When it comes to contemporary metal, there is a short list of bands who can be trusted to deliver consistent and progressive brutality each time out. Chimaira happens to be near the top of that list. Besides being one of the best metal bands in the country, maybe even the world, we are lucky enough to have Chimaira call Cleveland home. After finishing up a relentless touring schedule for its fourth studio release, Resurrection, the guys have finally made their way back to Cleveland to recharge and write a new record. We were fortunate enough to catch guitarist Rob Arnold, just days after returning home, to talk about the band’s 10th anniversary show, the new record, and his thoughts on Metallica’s Death Magnetic.
S*KM: You recently performed a 10th anniversary show at Peabody’s in Cleveland to celebrate the bands time together. How did the show go and was there any special surprises planned for the monumental occasion?
Rob: It was really cool. People seemed to enjoy it. There wasn’t really anything special other than playing a couple oldies that we rarely play. I felt a little uncomfortable going into it because we hadn’t had much time to rehearse the old ones, or the set in general. But all the time we’ve spent together on the road over the past year and a half kept us glued together nicely.
S*KM: Take us back to the beginning; did anyone expect the band to reach the level it has?
Rob: Honestly, I bet we all thought we’d be bigger. All of us grew up dreaming of playing Metallica-sized shows, but time is reality, and we’ve learned to keep our aspirations a little more down to earth. But we certainly are proud of our accomplishments and now see how special a band has to be to even last for five years. We’ve toured with a lot of bands that have come and gone, and we’re fortunate to have lasted this long.
S*KM: Can you remember the first Chimaira show? If so, where and when was it and who played with you?
Rob: Our first show was opening for Napalm Death at a place called The Flying Machine here in Ohio. The only other band I remember was Today Is The Day. The show was fun. There weren’t too many people there when we played, but it was the start of something cool.
S*KM: You held an in-store signing at Sam Ash in Cleveland the day of the anniversary show, whose idea was it and how did the fans react to some quality time with the band?
Rob: Our bassist Jim came up with the idea. He put it in motion, and we played it out from there. Everybody that came out seemed super stoked and grateful. It ended up being a great time, and it’s something we’ll probably do again in the future.
S*KM: I saw you open for Slipknot at the Tower City Amphitheater in ‘04. The crowd was so intense they broke down the barricade to the stage, which temporarily stopped the show. What is your most memorable Chimaira show?
Rob: That show was definitely awesome, but my most memorable Cleveland show was outdoors, at the old Peabody’s, in 2000. It was the first show of our first tour, and the place went nuts. Totally packed, people destroying shit, naked chicks, cool beers, and tasty waves.
S*KM: What is going on with the follow up to Resurrection? We hear tentative plans for a spring 2009 release? How many song ideas do you have floating around; is there a producer lined up, or any other details available?
Rob: Spring ‘09 is the tentative time for the release. We currently have about 7 song skeletons on tape, and we plan to start writing together at our rehearsal spot as a band in mid August. We plan to record from mid November to mid December. As of now, we’re planning on going with the same recording team: Jason Suecof, Andy Sneap, and Ben Schigel.
S*KM: It is rumored you don’t really have time to seek out new music unless it’s highly recommended to you by word of mouth. What are some up-and-coming Cleveland bands you have been hearing about?
Rob: The Ohio Sky and The Years of Fire are two that I’d like to mention. Our bass player Jim manages both bands, and both bands contain good friends of mine. While totally different styles of music, both bands are extremely talented and hard working. Check em’ out.
S*KM: Having gone through a fairly publicized falling out with your former label Roadrunner Records that resulted in your request for release, you then subsequently signed a new deal with Ferret Records. Now that the numbers are in, how pleased are you with the results Ferret produced promoting Resurrection compared to your experience with Roadrunner?
Rob: We’re extremely happy with Ferret. It’s a smaller label, so we’re given a lot more attention, we’re great friends with everyone that works there, and they love our band. Those are the keys to success with any label. Looking back, Roadrunner isn’t the monsters that we made them out to be. We were just small fish in a big pond, and wanted more food all the time. I attribute much of our success to Roadrunner Records.
S*KM: Do you ever see the band exploring more radical business methods due to the uncertain future of the record industry?
Rob: You’ll have to wait and see.
S*KM: You guys have finally finished touring in support of Resurrection and are receiving some well deserved down time, is the band still in as good of a place personally as when you released the album a year and a half ago?
Rob: I’d say that we’re in a better place. We’re better friends, older and wiser, a little more talented, more experienced and humbled. We’re all very excited about the future.
S*KM: Since most of the band members are big gamers and the world of virtual shredding has overtaken the marketplace, how come we haven’t seen Chimaira in Guitar Hero or Rock Band? Is it because the tiny plastic guitars could not handle the brutality?
Rob: Haha- I’d like to say that’s the reason, but the truth is that we’ve never been asked. Maybe you could put in a good word for us??
S*KM: Metallica is allegedly one of your favorite bands; the thrash-metal kings have soured many loyal fans throughout recent years. What are your feelings about the band’s upcoming new album “Death Magnetic”?
Rob: I’m honestly not excited at all. St. Anger ruined it for me. Now if I keep my hopes low, perhaps I’ll be surprised..And that’s where I stand.
S*KM: Being from Cleveland, it’s hard not to be a rabid sports fan. I hear your favorite NBA team is the Cavaliers; do the rest of your sports rooting interests fall in line with the home town teams?
Rob: Yes- my first love is the NBA, and of course the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lebron James has done a lot for Cleveland. I used to drive to Akron to see him play in High School. He was awesome then, and he’s awesome now. Of course I love the Browns and am excited to see what happens this year. While I’m not much of a baseball fan, I still root for the Indians, and occasionally catch a game here or there.
S*KM: You said in an interview recently conducted with Pegasusnews.com that one of the bands “fantasies” is to play Quicken Loans Area, can S*KM be the first to start the Chimaira at the Q campaign?
Rob: Please do.
S*KM: We would like to thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, as a reward we would like to give you a little face time to tell the city of Cleveland and the rest of the Chimaira brotherhood what to expect from the band down the road.
Rob: I’d say to expect another crushing record, relentless touring, maybe another DVD, and some great quotes from Jim. I wish I could give you more, and with more enthusiasm, but I honestly returned home only two days ago, after six straight months of touring and all my brain can do is say, “Home! Home at last. Enjoy it while you can because the next cycle is right around the corner!” But like I said before, I’m excited about the future. I look at each record as “another chance”.. Another chance to get to that level where we’re doing the Metallica-sized shows.
I’ll keep dreaming.
If you haven’t already, you can check out Chimaira for yourself at www.myspace.com/chimaira and will have to wait for the bands next tour to catch them live.