Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
True, brutal metal NOT nu-metal, May 13, 2003
Chimaira returns with one of the most brutal releases to be released on Roadrunner Records in a long time. From the second this album kicks off, you can be certain that this album is going to destroy with the brutal opener "Cleansation". Everything about this album is an improvement for Chimaira, the introduction of solos, the improvement of Mark Hunter's vocals, and the massive improvement in the double bass pedal. Also, the electronic elements that were present in "Pass Out of Existence" aren't as abundant on this album, making the overall sound, heavier and rawer than ever before. This is the heaviest thing Chimaira has ever recorded, even heavier than "This Present Darkness". I have seen these guys live twice and both times they totally dominated. Anybody who thinks these guys aren't metal, or thinks they are nu metal is nothing but a fool. These guys can match any death metal band out there in intensity. Anyways, the absolute best songs on this CD are the brutal opener "Cleansation", their first single "Down Again", "Pure Hatred" (absolutely brutal, with excellent lyrics), "The Dehumanizing Process", and the incredible 13+ instrumental "Implements of Destruction". Any true fan of metal should respect this, and they are the next wave of TRUE american metal. Start supporting bands like Chimaira, and support the war against false metal bands like Korn, Disturbed, and Linkin Park!!
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Constant Horrific Nightmares", March 24, 2004
4.5 stars. I first picked up "Pass Out of Existence" but later, after seeing this album posted on so many Listmania lists here uderscored with due praise, I checked this out. Wow! Simply put, this CRUSHES!!! their first release. While the lead vocals are grating at times, there is enough variation in his rasping shouts and enough emotional power that I rarely got irritated. This album is inspiring when considering the direction of mainstream Heavy Metal these days. Nu-metal is crap! I have a serious question. Who the hell is that drummer? Holy....!!!! Andols Herrick's drumming is incredible, and pummeled me senseless the first time I heard this nearly excellent CD. While the lyrics are cliched, bordering on adolescent, the delivery given by Mark Hunter on vocals makes my negative crititcism almost irrelevant. The riffs here are inventive and induce heart-felt headbanging and thrashing of limbs. The production is also first-rate. I am very impressed.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not at all what I was expecting, June 23, 2003
Let me start out by saying I was not a fan of Pass Out To Existence. I thought Chimaira was just your run of the mill nu metal Roadrunner band. I thought Mark's vocals were repititive, the drums were too, and electronic mix ins just didn't mix in. My thoughts have now changed with Impossibility of Reason. When I first heard Cleansation its like I was listening to Slayer's Reign In Blood all over again. Mark's scream vocals seemed to have gotten better since their previous outing. It has a much more deeper growl to it. Also I was amazed by the melodies he mixed into choruses on this album. I think the lyrics can get better but i'm not picky so good enough. Musically it took a drastic change. There are no more regular boring riffs that left me needing coffee to stay up for the listen. Now its filled with Slayer type solos and more original riffs. The drumming also has improved drastically. I thought the last album the bass drums were too loud and you couldn't hear all of it. Well, this has changed as well (thanks in part to Collin Richardson whose working on Machine Head's new album which hopefully is better) Overall my favs so far are Cleansation and Down Again but this is only first listen folks i'm sure it will change each listen. So far i'd say this is the strongest metal outing of the year, but i've heard the new Blood Has Been Shed is truly amazing. We'll see
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by Chimaira 
