Customer Reviews

Resurrection

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Chimaira are truly one of those modern metal bands out there today that never cease to impress me with every album they release. Being a huge fan of Chimiara, the one thing that just impresses me about these guys is that they always get better with every album they put out, and their latest masterpiece 2007's "Resurrection" proves just that. This album is an incredible follow up to their 2005 self titled third album (which was a great album), and it's also one of the best metal albums of 2007 thus far as well. This album also marks the return of former drummer Andols Herrick. Mark Hunter's vocals are more awesome and intense than ever before, and a bit more varied on this album as well. Lead Guitarist Rob Arnold shreds and tears throughout with sick ripping leads and solos, and even some nice melodic harmonies are included as well. Keyboardist takes a more active and prominent role on this album and his keyboard effects really add so much to this album. Listen to the album closer "Empire" for instance. And of course Andols Herrick's fast double bass drumming is just absolutely amazing and will pummel your face straight to the ground, and he's sure proven that he hasn't lost a single beat.

The opening title song "Resurrection" is a very fast heavy song with great killer headbanging riffs, a careening solo from Rob, and some pummeling yet forceful double bass kicks especially during the chorus. This is no doubt my favorite song on the album. Antother one of my favorites track three "Worthless" is another fast blistering track which included a great catchy chorus in which Mark growls in as well as some fast pounding drumwork, cascading riffs, and a killer solo. Track four "Six" is the longest song on here clocking in at (9:44), and it's also one of the best songs that Chimaira have ever written. Mark's vocals are great, as well as the guitarwork, the solos, and drums. "No Reason to Live" includes some nice bass lines, and some machine gun like snare drums, and a nice mellowish solo in the beginning which are all soon followed by some some machine gun double bass kicks and some more fast drums, more solid riffs, and another nice melodic solo is included as well. Track six "Killing the Beast" is one of the more slower songs on the album which includes slow yet heavy lurching riffs, and a slow yet sinister and steady double bass drum beat throughout. "The Flame" is another mid paced number which features some machine gun like chugging riffs, and some killer guitar harmonies, and another nice solo to boot. Another highlight for me, "End it All" is another fast blazing scorcher which features fast punishing double bass drums especially during the chorus and another blazing solo. The next two tracks "Black Heart" and "Needle" are great fast careening headbangers that will make you want to play air guitar like crazy and get some mosh pits going. And finally we have the closing song "Empires" which includes some black metal esque keyboard effects, pummeling double bass onslaughts, as well as another careening guitar solo. Here's the entire song list, and the ratings.
Jeremy's song ratings:
1. Resurrection (4:37) - 5/5 My favorite song
2. Pleasure in Pain (3:04) - 5/5
3. Worthless (3:44) - 5/5
4. Six (9:44) - 5/5
5. No Reason to Live (3:44) - 5/5
6. Killing the Beast (3:47) - 5/5
7. The Flame (5:23) - 5/5
8. End it All (4:21) - 5/5
9. Black Heart (4:33) - 5/5
10. Needle (3:08) - 5/5
11. Empire (5:33) - 5/5

In my mind, "Resurrection" is truly one of the best pure new metal albums to come out in a long time. I definately and honestly rank this album along with "Enemy of God" by Kreator, "Blood Mountain" by Mastodon, "Christ Illusion" by Slayer, "Tempo of the Damned" by Exodus, "Through the Ashes of Empires" and "The Blackening" both by Machine Head, "The System Has Failed" by Megadeth, and among other great new metal albums I've had the pleasure of listening to over the past three years now. Overall "Resurrection" is without a shadow of a doubt thus far Chimaira's best album of their carreer, and it's also one of the best metal album of 2007 thus far as well.

Bottom Line: A must have for all Chimaria fans, metal fans, or just good music in general. Fantastic job guys. Buy this album ASAP!!

P.S. Be sure to catch Chimaira at the Sounds of the Underground Tour this upcoming summer. I hope I get to go this summer.

Chimaira's last, self-titled effort, was easily one of the best metal records of 2005. Problem is, achieving such greatness exhausted the band members. Then, to make matters worse, they experienced a bit of internal conflict while on tour (particularly between new drummer Kevin Talley and frontman Mark Hunter), and after their relationship with Roadrunner went on the fritz, fans wondered what would come of the Cleveland-based sextet . But with a new record label (Ferret Records), and original drummer Andols Herrick back in the fold, Chimaira were revitalized, and ready to make new music again.

If you thought Chimaira's last album (which was decisively heavy and uncommercial) was experimental, you a'int heard nothing yet! Even though parts of the group's fourth full-length sound familiar to previous works, "Resurrection" is, overall, doubtlessly the group's most progressive, confident, accomplished, and well-rounded disc to date. As a result, Chimaira are not only separated from the old "metalcore" pigeonhole, but they are now miles away from it (I'd say "progressive thrash" is a much more accurate descriptor.) And even though it may not be as epic or addictive as the self-titled release, "Resurrection" is definitely more accessible and easier to digest.

In addition to boasting some of Chimaira's most expansive and innovative songwriting, "Resurrection" is living proof that the band members have matured and improved a great deal since their 2001 debut, "Pass Out of Existence." Despite returning from a three year hiatus from the band, Andols sounds like he hasn't missed a beat; guitarist Rob Arnold maintains a steady flow of meaty riffs and industrial strength leads, and also adds an abundance of ripping solos, melodic leads , and various other guitar harmonies and textures (see "No Reason To Live" and "The Flame" for examples); Mark's vocal range is expanded (he actually has a surprisingly decent singing voice, believe it or not!); and keyboardist/sampler Chris Spicuzza is allowed to take a much more active and prominent role in the songs.

With a ultra-heavy, adherent groove, corrosive, chug and churn riffing, remarkably fast and forceful double bass slamming, emotional vocals (including a memorable growl-to-yell build-up), and a catchy chorus, the title cut begins the album on a strong note. The highly infectious "Worthless" is another instant classic, and is sure to inspire some vicious mosh pits when played live. It is packed with palpable energy, blistering, turbocharged thrash riffage (think Slayer meets Hatebreed), deft drumming, a blazing solo, and an explosive, irresistibly hooky chorus that will get tattooed to the listener's brain after only one listen.

The rest of the album isn't quite as exhilarating, but it's no less interesting or memorable. There's a nine-and-a-half minute long epic called "Six," which is the most intricate tune Chimaira have written yet. It's a very dark, atmospheric, foreboding, and well-textured track, featuring a heavy prog-metal influence (i.e. occasional acoustic guitars and keyboard ear candy), but doesn't fail to make room for some electric guitars, hefty, double bass kicks, and a wailing guitar solo. This track is also of note for Mark's multi-faceted vocals; he alternates between his normal throaty yells, robotic vocals, and even a bit of near-crooning. Following that, three other highlights crop up near the end of the album, including two brisk, catchy thrashers - "Black Heart" and "Needle" - and the symphonic, black metal-esque set closer, "Needle."

"Resurrection" comes close to but does not quite reach the standards set by its predecessor (but, to be fair, the standards set by that album were extremely high.) Plus, not all fans will fall in love with Chimaira's new, progressive sound (some fans will long for more entirely heavy songs and air-guitar-worthy riffing.) Overall, though, "Resurrection" is a very solid album, a worthy listen, and yet another fine inclusion in Chimaira's increasingly outstanding discography. And everybody should give Chimaira credit for at least one thing: They have never yet made the same record twice.

I was kind of nervous buying this cd. The album "Chimaira" was pretty good had a few songs I liked but nothing really stuck out to me like how the other cds did. First off I would like to say Chimaira is an amazing band and put on f***ing great live show. I really recomend getting the CD+DVD bundle. The dvd is worth getting I wont say to much s**t about it but it's worth it. This cd is just amazing I love it. If you are a Chimaira fan then check this out and if you didn't like there last album "Chimaira" still check this out. I didn't care for that album but this album is great.

I give the cd a 4/5

and the dvd 5/5 so i just made it 5 stars.

The members of Chimaira have yet again delivered another thrashy record that is sure to keep their fans happy. Chimaira may have got pretty popular recently, which will always lead snobby metal heads to dismiss them as teenage music; however the reason Chimaira are getting the attention they deserve is because they are that damn good!. Resurrection is by far one of Chimaira's best albums ever with inventive riffs, memorable solos and absolutely kick-a** drumming. The music is a little more technical and complicated than on previous albums and this is not bad thing, Marks vocals become better with each passing album and he has a much more varied range of voices here than in the past and Rob Arnold shreds on the guitar as hard as he can and comes up with some amazing riffs especially the ones on Six which also have some terrific solos.
The album is very long and it might take a while to get used to, but after a few spins you will begin to understand what a huge album this is, with such attention to detail and a general high standard of song writing. This is also proof that they have improved from their previous outing which was an average album that I thought was overproduced but it still had some great songs in it. This time the group is in a new record label and have a fresh new start which sounds alot better, creating one of their absolute best and heaviest record so far.

The album opens with the brilliant title track and mark hunter's vocals are as fierce as ever, the chorus of this song is stunning and the riffs slay left, right and center which is a good sign for things to come then Pleasure in pain follows and is a great track as well as Worthless which took a few listens to appreciate but it was still quite good, the song is simple in some way but its heavy and the lyrics here as with the majority of tracks deal with expressions of hatred and vengeance and so forth. The track Six follows and is an epic at under 10 minutes long, but where the longer tracks didn't quite maintain their brilliance on their previous album, this track actually works and is probably one of my favorite Chimaira songs, its a journey of a song experimenting with different styles and keeping it interesting.
The album moves along nicely with Killing the beast which has some really catchy moments, the track Flame is as good as anything chimaira have ever recorded before with some controversial lyrics, Both Killing The Beast and Flame are intense in their slow delivery and are lyrically quite unnerving. And then End it all and the closing Empire remind us how thrilling this band can be when in full thrashtastic mode. Empire in particular sounds like a black metal song and has some nice and atmospheric keyboards courtesy of Shagrath. This album is heavy as hell and quite simply it rocks like nothing ordinary. Highly recommended!.

First of all this is classic chimaira,this album is alot better than it's predessor.The whole tone of this album is gritter and more focused,and shows how heavy this band can really be.It's great to have andols back on the throne once again i love hearing his intricate patterns it really takes each song to another level(not that kevin tally is a bad drummer)andols is just perfect for this band.Hopefully the next album is even heavier and a little more chaotic.

If you liked Chiamaira's self tilted Ep you will be surprised to hear this album. On Resurrection, Chiamaira has added alot of operatic elements (bells and keyboards and some clean vocals) and added some slower tempo songs. This is not the nonstop metal train they showed in their last album but more a leisure cruise through metalcore with a few stops in emometal territory. If I bought it I wouldn't ask for a refund, but I wouldn't buy their next album. If I may make an analogy to Metallica's discography, Chimaira's self title ep was like ...and justice for all - a non stop shred machine that might have even over done it a bit to prove themselves hardcore metal musicians, but this one is like The Black album, where the music is still hard, but its getting a little too Andrew Lloyd Weber for me. Lets hope their next album isn't a LOAD of (ya know).

I've been a fan of this band since 2001. To me, Chimaira is a band that has never disappointed. Their albums keep getting better & better. Having Andols back on the drums definitely makes a difference. This album is great from start to finish. I bought it the day it came out, and it's been in rotation in my CD changer ever since. As I hinted at, the drumming is amazing, and Rob came up w/ some great riffs & solos for this album, like on "No Reason to Live" & "The Flame." Chris' keyboard work adds a lot to the album as well, especially on the album's closer "Empire." I can't listen to the album w/o repeating the song "Six" at least twice. That song is phenomenal & completely unique for the band. The only song I don't particularly care for is "Killing the Beast." Song for song, this album is one of the best metal albums I've heard in a long time.

Definitely get the special ed. w/ the DVD if you can. It provides a cool look at the band over the last couple of years since Andols left as well as the making of the album. Most importantly, though, it's HILLARIOUS! I was laughing constantly. There are definitely some Spinal Tap-esque moments on the DVD. The band has a cool sense of humor about themselves. Morgoth rules!

This is easily their best album to date, and that's saying a lot.

Chimaira has done it again, they've released an album that rips you to shreds and then stomps you flat! Like with their self titled album Chimaira, they've set a new standard for themselves and for the metal scene. Also, they've stayed true to their roots and at the same time experimented and tried new things.

The album starts off full blast with the title track "Resurrection," the pounding "Pleasure in Pain," followed by the crushing assault, "Worthless." Early Metallica comes to mind when they get more experimental with the 9 minute epic "Six." The solos are very memorable and its definitely much slower than their old work, well worth listening to . Then things get more intense with the thrash-like "No Reason To Live."

The second half of the album tends to slow down more, but picks up toward the end. The slowest song "Killing The Beast," is personally my least favorite song, I typically skip it, but listen to it once in a while. Mark Hunter experiments more vocally on this song, it works but not to the extent you'd expect from Chimaira (no "Salvation"-like screams here). Then the slightly faster "The Frame" ensues. Its a great metal song, but not up to Chimaira's standards. The last part of the song sounds similar to how "Inside The Horror" ends. Then things really pick up with "End It All." Andols Herrick's hammering drums are at full throttle throughout the song, especially during the chorus. It's then followed by the heavy "Black Heart," and the mind blowing "Needle." Herrick's drums on "Needle" alone should put Chimaira up for a Best Metal Performance Award. Then lastly, we get to "Empire." The orchestra work really gives it a dark, atmospheric sound. The lyrics give great depth:

Do you believe in me
Enough to sacrifice
Do you believe in me
Enough to end your life
.....
When you walk the path
You will discover a world undreamed of
Your suffering will be legendary
Do you believe in suffering

It took a couple listens to really have it sink in, but overall, this album is as powerful as their self titled effort. Except for two mediocre songs, "Resurrection" will definitely stand strong among 2007's best metal albums.

One of the few bands in metal that actually keep getting better as time goes by. Each record always seems to top the previous and there is always growth and maturity to each album that is made. One of the best characteristics about this band is that they maintain their signature sound while never making the same album twice. This bands mission statement was to always remain an extremely heavy band without getting sappy and they've done just that. This album will definitely be in the top 5 metal releases of 2007 and definitely a classic as time goes by. Standout tracks include Resurrection, Pleasure in Pain, Worthless, Six, No Reason To Live, The Flame and Needle.

I came to notice Chimaria with their self titled release, which was quite outstanding. Upon the release to the follow-up to that album, I was excited and ready to be blown away again. The result was far from what I was anticipating.

The opening track to Resurrection, being the title track, sounded promising. Strong riff & solid drumming, but in comes the vocals which sound strained and lathargic compared to the previous album. Along with the vocals goes the actual song as well, and this continues to be a theme throughout the entire disc.

Song after song the same exact formula is thrown together and the techincal guitar work that was present on the previous album is nowhere to be found. Also the impressive solos that were once heard are absent as well. In its place has be added banal songs such as "Worthless", "The Flame" and the outright abysmal "Killing The Beast". The latter song has the most transparent and simple minded lyrics on any release of 2007 and a performance that is more than forgettable as most anyone will skip the track ever single spin of the CD.

The only saving factors of the album are "No Reason to Live" and "Six". The former sounding as if it could have been a reject from the previous album but still stronger than the remaining tracks of this effort. "Six" is a different offering from the band and is not comparable to much of their work before. The song style almost feels as if Chimaria were about to step outside of their circle and try something a new, but then quickly return to what they are more comfortable with. The largest downside to this track is that it is far too long and drawn out.

All in all, the album is an overall disappointment. This is ground that has been covered before by other bands that don't even have the possible talent or charisma. Easily a step backwards for the band that will, more than likely, leave many fans questioning the next release previous to purchase.