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
Losing My Mind
Chimaira Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The pressure buries me
The poison takes control
I drop down to my knees
I scream
Get this invader out of me
I need help this is killing me
I'm blinded by the thought of tomorrow
I need to leave it all behind
I think I'm losing my mind
Trembling
My hands start to shake
The sweat drips down
Can't look in the mirror
This face is unfamiliar
Temple throbbing
Panicked I start to scream
Is there anyone out there that can help me?
I'll try anything to make it stop
In Chimaira's song "Losing My Mind", the lyrics depict a character who is battling with the pressure of life and the poison of anxiety and depression, which takes control of their mind. The character finds themselves in a state of desperation, dropping down to their knees and begging for help. They are blinded by what the future holds for them and feel like they are drowning in an ocean of sorrow. For the character, the only solution seems to be to leave everything behind, where they can escape the turmoil going on inside their head. The chorus reinforces the character's dilemma, as they wonder if they are losing their mind and their nervous system reacts to the stress - with trembling hands, sweat and an unfamiliar looking face.
The lyrics of the song reflect the emotional and psychological toll of anxiety and depression. This can be seen through the use of the phrases such as "pressure buries me", "poison takes control", "blinded by the thought of tomorrow" and "drowning in this ocean of sorrow". These are all powerful metaphors that illustrate the overwhelming emotions that the character is feeling. Additionally, the use of strong verbs such as "scream", "trembling", and "panicked" conveys the sense of urgency and desperation that the character is experiencing. The overall message of the song is that mental health issues are very real and can have a significant impact on a person's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Ready to explode
Feeling ready to burst due to overwhelming emotional pressure
The pressure buries me
Feeling buried and overwhelmed by the emotional pressure
The poison takes control
Negative thoughts or emotions are taking over and controlling the mind
I drop down to my knees
Feeling defeated and unable to stand up to the emotional pressure
I scream
Desperately needing to release the emotional pressure and pain
Get this invader out of me
Wanting to rid oneself of these negative thoughts and emotions that feel like they have invaded the mind
I need help this is killing me
Recognizing that the emotional pressure and pain is too much to handle alone and needing outside assistance to cope
I'm blinded by the thought of tomorrow
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to look past present pain to a future solution
I'm drowning in this ocean of sorrow
Feeling completely engulfed in and controlled by devastating emotions
I need to leave it all behind
Desiring to escape the negative thoughts and emotions and move past the pain
I think I'm losing my mind
Feeling like the overwhelming emotional pressure is causing a breakdown of sanity
Trembling
Shaking uncontrollably due to emotional turmoil
My hands start to shake
The emotional pressure is physically affecting the body in addition to the mind
The sweat drips down
The emotional pressure is causing a physical reaction of nervous sweating
Can't look in the mirror
Unable to face oneself and confront the pain due to its overwhelming nature
This face is unfamiliar
Feeling like oneself has been changed and is no longer recognizable due to the emotional pain
Temple throbbing
Feeling intense physical pain caused by the emotional pressure and stress
Panicked I start to scream
Feeling overwhelmed and panicked by the emotional pressure and pain, prompting a desperate outburst
Is there anyone out there that can help me?
Feeling isolated and alone in emotional pain, seeking outside assistance and support
I'll try anything to make it stop
Desperately seeking relief from the emotional pain, and willing to do whatever it takes to make it stop
Lyrics © ROBARNOLDWORLD MUSIC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@noahbender2147
Still listening to this can't believe they are as underrated as they are wish they would come back
@mhaisade6112
Killer song from one of those Underrated Bands.
@yondaehun12
godamnit I'm gonna miss this band so much..
@horrornoise4477
This comment is 7hrs old... And I still feel the same mate.
@callumyoung4235
Me too buddy 😩
@411alcohol
Did they breakup?
@Shadeghoul
They’re back
@JAGINTENSE
Incredible intro. Great vocals for the song type. Drummer is tight on the double bass. Great job guys!
@Ghosts727
They were so ahead of there time I’m so mad at the record companies that used them and didn’t give them what they deserved to continue leveling up
@anDREas17gr
im here cause of a commercial message! ... i didnt think it could ever lead me to such awesome music! :)