Finland's KIUAS have issued the following studio update from guitarist Mikko Salovaara:

"The last days of the recordings we’re quite demanding, to say the least. I spent my nights recording the last solos, while Ilja did his final vox during the day. We also had a testosterone-and-beer-smelling session to do some shouting and growling, and the pub-style ending in 'Summer’s End'. When finally everything was recorded, the material was taken to Mikko Karmila at Finnvox. Once he started the mixing, the songs started to come alive. The sound is quite similar to The New Dark Age, although some of the songs sound different because of their different arrangements. Now that the mixing was underway and Karmila didn’t have any technical problems with the tracks (despite our minor buzz problems in the beginning) studio Crom has proven to be a perfectly functioning studio, our very own metal forge.

After the mixing was finished, (once again) Svante Forsbäck mastered the album at Chartmakers (no need to make changes in the winning team!). I have to say that with the finished album playing in the background, all the sweat, missed sleep, pneumonias and ulcers were worth it, because the record DOES kick serious ass! Is it our best so far? Hard to say, so I’ll let you be the judge... and you won’t have to wait long, some teasers will be uploaded in the next few weeks!"

A previous message from the band states: "The new album is now ready, and hence the long months of work with it is finally over. The fourth Kiuas record will be called Lustdriven and date of release is March 31st (in Finland, other countries TBA) via Spinefarm Records. There will also be a limited vinyl edition available. Pre-order info coming soon.

The CD was produced by Janne Joutsenniemi, who previously worked with the band on the pre-production of their last album, The New Dark Age. Mikko Karmila mixed the CD at Finnvox studios while the mastering duties were handled by Svante Forsbäck at Chartmakers.

Lustdriven tracklisting:

'Kiuassault'

'Cry Little Angel'

'Of Love, Lust and Human Nature'

'Aftermath'

'Lights Are Many'

'The Visionary'

'Heart and Will'

'The Quickening'

'Summer's End'

'Winter's Sting'

Bonus track for Japan release:

'Song for the Fells' (Remix)

Check out the cover artwork on the left (click image to enlarge).

A video for the song 'Of Love, Lust and Human Nature' will be shot on February. Kiuas will tour Finland intensively in April. The tour dates will be announced soon. Meanwhile, be prepared for the unplugged Kiuas performance at the Inferno Bar (Tampere, Finland - February 12th).

More on Kiuas at this location.