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
Let Go
Chimaira Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Slowly growing into this
Feelings I just can't let go
I am such a bore that you need that much more
Go back that way and see what you get from me then
Nothing at all
My dead hands rise
Face my past I can't let go
I see them in the jel
Laughing at me it is hell
Nothing can stop this torture
Fake my way through life
Call on me my wife
Went back that way and I saw just what I was worth
Nothing at all
My dead hands rise
Why am I this way?
Face my past I can't let go
I won't take no for an answer
The lyrics of Chimaira's song "Let Go" are about the feeling of being stuck and unable to let go of certain emotions and experiences in one's life. The opening lines "My scabs are almost picked, Slowly growing into this, Feelings I just can't let go" portray the image of an open wound that hasn't healed yet, and how difficult it is to move on from certain experiences. The vocalist talks about being a bore and wanting more, indicating a sense of dissatisfaction with oneself and feeling inadequate in some way.
The chorus of the song emphasizes this feeling of being stuck and helpless, with the lines "Nothing at all, My dead hands rise, Why am I this way? Face my past I can't let go". The imagery of dead hands rising portrays the feeling of being powerless and unable to change the past or move on from it. The second verse talks about how the singer of the song feels like he is fake, just pretending to go through life without truly experiencing anything. He feels ashamed and embarrassed by how others perceive him, and how he sees himself. The song ends with the declaration "I won't take no for an answer," indicating a sense of determination to keep trying and not give up.
Overall, the lyrics to "Let Go" are about the feeling of being stuck, powerless, and unable to let go of past experiences. It portrays a sense of dissatisfaction with oneself and a desire for something more, but also the difficulty of overcoming one's past and moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
My scabs are almost picked
I am on the verge of exposing my emotional wounds
Slowly growing into this
My emotional pain is intensifying over time
Feelings I just can't let go
I am struggling to release my emotional baggage
I am such a bore that you need that much more
I am dull and uninteresting, so you require further stimulation
Go back that way and see what you get from me then
If you continue to deal with me, you may not like what you discover
Nothing at all
I have nothing to offer
My dead hands rise
I feel powerless and defeated
Why am I this way?
I am questioning why I am struggling with my emotions
Face my past I can't let go
I am dealing with unresolved issues from my previous experiences
I see them in the jel
I perceive my tormentors in my mind
Laughing at me it is hell
Their mocking of me is torturous
Nothing can stop this torture
I am trapped in my own emotional suffering
Fake my way through life
I pretend to be okay but I am not
Call on me my wife
I turn to my partner for help
Went back that way and I saw just what I was worth
When I tried to face my issues, I realized how little I value myself
I won't take no for an answer
I refuse to accept defeat and will keep fighting
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Timothy Pagnotta, Vicci Martinez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind