,...
in Summer 2009. The album was released March 31, 2010 and is titled "Lustdriven
Lustdriven
Lustdriven is the fourth studio album by Heavy metal band Kiuas. It was released March 31, 2010 by Spinefarm Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:* Ilja Jalkanen – vocals* Mikko Salovaara – guitars, vocals* Markku Näreneva – drums...
."
On October 27, Kiuas announced the departure of singer Ilja Jalkanen. In Ilja’s own words: “My heart is not in heavy metal anymore, and a great band like Kiuas deserves a singer completely dedicated to the music.”
On January 16, 2011, at Nosturi, Helsinki, stand-in vocalist Asim Searah was officially inaugurated as the new frontman of Kiuas.
Etymology
The name 'Kiuas' in FinnishFinnish language
Finnish is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland Primarily for use by restaurant menus and by ethnic Finns outside Finland. It is one of the two official languages of Finland and an official minority language in Sweden. In Sweden, both standard Finnish and Meänkieli, a...
translates to 'sauna stove', while the name of the band is derived from the word 'hiidenkiuas', which more literally means 'barrow consisting of a pile of rocks'.
Demos/EPs
- The Discipline of SteelThe Discipline of SteelThe Discipline of Steel is the first demo by the Finnish power metal band Kiuas self-released in 2002. The demo's theme concentrates around the importance of steel and features an album cover edited by computer graphics of a working blacksmith....
(DemoDemo (music)A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
, 2002) - Born Under the Northern Lights (Demo, 2003)
- Winter in JuneWinter in JuneWinter in June is an EP released by the heavy metal band Kiuas, released on May 29, 2004 by the Rage of Achilles label. This release would secure Kiuas for a deal with Spinefarm Records...
(EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, 2004) - Kiuas War Anthems (EP, 2008)
- Sailing Ships (EP, 2009)
Albums
- The Spirit of UkkoThe Spirit of UkkoThe Spirit Of Ukko is the debut full-length studio album by the Finnish heavy metal band Kiuas, released on May 4, 2005 by Spinefarm Records. "Ukko" in Finnish mythology is the greatest of the pagan gods and is a Finnish male name. The Japanese version features a bonus song eponymously titled from...
(2005) - Reformation (2006)
- The New Dark AgeThe New Dark AgeThe New Dark Age is the third studio album by the Finnish power metal band Kiuas. The album was released through Spinefarm Records on March 12, 2008 for Finland with new dates to be announced for other areas. The song, "Conqueror", directed by Owe Lingwall was shot as a music video on February 18,...
(2008) - LustdrivenLustdrivenLustdriven is the fourth studio album by Heavy metal band Kiuas. It was released March 31, 2010 by Spinefarm Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:* Ilja Jalkanen – vocals* Mikko Salovaara – guitars, vocals* Markku Näreneva – drums...
(2010)
Singles
- "Race with the Falcons" (2006)
- "Of Sacrifice, Loss and Reward" (2008)
- "Of Love, Lust and Human Nature" (2010)
Music videos
- "The Decaying Doctrine" (2008)
- "Conqueror" (2008)
- "Of Love, Lust and Human Nature" (2010)
Band members
- Asim Searah - vocals
- Mikko Salovaara – guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, vocals - Rainer "Raikku" Tuomikanto– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Jari Pailamo – keyboardElectronic keyboardAn electronic keyboard is an electronic or digital keyboard instrument.The major components of a typical modern electronic keyboard are:...
- Teemu Tuominen – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Previous Members
- Ilja Jalkanen – vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(2000–2010) - Markku Näreneva - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(2000–2011) - Atte Tanskanen - keyboardElectronic keyboardAn electronic keyboard is an electronic or digital keyboard instrument.The major components of a typical modern electronic keyboard are:...
(2000–2011)
External links
- Official website
- Kiuas at Spinefarm RecordsSpinefarm RecordsSpinefarm Records is a Finland-based record label focusing mainly on heavy metal artists. In 1999, a sub-label titled Spikefarm Records was started by Sami Tenetz from Thy Serpent...
- Kiuas at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Kiuas at Encyclopaedia MetallumEncyclopaedia MetallumEncyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives is a website which lists bands from various forms of heavy metal music...