UMUR "Chimaira" is the eponymously titled third full-length studio album by US, Ohio based metal act Chimaira. The album was released through Roadrunner Records in August 2005. It´s the successor to "The Impossibility Of Reason" from May 2003 and there´s been one lineup change since the predecessor as drummer Andols Herrick has left (tired of touring, he went back to college to finish his degree in music) and has been replaced by Kevin Talley (Dying Fetus, Dååth, Misery Index, Six Feet Under...etc.). Talley´s tenure with Chimaira would however only last until 2006 when Herrick returned.

The music on the album is energetic, heavy, and hard edged groove metal with elements of hardcore, death metal and thrash metal. The band are often cited for not appreciating the link to the term metalcore but there are moments on the album where the link is valid enough. It´s especially the aggressive and very raw "core" sounding vocals that lead my throught to the metalcore sound but the band also employ some crushingly heavy breakdowns in their music that also points in the metalcore direction (or heavy metal oriented hardcore...you decide). Although not quite as harcore oriented, the focus on heaviness and groove aren´t that different from a band like Hatebreed. Chimaira´s music on this album is groove laden, aggressive, and in addition to the above mentioned metalcore/hardcore elements you´ll also find plenty of thrashy riffing on the album (Slayer often comes to mind) and loads of blistering lead guitar work. A song like "Salvation" also displays that the band have a melodic sensibility with brief use of clean vocals. Chimaira never sacrifice power or energy though. There are some truly skull crushing riffs and rhytyms on display here.

The musicianship is high level on all posts. Tight precision playing all around and when you add to that a very well sounding and professional sound production, this is an album which deserves the high quality stamp. The songwriting can be a bit one-dimensional (using the same elements on most songs), but on the other hand Chimaira succesfully spice their music up with the above mentioned lead guitar parts and samples and keyboard effects, which help the compositions remain interesting. I could pick any track from the album, but I have to mention the opening duo of "Nothing Remains" and "Save Ourselves" as some of the most powerful, crushingly heavy, and quite intricate groove metal tracks I´ve yet encountered. A great album this one and a 4 star (80%) rating is fully deserved.

UMUR "The Impossibility Of Reason" is the second full-length studio album by US, Ohio based hardcore/groove metal act Chimaira. The album was released through Roadrunner Records in May 2003. It´s the successor to "Pass Out Of Existence" from October 2001 and features one lineup change since the predecessor as guitarist Jason Hager has been replaced by Matt DeVries.

The lineup change is however the least of it. As Chimaira grew increasingly tired of being called a NU metal band and the Korn and Slipnot comparisons wouldn´t cease, Chimaira made a conscious decision to adjust their sound and ditch the NU metal elements. They still play a hybrid sound which features elements from hardcore, metalcore, groove metal, alternative rock/metal (listen to the chorus on "Down Again" or "Pictures in the Gold Room" for proof of that), and even the occasional faster-paced thrash metal riffs and rhythms. Heavy Chugging start/stop riffs and rhythms spiced up with massive breakdowns and ultra aggressive hardcore vocals and the occasional clean vocal moment. Keyboard/electronics guy Chris Spicuzza spice the sound up even further providing the music with some layered atmospherics. One other big difference on this album compared to the early work of Chimaira is the omnipresence of lead guitar work.

Ditching the NU metal elements was arguably a good decision and although some listeners will still have a hard time appreciating the clean vocals alternative rock/metal parts of the music, Chimaira really are a convincing ultra heavy and fiercely aggressive band when they choose to be. They produce some of the same immediate heavy grooves and aggression as Hatebreed did on their contemporary releases (listen to tracks like "Power Trip" and "Cleansation" for proof of that), although Chimaira are overall a more diverse act. An example of that is the 13:30 minutes long instrumental album closer "Implements of Destruction".

"The Impossibility Of Reason" features a heavy, clear, and detailed sound production, which perfectly suits the material. Lead vocalist Mark Hunter and guitarist Rob Arnold are responsible for producing the album (Colin Richardson is credited for mixing) and they did a great job here, bringing out the best elements of Chimaira´s sound. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Pass Out Of Existence" is the debut full-length studio album by US, Ohio based hardcore/groove metal act Chimaira. The album was released through Roadrunner Records in October 2001. It´s the successor to the January 2000 "This Present Darkness" EP and it features the same sextet lineup who recorded the EP.

Stylistically the material on "Pass Out Of Existence" is generally a more metallic version of the hybrid hardcore, NU metal, and groove metal style of the early releases (demos and EPs) from Chimaira. The chugging heavy riffs and grooves are still the core of the band´s sound (and of course the heavy breakdowns) along with the ultra aggressive screaming hardcore vocals from Mark Hunter. There are still some NU metal elements in the way Hunter talk/whisper sings at times and in some of the dynamics of the music, which remind me of Korn, but other than that this is some pretty aggressive hardcore/groove metal. The increased metal orientation and the fast played start/stop riffing sometimes make me think of contemporary alternative/groove metal Fear Factory (hell... the cover artwork even has some of the same colors as Fear Factory´s 2001 "Digimortal" album). Chris Spicuzza who handles electronics adds an industrial element to the band´s sound too, so Chimaira cover quite a few bases.

"Pass Out Of Existence" features a powerful, heavy, and detailed sound production, which suits the material well. Although the previous minor releases were all pretty well produced too, the sound production on this debut album is arguably a step up in quality. Upon conclusion Chimaira have created a good quality debut album. They would soon grow tired of reviewers (like me) comparing them to Korn and calling their music NU metal (mind you I only wrote above it is an element of their sound) and more or less ditched that element on their future releases. So this is the last release of the first era of Chimaira, before they adjusted their sound. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.

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.

UMUR "Chimaira" is the eponymously titled first EP recording by US, Ohio based hardcore/groove metal act Chimaira. The EP was independently released in October 1999. It features the two tracks from the band´s September 1999 demo release (the band´s second demo) plus the track "Refuse To See", which is a track which was originally written by Mark Hunter and Jim LaMarca for their previous band Skipline.

Stylistically Chimaira 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 only extends to a few parts on the "Divination" track, which vaguely resembles something Korn could have put out. Other than that this is just really aggressive hardcore/groove metal.

The demo features a professional studio production and upon conclusion it´s a good quality first EP release from Chimaira. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.

Kingcrimsonprog Chimaira’s Coming Alive is an absolutely tremendous package, a true must-own that no Chimaira fan should even consider being without. The set contains a concert DVD taken from the band’s tenth annual hometown Christmas concert, a CD of the same concert minus the final song and as the main feature, a three hour Documentary in four parts that covers everything the band have been up to in the two years prior to its release. First off, the concert DVD is simply put and without hyperbole the greatest concert DVD I have ever bought (and this compliment comes from someone who absolutely loves concert DVDs)

Director Todd Bell is a genius and this film is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, his unique and inspired cinematography really pushes the boundaries of what a concert film should look like. It almost seems like up until now concerts were just filmed and edited in a utilitarian way and Todd Bell is the first person to really ask how else it could and should be done. The only thing that is even close in style is Nine Inch Nails’ amazing looking `Beside You In Time,’ concert and `The Slip,’ bonus DVD, but this goes even further. From the choice of shots, the unusual choices in depth of field and framing and the band’s own excellent light and video show you really get a truly unique and fantastic viewing experience.

From a purely visual perspective this is the finest looking concert DVD on the market, not just from metal bands but even from million dollar rock bands who can afford the best. Don’t think however, that this is just a treat for the eyes because the performance which Chimaira lays down is practically unrivaled and again this is without hyperbole, the energy and passion in the practically note perfect and ferociously heavy concert is breathtaking. Every musician either plays or sings their heart out, with Chris’ cutting backing vocals and Rob’s guitar solos being particularly noteworthy.

Highlights include an extended slightly version of `Severed,’ a Mark-on-guitar featuring `The Flame,’ with a very passionate vocal performance and the stupidly good performance of `The Disappearing Sun.’

The track listing is really great and no Chimaira album is left unrepresented, the band do a good job mixing obvious choices and fan favourites like `Power Trip,’ and `Pure Hatred,’ with surprise inclusions like `Dead Inside,’ and the instrumental closer `Implements of Destruction,’ (which is intermittently inter-cut with credits but not in an intrusive way) and the result is a varied and hugely entertaining concert.

The sound is fantastic, at first unusual given the trend in sounds of recent music DVDs but by the end of the first song you will realise how excellently the actual live sound of Chimaira has been captured, any drummer will love the live tom and snare sounds and everyone can enjoy the guitar tones which actually convey the fact that musicians are playing the instruments rather than a soulless studio perfect style that masks the musicians performance. Palm muting especially sounds fantastic here and I hope more bands adopt this recording and mixing style in the future.

This concert is only one of the two features; The four part documentary on disc one is superb (in addition to the bonus feature of the previous released `Making of Resurrection,’ documentary on disc two.) Only one part has been previously released on the `Making of The Infection,’ bonus disc with the majority of the content being completely new.

The content in question involves following the band around in the build up to the release of The Infection, on release day and on the subsequent tours in a similar manner to Lamb of God’s `Walk With Me In Hell,’ documentary.

If you’ve seen a Chimaira Documentary before you’ll know what to expect and if you haven’t this package includes most of them anyway. If you thought that the band couldn’t make a package to top ‘The Dehumanizing Process,’ you may be in for a pleasant surprise.

Overall this is a truly astounding package featuring over three hours worth of excellent and entertaining documentary footage from a very likable and down to earth band, a live CD and possibly the greatest Live DVD ever made.

Kingcrimsonprog Chimaira’s The Dehumanizing Process is a brilliant DVD, a really enjoyable package that every Chimaira fan should own. This really is a fantastic package, not only does this DVD feature the incredibly informative an entertaining ninety minute documentary feature, The Dehumanizing Process but it also boasts a really well recorded and performed live concert, all of the band’s music videos (at the time) and finally a nine tack CD, featuring the entire of the band’s 1999 independent album This Present Darkness.

The documentary is very detailed, discussing all aspects of the band from their relationship as people, to their relationship musically, with the record company and with people outside the band. Other topics for discussion include the making of The Impossibility of Reason, The Video for Down Again, the band’s line up changes and just life in the band in general.

I watch a lot of band DVDs and I can honestly say that this is my favourite and has been for some time. Several times a year I’ll break out the excellent documentary and the 33 minute live concert will get watched on a pretty regular basis.

The concert track listing is : 1. Powertrip, 2. Cleansation, 3. Severed, 4. Eyes of a Criminal, 5. Down Again, 6. The Dehumanizing Process and 7. Pure Hatred

The band are full of energy and play a really tight, professional set with all the power and aggression of the album versions. Mark is an excellent frontman and does his best to instruct and inform the crowd as well as really being able to pull of the vocal delivery live. In fact, that pretty much goes for the entire band, the complex drum brakes, guitar solos and everything in between is executed flawlessly and this in conjunction with the superb sound mix, camera work and video editing makes for a really worthwhile and enjoyable viewing experience.

While you won’t be watching the music video for ‘SP Lit,’ or ‘Down Again,’ on a regular basis it certainly nice to have them on the disc. All together, the extra features such as the linear notes and the humorous optional commentary for the main feature (not to mention the bonus CD) all contribute to what a fantastic and well rounded package this is, it would’ve been very easy to release a cheap rip off for the fans to cash in on the band’s new found popularity at the time, but instead we were treated to this excellent product.

I highly recommend this DVD to every single Chimaira fan and also fans of the similarly natured Killswitch Engage Documentary/Concert package ‘(Set This) World Ablaze.’