Before I get to Chimaira, let me set the stage for you. When thrash metal first broke into the music world in the 80's, there were the "Big Four", which composed the best and most popular (relative term), of all the thrash bands. Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax (shut up broklee, I'm being official). The top two of those bands, in my humble opinion, were Metallica and Slayer. Before I get beheaded by thrash enthusiasists, I will make mention of a few more 80's thrash bands, Exodus and Testament, there, I plugged lesser known, yet no less thrashy thrash bands, happy?

Much like in a deleted scene from Pulp Fiction in which Uma Thurman asks John Travolta if he's an Elvis man or a Beatles man. It's possible to like both, however, you can't like both equally, as such, most metalheads who love thrash metal come down to this, are you a Metallica man or a Slayer man? Personally, I'm a Slayer man. Each one is similar but different, but Metallica more exemplifies a progressive edge with longer songs, time signature switches mid-song, experimenting with different styles, and complicated riffs. Slayer delved into the punishing ferocity of thrash going more for speed, grating notes, and a straight ahead, kick your rear end, aggressive style. So basically, if you're a thrashhead, it comes to simply to you prefer your headbanging to be more like Metallica with technical riffs and complicated compositions or more like Slayer with blistering riffs and straight ahead style.

So what does this have to do with Chimaira? I'll tell you already, quit being so pushy! When Chimaira first burst onto the scene, they were easily when one of the many young bands that was influenced by the big four of thrash. However, up until now, you could easily make the case that they were Slayer men. With a straight ahead style, punishing riffs, speed, and a seeminglessly endless reservoir of energy during their live performances, even Kerry King (one of Slayer's guitarists for the uneducated) said that Chimaira reminds him of when Slayer were young studs (which I can only assume is a compliment since Kerry has spoken highly of them on other occasions). Albums like "Pass out of Existence" and "Impossibility of Reason" pushed the limits of Slayeresque style thrash so much that Chimaira was heralded as one of the leaders in the NWOAHM (New Wave of American Heavy Metal).

Now, after finally finding a permanent drummer, it seems Chimaira has become Metallica men. For those who get a sour taste in their mouth whenever Metallica is mentioned, let me reassure you that Chimaira has only taken influence from their earlier albums like Kill 'em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, and ...And Justice for All. Chimaira still retains their energy, ferocity, and drive, but now, for their self-titled albums, they've taken less pages from Slayer's playbook, and more from Metallica's with longer songs, all of them surpassing five minutes, time signatures changes during mid-songs, and the guitarists Rob Arnold and Matt Devries really get to show their soloing chops.
Like a Metallica album, each song is different, yet somehow, they all seem to work together that it's not a collection of songs, but an actual album that demands to be heard from start to finish.

In my review of Static-X's "Start a War" I said I'm actually really tolerant of bands doing style changes as long as the band continues to move forward, and this is one of those style changes that continues to move forward. Chimaira still has their signature thrash style, but now it's more Metallica and less Slayer. You decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

My personal opinion of Chimaira has always been positive if not sparkling. I've never really put them on any pedestial, but I still think that they're a great band who deserve many accolades (any band that Kerry King gives a personal pat on the back to deserves something). I've always thought Chimaira were a talented bunch, however, and I'm only speaking for myself, they've never fully grabbed my complete attention. I will continue to support them, however, unlike Lamb of God, Arch Enemy, Slayer, Slipknot, or any other of my favorite bands, I'm not really going to go out of my way to see them in concert, unless there is someone else there I really like as well.

I recommend this album to any Chimaira fan, any old school Metallica fan looking for a Metallica influenced band, and/or any progressive metal head fan.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Listening