chimaira

It’s Official: CHIMAIRA Calls It Quits

Vocalist Mark Hunter of long-running Ohio-based metallers CHIMAIRA has released the following statement: "After fifteen full-blown ass-ripping years, it is with great honor to announce the end of CHIMAIRA. "Thanks to everyone that supported the group in any way shape or form. "Everyone involved with the band from members to fans put their heart and soul into this project. We achieved a lot. We bled a lot. It fucking ruled." Guitarist Emil Werstler quit CHIMAIRA a few days ago, following by other members, guitarist Matt Szlachta, keyboardist/vocalist Sean Zatorsky, bassist Jeremy Creamer and drummer Austin D'Amond. The musicians explained in a collective statement: "For us, this was a great stepping stone, and an honor to play these songs live, and fulfill an incredible legacy. This was an an excellent platform to help continue playing music when our collective bands either ended or went on a hiatus. CHIMAIRA was an amazing experience and we look forward to future music endeavors with each other."

Guitarist EMIL WERSTLER Quits CHIMAIRA

Guitarist Emil Werstler has decided to leave CHIMAIRA after a three-year tenure with the band. Werstler spent the first few months playing bass for CHIMAIRA, but switched back to his original instrument in 2012 following the announcement that guitarists Rob Arnold and Matt DeVries were leaving the group at the end of 2011. Emil, best known for his gypsy jazz-infused guitar playing with LEVI/WERSTLER and DÅÅTH, has issued the following statement about his departure: "My time in CHIMAIRA has, unfortunately, come to an end. It is time for me to move on as I continue to focus on harvesting my abilities as a musician. "I'm very fond of everyone in the band and wish them all the best in the future. "Although this was a difficult choice to make, I feel it was necessary in order to take the next step in my career. The best is still yet to come and I'm very excited for the multiple projects I am working on. "I would like to thank the band, management, and, most importantly, all the fans for the endless support and understanding." Werstler is featured on CHIMAIRA's seventh studio album, "Crown Of Phantoms", which sold around 7,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 52 on The Billboard 200 chart. The record arrived in stores on July 30, 2013 via eOne Music.

CHIMAIRA: ‘Wrapped In Violence’ Video Released

CHIMAIRA's video for the song "Wrapped In Violence" can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's seventh studio album, "Crown Of Phantoms", which sold around 7,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 52 on The Billboard 200 chart. The record arrived in stores on July 30, 2013 via eOne Music. CHIMAIRA's previous CD, "The Age Of Hell", premiered with more than 7,000 units in August 2011 to debut at No. 54. The band's 2009 effort, "The Infection", registered a first-week tally of 15,000 to land at No. 30. This figure was roughly in line with the opening number of CHIMAIRA's 2007 album, "Resurrection", which shifted 16,000 copies to enter the chart at No. 42. CHIMAIRA made last year headlines by way of crowd-funding a fan version CD/DVD where they doubled their initial goal via IndieGoGo. "Crown Of Phantoms" track listing: 01. The Machine 02. No Mercy 03. All That's Left Is Blood 04. I Despise 05. Plastic Wonderland 06. The Transmigration 07. Crown Of Phantoms 08. Spineless 09. Kings Of The Shadow World 10. Wrapped In Violence 11. Love Soaked Death CHIMAIRA will kick off the "Celebrate The Chaos" tour this weekend. The trek will feature support from IWRESTLEDABEARONCE, OCEANO, REFLECTIONS and FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY. Comments CHIMAIRA vocalist Mark Hunter: "CHIMAIRA turned fifteen last August and the only appropriate way to celebrate the chaos is to hit the road. Take a trip through the entire catalog with us and rediscover old favorites in the new era of domination! Rise up! The time has come..." In an interview with Ghost Cult, Hunter stated about CHIMAIRA's new CD: "'Crown Of Phantoms' is the culmination of three years of going through tons of changes, harsh realities but also excitement. It's something brand new and when you put all those things together you get 'Crown Of Phantoms' as a result. These are exciting times for the band and it's the polar opposite of where I was with the band two years ago." Regarding whether he thought of packing it in after the numerous lineup changes that CHIMAIRA went through since the release of 2011's "The Age Of Hell", Hunter said: "Many people on the Internet thought we were done for. By the timing and the speed things were unraveling, I had the luxury of not thinking rationally and I simply soldiered on. It was happening so fast and not thinking about quitting was a sort of defense in a way. I defended what I hold dear and what I wanted to fight for. Of course there were moments of insecurity and doubts. Luckily, I had a good team and a good support system of friends and family around me telling me that I was crazy if I wanted to change the band name or quit altogether. They pointed out that bands like MEGADETH and BLACK SABBATH went through countless lineup changes. BLACK SABBATH had a super successful era without Ozzy. Of course, with MEGADETH, 'Rust In Peace' was one of their best albums and it wasn't recorded with the same lineup who did 'Peace Sells', which is another MEGADETH classic. There are more examples of bands that went through major lineup changes and still had major success. Of course, to be in this situation is scary as hell."

Chimaira
Crown Of Phantoms

This is one of the most important releases concerning a band that was just a step away from pure uncertainty when all the members apart singer Mark Hunter left the band and the once unstoppable and each time innovative Chimaira was about to split up.

CHIMAIRA Frontman: ‘Many People On The Internet Thought We Were Done For’

Raymond Westland of Ghost Cult magazine recently conducted an interview with CHIMAIRA vocalist Mark Hunter. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below. Ghost Cult: "Crown Of Phantoms" is very strong album. Does the overall quality validate the new lineup? Hunter: I certainly hope it does; it was our goal. "Crown Of Phantoms"is the culmination of three years of going through tons of changes, harsh realities but also excitement. It's something brand new and when you put all those things together you get "Crown Of Phantoms" as a result. These are exciting times for the band and it's the polar opposite of where I was with the band two years ago. Ghost Cult: With all the old members leaving, a lot of people on the Internet thought CHIMAIRA was done for. Did you ever seriously considering pulling the plug on the band entirely?

CHIMAIRA: ‘No Mercy’ Video Released

CHIMAIRA's video for the song "No Mercy" can be seen below. The track comes off the band's seventh studio album, "Crown Of Phantoms", which will be released on July 30 via eOne Music. The band recently made headlines by way of crowd-funding a fan version CD/DVD where they doubled their initial goal via IndieGoGo. CHIMAIRA just wrapped up a successful run on the "Dont Pray For Us Tour" with ASKING ALEXANDRIA and plans to be back on the road soon. "Crown Of Phantoms" track listing: 01. The Machine 02. No Mercy 03. All That's Left Is Blood 04. I Despise 05. Plastic Wonderland 06. The Transmigration