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
Revenge
Chimaira Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You might as well give up
Like the chosen one, all my prophesies will come true
I am the face of fear. You can't stop this rampage
Revenge so sweet
Satisfaction watching the defeated
Something tells me you're never going to live through this
You used to be brilliant; now you're the victim
You're just a broken soul. You are jaded and condescending
Don't look at me; you're wretched and diseased
And I saw it from the start
Revenge so sweet
Satisfaction watching the defeated
Something tells me you're never going to live through this
So I'll keep haunting you until I get my revenge
Slowly, I'm waiting
Attacking and erasing you from me
Can't pull me under; I'll do what it takes to ensure this
You're ignorant and overconfident if you think I'll come back to you
Revenge so sweet
Satisfaction watching the defeated
Something tells me you're never going to live through this
So I'll keep haunting you until I get my revenge
I'll get my fucking revenge
The lyrics of Chimaira's song "Revenge" depict a revengeful person who is willing to bring the terror and make the other person tremble. The singer is confident in their actions and believes they are the chosen one who will make all their prophecies come true. They claim to be the face of fear and unstoppable in their rampage. The repeated phrase "Revenge so sweet" shows the satisfaction they get from watching the defeated and haunting them until they get their revenge.
The second verse addresses the victim who used to be brilliant but is now broken and jaded, and the singer saw it coming from the start. The victim is labeled as wretched, diseased, and condescending by the singer. The bridge emphasizes the singer's patience and determination in attacking and erasing the victim from their life, and they will not be pulled under. The final repetition of "I'll get my fucking revenge" emphasizes their conviction to inflict harm and get their sweet revenge.
Overall, the lyrics of "Revenge" carry a theme of intense revenge and the satisfaction one gets from seeing their enemy defeated. The song shows the singer's ruthless nature and confidence in their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll bring the terror, leave you trembling
I will cause fear and panic which will make you tremble with fear.
You might as well give up
You should just surrender because you can't win.
Like the chosen one, all my prophesies will come true
My predictions always come true, just like the chosen one.
I am the face of fear. You can't stop this rampage
I represent fear and you cannot stop me from causing destruction.
Revenge so sweet
Taking revenge is incredibly satisfying.
Satisfaction watching the defeated
It is satisfying to see those who opposed me defeated.
Something tells me you're never going to live through this
I have a feeling that you will not survive my attack.
So I'll keep haunting you until I get my revenge
I will continue to pursue and torment you until I have achieved my revenge.
You used to be brilliant; now you're the victim
You were once great but now you are the one being attacked.
You're just a broken soul. You are jaded and condescending
Your soul is shattered, and you are cynical and arrogant.
Don't look at me; you're wretched and diseased
Do not look at me because you are disgusting and sick.
And I saw it from the start
I noticed your flaws and weaknesses from the beginning.
Slowly, I'm waiting
I am patient and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Attacking and erasing you from me
I am attacking you and removing you from my life.
Can't pull me under; I'll do what it takes to ensure this
You cannot defeat me because I will do whatever it takes to remain in control.
You're ignorant and overconfident if you think I'll come back to you
If you believe I will forgive and return to you, you are foolish and arrogant.
I'll get my fucking revenge
I will achieve my revenge no matter what it takes.
Contributed by Chloe Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
James Green
Dont understand why this didn't make the album its fucking amazing
William Turner
Damn that song is so badass
Timothy Acker
🍀🗝
A.R 91 🅥
sayang banget sama endah