History & Biography Named after Finland’s national pastime (no, not confusing keyboards with metal) the stove in the sauna the Helsinkians were formed in 2000 as a black/death metal band. The band recorded a demo called The Discipline Of Steel in January of 2002 and began drifting towards more commercial realms. Another demo followed and was called Born Under The Northern Lights. The group had Rage Of Achilles issue its demo material as a mini-CD called Winter In June. The British label was soon bankrupt.
Kiuas signed with Spinefarm Records and had its debut out in 2005. 2006’s reformation landed in the Finnish Top-40. The New Dark Age was issued in the spring and also entered the charts. Finland’s Kiuas completed its fourth album for an April 1st, 2010 release through Spinefarm Records. Janne Joutsenniemi produced the album at Sonic Pump Studio in Helsinki.
Kiuas has participated on the Metal Karaoke and Guitar Heroes albums.
Reviews KIUAS - THE NEW DARK AGE - SPINEFARM
The New Dark Age begins with a mixture of thrash metal and progressive rock sounds and patterns making one wonder to where it will all lead. Throughout, the album is indeed unique and original. The Finns combine thrash with prog with heavy and power metal, but above all Kiuas is about making grand sounds and epic passages. The album is likely a concept with serious lyrics about the world and religion. Christians, Jews, Muslims and ilk will not be happy with these words. Unfortunately for them the vocals of Ilja Jalkanen is exceptionally clear and easy to understand. Not that anyone doubts that the average Finn articulates in English better than half of America, but the words here come across with unusual clarity.
In many ways Kiuas is analogous to Hammers Of Misfortune. Not only is the cover style of The New Dark Age reminiscent in style of the HOM’s The Bastard, but also both bands strive for epic imagery and grand song writing. The Oriental instruments on To Excel And Ascend, a song called Kiuas War Anthem and the cover depiction of the members show thought and making of an effort. Finns being the wusses that they are (Impaled Nazarene must be Swedish), however, Kiuas quickly loses reliability and marks by cramming in K&F (keyboards & Female vocals) into the album in order to make things as commercial as possible. Sadly, they succeed in transforming a competent album with a number of amazing riffs into the run-of-the-mill pop cultured Finnish Spinefarm produce. - Ali “The Metallian”
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