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
Six
Chimaira Lyrics
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She has done so many things it's so unreal
She has been almost everywhere
And tasted everything
She has been a dream since birth
Who could conquer anything
Night after night after every single night
Fight after fight after motherfucking fight
She came out on top
One rule one way of life
Only the strong survive
Never back down never back down
Destroying everything
Blood all the blood every single drop of blood
She sucks it up
Breath every breath every single damn breath
She screams with love
One rule one way of life
Only the strong survive
Never back down never back down
Destroying everything
Nobody in this world will ever stop her
Nobody in this world will ever touch her
Everybody in this world will want to be her
Everybody in this world just needs to see her
She's everything
And she'll destroy the world
Never back down never back down
Destroying everything
The song "Six" by Chimaira tells the story of a powerful and unstoppable woman who has achieved great things in life. The lyrics describe her as someone who has seen and done everything, and who could conquer anything. She is a dream since birth, and she never gives up, no matter how many fights and struggles come her way. She is strong and resilient, and she destroys everything that stands in her path.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "one rule one way of life, only the strong survive." This line emphasizes the idea that the world is a tough and competitive place, and only those who are strong enough can survive. The woman in the song embodies this spirit and lives her life by this rule.
The lyrics also describe the woman as someone who is not afraid of blood and pain. She sucks up every drop of blood and screams with love on every breath. This imagery conveys the idea that the woman is powerful and relentless, not afraid of the struggles that come with life.
In summary, "Six" is a song about a strong and powerful woman who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. The lyrics are filled with imagery that emphasizes her strength and resilience, and the chorus reinforces the idea that only the strong can survive in this world.
Line by Line Meaning
She has seen so many things it's so surreal
She has experienced so much beyond imagination
She has done so many things it's so unreal
Her achievements are downright unbelievable
She has been almost everywhere
She's traveled far and wide, seen it all
And tasted everything
She's indulged in diverse experiences, lived to the fullest
She has been a dream since birth
She's always had fire, driven by a dream from within
Who could conquer anything
No challenge too big that she couldn't conquer
Night after night after every single night
Endlessly enduring life's struggles
She never gave up
She never quit chasing her ambitions
Fight after fight after motherfucking fight
Battling it out with opponents time and again
She came out on top
Every time she emerged victorious
One rule one way of life
Live with the conviction - only the strong survive
Only the strong survive
Believe that only the ones with grit and resilience can make it through
Never back down never back down
Don't give in, don't surrender
Destroying everything
Winning at all cost, leaving nothing behind
Blood all the blood every single drop of blood
Nothing can stop her, covered in blood from battles won
She sucks it up
Taking it all in, absorbing and thriving
Breath every breath every single damn breath
Breathing with passion and intensity
She screams with love
Expressing her emotions loudly, driven by love for what she does
Nobody in this world will ever stop her
Unstoppable, nothing can hold her back
Nobody in this world will ever touch her
Untouchable, beyond the reach of any foe
Everybody in this world will want to be her
She's an inspiration to all, envied by many
Everybody in this world just needs to see her
Those who haven't seen her, need to witness her greatness
She's everything
She embodies everything great
And she'll destroy the world
She's capable of achieving everything and more
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