The forever-evolving metal genre has gotten a new blast of fire from Roadrunner newcomers Chimaira. The Cleveland-based six-piece’s second full-length album, Pass Out of Existence, leans on everything from organic techno rhythms to layered electro-percussion, all behind the trademark pummelcore grooves that have given them their hardcore reputation all across the US. Fans of Fear Factory, Slipknot, and even Hatebreed will be able to appreciate them for crossing several heavy boundaries without sacrificing the feel that each individual genre offers.
“Dead Inside” is the first single and one of the catchiest tracks on the album. Lead man Mark Hunter sings of inner turmoil that bleeds through wounds that expel rage, anger, and pure intensity. Although the demos for the album had a more hardcore feel, the final mixes show a precision that had gone unnoticed until now. “Sphere” is as ferocious as it is flowing, rocking between pulsed tempos and sludgy riffs.
Amidst the fairly stale genre of nu-metal, Chimaira will easily stand out. Their roots are strictly in metal, and even though they pull their influences from many different places, their package is unique to the scene. It’s brutal without going crazy and it evolves without losing sincerity. Chimaira have found an untapped vein. Hopefully nobody else will try to exploit it.
+ rick hinkson
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