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
Inside The Horror
Chimaira Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pales eyes wide cocked back
The sheer stagnation
Shame to all who thought this an act
The best years of this life
Felt wasted protecting a secret
Insecurities fed on like a rat
True fears of dependency
Affliction
The scars on such a fragile little body
Look
Take a look inside the horror
Take a look inside
Visualize the horrors inside
Burning Sensation
To live just one day
In pure elation
Blame the ones who took this away
Can't provide shelter from
The dangers festering outside
Can't provide safety from
Monsters trapped within the mind
Depression
True fears of dependency
Affliction
The scars on such a fragile little body
Look
Take a look inside the horror
Take a look inside
Visualize the horrors inside
Shake the hand of God
As the blade moves closer
The reflection is brighter than the sun
The perception becomes weaker
The sun starts to fade away
The blank expression on the blade
Skin Calloused yet easy to pierce
On the floor, blood mixed with, tears
Look
Take a look inside the horror
Take a look inside
Visualise the horrors inside
Shake the hand of God
As the blade moves closer
The reflection is brighter than the sun
The perception becomes weaker
The lyrics to Chimaira's song Inside The Horror depict the struggles of someone grappling with deep-seated emotions of depression, insecurity, and fear. The first few lines focus on the expressionless and wide-eyed gaze of the subject, indicating their emotional detachment and perhaps numbness towards the world around them. The lyrics go on to describe the mental trauma the person has faced over the years, feeling that their best years were wasted trying to keep a secret - perhaps one that caused their pain and suffering.
The song highlights the pervasive fear of dependency that plagues the person, making them feel trapped and helpless in their situation. The reference to "fragile little body" paints a picture of vulnerability and frailty, indicating that the person is no match for the "monsters" in their own mind. The repeated refrain of "Take a look inside the horror" is a plea to those around them, to understand the depth and gravity of their struggles.
The second half of the song takes a darker turn, with references to the "blade" and "blood mixed with tears," indicating that the person may have taken to self-harm or suicide to escape their feelings. The repeated appeal to "Shake the hand of God" could be interpreted as a plea for help or a cry for mercy, as the person feels themselves slipping away.
Line by Line Meaning
A Blank Expression
The face of the subject reveals no emotions
Pales eyes wide cocked back
The subject's widened eyes and pale complexion indicate shock or fear
The sheer stagnation
The lack of change or progress in the subject's life
Shame to all who thought this an act
Those who believed the subject's struggles to be fabricated or insincere should feel ashamed
The best years of this life
The prime of the subject's existence
Felt wasted protecting a secret
The subject has devoted significant time and effort to conceal a certain information from others, which they feel is regrettable now
Insecurities fed on like a rat
The subject's insecurities have grown and gotten stronger over time, much like how a rat will feed on available resources
Depression
A state of low mood and aversion towards activity or life in general
True fears of dependency
The subject experiences a genuine apprehension towards relying on others for support or assistance
Affliction
A condition of suffering or distress
The scars on such a fragile little body
Despite the subject's physical frailty, they bear emotional scars from their distressing experiences
Look
Pay attention to the following message
Take a look inside the horror
Examine the true nature of this nightmarish situation
Visualize the horrors inside
Imagine the terrifying and distressing situations the subject has experienced
Burning Sensation
An intense and uncomfortable feeling of heat or pain
To live just one day
Expressing a deep longing for a brief reprieve from the subject's ongoing distress
In pure elation
The highest level of happiness or joy
Blame the ones who took this away
Hold responsible those who inflicted pain or took away happiness from the subject
Can't provide shelter from
The subject is unable to find protection or safety from external threats
The dangers festering outside
The internal struggles of the subject have led them to perceive surrounding dangers, whether real or imagined
Monsters trapped within the mind
Internal demons that have taken hold of the subject, causing mental anguish or distress
Shake the hand of God
A plea or entreaty for divine intervention or salvation
As the blade moves closer
The subject is faced with an imminent threat of death or harm
The reflection is brighter than the sun
The subject's life has flashed before their eyes, becoming more vivid than the light emanating from the sun
The perception becomes weaker
The subject's ability to interpret or comprehend the world around them is diminishing
The sun starts to fade away
The subject falls into darkness or despair as death approaches
The blank expression on the blade
As the subject nears death, their face remains devoid of emotion or expression
Skin Calloused yet easy to pierce
Despite the subject's skin appearing tough and roughened, it is susceptible to harm and injury
On the floor, blood mixed with, tears
The subject has collapsed, with blood and tears mingling on the ground around them
Visualise the horrors inside
Reinforcing the need to thoroughly comprehend and empathize with the subject's struggles
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRIS SPICUZZA, JIM LAMARCA, KEVIN TALLEY, MARK HUNTER, MATT DEVRIES, ROBERT ARNOLD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind