Chimaira's initial lineup consisted of vocalist
Mark Hunter, lead guitarist
Rob Arnold, rhythm guitarist
Jason Hager, bassist
Jim LaMarca, drummer
Andols Herrick, and
Chris Spicuzza who handled keyboards, electronics, and samples. An early
Demo the band recorded began to receive widespread airplay on several college radio stations around the area. Even Landing a spot performing on the short lived USA Network show
Farmclub.com. Eventually, the band recorded their first EP, called
This Present Darkness, which was released in 2000. Banking on the success of the EP, the band was signed by
Roadrunner Records and quickly recorded their debut album
Pass out of Existence in 2001. Shortly after the release of the album and the tour that was to follow, Jason Hager left the band when he found out he was going to become a father.
Matt DeVries, from another local band called Ascension, was recruited to take over as rhythm guitarist.
The band returned home in late 2002 to begin writing and recording their next full-length album,
The Impossibility of Reason. The making of the album was documented and later seen on their debut DVD release called
The Dehumanizing Process. After the release and ensuing tours that followed, drummer Andols Herrick decided to leave the band. As evidenced in the DVD documentary, Herrick appeared to be unenthusiastic about constantly being on the road. He returned home to attend college to obtain a music degree.
Chimaira eventually welcomed Ricky Evensand as its new drummer. Evensand, hailing from
Sweden, was probably most notable for being a part of
Soilwork for a short time. Evensend's stay in Chimaira was relatively short-lived. Due to
visa problems and his temperamental nature, Evensand eventually left the band.
Going on advice from
Slayer guitarist
Kerry King, Hunter contacted
Kevin Talley, an experienced death metal drummer who had previously been in the bands
Dying Fetus and
Misery Index. With Talley on board, the band finished their remaining tour dates before returning home for some downtime. They soon began the writing and recording process on their next album.
By the first quarter of 2005, the band had finished most of their next release and hit the road once again. The
self-titled album, the first (and only) one featuring Talley, was released in August of 2005 while the band was taking part in the inaugural
Sounds of the Underground tour. Hunter and DeVries had also taken part in another musical project that year, Roadrunner Records' twenty-fifth anniversary CD entitled
The All-Star Sessions. Also taking part in the recording of several songs was former drummer Andols Herrick. These recording sessions reignited Herrick's interest of being in a full-time band. Eventually, in early 2006, Herrick and the members of Chimaira conversed and Herrick was welcomed back into the band. Talley's split from the band was amicable, as he was already being offered spots in several different bands and projects (
Misery Index,
DÅÅTH).
In 2006, the band was released from their contract with Roadrunner Records and eventually signed with
Ferret Records for United States distribution. They also struck a deal with
Nuclear Blast for international operations. The band was said to be excited about their new deals and have recently finished constructing their fourth LP, entitled
Resurrection, which was released on March 6th, 2007. Hunter and Arnold have revealed that this album has shaped up to be their heaviest and most musically technical album to date. The band feels rejuvenated after their split with Roadrunner and the readmission of Herrick on drums.
Discography
This Present Darkness EPReleased:
January 11,
2000Label(s): East Coast Empire Records
Pass out of ExistenceReleased:
October 2,
2001Chart Positions:
U.S. Sales: 63,000+
Label(s):
Roadrunner RecordsSingles: Split, Let Go
The Impossibility of ReasonReleased:
May 13,
2003Chart Positions: #117 (U.S.),#1 (U.S. Top Heatseekers)
U.S. Sales: 124,000+
Label(s):
Roadrunner RecordsSingles: Down Again, Pure Hatred, Power Trip
ChimairaReleased:
August 9,
2005Chart Positions: #74 (U.S.),#45 (Australia)
Label(s):
Roadrunner RecordsSingles: Nothing Remains, Save Ourselves
ResurrectionReleased:
March 6,
2007Chart Positions: #42 (U.S.),#99 (Australia)
U.S. Sales: 40,000 +
[1]Label(s):
Ferret Records (U.S.),
Nuclear Blast (International)
Singles: Resurrection
Other Releases
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