Chimaira - Chimaira
2005 Roadrunner Records

Track Listing:
1.  Nothing Remains
2.  Save Ourselves
3.  Inside The Horror
4.  Salvation
5.  Comatose
6.  Left for Dead
7.  Everything You Love
8.  Bloodlust
9.  Pray For All
10. Lazarus

Line-Up:
Vocals:  Mark Hunter
Guitars:  Rob Arnold, Matt DeVries
Bass:  Jim Lamarca
Drums:  Kevin Talley
DJ/Noise:  Chris Spicuzza

Website:  www.chimaira.com

Skin Splitter's Rating:  A
Overall Album Rating:  A

Skin Splitter's Review:
Well, once again Chimaira comes to the playing field with a new album.  With the loss of Andols Herrick and Ricky Evensand I was unsure if they would ever find a drummer that they could keep.  Well, I'm happy to report that they got Kevin Talley (of Dying Fetus fame), to step up to the plate.  And boy does he ever.

Once again Chimaira changes their sound.  This time, however, the songs take on a more epic approach.  It was as if they sat down, took their time and tried to create good meaningful music.  Kevin Talley's influence is immediately felt.  With the edition of him, the drums take on a whole new feel.  Adding the element of death metal really made this album rise to a new level.

Combine that with better lyrics, better guitar riffs, better solos (Metallica style), and keeping the DJ in check really make this album as good as it can be for them.  In fact, it's almost like it's an entirely new band.

Almost every song clocks in at five minutes, but they seem to not be as long and tiresome as other bands (Meshuggah) that attempt to do the same thing and fail.  I surmise that it's the time changes that really take effect.  On some songs, you can't tell exactly where they are going.  This of course adds to the albums replay ability.  I still find new sounds and slightly different things that they play (and I've been listening to it for a month every day).

The only thing that I don't care for is the overproduction of the album.  It's way too tight of a sound to seem that they could ever possibly play this stuff live and that takes away from it a little.  But rest assured that's my only complaint.  Although, I can already tell that the vocals are going to turn some people off as well, but if they sang, they would be called "The Next Metallica".  And be warned, this is not a one listen album.  You have to sit down and try it at least three times to really come up with a feeling for it.

All in all, I dare to say that this album is a big step in the right direction.  If you haven't heard their new stuff yet, it's a combination of Metallica riffs and Fear Factory drums.  I highly suggest the song "Nothing Remains" (which can be downloaded from their website) and "Pray For All".  "Inside The Horror" and "Comatose" are also done well.  In fact, there isn't a song on here that I don't like.  "Lazarus" is on the border for me, but other then that this is a solid album through and through.  They will be near the top of the mainstream metal scene (right next to Lamb Of God) competing to be the next Metallica.  This album may put them that much closer to their goal.
Skin Splitter's Rating:  A