Review by JD on December 30, 2010.

Metalcore is a real quandary for me. It sounds good to a point, but does not really feel like metal. It never has been something I liked, yet I do respect it due to its full-face attitude. One of the ones that are on the top of the heap, is Cleveland based Chimaira.

Powered by a aggression that is at such a high level, this band blasts harder than most. Fueled by Hardcore aggression that is accentuated by strong thrash-like guitars and a groove that is very hard to ignore Chimaira shows that hard assed punkers also know how to thrash... and fucking hard.

Songs like the raucous throbbing of 'Pictures In The Gold Room' to the grinding mosh pit filling explosiveness of 'Stigmurder' are perfect examples of pure talent. What got me more than the music did was the lyrics. Each word was smart and straight to the point with a acrid tip. While the music was good, this was what tip the scales in there favour for me. I always liked lyrics that were brutally honest, straight to the point and all while holding intelligence with every syllable sung.

If you like Metalcore Chimaira is the band to see. They are so damned good and purely honest that most other headbangers will like this album no matter what genre they normally listen to. This speaks the whole gambit of metal and reaffirms the fact that most metal converses to all metalheads everywhere.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship:8.5
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 8
Originality: 8
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.2 out of 10