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
Lazarus
Chimaira Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Woke up panicked, sweating, with a mouth full of vomit
No idea what could be wrong
Blew it off as this illness is common
Went back to sleep, then the phone rings
Fell to the ground
As the news was haunting, haunting
Eleven eight ninety four six thirty evening
The first time we're seeing Lazarus unconscious
Dressed in the clothes he loved
Laid out with all of his favorites
The tears of so many friends
Look around, and this view was haunting, haunting
Lazarus ended his life, ungodly sacrifice, no reason why
Never had an explanation
Never had a chance to thank him
Never had a chance to watch Lazarus rise
Never had a chance to thank him
Never had an explanation
Never had a chance to say goodbye
Lazarus ended his life, ungodly sacrifice, no reason why
Never had a chance to say goodbye
The song "Lazarus" by Chimaira is a heart-wrenching tale of loss and confusion that stems from the suicide of a friend named Lazarus. The lyrics start off by describing the day of the suicide, November 5th, 1994. The singer wakes up in a panicked state, realizing that something isn't right. However, he brushes it off as just another common illness and goes back to sleep. That's when the phone rings and he finds out that his friend has taken his own life. The news is haunting and the singer can't make sense of why his friend, Lazarus, would do this.
The lyrics then move on to the day of the funeral, November 8th, 1994. The singer and his friends arrive to see Lazarus laid out, dressed in his favorite clothes, surrounded by his favorite things. The sight is a haunting reminder of what has been lost. The singer reflects on the fact that they never had a chance to thank Lazarus for his friendship, never had an explanation for why he did what he did, and never had a chance to say goodbye. The chorus repeats that Lazarus ended his life as an ungodly sacrifice, and there was no reason why.
This song is a stark reminder of the pain and loss that suicide can bring. It's a call to be kinder, to be more compassionate, and to reach out to those who might be struggling. Chimaira has crafted a powerful and moving tribute to their friend, and to all those who have been affected by suicide.
Line by Line Meaning
Eleven five ninety four, six thirty morning
On November 5, 1994, at exactly 6:30 am, the singer woke up abruptly, feeling nervous, sweating profusely with a bad taste on his tongue.
Woke up panicked, sweating, with a mouth full of vomit
The singer woke up feeling anxious and afraid, perspiring heavily, and with a foul taste in his mouth.
No idea what could be wrong
The singer was clueless as to what caused his panicking and sweating.
Blew it off as this illness is common
The artist dismissed his symptoms as a typical health issue.
Went back to sleep, then the phone rings
After returning to bed, the artist was interrupted by a phone call.
Fell to the ground
The singer collapsed in shock upon learning the news from the phone call.
As the news was haunting, haunting
The singer was devastated by the news he received.
Lazarus ended his life, ungodly sacrifice, no reason why
The artist discovered that Lazarus, someone he knew, committed suicide, which shocked him as there was no apparent cause or motive for it.
Eleven eight ninety four six thirty evening
On the evening of November 8, 1994, at 6:30 pm, the artist saw Lazarus for the first time, unconscious.
The first time we're seeing Lazarus unconscious
The artist and his audience witnessed Lazarus in an incapacitated state for the first time.
Dressed in the clothes he loved
Lazarus was wearing his favorite attire.
Laid out with all of his favorites
Lazarus was laid out with the items and possessions he enjoyed the most.
The tears of so many friends
The singer observed many of Lazarus's friends expressing their sorrow by crying.
Look around, and this view was haunting, haunting
The singer was disturbed by the sight of Lazarus and his surroundings.
Never had an explanation
The singer never knew the reason behind Lazarus's actions.
Never had a chance to thank him
The artist never had the opportunity to show gratitude towards Lazarus.
Never had a chance to watch Lazarus rise
The artist never got to witness Lazarus's rise to greatness.
Never had a chance to say goodbye
The singer never properly bid farewell to Lazarus.
Lazarus ended his life, ungodly sacrifice, no reason why
The singer reiterates that Lazarus took his own life for no apparent reason.
Never had a chance to say goodbye
The artist emphasizes the importance of having the opportunity to say proper goodbyes to prevent regrets.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARTIN JAMES CARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind