Chimaira ping-pong.

Chimaira - The Infection: This album had the shit hyped out of it. And deservedly so. Chimaira has released some great stuff. Just every other release. Let's start at the beginning. I can't remember the name of the first album (if I was at home, I'd just look on the shelf) but I liked it. I almost got a Chimaira tattoo ( I know someone who did). They reminded me of Slipknot. ( Another tattoo close call) Sometimes I get a craving for that album. Second one. Can't remember that name of that either. (might be on shelf at home) Bored by it. Here's how bored. I saw them as part of the original SOTU tour in Mississauga. During their set, a buddy of mine and I actually laid down on the concrete floor, and had a nap. No joke. No beers, no weed either. We were just that disinterested in seeing them perform we were able to nap on a concrete floor, with 100+ dB music playing. Third album, Resurrection. Aptly titled. Great album, nice comeback. The Infection, BORING. I guess that's being a bit harsh, but I think I've tried to listen to it 3 times and haven't made it all the way through yet. It just doesn't grab me. It feels contrived to me. Too many triggered drums. I feel it's too trendy. (I smell record label influence) Vocals and lyrics seem whiny and amateurish. At least I can bank on the next one being good! No doubt I'll try to listen to it again but it has some pretty stiff competition just in the "C" section of my iPod. (Clutch, Candlemass, Coalesce, Cobalt, Children....) Gonna have to do better if they want to stand out in the crowd.

Chimaira - The Infection

Chimaira - The Infection: I am not going to say that much here. Basically because I don't think it deserves that much of my time. I've listened to it three times now and it wasn't any better the second or third times. I didn't even have high expectations. I really liked their first album, not so much the next, Resurrection was good. The Infection has me reachin' for some antibiotics. It seems really stagnant. I don't expect them to be huge innovators but it doesn't sound like something a seasoned band would release. Anybody could make this record. At times it can get my head bobbin' but for the most part it's just the same ole metalcore we've heard from too many bands for too long. Their attempt at artsy/prog on "The Heart of it All" is seriously weak. Despite the praise metalsucks.net had laid upon The Infection, I'm gonna pass.