Coal
Chamber, are proof that you can snatch success from the jaws of defeat.
The band's explosion on the hard-rock scene proves, hard work, determination,
innovation, and confidence can overcome any obstacle--even the ones artists
put before themselves. Whereas less than two years ago, the very existence
of the band was in doubt, Coal Chamber is now taking their unique brand
of music and road-tested performance to new heights.
Here
are the up-to-the-minute, hard numbers on Coal Chamber's self-titled debut
album, released in February of1997: over 100,000 copies shipped, with sales
climbing to approximately 3,000 a week. Spectacular figures for a band
that is, just now, breaking through at rock radio for the first time. The
single, "Loco," is getting airplay on influential stations like WRCX (Chicago,
IL), 93X KXXR (Minneapolis,MN), WAZU (Columbus,OH), WBUZ (Toledo,OH), WKLQ
(Grand Rapids, MI) and a host of others, including a rousing appearance
on the nationally syndicated MANCOW morning show. The nightmarish video
for "Loco," directed by longtime band friend Nathan Cox in October, is
now set to send shockwaves through MTV, M2, and every regional outlet it
can invade.
It
was relentless touring that got Coal Chamber to this point in their careers.
"We don't like being at home," admits frontman Dez "If we're home for an
extended period of time, we feel like we're not doing our job" Well, the
band has been doing their job, and doing it damn well: following their
triumphant European debut last spring and their high-profile slot on last
summer's already legendary Ozzfest, the band jumped into the opening slot
of the Pantera/Machine Head tour at the personal request of Pantera drummer
Vinnie Paul. Next up came another cross-country jaunt as openers for Type
O Negative. All along, this nonstop touring machine has received rave reviews
for their manic and dramatic performances, which have called "the musical
equivalent of an exorcism" for their intensity and emotional output.
It's
that intensity-fueled by personal and musical turbulence-that has earmarked
Coal Chamber for success from the beginning. The group came together in
the spring of 1994 and produced a self-financed demo which caught the ears
of Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares and producer Ross Robinson. The
two brought the demo to the attention of Roadrunner Records, who promptly
offered the band a deal in the fall of 1995.
Personal
trauma ripped Dez from Coal Chamber for a short period of time. His life
experience played a big part in the music that came out of the recording
sessions for their first Roadrunner album. Dez and his bandmates are taking
full advantage of the new beginning that his return afforded them.
The
band continues to rack up acclaim in the press, with coverage in Alternative
Press, Request, Thrasher, Metal Maniacs, Live Wire, Bass Player, Hit Parader,
Metal Edge, and especially Kerrang! (which voted the band Best International
Act at their 1997 Kerrang! Awards ceremony). The group has also been featured
in over 30,000 classrooms as part of a CNN cable program called "Cable
In The Classroom." Finally, Coal Chamber's career got a huge boost last
August when Sharon Osbourne, wife and manager of Ozzy Osbourne, decided
to manage the band--the first new act she has taken on in a decade.
This
is just the beginning. Most importantly, don't look for Coal Chamber to
tone down their approach or get off the road until sometime after you can
ice skate on the lakes of Hell. Despite the band's rapidly blossoming success,
they're still driven by the same demons that first ignited the band's music.
"We thrive on that," remarks Dez. "That's what drives us and gives us our
edge. That's what keeps it real."
That's
Coal Chamber. Right now.
