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
Year Of The Snake
Chimaira Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This awakening has been at arms length for too long, it's hard to
Accept when all I had was their words
I've seen the devil and I've kissed the mouth of sin
Bloodshot eyes and senses heightened I am seeking to get in
These chains no longer bound me
I'm shedding my skin once again
Isolation was the key to unlocking my soul now the story will be told
I've seen the devil and I've kissed the mouth of sin
Bloodshot eyes and senses heightened I am seeking to get in
These chains no longer bound me
I'm shedding my skin once again
When the year, when the year of the snake
I've seen the devil and I've kissed the mouth of sin
Bloodshot eyes and senses heightened I am seeking to get in
These chains no longer bound me
I'm shedding my skin once again
When the year, when the year of the snake
When the year, when the year of the (snake)
The lyrics to Chimaira's "Year of the Snake" convey a sense of personal struggle and introspection. The singer is grappling with difficult emotions and experiences, seeking to find liberation from the chains that bind them. The opening lines suggest a feeling of suffocation or being overwhelmed by emotions: "Choking on these feelings / This awakening has been at arms length for too long."
The singer has heard others' words but is seeking his own truth, symbolized by his unconventional spiritual experiences. The line, "I've seen the devil and I've kissed the mouth of sin," suggests that the singer has ventured into dark places in order to confront and understand his own inner demons. He is bloodshot and heightened, suggesting a feverish intensity in his quest for self-discovery.
As the song progresses, the singer finds hope and renewal in shedding his metaphorical skin. He has been born into a world of pain and heartache, but he finds a way to release himself from that pain and alienation. By embracing isolation, he has unlocked his soul and found a way to tell his story.
Overall, "Year of the Snake" is a powerful and evocative song about the human struggle to find meaning and liberation in a difficult world.
Line by Line Meaning
Choking on these feelings
I am struggling with intense emotions
This awakening has been at arms length for too long, it's hard to Accept when all I had was their words
I have known that I need to change, but it has been difficult to accept without experiencing it firsthand
I've seen the devil and I've kissed the mouth of sin, Bloodshot eyes and senses heightened I am seeking to get in
I have experienced darkness and temptation, and now I am seeking fulfillment by any means necessary
These chains no longer bound me, I'm shedding my skin once again
I have broken free from the limitations that once held me back, and am undergoing a transformation
When the year of the snake I was born into a world of pain and heartache, Isolation was the key to unlocking my soul now the story will be told
I was born into a difficult world, but found solace in isolation which allowed me to discover myself and my story
When the year, when the year of the snake
The time has come for me to fully embrace my identity and transformation
Lyrics © ROBARNOLDWORLD MUSIC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JZ_Megaman
Choking on these feelings
This awakening has been at arms length for too long, it’s hard to
accept when all I had was their words
I’ve seen the devil and I’ve kissed the mouth of sin
Bloodshot eyes and senses heightened I am seeking to get in
These chains no longer bound me
I’m shedding my skin once again
In the year of the snake I was born into a world of pain and heartache
Isolation was the key to unlocking my soul now the story will be told
WesleyAPEX
How dare this band disband shortly after this song released
Michelino Sports
Best Album was Resurrection
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I came here looking for you lol! Knew I'd find you in here
Adam Destro
Their 2005 self-titled album is the best.
Alexander Walker
@Healthy & Wealthy The album after this was terrible
Healthy & Wealthy
They didnt. They released one more totally badass album and then they broke up.
Cody T
Unbelievably underated band, some of the cleanest vocals iv'e ran across
Kane
I dont even remember this
Kane
+Cody T Definitely man
Harry Dennison
This band needs to come back