Band: Chimaira
Album title: The Age Of Hell
Label: SPV
Distributor: Suburban
Release date: 16/08/2011
Release: CD

Chimaira was founded during 1998 by Mark Hunter and Jason Hager The pair contacted friends and recruited Jason Genaro and Andrew Ermlick to complete the band’s line-up. But after a few a few practice sessions that didn’t work out so great, the four decided that the band needed a “thicker” guitar sound and searched a second guitarist, witch they found in Rob Arnold.
The band recorded its first demo soon after and during the recording, the band made it’s first of many line up changes before completing the recording process. The band spent much of 1999 doing various live shows around the United States.

Their latest recording: The Age of Hell is the band’s sixth studio album. It was released on August 16th and sold more than 7000 copies in the first week (in the States). So the fans are glad they didn’t quit after 3 members left the band. So the band is back with a statement. Although most of the line up consists of new members, most of the bands signature sounds are still intact on this album witch does prove of good musicianship. Overall this record is a compilation of elements of all their previous work. You will find speed metal and industrial effects only to be followed up with groove and technical breakdowns.

So if you haven’t heard of this band yet (witch would surprise me), this is the record to start with.

83/100

Jeroen.