Chimaira
Encyclopedia
Chimaira is an American heavy metal
band from Cleveland
, Ohio
. Formed in 1998, the group is a notable member of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal
scene. The band's name is derived from the word Chimera
, a monstrous creature in Greek mythology
. Their musical style is mainly groove metal
, tied-along with metalcore
, industrial metal
, nu metal
and death metal
influences.
. The pair contacted friends and recruited Jason Genaro on drums and Andrew Ermlick on bass to complete the required positions for a line-up.
After a few practice sessions, the four decided that the band needed a "thicker" guitar sound. With their suggestions of adding a second guitarist along, Ermlick recommended that Rob Arnold
, a former bandmate from his time in Common Thread, could be recruited into the band as a guitarist. Arnold's band at the time, Sanctum had recently split, and the guitarist was available to join Chimaira. By 1999, Arnold joined the band soon after as lead guitarist to which Hager was then moved down to play rhythm.
The band recorded its first demo in January 1999, and during the recording, Arnold recommended to Hunter and Hager that they replace Genaro with Arnold's former drummer Andols Herrick in the band Sanctum. After observing a cassette recording featuring Herrick's percussion, the band agreed to replace Genaro in favor of Herrick. Herrick then came along to the studio with the other four and recorded the drums for the demo the very next day.
The band spent much of 1999 doing various live shows around the United States, and during that year Andrew Ermlick left the band to concentrate on his college studies, and was replaced by Rob Lesniak.
The band recorded a second demo during that year, and it began to receive widespread airplay on several college radio stations around the area. After landing a spot performing "Dead Inside" on the short lived USA Network show Farmclub.com, Chimaira was signed to Roadrunner Records
.
and quickly recorded its debut album Pass out of Existence
in 2001, by this time Jim LaMarca was now bassist and Chris Spicuzza was handling all electronics duties. Shortly after the release of the album and the tour that was to follow, Jason Hager left the band when he discovered he was going to become a father. Matt DeVries
, from another local band called Ascension, was recruited to take over as rhythm guitarist.
. 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, 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. Evensand'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 its remaining tour dates before returning home for some downtime. They soon began the writing and recording process on their next album. Songs from the album were featured on MythBusters
for the episode "Talking to Plants".
, the first (and only) one featuring Talley, was released in August 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.
for international operations. The band was said to be excited about its new deals, and its fourth full-length studio album Resurrection
, which was released on March 6, 2007. The band has stated they felt "rejuvenated" after its split with Roadrunner and the readmission of Herrick on drums. The only downside of this happy event was that the band decided to call off the Eastpack Antidote tour with Soilwork, Sonic Syndicate
and Caliban
. Chimaira was replaced by Dark Tranquillity
. In 2008, Chimaira joined Brendon Small
on the Dethklok
tour 2008 as a guest appearance.
and Shadows Fall
. Chimaira recently stated that they are pushing for an April 21, 2009 release date on the new album. At its annual Chimaira Christmas show on December 30, 2008, they debuted a new song entitled "Secrets of the Dead."
The first single of the album "Secrets of the Dead" was released March 3, 2009. The Infection
was released worldwide on April 21, 2009 and 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."
Chimaira finished recording their 6th album in March 2011, expected to be released in August 2011. Also in March, Chimaira released a cover of The Troggs
' "Wild Thing" as a single on YouTube and iTunes, in response to the "Charlie Sheen phenomenon."
On April 5, 2011, keyboardist and programmer Chris Spicuzza announced he would be leaving the band (a decision he made in January), citing a "negative environment" and the general state of the music industry. He also announced his next project, a mobile gaming startup
called IRL Gaming. Spicuzza did not contribute to the new album.
On April 13, drummer Andols Herrick announced that he too would be leaving the band due to differences. He was asked to leave by the other members of the band. Andols has technically been out of the band since December 2010 (prior to Chimaira Christmas 11). It was not announced until April 2011, however. Andols was asked to rejoin the band, but he declined. He has said he looks forward to moving on with other musical projects. He said that there is no bad blood between the band and himself, and that they all remain friends. Andols did not contribute to the new album, however he was around during the time of the song-writing and assures the fans through his Facebook page that the new album is sounding pure as ever. On May 28, at Peabody's in Cleveland, OH, the new album was revealed to be titled The Age of Hell
that was met with the debut live performance of the song "Trigger Finger" which will be included on the record.
The Age Of Hell was released in the US on August 16, 2011. Frontman Mark Hunter states, "Words can’t express what it took to create this album. We hope you love it as much as we do. Turn it up loud, this is Chimaira at it’s finest." The album was also released in the UK through Metal Hammer
magazine.
In November of 2011, Mark Hunter released a statement stating that guitarists Matt DeVries and Rob Arnold are Leaving Chimaira after Chimaira Christmas '11. He added that they are leaving for 'personal reasons'. This was not well received by the fans, many stated "R.I.P. Chimaira" and "The Death Of Chimaira."
Former members
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. Formed in 1998, the group is a notable member of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal
New Wave of American Heavy Metal
The New Wave of American Heavy Metal is a movement in that originated in the United States during the early to mid 1990s and has expanded most in the recent 2000s. Some of the bands considered part of the movement had formed as early as the late 1980s, but did not become influential or reach...
scene. The band's name is derived from the word Chimera
Chimera (mythology)
The Chimera or Chimaera was, according to Greek mythology, a monstrous fire-breathing female creature of Lycia in Asia Minor, composed of the parts of multiple animals: upon the body of a lioness with a tail that ended in a snake's head, the head of a goat arose on her back at the center of her...
, a monstrous creature in Greek mythology
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
. Their musical style is mainly groove metal
Groove metal
Groove metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It was often used to describe Pantera and Exhorder.- Characteristics and origins :Pantera's Cowboys from Hell album from 1990 was described as "groundbreaking" and "blueprint-defining" for the groove metal genre...
, tied-along with metalcore
Metalcore
Metalcore is a subgenre of heavy metal combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. The name is a portmanteau of the names of the two genres. The term took on its current meaning in the mid-1990s, describing bands such as Earth Crisis, Deadguy and Integrity...
, industrial metal
Industrial metal
Industrial metal is a musical genre that draws from industrial music and many different types of heavy metal, using repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Founding industrial metal acts include Ministry, Godflesh, and KMFDM.Industrial metal's...
, nu metal
Nu metal
Nu metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It is a fusion genre which combines elements of heavy metal with other genres, including grunge and hip hop...
and death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
influences.
Early days (1998–1999)
Chimaira was founded during 1998 by guitarist Jason Hager, and vocalist Mark HunterMark Hunter (musician)
Mark Hunter is the singer vocalist and one of the main songwriters for the heavy metal band Chimaira.-Chimaira:Hunter co-founded the band with original Chimaira guitarist Jason Hager...
. The pair contacted friends and recruited Jason Genaro on drums and Andrew Ermlick on bass to complete the required positions for a line-up.
After a few practice sessions, the four decided that the band needed a "thicker" guitar sound. With their suggestions of adding a second guitarist along, Ermlick recommended that Rob Arnold
Rob Arnold
Rob Arnold is a member and lead guitarist of the metal band Chimaira. In an interview with Roadrunner Records, he named Kirk Hammett, "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, Dave Mustaine, Marty Friedman and Kerry King as being influential to his playing style...
, a former bandmate from his time in Common Thread, could be recruited into the band as a guitarist. Arnold's band at the time, Sanctum had recently split, and the guitarist was available to join Chimaira. By 1999, Arnold joined the band soon after as lead guitarist to which Hager was then moved down to play rhythm.
The band recorded its first demo in January 1999, and during the recording, Arnold recommended to Hunter and Hager that they replace Genaro with Arnold's former drummer Andols Herrick in the band Sanctum. After observing a cassette recording featuring Herrick's percussion, the band agreed to replace Genaro in favor of Herrick. Herrick then came along to the studio with the other four and recorded the drums for the demo the very next day.
The band spent much of 1999 doing various live shows around the United States, and during that year Andrew Ermlick left the band to concentrate on his college studies, and was replaced by Rob Lesniak.
The band recorded a second demo during that year, and it began to receive widespread airplay on several college radio stations around the area. After landing a spot performing "Dead Inside" on the short lived USA Network show Farmclub.com, Chimaira was signed to Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
.
This Present Darkness and Pass out of Existence (2000–2002)
Eventually, the band recorded its first EP, called This Present Darkness, which was released in 2000. Banking on the success of the EP, the band was signed by Roadrunner RecordsRoadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
and quickly recorded its debut album Pass out of Existence
Pass Out of Existence
Pass out of Existence is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Chimaira, released on October 2, 2001. According to vocalist Mark Hunter, as of 2003, the band has sold 44,000 copies of the album in the United States....
in 2001, by this time Jim LaMarca was now bassist and Chris Spicuzza was handling all electronics duties. Shortly after the release of the album and the tour that was to follow, Jason Hager left the band when he discovered he was going to become a father. Matt DeVries
Matt DeVries
Matthew DeVries is the rhythm guitarist in the heavy metal band Chimaira. He, along with Rob Arnold and Mark Hunter writes a large number of the band's songs...
, from another local band called Ascension, was recruited to take over as rhythm guitarist.
The Impossibility of Reason (2003–2004)
The band returned home in late 2002 to begin writing and recording its next full-length album, The Impossibility of ReasonThe Impossibility of Reason
-Notes:*Tracks 1-2 taken from the pre-production sessions for The Impossibility of Reason **Produced and mixed by Ben Schigel**Co-produced by Mark Hunter and Rob Arnold...
. The making of the album was documented and later seen on their debut DVD release called The Dehumanizing Process
The Dehumanizing Process
The Dehumanizing Process is the first video album by American metal band Chimaira. It was released on October 26, 2004 by Roadrunner Records...
. After the release and ensuing tours, 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
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, was probably most notable for being a part of Soilwork
Soilwork
Soilwork is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Helsingborg. They are currently signed to Nuclear Blast. Formed in late 1995 by Björn Strid and Peter Wichers, originally under the name Inferior Breed, the band changed their name in late 1996 to Soilwork .Their sound is a fusion of the classic...
for a short time. Evensand's stay in Chimaira was relatively short-lived. Due to visa
Visa (document)
A visa is a document showing that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was issued, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. The authorization may be a document, but more commonly it is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport...
problems and his temperamental nature, Evensand eventually left the band. Going on advice from Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
guitarist Kerry King
Kerry King
Kerry King is an American lead and rhythm guitarist. He is best known as the lead guitarist and cofounder of American thrash metal band Slayer. He co-founded the band with Jeff Hanneman in 1981 and has been a member ever since...
, Hunter contacted Kevin Talley
Kevin Talley
Kevin Talley is an American death metal drummer. He has performed with Dying Fetus, Misery Index and Chimaira, and he is currently the drummer for the bands Dååth, Six Feet Under and Nothnegal.- History :...
, an experienced death metal drummer who had previously been in the bands Dying Fetus
Dying Fetus
Dying Fetus is an American death metal band from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Formed in 1991, the group is known for their outspoken political views, and for being one of the few death metal bands who follow a political nature. Earlier lyrics showcased the common death metal trait of explicit violence...
and Misery Index
Misery Index (band)
Misery Index is an American deathgrind band formed in 2001 in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, by Jason Netherton on vocals and bass guitar, Mike Harrison on vocals and guitar, and Kevin Talley on drums. From 2006-2010, its line-up consisted of Netherton on vocals and bass guitar, Sparky Voyles...
. With Talley on board, the band finished its remaining tour dates before returning home for some downtime. They soon began the writing and recording process on their next album. Songs from the album were featured on MythBusters
MythBusters
MythBusters is a science entertainment TV program created and produced by Beyond Television Productions for the Discovery Channel. The series is screened by numerous international broadcasters, including Discovery Channel Australia, Discovery Channel Latin America, Discovery Channel Canada, Quest...
for the episode "Talking to Plants".
Self-titled album (2005–2006)
By the first quarter of 2005, the band had finished most of its next release and began to tour once again. The self-titled albumChimaira (album)
Chimaira is the third studio album by Chimaira, released on August 9, 2005. It debuted #74 on the Billboard 200 charts. The album would be the band's final release under Roadrunner Records and the only one to feature Kevin Talley on drums.-Production:...
, the first (and only) one featuring Talley, was released in August 2005 while the band was taking part in the inaugural Sounds of the Underground
Sounds of the Underground
The Sounds of the Underground tour was a festival-like tour that rivaled Ozzfest in its first year of existence .The tour features extreme metal and metalcore, and hardcore bands. The existence of this tour, which was held in national arenas, was to attract the rising interest of metal, hardcore,...
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.
Resurrection (2007–2008)
In 2006, the band was released from its contract with Roadrunner Records and eventually signed with Ferret Records for United States distribution. The band also inquired a deal with Nuclear BlastNuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast is an independent record label and mail order record distributor with subsidiaries in Germany, the United States and Brazil. The record label was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Germany. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label moved on to releasing albums by melodic...
for international operations. The band was said to be excited about its new deals, and its fourth full-length studio album Resurrection
Resurrection (Chimaira album)
-Personnel:* Mark Hunter – vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, theremin, samplers* Rob Arnold – lead guitar* Matt DeVries – rhythm guitar* Jim LaMarca – bass guitar* Andols Herrick – drums* Chris Spicuzza – keyboards, backing vocals...
, which was released on March 6, 2007. The band has stated they felt "rejuvenated" after its split with Roadrunner and the readmission of Herrick on drums. The only downside of this happy event was that the band decided to call off the Eastpack Antidote tour with Soilwork, Sonic Syndicate
Sonic Syndicate
Sonic Syndicate is a melodic death metal band from Falkenberg, Sweden. They are influenced by Swedish melodic death metal bands such as In Flames, Soilwork and metalcore bands like Killswitch Engage.....
and Caliban
Caliban (band)
Caliban are a five-piece metalcore band from Germany. They have released seven studio albums to-date, and two split albums with the band Heaven Shall Burn.-History:...
. Chimaira was replaced by Dark Tranquillity
Dark Tranquillity
Dark Tranquillity is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Gothenburg. They are one of the longest-standing bands from the original Gothenburg metal scene, and are one of the most integral pioneers of the melodic death metal genre of music....
. In 2008, Chimaira joined Brendon Small
Brendon Small
Brendon Small is an American sitcom writer/producer, actor, comedian, voice actor, composer, and musician...
on the Dethklok
Dethklok
Dethklok is both a virtual band featured in the Adult Swim animated program Metalocalypse, as well as a real band created to perform the band's melodic death metal music in live shows. The band was created by Brendon Small and Tommy Blacha. The music heard on Metalocalypse is performed by Brendon...
tour 2008 as a guest appearance.
The Infection (2009–2010)
Before the release of the album, the band had been posting short clips on the webpage 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 new album, entitled The Infection, is mixed by Zeuss, who mixed and produced albums for HatebreedHatebreed
- History :Hatebreed was formed in 1994 in Bridgeport, Waterbury and New Haven. They began by recording a three song demo and selling it to locals. Those three songs would eventually be released on a split seven inch with New York's Neglect in 1995...
and Shadows Fall
Shadows Fall
Shadows Fall is an American heavy metal band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. They are one of the few contemporary metal bands who take their lyrical influence from Eastern philosophy and some references to the Rastafari culture...
. Chimaira recently stated that they are pushing for an April 21, 2009 release date on the new album. At its annual Chimaira Christmas show on December 30, 2008, they debuted a new song entitled "Secrets of the Dead."
The first single of the album "Secrets of the Dead" was released March 3, 2009. The Infection
The Infection
The Infection is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Chimaira. Released on April 21, 2009, it reached position 30 on the Billboard 200 charts on its first week of release, selling around 15,000 copies. This was improvement from the previous album's debut at No. 42...
was released worldwide on April 21, 2009 and debuted at number 30 on the Billboard 200. During a number of European tour dates supporting The Infection, Chimaira had Emil Werstler of Dååth
Dååth
Dååth is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Their music incorporates styles such as thrash metal, death metal, industrial metal, grunge and some traces of gypsy jazz.-History:...
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
Coming Alive
Coming Alive is the second video album by Cleveland groove band Chimaira. It is a 3-disc set. Disc one features a 2 & a half hour documentary on the making of & touring of The Infection. It will also include footage from festivals. Disc two will feature the entire Chimaira Christmas 10 show and a...
, 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 Age of Hell and line-up changes (2011–present)
On January 24, 2011, it was confirmed that Chimaira were signed to eOne Music.Chimaira finished recording their 6th album in March 2011, expected to be released in August 2011. Also in March, Chimaira released a cover of The Troggs
The Troggs
The Troggs are an English rock band from the 1960s that had a number of hits in UK and the US. Their most famous songs include, "Wild Thing", "With a Girl Like You", and "Love Is All Around"...
' "Wild Thing" as a single on YouTube and iTunes, in response to the "Charlie Sheen phenomenon."
On April 5, 2011, keyboardist and programmer Chris Spicuzza announced he would be leaving the band (a decision he made in January), citing a "negative environment" and the general state of the music industry. He also announced his next project, a mobile gaming startup
Startup company
A startup company or startup is a company with a limited operating history. These companies, generally newly created, are in a phase of development and research for markets...
called IRL Gaming. Spicuzza did not contribute to the new album.
On April 13, drummer Andols Herrick announced that he too would be leaving the band due to differences. He was asked to leave by the other members of the band. Andols has technically been out of the band since December 2010 (prior to Chimaira Christmas 11). It was not announced until April 2011, however. Andols was asked to rejoin the band, but he declined. He has said he looks forward to moving on with other musical projects. He said that there is no bad blood between the band and himself, and that they all remain friends. Andols did not contribute to the new album, however he was around during the time of the song-writing and assures the fans through his Facebook page that the new album is sounding pure as ever. On May 28, at Peabody's in Cleveland, OH, the new album was revealed to be titled The Age of Hell
The Age of Hell
The Age of Hell is the sixth studio album by American metal band Chimaira. The album was released on August 16, 2011. The album sold more than 7,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 54 on the Billboard 200 chart. In an interview the band stated...
that was met with the debut live performance of the song "Trigger Finger" which will be included on the record.
The Age Of Hell was released in the US on August 16, 2011. Frontman Mark Hunter states, "Words can’t express what it took to create this album. We hope you love it as much as we do. Turn it up loud, this is Chimaira at it’s finest." The album was also released in the UK through Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer is a monthly heavy metal music magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and in several other countries by different publishers. Metal Hammer articles feature both mainstream bands and more unusual acts from the whole spectrum of heavy metal music...
magazine.
In November of 2011, Mark Hunter released a statement stating that guitarists Matt DeVries and Rob Arnold are Leaving Chimaira after Chimaira Christmas '11. He added that they are leaving for 'personal reasons'. This was not well received by the fans, many stated "R.I.P. Chimaira" and "The Death Of Chimaira."
Band members
Current members- Mark HunterMark Hunter (musician)Mark Hunter is the singer vocalist and one of the main songwriters for the heavy metal band Chimaira.-Chimaira:Hunter co-founded the band with original Chimaira guitarist Jason Hager...
– lead vocals (1998–present) - Rob ArnoldRob ArnoldRob Arnold is a member and lead guitarist of the metal band Chimaira. In an interview with Roadrunner Records, he named Kirk Hammett, "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, Dave Mustaine, Marty Friedman and Kerry King as being influential to his playing style...
– lead guitar (1999–present) - Matt DeVriesMatt DeVriesMatthew DeVries is the rhythm guitarist in the heavy metal band Chimaira. He, along with Rob Arnold and Mark Hunter writes a large number of the band's songs...
– rhythm guitar (2001–present) - Emil Werstler – bass guitar (2010, 2011–present), rhythm guitar (2009)
- Sean ZatorskyDååthDååth is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Their music incorporates styles such as thrash metal, death metal, industrial metal, grunge and some traces of gypsy jazz.-History:...
– keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (2011–present) - Austin D’Amond – drums (2011–present)
Former members
- Jason Genaro – drums (1998)
- Andols Herrick – drums (1999–2003, 2006–2011)
- Richard EvensandRichard EvensandRichard "Ricky" Evensand is a Swedish drummer and contributed for several music bands: Therion , Chimaira , Ebony Tears, Sorcerer, Dog Faced Gods, Soilwork, Demonoid, Southpaw, Stardown....
– drums (2003–2004) - Kevin TalleyKevin TalleyKevin Talley is an American death metal drummer. He has performed with Dying Fetus, Misery Index and Chimaira, and he is currently the drummer for the bands Dååth, Six Feet Under and Nothnegal.- History :...
– drums (2004–2006) - Andrew Ermlick – bass guitar (1998–2000)
- Rob Lesniak – bass guitar (2000)
- Jim LaMarca – bass guitar (2000–2010)
- Jason Hagar – rhythm guitar (1998–2001)
- Chris Spicuzza – keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (2000–2011)
Discography
Studio albums- Pass Out of ExistencePass Out of ExistencePass out of Existence is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Chimaira, released on October 2, 2001. According to vocalist Mark Hunter, as of 2003, the band has sold 44,000 copies of the album in the United States....
(2001) - The Impossibility of ReasonThe Impossibility of Reason-Notes:*Tracks 1-2 taken from the pre-production sessions for The Impossibility of Reason **Produced and mixed by Ben Schigel**Co-produced by Mark Hunter and Rob Arnold...
(2003) - ChimairaChimaira (album)Chimaira is the third studio album by Chimaira, released on August 9, 2005. It debuted #74 on the Billboard 200 charts. The album would be the band's final release under Roadrunner Records and the only one to feature Kevin Talley on drums.-Production:...
(2005) - ResurrectionResurrection (Chimaira album)-Personnel:* Mark Hunter – vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, theremin, samplers* Rob Arnold – lead guitar* Matt DeVries – rhythm guitar* Jim LaMarca – bass guitar* Andols Herrick – drums* Chris Spicuzza – keyboards, backing vocals...
(2007) - The InfectionThe InfectionThe Infection is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Chimaira. Released on April 21, 2009, it reached position 30 on the Billboard 200 charts on its first week of release, selling around 15,000 copies. This was improvement from the previous album's debut at No. 42...
(2009) - The Age of HellThe Age of HellThe Age of Hell is the sixth studio album by American metal band Chimaira. The album was released on August 16, 2011. The album sold more than 7,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 54 on the Billboard 200 chart. In an interview the band stated...
(2011)