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
Power Trip
Chimaira Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No time to waste
This is the time for revenge
Your claim to fame
Of crushing dreams
Your control has no hold on me
Has no hold on me
You have no shame
You act like nothing's happened
It's time to rise
The final fight
This is the last time
I, I will not fail again
I will not let you win
Fuck your power trip
I'll throw away
The wasted days
The chance for revenge
My claim to fame
Ended in vain
This was the last time
I, I will not fail again
I will not let you win
Fuck your power trip
I will not fail again
I will not let you win
Fuck your power trip, oh ow
You are the one who's forsaken us all
Nothing has changed so together we fall
I am the one who's led us to believe
You can't change me
I, I will not fail again
I will not let you win
Fuck your power trip
I, I will not fail again
I will not let you win
Fuck your power trip
Yeah, fuck your power trip
The lyrics of Chimaira's song "Power Trip" convey a message of resistance and defiance against those in authority who abuse their power. The singer is addressing someone who has caused them harm, blaming them for crushing their dreams and trying to control them. The chorus expresses the singer's determination to not allow themselves to be overpowered once again and to fight back against their oppressor. The lyrics are powerful and emotional, reflecting the anger and frustration of someone who has suffered at the hands of another.
The words also reveal a sense of hopelessness, as the singer speaks about wasted time and an unfulfilled claim to fame. It seems like they have been manipulated and taken advantage of for a long time, but now they are ready to stand up for themselves and take back control. The lines "you act like nothing's happened" and "together we fall" suggest that there are others who have been affected by the same oppressor, and the singer hopes that this rebellion will inspire others to do the same.
Overall, "Power Trip" is an anthem for those who have been mistreated and want to reclaim their power. It is a call to action to resist those who abuse their authority and try to exert control over others.
Line by Line Meaning
Face to face
Confrontation is inevitable
No time to waste
There is no luxury of time to delay taking action
This is the time for revenge
It is a good time to take revenge
Your claim to fame
You are well-known for something
Of crushing dreams
You are known for destroying the hopes and aspirations of others
Your control has no hold on me
You cannot control me
Has no hold on me
You cannot control me
I hate the way
I despise the manner in which you behave
You have no shame
You lack any sense of remorse or guilt
You act like nothing's happened
You pretend as if what you did had no consequences
It's time to rise
It is time to stand up for oneself
The final fight
This is the last battle
This is the last time
This occasion marks the end
I, I will not fail again
I will not repeat my past mistakes
I will not let you win
I will not let you emerge victorious
Fuck your power trip
Your controlling behavior is not welcome
I'll throw away
I will discard
The wasted days
The days I spent on seeking revenge were futile
The chance for revenge
The opportunity for revenge is gone
Ended in vain
My efforts were unsuccessful
You are the one who's forsaken us all
You are the one who abandoned everyone
Nothing has changed so together we fall
Since nothing improved, we collapsed together
I am the one who's led us to believe
I am the one who convinced us
You can't change me
You do not have the power to alter me
Yeah, fuck your power trip
Your behavior of controlling and manipulating is not appreciated
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDY HERRICK, CHRIS SPICUZZA, JIM LAMARCA, MARK HUNTER, MATT DEVRIES, ROBERT ARNOLD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mrpayne1981
2021 and I still jam The Impossibility of Reason. Such a timeless album.
@CitizenSnips
I'm still taken back by how heavy it is
@BlackBirdFPV
Same ❤
@JRboons
Someone mentions the band and I went straight to this song
@letthatsinkin7879
So true.
@AL-np5br
Bro I’ve found my family 👍😂
@thomasm3100
This band is so underrated
@alee7275
Disgustingly underrated
@killerzart6662
agreed
@greatdiosghosties2762
Extremely.