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
Warpath
Chimaira Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
4,000 miles away
The night never comes
It's too bright to escape into darkness
It's bad enough that insomnia's crippled me
Now I have to deal with you?
Am I cursed?
But this time it's going to be different
I must know I'm going to go insane
The feeling of claustrophobia setting in
So now I'm on the warpath
Drawing from every lie that you said
This could turn into a bloodbath
It's time you feel my wrath
So now I'm on the warpath
Feeding off every word that you said
This could turn into a bloodbath
It's time you feel my wrath
Too scared to say what I feel
Too scared to walk away
I've seen this face before
Am I addicted to the damage you cause?
Chest so heavy I can barely breathe
I'm choking and for what
Mind is racing at 1,000 miles per hour
I just know I can't trust anyone
Is this paranoia or reality?
Throat closing tighter
Fuck this
So now I'm on the warpath
Drawing from every lie that you said
This could turn into a bloodbath
It's time you feel my wrath
So now I'm on the warpath
Feeding off every word that you said
This could turn into a bloodbath
It's time you feel my wrath
The lyrics to Chimaira's song Warpath are about the frustration and anger that comes from being in a difficult situation. The singer is feeling overwhelmed and trapped by his surroundings, and he's questioning why he ever got himself into this mess. He's thousands of miles away from home, unable to escape the never-ending brightness of his current location. He's already struggling with insomnia, and now he has to deal with someone who is causing him even more stress. He feels cursed, as every time he leaves home, he's affected in some way.
The singer is feeling claustrophobic and like he's going insane. He's so frustrated that he's on the warpath, fueled by every lie and word that the other person has said to him. He's ready to unleash his wrath and turn it into a bloodbath. He's too scared to say what he really feels or to walk away from this situation, despite having seen it before. He's addicted to the damage that this person causes, and he's struggling to breathe under the weight of it all. He's wondering if his paranoia is just reality and his throat is starting to close up because of it.
Overall, Warpath is a song about feeling trapped and overwhelmed by your circumstances, and how that can cause you to lash out and seek retribution. It's a powerful and intense song that showcases Chimaira's ability to create music that speaks to the darker, more intense emotions that we all experience from time to time.
Line by Line Meaning
What the fuck am I doing here?
Questioning one's existence or purpose in a particular situation.
4,000 miles away
Being far away from one's comfort zone or support system.
The night never comes
Feeling like there is no end to a difficult situation, with no hope for relief or escape.
It's too bright to escape into darkness
Being unable to find solace or comfort even in the darkest of moments, with no respite from one's struggles.
It's bad enough that insomnia's crippled me
Struggling with sleeplessness and its negative effects on one's mental, emotional, and physical health.
Now I have to deal with you?
Being burdened by the presence or actions of another person who exacerbates one's existing problems or issues.
Am I cursed?
Questioning whether or not there is some sort of supernatural or cosmic force working against one's well-being.
Every time I leave home I am affected
Experiencing negative consequences, emotions, or memories whenever one steps outside of their comfort zone or leaves what is familiar to them.
But this time it's going to be different
Believing that something will change or go differently this time, despite past experiences and expectations.
I must know I'm going to go insane
Feeling like one is losing their mind or losing control of their emotions and actions.
The feeling of claustrophobia setting in
Experiencing a sense of being trapped or confined, with no room to move or escape from a difficult situation.
So now I'm on the warpath
Turning to aggression or confrontation as a way to deal with one's problems or issues.
Drawing from every lie that you said
Using the dishonesty or betrayal of another person as fuel for one's own anger or frustration.
This could turn into a bloodbath
Recognizing that a confrontational situation could become violent or dangerous.
It's time you feel my wrath
Exacting one's revenge or anger upon the person who has caused them harm or frustration.
Feeding off every word that you said
Becoming more and more angry or upset with every passing moment, due to the actions or words of another person.
Too scared to say what I feel
Being afraid to express one's emotions or feelings, due to fear of rejection, retaliation, or other negative consequences.
Too scared to walk away
Feeling stuck or trapped in a situation or relationship, with no escape or hope for improvement.
I've seen this face before
Recognizing patterns of behavior or personality traits in another person that are familiar and potentially negative.
Am I addicted to the damage you cause?
Questioning whether or not one is drawn to toxic or harmful relationships or situations, despite the negative consequences.
Chest so heavy I can barely breathe
Feeling overwhelmed or suffocated by one's emotions or difficult situation.
I'm choking and for what
Suffering through negative or difficult circumstances with no clear reason or purpose, feeling stuck and helpless.
Mind is racing at 1,000 miles per hour
Feeling overwhelmed or anxious, with thoughts and worries racing through one's head.
I just know I can't trust anyone
Feeling isolated or alone, believing that no one can be trusted or relied upon.
Is this paranoia or reality?
Questioning whether one's feelings or experiences are based in reality or are simply imagined or exaggerated.
Throat closing tighter
Experiencing physical symptoms of stress, anxiety, or fear, such as a tight throat or chest.
Fuck this
An expression of frustration, anger, or hopelessness in the face of difficult circumstances.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LARRY BOONE, PAUL NELSON, PAUL NORRIS NELSON, RICHIE MCDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind