Interview with Chimaira

To promote their latest album, The Infection, Chimaira launched www.spread-the-infection.com a site where fans can download flyers and stencils they must use to in their local area to spread awareness of the release. As a reward for their efforts fans who submit photos of their exploits receive song samples from the album and other prizes. When onthebarrier spoke to guitarist Matt DeVries one of the first questions that came to mind was “what were some of the most creative or ‘out there’ submissions?” Without much hesitation Matt DeVries replied “the tattoos.” Two dedicated fans had decided to up the ante by tattooing the symbol from The Infection album cover onto their arms. An act that may be very hard to beat.

Chimaira can thank this new found fanaticism to a renewed and revived dedication between the band’s members. In 2000 the E.P. This Present Darkness, showcased Chimaira’s unquestionable talent and exciting sound, which saw them quickly signed to Roadrunner Records with whom they released their first full length album Pass out of Existence. After their debut Chimaira’s work in the studio began to deteriorate as band members became disillusioned and rarely participated in recordings. Since signing with indie metal label, Nuclear Blast, much of band’s mentality has changed.The Infection will be Chimaira’s second album with their new label and Matt admits the band is finally producing albums where every track feels like a completed and polished piece.



It may be this turbulent history that prompts Matt to doggedly dismiss any probing questions about the band’s past. It was made very clear that Chimaira try to keep a positive frame of mind. “I’m not regretting anything we have done perviously. I like the way we have evolved as musicians and a band. You really can’t complain about everything. In the last record we started to be happy with everything in general.” This strong stance made it clear that this latest album was written looking forwards rather than dwelling on past issues. Matt claims that Chimaira are truly attached to The Infection. “ We were trying to put out something we love. I think this is our best record yet. I guess every band says that with every record. But for the first time I can say any song could be my favourite.”

The Infection can be best described in Matt’s own words “brutally honestly Chimaira.” It contains all of the thrashing guitar riffs and pounding drums that any metal fan can instantly enjoy. Chimaira sound as though they have returned to their roots while broadening their musical scope as the album spans every metal genre from classic to progressive. This genre ‘hopping’ was a result of the improvised nature in which the album was written. “The lyrics were impromptu,” Matt explains. “The music was subconscious. It just came out like that. We have six members that all have very strong voices with what they want to explore.” One stand-out track on The Infection is the epic instrumental The Heart Of It All. All fifteen minutes are an amazing show case of the bands musical proficiency and range of understanding in the metal genre.

In the mean time Chimaira’s ‘spread-the-infection’ website continues to gain momentum. The idea was originally brought to life by vocalist Mark Hunter and the incredibly crafted web design was developed by keyboardist Chris Spicuzza. Since it’s creation the project has been a surprise success and now a standing testament to the dedication of Chimaira’s fans. “We thought it was a cool way to reach out to the fans. It’s doing a lot more for us than we imagined. One hundred percent I think our fans are some of the best fans out there. They just keep coming back. I think it’s the nature of metal that breeds such dedicated fans. They are the coolest, most open minded people.”

Chimaira are currently touring America but Matt did reveal that at least two tours of Australia were planned in 2009. All tour dates and venues are yet to be announced. The Infection is due for release on the 21st of April ’09.