CHIMAIRA „s/t”

Music: Modern American Metal
Country: USA
Website: http://www.chimaira.com
Duration: 59:07
Cool Songs: Salvation, Lazarus, Nothing Remains, Comatose, Save Ourselves

When Cleavland’s Ky-Meara (that’s how you pronounce Chimaira folks) released 2003’s ‘Impossibility of Reason’, its musical content was pretty much a reaction to the ‘nu-metal’ tag that that was incessantly hung like an albatross around their necks at every turn. ‘Reason..’ was a middle finger to those who would believe that commercial stardom was their only agenda. Tours with Slayer taught them a few lessons and as such it meant that ‘Reason..’ was a much heavier, aggressive record. Still, the burden of the albatross is hard to remove and with the metal ‘elite’ citing a move to semi major in Roadrunner and a clean laden emotive like ‘Down Again’ as more proof of Chimaira’s flaws, the bands cause was again stifled. Well, as the saying goes, if at first you don’t succeed….

If ‘Reason…’ wasn’t convincing enough of the bands heavier modern metal infused predilections, then ‘Chimaira’ has once and for all buried all preconceptions. This new disc is anything but mainstream or radio-friendly. It is less accessible than ‘Reason’..; it is heavier, faster, and more aggressive than anything they have ever done. It is in fact ‘commercial suicide’. It may not be convincing enough for everyone, but clearly this disc is all about ‘Chimaira’ finally gathering some kudos for sticking to the ‘heavier’ path and letting the riffs flow. And boy does this disc have some riffs. The double axe rhythm duo of Rob Arnold and Matt Devries hum like a well oiled machine across the entire length of this hour long affair.

As a style ‘Chimaira’ are about being a modern sounding metal band. They take a slew of Exodus/Testament thrash riffs and infuse them with a thicker, choppier production that will no doubt have them comfortably sit right along side Lamb of God and latter day Fear Factory. With Colin Richardson at the mixing desk and Ben Schigel’s production hand, ‘Chimaira’ is laced with an overtly heavy and at times decidedly dark atmosphere. The subtle electronic flurries from Chris Spicuzza also provide for a somewhat strange and weird element to permeate their music. However, it is the addition of new drummer Kevin Talley (ex-Misery Index/Dying Fetus) that gives ‘Chimaira’ a new found tightness. Not that previous drummer Andols Herrick didn’t have the chops, it’s just that Talley’s double bass prowess adds a sharper, more concise edge to the bottom end of this disc. It must also be stated that Rob Arnold rips and shreds mountains of melodically infused leads solos on this disc, adding further colour and mood variation throughout. And you thought modern metal bands never played leads! Arnold proves otherwise.

As much as I am prepared to back ‘Chimaira’ as their most definitive statement yet, there are some issues that still grate somewhat. Vocalist Mark Hunter is mightily impressive in his caustic rage – I really like his vocal attack on this disc – however, I still don’t think he brings anything new to the table. The ‘clean’ element (as per ‘Down Again’) is clearly not on the agenda anymore, but ironically enough where it is employed, particularly on the epic ‘Salvation’ (the seven minute ‘Lazarus’ is also a fine example), Chimaira sound at their most potent. Despite the speed and aggressiveness of the majority of this album ‘Salvation’ impassioned feel makes it easily the most memorable and emotively powerful track on the disc. Moreover, with Talley upping the pace of this album, the bands previous heavy groove has made way for a much more thrashier-riff oriented template. I don’t have a huge problem with this, but there are times where a few of the tracks (Inside the Horror, Everything you love) meander aimlessly and as such they make no lasting impression.

For those that think ‘Chimaira’ would take the easy path towards accessibility and mainstream success, then this new self titled will change your mind. It’s overtly heavy and riff oriented aggressiveness is certainly more confronting than anything they have released previously. As purveyors of the current American Metal sound, these guys are easily one of the better acts around. Still, I am wary that ‘Chimaira’ doesn’t have the consistent set of killer tunes (Salvation and Lazarus aside) to make this anymore than a solid modern metal album. I think there is a hell of a lot more left to come from this band.

note: 7.9/10

Tracklist

Nothing Remains
Save Ourselves
Inside the Horror
Salvation
Comatose
Left For Dead
Everything You Love
Bloodlust
Pray For All
Lazarus