Resurrection (CD - 2007)

Personnel: Mark Hunter (vocals, guitar, keyboards, sampler, Theremin); Chris Spicuzza (vocals, keyboards); Steve Steverson (vocals); Rob Arnold, Matt DeVries (guitar); Jason Suecof (keyboards, sampler); Morgoth the Impaler (keyboards); Jim LaMarca (bass guitar); Andy Herrick (drums).

Audio Mixer: Andy Sneap.

Recording information: Ante-Up Studios, Cleveland, OH; Audiohammer Studios, Sanford, FL.

Director: Todd Bell.

Editors: Nicholas Kleczewski; Ben Schigel.

Photographer: Todd Bell.

On 2007's RESURRECTION, Chimaira's first outing for the Ferret Music label, the Cleveland-based metalcore ensemble unleashes another barrage of unapologetically aggressive songs. Fronted by sandpaper-voiced singer Mark Hunter, the group, named after a monstrous creature from Greek mythology, displays a strong death-metal influence on these apocalyptic tracks, as best revealed on the pummeling, doom-laden title track.

Has anyone noticed the exorbitantly large number of "angry" metal bands of the late '90s and early 21st century? Quite a few bands seem to be waking up on the wrong side of the bed nowadays more than ever before, and Chimaira appear to be a group of fed-up chaps, as heard throughout their dripping with angst 2007 release, Resurrection. As with their past albums, vocalist Mark Hunter is still a hardcore barker, while guitarist Rob Arnold remains a connoisseur of thrash metal riffery. It turns out that unlike their 2005 self-titled effort, Resurrection (which is the group's first album to not be released via Roadrunner, their new home is Ferret Music) is a full band effort as far as the songwriting went. As a result, the album sounds like a big shiny metal machine firing on all cylinders, especially on such aggro-fests as the album-opening title track, "Pleasure in Pain," and "End It All." Resurrection does not suffer from false advertising as far as the album title goes -- it truly sounds like the Chimaira chaps are reinvigorated and reborn. ~ Greg Prato minimize