Ravaging and relentless, Chimaira strike back!
There are no words that could ultimately describe the sheer strength and resilience Chimaira have had through having to endure, through times of pain, pressure and uncertainty. For a while it seemed the scene was devoid utterly of all life while they were gone, seemingly unexplained for quite some time and there had been slight concern that this dramatic and influential band were perhaps not going to release any new material for some time. However, months on and front man Mark Hunter is fast proving that Chimaira though suffering the loss of a friend, will never be put down and this month sees the release of their long awaited, eponymous third album that proves from the very first note of 'Nothing Remains' that Chimaira will always be Chimaira and no one else.
Written on the day of Dimebag Darrell's untimely shooting, skull crushing 'Nothing Remains' harbours musically brutal and anger filled emotions that rise to mirror feelings brought on by the shooting and forever connecting them in history. Everything about this song is pure unrivalled and uncontrollable anger, untamed, manic and frustrated emotions all boiling up to the surface while the pacing drumming of new addition Talley rips through the music like a cold bullet claiming retribution perhaps for a lost artist and a good friend. The rhythms churn and dance in a devilishly dark and morbid as Mark curses overhead, growling and relentless and unmeasured rage. It boils down half way through into a deliciously ethereal and mystical interlude, the modes and the mood of the music bearing some dark resemblance to the music associated with the Ancient Egyptians, adding age old mysticism and a deeper sense of darkness to the music.
The sound of this album is constantly shifting and ever growing in its dark and crushing power but it remains intelligent and carries a much more personal level about its lyrics now. Fans of Chimaira seeking a typical power-trip style song will not find it here, this album is a personal venting ground for the sheer pent up emotions of the band and 'Lazarus' is a testament to this, being not about the Biblical character but about a friend to the band who tragically ended his life. Filled with frantic emotion and pain-stricken emotions carefully concealed within a haunting, distorted and warped interlude and war like drums that cry the bleeding lament for death, all the time wrapped around sorrowful guitar riffs that scream uncontrollably for pain and loss. Even behind the screaming facade of Mark's voice, a sheer sense of loss and tragedy can be detected and the torment drags out further in a beautiful but heartbreaking solo that could not fail to cut into the grave of the one they had loved so much but lost and put his soul to rest. The bands sheer refusal to write any type of generic stylised songs has definitely paid off and Chimaira breed a new kind of bloodlust and rage in their music that is beautifully tainted with all the black hearted passion that such hardcore/black metal has to offer while still retaining easy access to their brand of metal. Certainly Chimaira are much more melodically orientated than many other bands and their solos remain of a standard and beauty that is simply to die for as the bone cutting solo in the frantic 'Save Ourselves' showcases. Coupled with immense heavy breakdowns and a sheer hate and boiling rage, 'Save Ourselves' encompasses all the frantic rage, yet sheer fear and edge that music of this fashion often has to offer but packaging and superbly gift wrapping it in a way that puts other bands of their label to shame, achieving twice what Slipknot have on heavier aspects of their amazing 'Volume 3: The Sublimal Verses' album.
Talley has refreshed the sound Chimaira produce and have pushed them to higher and ferocious levels of relentless exploration and innovation. Like the beast of lore of their namesake, Chimaira are a three headed beast, disagreeing animals devouring and preying upon each others ideas to become a sheer monster and one unrivalled in industry. This self titled album is stunning and evocative, easily their best yet and of such a standard that it seems almost impossible for them to surpass this and produce something much bigger. Only time will tell but for the meantime, get your teeth and claws into this latest chaotic offering of dark and overpowering bliss!