Search - Chimaira :: Resurrection

Wow

Rx | CA | 03/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was kind of nervous buying this cd. The album "Chimaira" was pretty good had a few songs I liked but nothing really stuck out to me like how the other cds did. First off I would like to say Chimaira is an amazing band and put on f***ing great live show. I really recomend getting the CD+DVD bundle. The dvd is worth getting I wont say to much s**t about it but it's worth it. This cd is just amazing I love it. If you are a Chimaira fan then check this out and if you didn't like there last album "Chimaira" still check this out. I didn't care for that album but this album is great.



I give the cd a 4/5



and the dvd 5/5 so i just made it 5 stars."

Can this band get any better?

Jeremy Brackeen | Cameron, WI United States | 05/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Chimaira are truly one of those modern metal bands out there today that never cease to impress me with every album they release. Being a huge fan of Chimiara, the one thing that just impresses me about these guys is that they always get better with every album they put out, and their latest masterpiece 2007's "Resurrection" proves just that. This album is an incredible follow up to their 2005 self titled third album (which was a great album), and it's also one of the best metal albums of 2007 thus far as well. This album also marks the return of former drummer Andols Herrick. Mark Hunter's vocals are more awesome and intense than ever before, and a bit more varied on this album as well. Lead Guitarist Rob Arnold shreds and tears throughout with sick ripping leads and solos, and even some nice melodic harmonies are included as well. Keyboardist takes a more active and prominent role on this album and his keyboard effects really add so much to this album. Listen to the album closer "Empire" for instance. And of course Andols Herrick's fast double bass drumming is just absolutely amazing and will pummel your face straight to the ground, and he's sure proven that he hasn't lost a single beat.



The opening title song "Resurrection" is a very fast heavy song with great killer headbanging riffs, a careening solo from Rob, and some pummeling yet forceful double bass kicks especially during the chorus. This is no doubt my favorite song on the album. Antother one of my favorites track three "Worthless" is another fast blistering track which included a great catchy chorus in which Mark growls in as well as some fast pounding drumwork, cascading riffs, and a killer solo. Track four "Six" is the longest song on here clocking in at (9:44), and it's also one of the best songs that Chimaira have ever written. Mark's vocals are great, as well as the guitarwork, the solos, and drums. "No Reason to Live" includes some nice bass lines, and some machine gun like snare drums, and a nice mellowish solo in the beginning which are all soon followed by some some machine gun double bass kicks and some more fast drums, more solid riffs, and another nice melodic solo is included as well. Track six "Killing the Beast" is one of the more slower songs on the album which includes slow yet heavy lurching riffs, and a slow yet sinister and steady double bass drum beat throughout. "The Flame" is another mid paced number which features some machine gun like chugging riffs, and some killer guitar harmonies, and another nice solo to boot. Another highlight for me, "End it All" is another fast blazing scorcher which features fast punishing double bass drums especially during the chorus and another blazing solo. The next two tracks "Black Heart" and "Needle" are great fast careening headbangers that will make you want to play air guitar like crazy and get some mosh pits going. And finally we have the closing song "Empires" which includes some black metal esque keyboard effects, pummeling double bass onslaughts, as well as another careening guitar solo. Here's the entire song list, and the ratings.

Jeremy's song ratings:

1. Resurrection (4:37) - 5/5 My favorite song

2. Pleasure in Pain (3:04) - 5/5

3. Worthless (3:44) - 5/5

4. Six (9:44) - 5/5

5. No Reason to Live (3:44) - 5/5

6. Killing the Beast (3:47) - 5/5

7. The Flame (5:23) - 5/5

8. End it All (4:21) - 5/5

9. Black Heart (4:33) - 5/5

10. Needle (3:08) - 5/5

11. Empire (5:33) - 5/5



In my mind, "Resurrection" is truly one of the best pure new metal albums to come out in a long time. I definately and honestly rank this album along with "Enemy of God" by Kreator, "Blood Mountain" by Mastodon, "Christ Illusion" by Slayer, "Tempo of the Damned" by Exodus, "Through the Ashes of Empires" and "The Blackening" both by Machine Head, "The System Has Failed" by Megadeth, and among other great new metal albums I've had the pleasure of listening to over the past three years now. Overall "Resurrection" is without a shadow of a doubt thus far Chimaira's best album of their carreer, and it's also one of the best metal album of 2007 thus far as well.



Bottom Line: A must have for all Chimaria fans, metal fans, or just good music in general. Fantastic job guys. Buy this album ASAP!!



P.S. Be sure to catch Chimaira at the Sounds of the Underground Tour this upcoming summer. I hope I get to go this summer."

(4.5 stars) Chimaira continue to progress

A. Stutheit | Denver, CO USA | 03/17/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Chimaira's last, self-titled effort, was easily one of the best metal records of 2005. Problem is, achieving such greatness exhausted the band members. Then, to make matters worse, they experienced a bit of internal conflict while on tour (particularly between new drummer Kevin Talley and frontman Mark Hunter), and after their relationship with Roadrunner went on the fritz, fans wondered what would come of the Cleveland-based sextet . But with a new record label (Ferret Records), and original drummer Andols Herrick back in the fold, Chimaira were revitalized, and ready to make new music again.



If you thought Chimaira's last album (which was decisively heavy and uncommercial) was experimental, you a'int heard nothing yet! Even though parts of the group's fourth full-length sound familiar to previous works, "Resurrection" is, overall, doubtlessly the group's most progressive, confident, accomplished, and well-rounded disc to date. As a result, Chimaira are not only separated from the old "metalcore" pigeonhole, but they are now miles away from it (I'd say "progressive thrash" is a much more accurate descriptor.) And even though it may not be as epic or addictive as the self-titled release, "Resurrection" is definitely more accessible and easier to digest.



In addition to boasting some of Chimaira's most expansive and innovative songwriting, "Resurrection" is living proof that the band members have matured and improved a great deal since their 2001 debut, "Pass Out of Existence." Despite returning from a three year hiatus from the band, Andols sounds like he hasn't missed a beat; guitarist Rob Arnold maintains a steady flow of meaty riffs and industrial strength leads, and also adds an abundance of ripping solos, melodic leads , and various other guitar harmonies and textures (see "No Reason To Live" and "The Flame" for examples); Mark's vocal range is expanded (he actually has a surprisingly decent singing voice, believe it or not!); and keyboardist/sampler Chris Spicuzza is allowed to take a much more active and prominent role in the songs.



With a ultra-heavy, adherent groove, corrosive, chug and churn riffing, remarkably fast and forceful double bass slamming, emotional vocals (including a memorable growl-to-yell build-up), and a catchy chorus, the title cut begins the album on a strong note. The highly infectious "Worthless" is another instant classic, and is sure to inspire some vicious mosh pits when played live. It is packed with palpable energy, blistering, turbocharged thrash riffage (think Slayer meets Hatebreed), deft drumming, a blazing solo, and an explosive, irresistibly hooky chorus that will get tattooed to the listener's brain after only one listen.



The rest of the album isn't quite as exhilarating, but it's no less interesting or memorable. There's a nine-and-a-half minute long epic called "Six," which is the most intricate tune Chimaira have written yet. It's a very dark, atmospheric, foreboding, and well-textured track, featuring a heavy prog-metal influence (i.e. occasional acoustic guitars and keyboard ear candy), but doesn't fail to make room for some electric guitars, hefty, double bass kicks, and a wailing guitar solo. This track is also of note for Mark's multi-faceted vocals; he alternates between his normal throaty yells, robotic vocals, and even a bit of near-crooning. Following that, three other highlights crop up near the end of the album, including two brisk, catchy thrashers - "Black Heart" and "Needle" - and the symphonic, black metal-esque set closer, "Needle."



"Resurrection" comes close to but does not quite reach the standards set by its predecessor (but, to be fair, the standards set by that album were extremely high.) Plus, not all fans will fall in love with Chimaira's new, progressive sound (some fans will long for more entirely heavy songs and air-guitar-worthy riffing.) Overall, though, "Resurrection" is a very solid album, a worthy listen, and yet another fine inclusion in Chimaira's increasingly outstanding discography. And everybody should give Chimaira credit for at least one thing: They have never yet made the same record twice."