Chimaira - The Impossibility Of Reason
2003 Roadrunner Records

Track Listing:
1. Cleansation 
2. Impossibility Of Reason 
3. Pictures In The Gold Room 
4. Power Trip 
5. Down Again 
6. Pure Hatred 
7. Dehumanizing Process 
8. Crawl 
9. Stigmurder 
10. Eyes Of A Criminal 
11. Overlooked 
12. Implements of Destruction

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

Website:  www.chimaira.com

Skin Splitter's Rating:  B+
Overall Album Rating:  B+

Skin Splitter's Review:
After the dismal sales that their previous album sold (50,000 copies), Chimaira was given a second chance at life or Roadrunner would send them packing.  To make things even more fun, the previous guitarist (Jason Hager), chooses family life over the band.  He does however, recommend a replacement.  Matt DeVries from a local band called Ascension.  This was probably the best move that Chimaira ever made.

While keeping to their roots from the previous album, Chimaira is able to expand on it.  The guitars are tuned up from low A (the most annoying tuning ever...KORN anyone?) up to low C.  AND SOMEHOW THEY GET A HEAVIER SOUND!  Up until now I could never figure it out.  Now I know.  You see, once you get past B, it's very hard if not impossible to play fast.  The guitar amps can't handle the low notes and they fade out.  So, the result is that the really low notes must be played very slow (something that killed Meshuggah).  If you tune up, you can play faster and the guitar amlifiers can handle it and there is no fading.  Therefore, tuning up leads to a heavier sound.

As well as tuning up, the recording process was entirely different.  Rob and Mark spent painstakingly long hours tourmenting Andols as to how to play his drums.  Plus, the DJ/Noise was put into the record as it should have been.  As an afterthought.  Only after the song was recorded was Spicuzza allowed to play with them and enter his own work.  Something I'm sure they learned from the last time.  Not only that, there is a new sound to the mix.  Guitar solos!  Yes, that's right kids.  Guitar solos.  And although they are not particularly good, it's at least a start in the right direction.

So, you combine all of that with a new guitarist and you use something called musicianship, and you invent a better record, which is exactly what they did.  When I first heard this, I was on the fence.  I knew it was Chimaira, but it had a little less speed and took more of a musical approach.  And I hated it.  Then the more I listened to it, I began to really hear what they were trying to do and I ended up liking it.  If you want to listen to the older style of Chimaira, I suggest "Cleansation", "Power Trip", and "Pure Hatred".  If you want more of a musical side, I suggest "Pictures In The Gold Room", "Down Again", and "Implements Of Destruction".  No filler here.  This one's solid metal.

Interesting post-note.  After the making of this album, Andols left the band (for a girl, or enough of every one's crap, whatever).  Their replacement was Ricky Evensand from Soilwork.  However, he didn't last long because he had some anger issues and they kicked them out.  So...relying on Kerry King's pick...they recruited Kevin Talley of Dying Featus.  So, now they have a Death Metal drummer behind the kits.  Should be interesting what they come out with August 9th.
Skin Splitter's Rating:  B+