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Tracklist
1. Cleansation
2. Impossibility of Reason
3. Pictures in the Gold Room
4. Power Trip
5. Down Again
6. Pure Hatred
7. Dehumanizing Process
8. Crawl
9. Stigmurder
10. Eyes of a Criminal
11. Overlooked
12. Implements of Destruction
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Chimaira have slowly become one of American metal's leading contenders, touring with such widely-respected bands as Slayer and Lamb of God, releasing a ravenously sought-after independent EP and their tenacious Roadrunner debut, Pass Out of Existence. The band entered the studio once more in late 2002 to begin working on their sophomore feat for Roadrunner, and with the new recording came some revelations. Pass Out of Existence was a solid effort, yet to be painfully honest Chimaira found themselves stripped of their gritty demeanor and painted with glossy production and flashy nu-metal etiquette. It was a resoundingly solid album, but never quite stood the test of time, quickly losing it's shine and while there were a large number of excellent songs, it never quite held up in comparison to other highly touted metal albums.
Understanding this, or simply wishing to return to the metallic fervor they once basked in, Chimaira recruited Sw1tched frontman Ben Schigel to once again step behind the board and capture the vision they had as a band (a vision that Mudrock seemed to comprehend but could not exactly duplicate). Schigel, having produced their independent EP and having been close personal friends with Chimaira for quite some time, has helped deliver Chimaira's most realized and confident album yet, as The Impossibility of Reason is a testament to the group's technical skill and a monument for the new wave of American metal.
The first thing one should notice when listening to The Impossibility of Reason is that the band have upped the ante where musicianship is concerned, and it certainly appears as if they set out to prove just how proficient they were in creating massive heavy metal architecture. These songs sound gigantic and carry the weight of a freight train, pummeling the listener with excessive amounts of reckless metallic fury. Gone are the technological enhancements most evident on Pass Out of Existence, allowing Chimaira to sound more organic as a result. The heavy stomp that emerges from the title track threatens to crush your spine underneath it's relentless thrash assault.
Another noticeable enhancement is that Mark Hunter took vocal lessons in the down-time and has come back with renewed vigor, bringing with him a vocal wail akin to the late, great Layne Staley. Yes, it is a singing format that has grown all too repetitive in recent years, yet his growth as a singer is remarkable and though he hasn't quite found his own unique voice, he does an admirable job with the haunting breeziness found on "Pictures in the Gold Room" and the outstanding melodies contained within "Crawl". The only less than savory aspect of Hunter's new vocal range is that he really has no true range at all and while he can hold a note for a lengthier period of time, he tends to lapse into repetition, making many of the more melodic portions sound similar.
"Power Trip" is an anthemic cut that could easily become Chimaira's new cult classic, as it's seething with animosity and attitude and absolutely decimates the listener's eardrums. From there one moves onto "Down Again", a track that begins in awe-inspiring fashion with a delicate piano interlude that melts into an exquisite guitar build-up that finds Rob Arnold displaying his wealth of talent, crafting one of modern metal's most impressive intros in some time. Unfortunately the song never quite achieves greatness, as it plateaus with a visceral, dynamic melodic chorus that lacks the gut-wrenching impact that Arnold's guitars instilled in the listener. Regardless, this cut appears as the obvious choice for a single and could potentially fare well on metal radio. "Pure Hatred" lives up to it's name and delivers the metal goods, completely eradicating the memory of the softer, more accessible Chimaira you heard mere seconds before. When Hunter screams "I HATE EVERYONE" you can only surmise that he is being completely honest, with that sort of intensity you rarely question one's conviction.
Overall, The Impossibility of Reason is a triumphant surge in metallic intensity for Chimaira, and they have set a lofty precedent for future American metal youngsters to surpass. Whether it is Arnold's pinched harmonics and Andols Herrick's vicious double-bass on "Cleansation" or the veritable tunnel of guitar torture that batters and bruises the listener in the closing moments of "Eyes of a Criminal", Chimaira have succeeded with creating one helluva record, perhaps the finest of their career (though only time will tell). It overcomes it's weaknesses with forays into audio brutality time and time again, and the sheer dexterity and immensity of the 13 minute instrumental epic "Implements of Destruction" which closes the album is unavoidable. This record crushes you with no remorse and leaves only a pile of lifeless skin in it's wake. Chimaira do briefly hint towards their predecessors such as Metallica, Pantera and the aforementioned Slayer on this album, yet almost seem to do so in tribute to all that is American metal.
With that said, is The Impossibility of Reason truly ushering in a new tide of American heavy metal? Hardly, Lamb of God have already claimed that crown, but this is pure metal ferocity and deserves repeat listens whenever you feel like banging your head.
Review by: J.D. Taylor
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