UMUR
"This Present Darkness" is the second EP release by US, Ohio based hardcore/groove metal act Chimaira. The EP was released through East Coast Empire Records in January 2000. The regular EP consists of 5 tracks and a total playing time of 22:30 minutes, but it actually features no less than 69 tracks, most of which are short "silence" tracks. Three of the "hidden" tracks are actual songs though. Two of them are early demo tracks ("Empty" and "Silence"), which the band opted to put on the EP to honor their former bassist Andrew "AE" Ermlick and the last track is the joke track "Satan's Wizards". The two tracks from their second demo ("This Present Darkness" and "Divination") were re-recorded and included here, so in reality there are only three new original songs featured on the EP.
Stylistically Chimaira at this point play a hybrid groove metal, NU metal, and hardcore style, which is based on heavy chugging riffs and grooves and ultra aggressive screaming hardcore vocals. The NU metal element and the Korn influences are pretty strong on this release with lead vocalist Mark Hunter talk/whisper singing in addition to delivering his usual aggressive screaming hardcore vocals. Chimaira have added Chris Spicuzza to the lineup who handles electronics, making the band a sextet on this release. The addition of Spicuzza provides the music with another layer although his presense isn´t that dominant here. "This Present Darkness" features a heavy, raw, and detailed sounding production. It could have been even more "in your face", but it´s pretty effectful as it is. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.