Formed in 1998, the Cleveland, OH-based hardcore sextet Chimaira
consists of singer Mark Hunter, guitarists Matt DeVries and Rob
Arnold, bassist Jim LaMarca, drummer Andols Herrick, and electronic
specialist Chris Spicuzza.
The band’s mixture of metal, hardcore, and thrash proved
to be a big hit back home, as they sold 10,000 copies of their
independently issued debut EP, This Present Darkness, leading
to an appearance on the now-defunct USA Network TV show Farmclub.
The band opened for the likes of Soulfly, Hatebreed, Spineshank,
and Snapcase and was eventually signed to Roadrunner Records,
issuing their 14-track debut full-length, Pass Out of Existence,
in August 2001. The Impossibility of Reason followed on Roadrunner
in May 2003, and Chimaira supported the effort with extensive
touring, including dates with In Flames, Slayer, Ozzfest, and
many more.
After the release of the DVD collection The Dehumanization Process
and addition of new drummer Kevin Talley in 2004, the band unleashed
their third album, Chimaira, in 2005. Though a strong record,
internal problems and ones with their label threatened to tear
the band apart in the months following its release. They soldiered
through it all, however, and by fall 2006 Chimaira had moved
on from Roadrunner, inked a new deal over at Ferret Records,
and began work on new material. Earlier that year, the band also
welcomed back original drummer Andols Herrick.
More of a team writing effort than their last album, the resulting
Resurrection appeared in early March 2007 courtesy of a rejuvenated
band, and Chimaira supported its release on the road with Killswitch
Engage and Dragonforce. Since then, the band has added another
notch to its belt with extensive world and high profile tours.
Currently on tour Dethklok, Cartoon Networks Metalocalypse, the
band plans to spend the rest of ‘08 creating its fifth full
length release.
Rob Arnold and Mark Hunter use the same Dean Markley
Blue Steel
Electric Custom MEDs, Matt Devries prefers his
Blue
Steel Electric MEDs, and Jim LaMarca strings his bass with
Blue
Steel NPS ML.
Rob Arnold on his long relationship
with Dean Markley:
Dean Markley Blue Steel Strings have been my string of choice
since I was a kid. Now playing them as a professional all these
years later is an honor and a dream come true. They play great,
they stay in tune, and they feel brand new for months. I couldn’t
be happier to be part of the Dean Markley family.
Matt DeVries‘s permanent relationship
with Dean Markley:
My Blue Steel Strings from Dean Markley are perfect. They’re
smooth, bright, and heavy. Everyone at the company treats us
like gold, and I’m proud to say that I’m a Dean Markley
artist!
Jim LaMarca said this about
his Dean Markley strings:
The Dean Markley’s are good, ya know? They help me with
soul. They make my Peavey basses sound more “gooder.”
Mark Hunter, Chimaira’s
singer, jokes proudly:
I’ve had the same set of Markley’s on my git since ‘92….
Beat that!
Be sure to visit the Chimaira website at:
www.Chimaira.com or
www.MySpace.com/chimaira
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