Last time I saw Mark Hunter and the boys was at the Rockstar Mayhem Festival 2010 and they blew the audience away then. But seeing Chimaira at a club setting was a way better experience then at an outdoor in the day time concert.
Since Chimaira is unfortunately not immune to the "line-up change bug" they took the stage at the Summit Music Hall in dowtown Denver, CO with different musicians then when I saw them last. But to be honest, this has got to be the strongest line-up since Mark started the band in 1998; well in my opinion anyway.
Rob Arnold is still shredding on the guitar and let's face it, dude is a master on his weapon of choice.
After the somewhat Intro "Stoma" he right away tore the shit up on their new song "The Age of Hell" from their just released same named album.
Going straight into "Clockwork" followed by "Losing my Mind" I was starting to wonder if Chimaira would play the new album from front to back.
But as soon as the opening riffs and drum beats from "Power Trip" off their 2003 sophomore album The Impossibility of Reason rumbled out of the speakers I knew we were all in for an awesome fun packed night.
And speaking of drums, Mr. Austin D’Amond is not just great behind his kit, nope, he is flat out awesome. Extremely great choice of drummer by the Chimaira gang. Kudos!
Him and Rob are playing on another project together and he also is in charge of the drum duties at Bleed The Sky.
Seriously, check him out, he not only knows how to keep up with some of the demanding drumming of Chimaira songs but is a delight to watch as well; dude is smiles from ear to ear!
Matt DeVries still slings the other guitar and this was it as far as members I knew.
Took me a minute to adjust to Matt since I just saw him with Six Feet Under on the bass guitar, but make no mistake, he totally rules on both instruments. And this was ever so apparent on "Destroy and Dominate". The audience went nuts on this song, and as soon as Superskum is cleared to upload some live footage you shall see for yourself.
The bass duties on Chimaira are being taken care of by Emil Werstler, who with new keyboardist Sean Z. also play in the Atlanta based band Daath. His bass came over load and clear all night long and he is one awesome showmen on stage. And adding Sean Z. to the fold just recently proved to be a good thing when Mark was unable to perform.
And speaking of Mark, he was spot on that night! Belching out those lyrics like there was no tomorrow.
This was one of those nights you wish would go on forever, but after 15 songs the band ended their set with "Resurrection". Very fitting since Chimaira seamed resurrected with the new line-up and they really didn't take any prisoners in Denver. Can't wait for the guys to come back in early December!
Set list for Denver:
Stoma, The Age of Hell, Clockwork, Losing my Mind, Power Trip, Nothing Remains, The Flame, Pure Hatred, Destroy and Dominate, Severed, Disappearing Sun, Year of the Snake, Born in Blood, The Venom Inside, Secrets of the Dead, Trigger Finger, Resurrection
And for a couple more pictures check out the Slide show below:
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