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
No Mercy
Chimaira Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The consequences feelings internal holocaust, blast
Reach for the gun and put it to their heads
The uncontrollable appetite to kill the pain
Where is your god now? where is your faith?
Reach for the gun and put it to their heads
Force them out the voice is pulling me away
Suck it dry, suck it dry no mercy for the heartless
No more lies no more goddamn Hollywood vampires
Suck it dry, suck it dry no mercy for the heartless
Reach for the gun and put it to their heads
It is a beautiful day to die, it is a beautiful day to die
Kill the pain (kill the pain),kill the pain (kill the pain)
Kill the pain, rip their hearts out
Kill the pain (kill the pain),kill the pain (kill the pain)
Kill the pain, rip their hearts out
No more lies no more goddamn Hollywood vampires
Suck it dry, suck it dry no mercy for the heartless
No more lies no more goddamn Hollywood vampires
Suck it dry, suck it dry no mercy for the heartless
Separate ?
Just walk, just walk away
Now
The lyrics of Chimaira's song No Mercy seem to be about experiencing intense emotional pain and turmoil, possibly due to past traumas or significant life events. The opening line "Wide awake bleeding on the inside doubt" suggests a sense of desperation, with the singer feeling helpless and exposed. The following line "The consequences feelings internal holocaust, blast" continues the theme of intense emotional suffering and suggests that the pain is almost explosive in nature.
The repeated phrase "Reach for the gun and put it to their heads" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the impulse to self-harm or suicidal thoughts, with the singer describing an "uncontrollable appetite to kill the pain". The lines "Where is your god now? where is your faith?" suggest that the singer is questioning their beliefs and perhaps feeling abandoned by a higher power.
The title of the song, No Mercy, suggests a sense of anger or resentment towards those who have caused the singer pain. The lines "No more lies no more goddamn Hollywood vampires / Suck it dry, suck it dry no mercy for the heartless" convey a desire for revenge or justice. The final line, "Separate? Just walk, just walk away" implies a sense of detachment or numbness, as if the singer has decided to distance themselves from their pain rather than confronting it.
Line by Line Meaning
Wide awake bleeding on the inside doubt
Experiencing deep emotional pain and insecurity
The consequences feelings internal holocaust, blast
The emotional turmoil is destructive and harmful
Reach for the gun and put it to their heads
Consideration of suicide as a way to end the pain
The uncontrollable appetite to kill the pain
Desire to remove the pain at all costs
Where is your god now? where is your faith?
Questioning the existence of a higher power and loss of belief
Force them out the voice is pulling me away
Inner demons urging to take action against the pain
No more lies no more goddamn Hollywood vampires
Rejecting fake personas and societal pressure
Suck it dry, suck it dry no mercy for the heartless
Tough stance against cruel and apathetic people
Reach for the gun and put it to their heads
Continuing to consider suicide as an option
It is a beautiful day to die, it is a beautiful day to die
Suicide is perceived as a liberation from pain
Kill the pain (kill the pain),kill the pain (kill the pain)
The pain is so intense it needs to be destroyed completely
Kill the pain, rip their hearts out
Metaphorical violence against the source of the pain
Separate ?
Suggestion to distance oneself from toxicity
Just walk, just walk away
Emphasizing the need to leave behind negative influences
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Zapya
There are "song" bands that make a couple good songs and there are "album" bands that create something incredible all the way through. Chimaira makes "albums" there is a lot of overlooked talent in this band past and present.
9036dust
agreed totally bro
Joe Conti
7 years later....still bumpin Chimaira
Rubez
Bang on man 🤘
misantrope
I´ve been into Chimaira since "This Present Darkness" and I can´t say they ever made a bad record. It was sad when they lost some members but the new songs with the new line-up is awesome. Many bands would have called it quits, but not Chimaira. All hails to determination and CHIMAIRA!
Brian Mercer
been chimaira fan since day one I hated this album so bad i listened to it and forgot about it I just couldn't take the thought of all my favorite band members being gone over a year later got tired of same old metal so I gave this a chance now I can't stop playing it. It's just a great album
Clippy
Chimaira has done more than enough for me over the years. You guys have my complete support for the future.
Divinity Down
I wondered why they chose this song, but it's defiantly catchy. I know it's not the same line-up as before but I think it commendable to achieve a consistent sound even with all the changes. Even bands that always have original members change over time.
chimairatube
can't wait to get it out to everyone!!
Hampus Olsson
Dear lord, this is amazing! I wasn't the biggest fan of "The Age of Hell", but this blew me away. Stoked for more of this!