Kiuas

Kiuas came together in Finland during 2000, assembled by vocalist Ilja Jalkanen, guitarist Mikko "Ilmarinen" Salovaara, keyboardist Atte Tanskanen, bassist Teemu Tuominen, and drummer Markku Näreneva. The ensemble draws on a wide spectrum of heavy metal approaches that encompass thrash, power, and folk currents alike. Avid proponents of the mini-CD format, the group launched its recording career with the early-2002 release The Discipline of Steel EP, followed a year later by Born Under the Northern Lights EP and then, at the outset of 2004, by Winter in June EP, the last of which appeared on England's Rage of Achilles Records.