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* Formed: 1998, Cleveland, OH
* Genres: Rock
* Representative Albums: "Pass Out of Existence", "Chimaira", "Resurrection"
Band members
Former members
* Kevin Talley – drums (2004–2006)
* Richard Evensand – drums (2003–2004)
* Jason Hagar – rhythm guitar (1998–2001)
* Rob Lesniak – bass (2000)
* Andrew Ermlick – bass (1998–2000)
* Jason Genaro – drums (1998) (early on, never played live or recorded)
Current members
* Mark Hunter – vocals (1998–present)
* Matt DeVries – rhythm guitar (2001–present)
* Rob Arnold – lead guitar (1998–present)
* Jim LaMarca – bass (2000–present)
* Andols Herrick – drums (1999–2003, 2006–Present)
* Chris Spicuzza – keyboards, samples, backing vocals (2000–present)
Discography
Albums
* Pass Out of Existence (2001)
* The Impossibility of Reason (2003)
* Chimaira (2005)
* Resurrection (2007)
* The Infection (2009)
Demos & EPs
* '99 Demo (1999)
* This Present Darkness (2000)
Chimaira is six piece band from Cleveland, Ohio formed in 1998. The name Chimaira was taken from a Greek Mythology "fire-breathing female monster with a Lion's head and a goat's body and a serpent's tail".
Band's debut EP turned out to be a huge hit in their hometown by selling about 10,000 copies of independently issued before they made it to Road Runner Records
Early days (1998–1999)
The band was started by the Vocalist Mark Hunter and rhythm guitarist Jason Hage. drummer Jason Genaro and bassist Andrew Ermlick the founders to complete the line-up, later Rob Arnold joined them to have a thicker guitar sound as bands decision who was previously played with Ermlick in band called Common Thread. The first demo was recorded in Jan 1999, but during the recording band replaced a Genaro with Rob's former drummer Andols Herrick.
As the band had a complete line up they started doing live shows in America and during that year Ermlick walked out to concentrate on his studies, Rob Lesniak was replaced by him. Later that band recorded their 2nd demo which began to receive widespread airplay on local college radio stations. Chimaira entered Road Runner records after their spot performance at the short lived USA network show farmclub.com.
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, during this process they replaced bassist Andrew Ermlick with Rob Lesniak. Later on Ben Schigel, the band's producer and studio keyboard/turntables/electronics provider joined them live temporarily. Banking on the success of the EP, the band was signed by 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 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 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 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, 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.
This album was used on the show MythBusters for the episode "Talking to Plants
Chimaira (2005–2006)
By the first quarter of 2005, the band had finished most of its next release and hit the road once again. The self-titled album, 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. 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 (The Red Chord, Misery Index, DÅÅTH).
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. They also struck a deal with Nuclear Blast for international operations. The band was said to be excited about its new deals, and its fourth album Resurrection was released on March 6, 2007. The band feels 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.
The Infection (2009 onward)
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 Hatebreed 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.
On March 6, 2009, at the Dubai Desert Rock Festival in Dubai, Chimaira played the song "Destroy and Dominate" for the first time in front of a crowd.
The Infection was released worldwide on April 21, 2009 and debuted at number 30 on the Billboard 200.
From March to May of 2009, Chimaira was a part of Disturbed's Music as a Weapon IV festival along with Killswitch Engage, Lacuna Coil, Suicide Silence, Bury Your Dead and more
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 to be released in 2010.
Chimaira played in Australia nationally in 2010. They played shows across; Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane with support from Double Dragon.
Chimaira will be supporting Trivium alongside Whitechapel and Rise To Remain on a 16 date tour in the United Kingdom starting March 5, 2010.
Chimaira will be performing on the Jägermeister Stage at Mayhem Festival alongside Hatebreed, Shadows Fall, and Winds of Plague.
They will also be releasing a new dvd entitled Coming Alive on July 13 in Europe & July 20 in the rest of the world. This will include 3 discs, 2 Dvds & 1 Cd
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/chimaira
* Genres: Rock
* Representative Albums: "Pass Out of Existence", "Chimaira", "Resurrection"
Band members
Former members
* Kevin Talley – drums (2004–2006)
* Richard Evensand – drums (2003–2004)
* Jason Hagar – rhythm guitar (1998–2001)
* Rob Lesniak – bass (2000)
* Andrew Ermlick – bass (1998–2000)
* Jason Genaro – drums (1998) (early on, never played live or recorded)
Current members
* Mark Hunter – vocals (1998–present)
* Matt DeVries – rhythm guitar (2001–present)
* Rob Arnold – lead guitar (1998–present)
* Jim LaMarca – bass (2000–present)
* Andols Herrick – drums (1999–2003, 2006–Present)
* Chris Spicuzza – keyboards, samples, backing vocals (2000–present)
Discography
Albums
* Pass Out of Existence (2001)
* The Impossibility of Reason (2003)
* Chimaira (2005)
* Resurrection (2007)
* The Infection (2009)
Demos & EPs
* '99 Demo (1999)
* This Present Darkness (2000)
Chimaira is six piece band from Cleveland, Ohio formed in 1998. The name Chimaira was taken from a Greek Mythology "fire-breathing female monster with a Lion's head and a goat's body and a serpent's tail".
Band's debut EP turned out to be a huge hit in their hometown by selling about 10,000 copies of independently issued before they made it to Road Runner Records
Early days (1998–1999)
The band was started by the Vocalist Mark Hunter and rhythm guitarist Jason Hage. drummer Jason Genaro and bassist Andrew Ermlick the founders to complete the line-up, later Rob Arnold joined them to have a thicker guitar sound as bands decision who was previously played with Ermlick in band called Common Thread. The first demo was recorded in Jan 1999, but during the recording band replaced a Genaro with Rob's former drummer Andols Herrick.
As the band had a complete line up they started doing live shows in America and during that year Ermlick walked out to concentrate on his studies, Rob Lesniak was replaced by him. Later that band recorded their 2nd demo which began to receive widespread airplay on local college radio stations. Chimaira entered Road Runner records after their spot performance at the short lived USA network show farmclub.com.
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, during this process they replaced bassist Andrew Ermlick with Rob Lesniak. Later on Ben Schigel, the band's producer and studio keyboard/turntables/electronics provider joined them live temporarily. Banking on the success of the EP, the band was signed by 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 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 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 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, 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.
This album was used on the show MythBusters for the episode "Talking to Plants
Chimaira (2005–2006)
By the first quarter of 2005, the band had finished most of its next release and hit the road once again. The self-titled album, 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. 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 (The Red Chord, Misery Index, DÅÅTH).
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. They also struck a deal with Nuclear Blast for international operations. The band was said to be excited about its new deals, and its fourth album Resurrection was released on March 6, 2007. The band feels 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.
The Infection (2009 onward)
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 Hatebreed 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.
On March 6, 2009, at the Dubai Desert Rock Festival in Dubai, Chimaira played the song "Destroy and Dominate" for the first time in front of a crowd.
The Infection was released worldwide on April 21, 2009 and debuted at number 30 on the Billboard 200.
From March to May of 2009, Chimaira was a part of Disturbed's Music as a Weapon IV festival along with Killswitch Engage, Lacuna Coil, Suicide Silence, Bury Your Dead and more
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 to be released in 2010.
Chimaira played in Australia nationally in 2010. They played shows across; Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane with support from Double Dragon.
Chimaira will be supporting Trivium alongside Whitechapel and Rise To Remain on a 16 date tour in the United Kingdom starting March 5, 2010.
Chimaira will be performing on the Jägermeister Stage at Mayhem Festival alongside Hatebreed, Shadows Fall, and Winds of Plague.
They will also be releasing a new dvd entitled Coming Alive on July 13 in Europe & July 20 in the rest of the world. This will include 3 discs, 2 Dvds & 1 Cd
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/chimaira
