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
Salvation
Chimaira Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sick of familiar patterns
Bruise after cut
Can't wash away my scars
This is the night of, salvation
On the Night of Salvation
Tired of the same old routine
All lies I've told
Can't hide the little things
This is the night of, salvation
On the night of salvation
Life has been left behind me
I will not cower away
Adrenaline stronger than ever
Feel it all come together
On the night of, salvation
On the night of salvation
Life has been left behind me
I will not cower away
The lyrics to Chimaira's song "Salvation" are powerful in their portrayal of someone who has been through endless nights of misery and is now seeking a way out. The opening lines of "Endless nights filled with misery/Sick of familiar patterns/Bruise after cut/Can't wash away my scars" reveal the singer's feelings of despair and helplessness. Despite their efforts to move on from the pain they have experienced, the scars remain and cannot be erased.
The chorus of the song - "This is the night of salvation/On the night of salvation" - provides a glimmer of hope for the singer. They have reached a point where they can finally look forward to a better future, a moment of salvation from the pain they have endured. The next verse continues this theme, with the singer expressing exhaustion with their current way of life, including the lies they have told themselves and others. Again, though, the hope of salvation is present in the chorus, as the singer states that they are now able to move forward and leave their old life behind.
The final verse of the song confirms this sense of hope and renewal, as the singer declares that they will not cower away from the challenges that lie ahead. They are fueled by adrenaline and a sense of purpose, feeling that everything is coming together for them at last. The repetition of the chorus reinforces this idea of salvation and the possibility of a better life.
Line by Line Meaning
Endless nights filled with misery
I've been tormented for a long time
Sick of familiar patterns
I'm tired of repeating the same things
Bruise after cut
My physical wounds are reminders of my emotional pain
Can't wash away my scars
My past traumas cannot be erased
This is the night of, salvation
Tonight, I will finally find release
On the Night of Salvation
This is the night of my salvation
This life always pained me
I've never been content with my life
Tired of the same old routine
I'm done with the monotonous lifestyle
All lies I've told
I've been dishonest with myself and others
Can't hide the little things
The details of my struggles can't be ignored
Life has been left behind me
I'm moving on from my past
I will not cower away
I won't be afraid or intimidated
Adrenaline stronger than ever
I feel energized and empowered
Feel it all come together
I finally understand my purpose and feel a sense of clarity
On the night of, salvation
Tonight is my night of redemption
On the night of salvation
Tonight is the night of my salvation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Mark Hunter, Robert Arnold, Jim Lamarca, Chris Spicuzza, Matt Devries, Kevin Talley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind