Chimaira
Chimaira (pronounced /kaɪˈmɪərə/) is an American metal band from Cleveland,… Read Full Bio ↴Chimaira (pronounced /kaɪˈmɪərə/) is an American metal band from Cleveland, Ohio, formed in 1998 and disbanded in 2014. The band is a notable member of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal. Their band name is derived from the word Chimera, a monstrous creature in Greek mythology. They play a style of mainly groove metal, with some metalcore, industrial metal, and death metal influences.
Chimaira was formed in 1998 by rhythm guitarist Jason Hager, and vocalist Mark Hunter. The pair recruited Jason Genaro on drums and Andrew Ermlick on bass to complete the line-up. Their first EP, This Present Darkness, was released on January 11, 2000, on East Coast Empire records. This EP featured a few songs that were later re-recorded for their major label release on Roadrunner Records, entitled Pass Out of Existence. Jason Hager later left the band after Pass Out Of Existence due to family issues and the band gained Matt DeVries, a long time friend of the band and guitarist for the Cleveland based band Ascension. Pass Out of Existence didn't sell that many records when it was released in 2001, but The Impossibility of Reason, released in 2003, was enough to fund Chimaira's extensive touring with In Flames, and their second-stage performance at Ozzfest, also in 2003.
Musically, Pass Out of Existence had a much more "electronic" sound than The Impossibility of Reason, with Chris Spicuzza's pronounced electronic loops featured in many songs. This sound was often compared to artists like Fear Factory, Spineshank and Slipknot. The Impossibility of Reason kept with a more pure, metal-esque instrumentation, akin to metalcore bands such as Killswitch Engage, and this was found to be very popular--the album reached #2 on Billboard's "Heatseekers" chart.
Their self-titled album, released in August 2005, built upon the progress of The Impossibility of Reason. The electronic feel of Pass Out of Existence and This Present Darkness is much reduced, and the guitar riffs and solos are taking a more central position to the band's music. The band hired Kevin Talley (Dying Fetus, Misery Index) to fill position behind the drumkit.
The themes of "rejection, revenge and repercussion" [1] from The Impossibility of Reason remain, although there are exceptions here - the track "Lazarus" is named for, and written about a friend of Mark Hunter's (singer) commiting suicide. In mid-2006 Chimaira and Roadrunner announced they would amicably part ways.
On March 6th, 2007, Chimaira released "Resurrection" on Nuclear Blast/Ferret Records, with some special packs containing a DVD of the making of the album. Andols Herrick returned to the band, and musically the album is an evolution of previous efforts. The songs feature heavy and pounding riffs, as in the likes of "Chimaira", but also features more thoughtful melodic parts and, what can be considered, more progressive solo parts and arrangements. Also from Chris Spicuzza on keyboard there is a heavier contribution than on the last album. The band even manage to create a black-metal-esque song with the help of Morgoth The Impaler on keyboards. Unsurprisingly, the song "Resurrection" was written about the new lease of life the band (especially Mark Hunter) felt upon release from Roadrunner, who they felt, were not promoting the band as much as the band felt they deserved.
Before the release of the album, The Infection (2009), the band had been posting short clips on their web page from the upcoming album, which was written in Cleveland, Ohio with producer Ben Schigel, who previously produced the band's album The Impossibility of Reason and their self titled album. The Infection was mixed by Zeuss, who mixed and produced albums for Hatebreed and Shadows Fall, and was released on April 21, 2009. At its annual Chimaira Christmas show on December 30, 2008, they debuted a new song entitled "Secrets of the Dead."
The first single off The Infection was "Secrets of the Dead", which was released March 3, 2009. The Infection debuted at number 30 on the Billboard 200. During a number of European tour dates supporting The Infection, Chimaira had Emil Werstler of Dååth filling in for Matt DeVries, as DeVries' girlfriend had their first child.
The 10th annual Chimaira Christmas show was held at the House of Blues in Cleveland Ohio on December 27, 2009 and was filmed for a live DVD titled Coming Alive, which was released in 2010.
In late 2010, bassist Jim LaMarca retired from the band. Chimaira released the following statement regarding his departure "After a decade of good times and achievements, our friend and band mate Jim LaMarca [bass] has decided to retire from CHIMAIRA. We wish him nothing but the best as he settles in and starts a family. As for seeking a replacement… we'll cross that bridge down the line. In the meantime, consider it 'business as usual' with the CHIMAIRA you know and love." The band tapped Werstler once again, this time to replace LaMarca as a member of the band on bass.
By mid 2011, more lineup changes would occur. On April 5th, keyboard player Chris Spicuzza announced his departure from the band, citing a "negative environment and the general state of the music industry." A week later, drummer Andols Herrick also announced his departure. He stated he was asked to leave due to "differences." He also stated the band members had parted on good terms. Later in the year, it was announced that the annual Christmas show would be the last for guitarists Rob Arnold and Matt DeVries. Werstler was slid over to guitar duties and Jeremy Creamer, also of Daath, was brought in to replace him on bass. Matt Szlachta of Dirge Within was chosen to fill the other vacant guitar spot. Austin D'amond of Bleed the Sky and Sean Zatorsky of Daath have taken over drums and keyboard duties respectively.
America: Ferret
Europe: Nuclear Blast
Chimaira was formed in 1998 by rhythm guitarist Jason Hager, and vocalist Mark Hunter. The pair recruited Jason Genaro on drums and Andrew Ermlick on bass to complete the line-up. Their first EP, This Present Darkness, was released on January 11, 2000, on East Coast Empire records. This EP featured a few songs that were later re-recorded for their major label release on Roadrunner Records, entitled Pass Out of Existence. Jason Hager later left the band after Pass Out Of Existence due to family issues and the band gained Matt DeVries, a long time friend of the band and guitarist for the Cleveland based band Ascension. Pass Out of Existence didn't sell that many records when it was released in 2001, but The Impossibility of Reason, released in 2003, was enough to fund Chimaira's extensive touring with In Flames, and their second-stage performance at Ozzfest, also in 2003.
Musically, Pass Out of Existence had a much more "electronic" sound than The Impossibility of Reason, with Chris Spicuzza's pronounced electronic loops featured in many songs. This sound was often compared to artists like Fear Factory, Spineshank and Slipknot. The Impossibility of Reason kept with a more pure, metal-esque instrumentation, akin to metalcore bands such as Killswitch Engage, and this was found to be very popular--the album reached #2 on Billboard's "Heatseekers" chart.
Their self-titled album, released in August 2005, built upon the progress of The Impossibility of Reason. The electronic feel of Pass Out of Existence and This Present Darkness is much reduced, and the guitar riffs and solos are taking a more central position to the band's music. The band hired Kevin Talley (Dying Fetus, Misery Index) to fill position behind the drumkit.
The themes of "rejection, revenge and repercussion" [1] from The Impossibility of Reason remain, although there are exceptions here - the track "Lazarus" is named for, and written about a friend of Mark Hunter's (singer) commiting suicide. In mid-2006 Chimaira and Roadrunner announced they would amicably part ways.
On March 6th, 2007, Chimaira released "Resurrection" on Nuclear Blast/Ferret Records, with some special packs containing a DVD of the making of the album. Andols Herrick returned to the band, and musically the album is an evolution of previous efforts. The songs feature heavy and pounding riffs, as in the likes of "Chimaira", but also features more thoughtful melodic parts and, what can be considered, more progressive solo parts and arrangements. Also from Chris Spicuzza on keyboard there is a heavier contribution than on the last album. The band even manage to create a black-metal-esque song with the help of Morgoth The Impaler on keyboards. Unsurprisingly, the song "Resurrection" was written about the new lease of life the band (especially Mark Hunter) felt upon release from Roadrunner, who they felt, were not promoting the band as much as the band felt they deserved.
Before the release of the album, The Infection (2009), the band had been posting short clips on their web page from the upcoming album, which was written in Cleveland, Ohio with producer Ben Schigel, who previously produced the band's album The Impossibility of Reason and their self titled album. The Infection was mixed by Zeuss, who mixed and produced albums for Hatebreed and Shadows Fall, and was released on April 21, 2009. At its annual Chimaira Christmas show on December 30, 2008, they debuted a new song entitled "Secrets of the Dead."
The first single off The Infection was "Secrets of the Dead", which was released March 3, 2009. The Infection debuted at number 30 on the Billboard 200. During a number of European tour dates supporting The Infection, Chimaira had Emil Werstler of Dååth filling in for Matt DeVries, as DeVries' girlfriend had their first child.
The 10th annual Chimaira Christmas show was held at the House of Blues in Cleveland Ohio on December 27, 2009 and was filmed for a live DVD titled Coming Alive, which was released in 2010.
In late 2010, bassist Jim LaMarca retired from the band. Chimaira released the following statement regarding his departure "After a decade of good times and achievements, our friend and band mate Jim LaMarca [bass] has decided to retire from CHIMAIRA. We wish him nothing but the best as he settles in and starts a family. As for seeking a replacement… we'll cross that bridge down the line. In the meantime, consider it 'business as usual' with the CHIMAIRA you know and love." The band tapped Werstler once again, this time to replace LaMarca as a member of the band on bass.
By mid 2011, more lineup changes would occur. On April 5th, keyboard player Chris Spicuzza announced his departure from the band, citing a "negative environment and the general state of the music industry." A week later, drummer Andols Herrick also announced his departure. He stated he was asked to leave due to "differences." He also stated the band members had parted on good terms. Later in the year, it was announced that the annual Christmas show would be the last for guitarists Rob Arnold and Matt DeVries. Werstler was slid over to guitar duties and Jeremy Creamer, also of Daath, was brought in to replace him on bass. Matt Szlachta of Dirge Within was chosen to fill the other vacant guitar spot. Austin D'amond of Bleed the Sky and Sean Zatorsky of Daath have taken over drums and keyboard duties respectively.
America: Ferret
Europe: Nuclear Blast
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Chimaira Lyrics
01 This Present Darkness In this present darkness I fall Fall upon broken knees Cr…
02. Dead Inside I felt so alone You left feeling so empty and needing Can't…
03 Power Trip Face to face No time to waste This is the time for…
05 Lend A Hand You are god's most beautiful creation From the moment I…
08. Painting the White to Grey Face I am nothing face Complete by sarcastic tastes What a…
09. Taste My Fall into my hole I keep seeking Is there anything left to…
1 This Present Darkness In this present darkness I fall Fall upon broken knees Cr…
12 Forced Life Images still in my head of you dead I wish I…
All That Take a look to the sky emptiness surrounds us Feel so…
Army of Me You can't - Understand I still have a lot to…
Balls to the Wall Too many slaves in this world One by torture and pain Too…
Beyond The Grave I've seen the signs But I've ignored them Sickness has taken…
Black Heart Black heart dead soul Apathy and misery Loss of control Any …
Bloodlust Your true definition of me Your idea that I'm real All of…
Born In Blood Born in blood Spawn of ignorance Damned from the start Ha…
Chimaira Power Trip Face to face No time to waste This is the time for…
Clayden Lay a sullen grin upon this helpless knave And lead the…
Cleansation What do you expect from me Will I ever be who…
Clockwork Clockwork I hear the sound of the bell The more I…
Comatose I am the constant chill I am the versatile one I am…
Coming Alive There was a time I was afraid Of getting close to…
Convictions Broken homes and resentment Scars that never fade Ridicule…
Crawl As I lay this all to rest Shadows appear reminding me…
Crown Of Phantoms Survival of the fittest denial of existence Missing a piece …
Dead Inside I felt so alone I felt so alone I felt so alone I…
Dead Inside 0417 I felt so alone You left feeling so empty and needing Can'…
Destroy and Dominate I am the bastard son The expendable one War is in my…
Disposable Heroes Bodies fill the fields I see, hungry heroes end No one…
Divination I've always searched for an answer for my convinctions A tr…
Down Again How many times can it change How long will I be…
Empire Do you believe in me Enough to sacrifice Do you believe in…
Empty I thought I knew you My dream had come true Look back,…
End It All Another day another town another city It's all the same And …
Everything You Love Can't sleep with all this frustration, intoxication I no lon…
Eye's Of A Criminal This rage has overcome No more will I shun These thoughts…
Eyes Of A Criminal This rage has overcome No more will I shun These thoughts…
Fascination Street Oh it's opening time Down on Fascination Street So let's cut…
Forced Life Images still in my head of you dead I wish I…
Frozen in Time Suspicion growing A feeling I cannot control Communication C…
Gag After years of endless torture You try to come back Liken…
I Despise Fake, judgemental hypocrite self-righteous piece of shit you…
Impending Doom Impending doom Can't escape Pitch black at the lake The s…
Indifferent to Suffering Unrelenting addiction The struggle continues The urge to…
Inside The Horror A Blank Expression Pales eyes wide cocked back The sheer sta…
Jade Face black another shadow of innocence tainted Gave back all…
Jadę Jade, jade, jade Face black, another shadow of innocence ta…
Killing The Beast You're a man who lives in solitude Never knowing what life…
Kingdom Of Heartache Years ago they came to me, claiming they would protect…
Kings Of The Shadow World Horror, inconceivable to believe torture, penetrate the hear…
Lazarus Eleven five ninety four, six thirty morning Woke up panicked…
Left For Dead Greed has caused you to become a monster Greed has caused…
Left For Death Greed has caused you to become a monster Greed has caused…
Lend a Hand You are god's most beautiful creation From the moment I…
Let Go My scabs are almost picked Slowly growing into this Feelings…
Let's Go! My scabs are almost picked Slowly growing into this Feelin…
Losing My Mind Ready to explode The pressure buries me The poison takes con…
Love Soaked Death Love soaked death two suns on one tongue A kiss from…
Lumps I feel as if I have been dreaming I am confused…
Malignant Pollution of body and soul, the whole world is dying. Pollut…
Needle I gave up trying No use in lying Another broken promise Anot…
New Apocalypse Pour gas on the fire This mind-burning desire Ecstasy and fa…
No Mercy Wide awake bleeding on the inside doubt The consequences fee…
No Reason To Believe Brown yellow and white diseases Plague the streets with a v…
No Reason To Live Brown yellow and white diseases Plague the streets with a vi…
Nothing Remains I shout these words, To those who never listened, I pen this…
On Broken Glass It's just another sleepless night The hunt is on Looking f…
Options A slave to my thoughts daily I finally lost my craving Need…
Overlooked Closing comments made you wonder What was the start of it…
Painting the White to Gray Face I am nothing face Complete by sarcastic tastes What a…
Paralyzed What's that behind her back (her back) Suffocated with a pla…
Pass Out of Existence Oh I'm that sick I see it that way I'd rather…
Pictures In The Gold Room Dark room opens No light for years No way to find out How…
Plastic Wonderland Hello again my friend it's time to start there is…
Pleasure In Pain To tired to figure it out my head is spinning My…
Power Trip Face to face No time to waste This is the time for…
Powerless She lays there helpless Alone in the darkness My chest is so…
Pray For All Everything was perfect before I found my dream You were the…
Pure Hatred I have told you things need to change You never listened…
Refuse to See One more time I feel my life slip through my…
Reign In Blood Born in blood Spawn of ignorance Damned from the start Ha…
Ressurection Free at last Finally tasting happiness Five years of hell fo…
Revenge I'll bring the terror, leave you trembling You might as wel…
Rizzo Pull up your car you're home from the night on…
Salvation Endless nights filled with misery Sick of familiar patterns …
Save Ourselves What a Shame, breaking Down What is getting the best of…
Scapegoat Burning inside Slumped over Living a lie I reach for the whi…
Scum Of The Earth [USB Bonus Track] It’s not the end of the world But it…
Secrets of the Dead Faceless, subhuman Shattered souls I feed Experimenting Dead…
Severed Stay awake to decide Are you coming back? Is this my sanity?…
Silence I am the one who breaks all This misery you call…
Six She has seen so many things it's so surreal She has…
Sp Lit Late night comes are you home? No you're not You're out wit…
Sphere Crawling back up from the floor now I look above me…
Spineless These words will cut you like a knife And I'm killing…
Split Late night comes are you home? No you're not You're out …
Stays The Same You pretend to feel me.. You pretend to care about me.. (I…
Stigmurder Ever want to commit murder Feel the rush as you kill…
Taste My Fall into my hole I keep seeking Is there anything left to…
Taste My.. Fall into my hole I keep seeking Is there anything left to…
Taste My... Fall into my hole I keep seeking Is there anything left to…
Taste My.... Fall into my hole I keep seeking Is there anything left to…
The Age Of Hell Are you ready to die? One more swing Bloodletting There's no…
The Dehumanizing Process Explode Clear the way, the new king has arrived To take …
The Disappearing Sun This might be the last time you ever see me But…
The Flame Her eyes opened After that terrible night Would she ever be …
The Impossibility of Reason You preach to me as if it matters Never worrying about…
The Machine It is alive beyond the dark side passing through the…
The Venom Inside The venom inside. Turned me into the enemy Turned into what …
This Present Darknes In this present darkness I fall Fall upon broken knees Cr…
This Present Darkness In this present darkness I fall Fall upon broken knees Craw…
Threnody Fade away into the shadows. She sucked the life right from…
Time Is Running Out I used to feel invincible Nothing could stop me Now the smal…
Trigger Finger There is a price to pay for freedom There is a…
Try to Survive A new day arises As the city sleeps No compromising No promi…
Warpath What the fuck am I doing here? 4,000 miles away The night…
Without Moral Restraint I see what is fake What is real I'll never know Can't…
Worthless Did you ever realize That your way of life Is effecting all…
Wrapped In Violence Fuck what they say a dying age A boiling rage will…
Year Of The Snake Choking on these feelings This awakening has been at arms le…
Your Days Are Numbered [USB Bonus Track] These eyes are watching every move that…
[silence] I am the one breaks all This misery you call your…