I must admit, before this review I knew
not of Chimaira (pronounced kim-ear-uh). When skimming the music archives,
the band did not particularly catch my ear. However, upon hearing "Army
of Me" off the Jason Vs. Freddy soundtrack, I have had to reconsider
my mistake in not giving the band a better listening to begin with. I apologize
for the lateness of this review.
The six-piece band (vocals, drums, bass,
2x guitars and an electronic specialist) was originally formed in Cleveland,
Ohio in 1998. After selling some 10,000 copies of their Indie debut release,
Chimaira scored a record deal with Roadrunner Records (I must commend Roadrunner
for signing such a solid yet brutal metal act) of which they went on to
release Pass Out of Existence in 2001.
With strong label backing Chimaira have
made a massive impact on the metal scene in such a short span of time.
In the past years, theyve toured with the likes of In Flames, Hatebreed,
Soulfly, Spineshank, and most recently with Ozzfest 2003. After a few years
on the road, Chimaira release their sophomore album entitled The Impossibility
of Reason.
After a single spin of the disc, I got
the impression that given the chance, vocalist Mark Hunter would love nothing
more than to cave in my face with a wrench and feast on the gooey insides.
(I tried to avoid cliché descriptions of the heaviness of the music
did it work?) The drumming is fast and powerful and the guitars add a solid
layer of versatile brutality to Hunters no-holds-barred screams.
The band reminds me of a new, improved
Hatebreed both bands boast a similar hardcore metal style and refuse
to stray much from that, but it is the trappings of monotony that Chimaira
manages to escape and Hatebreed falls. Jamey Jastas voice can grow tiresome,
and the guitar work at times is too simplistic. I do not have any reservations
in citing the superiority of Chimaira over Hatebreed. They are more brutal,
more flexible, more likeable and more powerful.
An extremely strong metal release from
a band I look forward to hearing more of in the future. Easily one of the
best new metal bands to come out in the last decade, a positive development
of hardcore and power metal which easily rivals the best releases of metal
giants like Machine Head. My only disappointment is that Chimaira has recently
been thrown on tour with Spineshank and Ill Nino, when they clearly deserve
much, much better.
If Chimaira are headlining a tour near
you, be sure to check them out as ticket prices range from $10 to a hefty
$12 perhaps the best value for a metal show in a crowd of overpriced,
overrated commercial numetal acts.
CD Info and Links
Chimaira The Impossibility of Reason Label: Road
Runner
Genre: Hardcore
Metal
For Fans Of:
Lamb of God, In Flames
Rating: Best Track:
Down Again
Tracks: 1.Cleanisation
2.The Impossibility of Reason
3.Pictures in the Golden Room
4.Power Trip
5.Down Again
6.Pure Hatred
7.The Dehumanizing Process
8.Crawl
9.Stigmurder
10.Eyes of a Criminal
11.Overlooked
12.Implements of Destruction
Posted by asphixiater:
chimaira kicks it all around. Chimaira and Slipknot are my favorite bands. My boyfriend is in a band called asphixiate but they havent made it yet hope they will soon. They are not as good as Chimaira but they do kick ass too....Love you Chimaira
Posted by i:
chimaira suk.
Posted by Kindrana:
Hey Metal Heads!
MTV2's Headbangers Ball is having their year end 'Best of 2004' voting and Chimaira have been nominated! If you like the band, be sure to go out to http://www.mtv.com/onair/mtv2/headbangers_ball/best_of_2004/ and vote as many times as you can!
Thanks!
-Kindrana
Posted by volcom:
the band rocks we love in the philippines
Posted by Sidewack:
Im from Cleveland and have had the honor of practicing in the room above Chimaira in 1998. IOR is the real Chimaira. Pass Out of Existence was pretty much Roadrunners idea. Watching them play out as local band, they were total metal. Only expect albums on par with IOR or even better from here on out.
Posted by Hardcore_chimaira_fan:
Chimaira is the best band in the world! i recently bought their new CD and i was amazed. it is the best CD i bought so far. once again, They are my all time favourite! Kick ass!
Posted by chimairafreak666:
the cd is very good i seen u guys in winston salem w/ slipknot and i thought u guys freakin rock that i had to go out and get the cd.keep the music like this and i will buy every cd
Posted by chimiaracrazy:
i thought the mosh pit at the rochester show was SICK JUST FREAKING SICK the way that the lead singer split the crowd and then had them rush at each other was just crazy. that was the only pit that i have been in that i thought i wasnt going to make it out!
Posted by Snowking:
awesome...
Posted by chimairafan:
they are the best band in the world they are a band that jams with there music and i dont think there is a band better
Posted by Eric:
they are the best band in the world they are a band that jams with there music and i dont think there is a band better
Posted by Mandy:
okay last night I went to theirs and Slipknots' concert and I had backstage passes. these guys kick ass. especially Matt and Rob. they are awesome people. and funny as hell. their music kicks ass and they can get the crowd F*CKING WILD! "Metal Moses" splits the crowd in half and when they start playing they had a huge ass mosh pit. i got to hang out with them for about 3 hours on their bus. they are really cool people. well that's all i have to say. and yes i'd reccomend seeing them live.
(the concert was at
The Norva, Norfolk, Virginia)
Posted by you destroy me everytime :
I KICKS ASS CHIMAIRA! They are my all time favorite. Also they are the best band i have seen live! by far!
Posted by eyore5420:
chimaira kicks ass live
Posted by zoe_forcedlife:
Chimaira is real great they might just be the greatest hardcore metal band in the world
Posted by ema:
your all saying their great on cd, well if you like that youll love it more live
Posted by ema:
i went to see chimaira at the soundhous in northampton, they f_u_c_k_i_n rock and adam i hope your ok after that exilent instrimental, it was like nothing ive seen before, that must have taken years of practice to get to that level
Posted by SHICKMON:
HELL MAN IVE BEEN LISTENING TO YOUR CDS NON STOP, THEY HELP ME GET THROUGH MY C R A P DAYS. YAS F!*CKIN KICK THE SH!T OUT OF ANY OTHER BAND! KEEP GOING HARDCORE.
Posted by SHICKMON:
HELL MAN IVE BEEN LISTENING TO YOUR CDS NON STOP, THEY HELP ME GET THROUGH MY C R A P DAYS. YAS F!*CKIN KICK THE SH!T OUT OF ANY OTHER BAND! KEEP GOING HARDCORE.
Posted by gungy:
what up CHIMIRA you kick ASS big time, got all your albums.
Posted by frezzo:
Chimaira is the best band along with spine shake mushroom head powerman 5000 and ill nino. Chimira keep up ya f*!cken good work. your top fan
Posted by ForcedLife:
Chimaira kick ass,Rob Arnold is god but sexier
Posted by ForcedLife:
Chimaira kick ass,Rob Arnold is go but sexier
Posted by Deth:
My new Favour it Band
Posted by Shamrock:
Chimaira Will Live On For Ever as well as Pantera, Led Zepplin, Sepultura, Fear Factory, and So On! Any Body Who Doesn't Agree can Suck A Fart Out of My Ass!
Posted by darkthrone1349:
its ok. it reminds me alot like slipknot except alot heavier and more aggressive.
Posted by Poopy:
this is the best album every, as the review says the song structure is amazing, even tho the solos are not that hard to learn on ur own guitar. chimaira have been one of my favourite bands for nearly two years i have pass out of existance which again is a rad album. I recommend this album to any alternitive music lover, if u feel like u dont fit in or dont want to go on in life listen to any chimaira song and urll feel much better
Posted by miss:
hello my got Im so cold maarja nie dat jullie dat ook maar iets intereseert
Posted by maggot:
the band is sic and insane when I heard
"pure hatred" it just got me off my feet and wanted to mosh pit so f@ckin bad. just think of that song as if it was a weapon, i mean you think of somebody you hate so much that you want to kick there a@s. I suggest that you people whose reading this go out and buy that f@ckin CD.
Posted by irishstyle:
chimaira is a sic f*ckin band there heavy as f#ck and make me wanna beat a motherf*cker down
Posted by diehardfan:
chimaira are my fav band they are better than any other band ive ever heard... Stigmurder rocks but my fav song is rizzo, chimaira are da bomb
Posted by jaMES :
GO ON MALAQI.NET THERE THE BEST BAND IN THE WORLD
Posted by alex:
i love chimaira every other band suck(i cant swear so ill say)willy
Posted by alex:
chmaira rule but i ate there album because i was hungry
Posted by james:
chimaira rule its one of the best albums ive heard this year f$*k the darkness they suck chimaira are the sh!t
p.s. go on www.malaqi.net
Posted by Erik:
Chimaira rules. Before The impossibility of reason never heard of them. After I heard the album I loved them
Posted by chimaira mad:
no matter what any one syas i still belive that it is the most original album of the year, not to mention the best and pure rd and clansation are the best songs that they have done.
Posted by chmaira mad:
absolutly in amazin band, possibly best ever next to pantera
Posted by p1r4t8r:
in relation to the reviwe i wouldn't say they deserve better than Spineshank and ill nino. All 3 bands are hugely talented, no question, but they're all so good its hard to pick a favourite or say that one is better than the other. Anyways, nice review mate.
Posted by shake spooler:
Chimaira is the sh*t-- I would know ... I am the biggest fan. (seriously see my room)I also think stigmurder is a really good song. I have more of they're sh*t than i can count. All albums, and a tape they released before In This Present Darkness ... know allthe lyrics, know what every song is about (except satans wizard). I'll get back to the point Chimaira is the best focking band inthe world. Greeat music, no doubt.
Posted by shake spooler:
Chimaira is the sh*t-- I would know ... I am the biggest fan. (seriously see my room)I also think stigmurder is a really good song. I have more of they're sh*t than i can count. All albums, and a tape they released before In This Present Darkness ... know allthe lyrics, know what every song is about (except satans wizard). I'll get back to the point Chimaira is the best focking band inthe world. Greeat music, no doubt.
Posted by Hateworm:
I seen Chimaira open for Sepultura back in 2000 in Detroit. From that moment on i knew they would be the biggest thing to happen to metal since Sepultura. These guys deserve a lot more than they are getting right now, but i love the fact that i can still see my favorite band for only $15. Keep it real!
Posted by Left Leg:
I love the album, I never thought I would since I wasnt a huge fan of there previous albums. After I got the Freddie Vs. Jason soundtrack I knew I would like it. Its awesome and thats all I gotta say
Posted by Hobo:
Whoa... people agreeing with me? Damn... thats either some chronic cannabis, or somethings wrong here...
Posted by phil:
amazin album. stig murder is the best and if you approve of metal that will kick your ass buy it.
Posted by Severed:
LoG? is that lamb of god ur talkin about?
Posted by tarquin:
got both their roadrunner albums... pass out of existance is very clich้d, but likeable. IoR is better, more solos, clearer vocals, and some more variety in lyrics... A progression from fairly good to deserving of a place with LoG and the shads
Posted by Severed:
i agree... my favorite song is probably painting the white to grey.
Posted by Smotz:
Severed and Dead inside are my favorite songs by Chimaira. Chimaira is as heavy as metalcore(alt or hardcore) gets no exceptions. Fear Factory, Soulfly, Coal Camber, Slipknot, Mudvayne, Mushroomhead ....
Posted by T-1000:
Havies fuking shiit ive ever heard..
Posted by allofnothing:
good sh*t severed, exactly what i wanted to know.
Posted by Smotz:
Chimaria kicks ass.
Posted by Severed:
i have their indie album "in this prest darkness" f*ckin kiks a$$. this present darkness and divination are two of my favorite songs. CHIMAIRA IS THE GREATEST!
Posted by Sqweak:
I saw them with SpineShank and Ill Ni๑o, it was probably the best night of my life, I adore all three bands, and Chimaira own, no question.
Posted by emle:
its all kool but i also like hip hop n r n' b. that kinda stuff is much better
Posted by allofnothing:
anyone got Chimaira's indie release?
Posted by ....:
yall should watch apocalypse now.
Posted by mr benn.:
im seeing these guess on the roadrage tour with ill nino and spineshank, what a show that will be. This is amazing.
Posted by stitched:
Chimaira just came to Baltimore for the FIRST time and we showed them one hell of a time. They were sooo kik ass awsome. I can't wait til they come back here and tear it up once more!
Posted by Bisasam:
I can`t wait to see them in VIENNA with Spineshank and Ill Nino!
Posted by Freddy Krueger:
please excuse my horrible spelling below!GREAT song for the new Freddy vs Jason soundtrack BUY IT Kicks a$$
Posted by Freddy Krueger:
GREARAT song for the new Freddy vs Jason soundtrack BUY IT IT Kicks a$$
Posted by TheMax:
These guys should tour with mayhem. Their new cd is fuking heavy.
Posted by Hobo:
Alright cool, I havent any experiance whatsoever in that department. That last comment was directed at '.....' because I strong refuse the notion that Chimaira sounds ANYTHING like Fear Factory whatsoever.
Posted by allofnothing:
First thing wrong with my last post:'the guitar pitch-shifting at the end of pure hatred while the song fades'-,well,actually that was probably just the track's production(pure hatred).and looking back at your review,you term Chris,the sound dude as the 'electronic specialist' so I guess you must have noticed him being there.'electronic specialist'is a good way to describe him,basically he just plays the keyboard.
Posted by allofnothing:
I don't know who your last post was directed to Hobo,but 'the sound dude',Chris Spicuzza,does the back-up vocals live for the band;the piano intro for down again;the sound fx for pure hatred,the dehumanizing process,cleansation, etc;the guitar pitch-shifting at the end of pure hatred while the song fades,all the crazy wierd sh*t in implements of destruction-there the most obvious things I could think of,but hes noticable and a big part of the band throughout the whole album.
Posted by Hobo:
I dont believe I hear any fragmented double-bass and guitar riffs?
Posted by ......:
these guys are nothing special. their riffs are so fear factory cheese off.
Posted by Hobo:
I couldnt really pickup what the sound dude did?
Posted by allofnothing:
My opinion,take it or leave it,but i think Chimaira are JUST metal in its purest form(like Shadowsfall),aside from the sound dude,who I think really does add something to the music.
Posted by bruiserx:
I agree that there are some pretty big differences between POoE and IOR. IOR is one of my favorite albums this year, and I had the privelege of seeing them live. Chimaira is incredible live...worth whatever price you have to pay. I remember Metallica saying that "St Anger" should be an example to heavy metal bands of what "heavy" really is. I thought IOR was a much better example (and it has guitar solos in it).
Posted by Hobo:
Fair enough, I usually become extremely subjective and angered when reviewing - so its mainly based on if I like it, then I take into account past albums, how it fits into the genre, musicianship and so on. God Hates to South of Heaven to Seasons are 'totally different animals' in different styles and times, so aG has got a valid point in differentiating Chimiaras new and old release. Its just like St. Anger, Load and Justice - or Digimortal to Demanufacture - and on and on and on. I just tend to review from my own point of view, not some kind of neutral standing point - if readers share my tastes then they can trust me and accept my review. I dont listen to reviewers really who arent similar in taste.
Posted by aG:
add to the Adema thing, I gave them lowmarks for other things like the repetitive lyrics really get on your nerves after a while. Maybe Marky is the Missy Elliot of of Numetal? Maybe I should add that to that review =)
Posted by aG:
For one the debut used a lot of the stale Roadrunner Numetal cliche's and the songwriting was rather unimaginative. They broke out of that mold with this disc with far better songwriting. This one didn't change my mind about them, I still don't really care for them. It's not my thing but it was a much stronger disc in the songwriting department and they fit more into the hardcore area than the stale numetal one. That's all subjective and just the way I hear it, with my predisposed notions and all. But I don't base my reviews and ratings on simply if I like it or not. If that was the case then half of the stuff I gave positive reviews to would have been trashed. I go by a lot of factors, originality, songwriting, musicianship, commericial viability, growth from previous releases etc. I just turned in a review of Adema's new one for a tag team review. (I believe Hobo did the main review for that one) and I personally can't stand Adema but I gave them high marks in some areas for where they have matured since their debut. But to my ears IOR was a totally different animal from POoE. The same way that Kill Em All was a totally different animal than Ride the Lightning or South of Heaven was a totally different animal than God Hates Us All. Are there a lot of similarities? Of course it's the same band BUT there are notable differences, which is something I always focus in on. So I don't think it was a stretch at all.
Posted by animositisomina:
i don't know, this cd doesn't sound *that* different from Pass Out of Existence (which aG gave a 1/2 smiley face rating). Calling IOR a "totally different animal" from POE is quite a stretch.
Posted by Hobo:
Okay, thanks for clearing that up.
Posted by aG:
Hobo, totally different animal. Their debut was horrid, they must have learned from their mistakes this time around.
Posted by Viral Mind:
I gotta say I also regret not giving this band a chance.I listened to bits and pieces from their previous album,and it was too nu metal like.But I see on this album they toss that out and decide to beat the hell out of you with raw,unmerciless metal.I must purchase this cd.
Posted by Hobo:
In his review of their debut album.
Posted by allofnothing:
I never noticed aG slamming of the band,whered he do it?
Posted by Hobo:
I dont really agree with aG's slamming of the band - but admittedly I havent heard their first album.
Posted by allofnothing:
Totally agree with you on this one Hobo.though my favourite track is 'Stigmurder' cuz i really dig the solo half way thru and the breakdown at the end with Andol's crazy double bass drumming.
