Recommendation: KIUAS - Reformation

[General Zod]

Artist: Kiuas
Title: Reformation
Label: Spinefarm
Release Date: May 2, 2006
Track Listing:

1. Race With the Falcons (4:47)
3. The New Chapter (4:25)
4. Of Ancient Wounds (3:33)
5. Child of Cimmeria (1:06)
6. Black Winged Goddess (5:21)
7. Heart of the Serpent (4:55)
8. Bleeding Strings (5:50)
9. Call of the Horns (3:39)
10. Reformation (Wrath of the Old Gods) (6:12)

Kiuas’ official home page describes the band:

Finland's metal warriors Kiuas are known for their epic sound that combines traditional and melodic metal with elements from extreme metal genres delivered with virtuoso musicianship.

Having spent the last several weeks blasting Kiuas’ latest offering “Reformation”, I can attest this one sentence does a superb job condensing what the band offers. However, allow me to add some detail in an attempt to do the band the justice they so richly deserve.

I’d first describe Kiuas’ core sound as Power Metal. Unfortunately, Power Metal has come to represent all that is generic, rehashed and tired. Thankfully, Kiuas has taken Power Metal, pushed it down a flight of stairs, kicked it in the teeth, and then beat it with a stick. Fusing elements of Melodic Death (riffing, not vocals), Thrash, Neo-classical and Black Metal, and delivering all of it with old school integrity, Kiuas have created something that is very much their own. And while the blending of multiple styles can often sound fragmented or disjointed, “Reformation” is a perfectly cohesive disc, whose sensibilities are rooted deep in traditional Metal.

Musically, Kiuas is a band that picks its spots. There are moments throughout this disc, when the band flashes the type of musical virtuosity typically associated with Progressive Metal. However, Kiuas spaces these moments out choosing to bludgeon the listener with riff after riff, rather than note after note. Vocally, the approach lies between traditional Power Metal and old school Thrash. And while I wouldn’t exactly call Ilja Jalkanen’s vocals original, I’m not quite sure that there’s any one singer (or even a combination of two or three) with whom I could accurately compare his sound. Lyrically the themes are Pagan/Heathen throughout.

Rather than offer up a song by song narrative of this gem, I’ll simply implore you to seek out the band’s music. “Reformation” is pure Metal. And by that I mean it’s everything that Metal should be; loud, aggressive, melodic, and most of all, fun. Although no two songs on "Reformation" are alike, the samples represent what I believe is a fair summation of what Kiuas brings to the dance. Enjoy.

NOTE: If you don't have a great deal of patience for this style of music and only plan to listen to one track, I'd recommend "Reformation". Regardless of which track(s) you play, play it loud.

 

[Dark One]

Very, very cool recommendation. Something different, yet having cross-over appeal elements to fans of varying genres. Technical, aggressive, but not without a sense of having a good time. The vocals are extremely accessible as well. Not nearly as dark as what's been dominating my playlists lately, so it's a bit refreshing as well. After the first few listens, I think they'd be a natural for Progpower (in the "oddball" category - a category I tend to quite enjoy).

I need to give this more spins, but it's clear the musicianship is there. I think it's only going to grow on me, but it's still too early to tell - there's plenty here to digest.

Jason

 

[JayKeeley]

Anti-jollyfolk brigade need not apply.

It's certainly unique. It's interesting in that it refrains from being derivative by using clean vocals, haha! Such a fine line -- replace all the vox with death growls and you get another melodeath album.

For sure though, there is a LOT more going on than just melo-death riffs. A good dose of folk, viking, and pagan melodies scattered throughout.

I need to give it more spins -- all the right ingredients are there but it hasn't fully clicked yet. I've only heard it twice though so it's early days yet.

Kiuas = Falconer + Lost Horizon + Dark Tranquillity .... something like that. Very promising.

Some good things happening with power metal this year: Kiuas, Pharaoh, Pyramaze, and now maybe even the new Mercenary.....but Kiuas is definitely leading the charge.

 

[AsModEe]

thx for the samples dude, I've been trying to hear these guys for some time, they sound pretty interesting.

 

[Ellestin]

I actually like that, not to the point of buying it but there's no denying the refreshing rollercoaster ride and the clever songwriting. Fuck photoshop artwork and polished logos though.

 

[M.Lehto]

I don't like it at all.

 

[Krilons Resa]

I don't like it at all.

Me neither. Thanks for the rec Zod. I tried.

 

[Demilich]

wow, ghey distorted guitar tone! sounds like modern bullshit so far.

(trying to keep an open mind here )

 

[J.]

the dude opened his mouth and it ended for me there. i did give it a shot though

 

[skeptik]

I made it up until the chorus in the first song. It's mildly interesting in comparison to the majority of crap pushed out the factory door, but this isn't my style to begin with, so it was cursed right off the bat.

 

[General Zod]

Quite honestly, I didn't think this would have wide appeal here. I thought, given the Pagan/Heathen themes and the old school vibe, it might cross over a bit, and grab a few listeners that the average Power Metal release would surely alienate. I've been playing this thing constantly, since I layed my hands on it, and really just wanted to pimp it a bit. Thanks for giving it a whirl.

By the way, for those who didn't like it, did you at least try "Reformation"? It's got this delicously Manowaresque vibe to it. It's complete cheese. However, unlike Manowar, it's like a fine French cheese, not Velveeta.

Zod

 

[Doom]

I checked out the first and the last tracks. The last track was pretty bad, nothing in there that that appeals to me at all. The first track was better but quite bland I thought. When it comes to power metal, I only like it if it makes me want to headband, but neither of these tracks did really.

I'm definitely gonna try and listen to all the recommendations this time. I still have stuff I downloaded from the last round in my "yet to listen to" MP3 folder!

 

[En Vind Av Sorg]

I remember I tried recommending a power metal-esque release last time around....I learned my lesson Few people here like good music anymore.

I really like these samples though, I think I will check out these fellows a bit more.

 

[JayKeeley]

I don't think it's necessarily because it's power metal that people don't take to it...I think it's because it's too clean and polished. It's too digital. I would imagine that even if you put death growls all over this, it would still sink like a brick simply because the melo-death trend is as dead as a dodo.

 

[En Vind Av Sorg]

Yea, these Kiuas samples really arent even power metal IMO. I can hear the tinges of it here and there, but it really has a melo-death overall feel to it. I hear abit of Falconer in it, I hear more Wintersun, Ensiferum, Dark Tranquility in it.

 

[JayKeeley]

The first Falconer album was good (I still own it), but I always thought it was a slight step down from Mithotyn. Were any other Falconer albums worthwhile?

Always loved the Falconer debut artwork:

 

[skeptik]

I liked the artwork, but didn't care for the music (regarding Falconer).

 

[J.]

i forgot what mithotyn were like. always did like Old Rover though

 

[AsModEe]

The first Falconer album was good (I still own it), but I always thought it was a slight step down from Mithotyn. Were any other Falconer albums worthwhile?

Always loved the Falconer debut artwork:

I listened to the other albums and here are my 2 cents: keep with the s/t, the rest pale in comparison

 

[Demilich]

so... greatest missapropriation of the phrase "old school vibe" in RC history?