Jim LaMarca

Chimaira
Chimaira performing at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Arizona in 2009
Background information
Origin	Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Genres	Groove metal, metalcore, nu metal (early)
Years active	1998–2014, 2017 (one-off reunion)
Labels	East Coast Empire, Roadrunner, Ferret, Nuclear Blast, eOne Music
Associated acts	Dååth, Soilwork, Ringworm, Six Feet Under, Fear Factory
Website	www.chimaira.com
Past members	Mark Hunter Jason Hagar Andrew Ermlick Jason Genaro Rob Arnold Rob Lesniak Andols Herrick Chris Spicuzza Jim LaMarca Matt DeVries Emil Werstler Richard Evensand Kevin Talley Austin D'Amond Matt Szlachta Jeremy Creamer Sean Zatorsky

Chimaira /kaɪˈmɪərə/ is an American heavy metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1998, the group was a notable member of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal scene. The band's name is derived from the word Chimera, a monstrous creature in Greek mythology. Throughout its history, the band endured numerous line-up changes, leaving vocalist Mark Hunter as the only constant member. The band dissolved in 2014, but announced a one-off reunion in late 2017.

Chimaira was founded during 1998 by guitarist Jason Hager, and vocalist Mark Hunter. The pair contacted friends and recruited Jason Genaro on drums and Andrew Ermlick on bass to complete the required positions for a line-up.

After a few practices, the four decided that the band needed to thicken their sound and Ermlick recommended that Rob Arnold, a former bandmate from his time in Common Thread, could be recruited into the band as a guitarist. Arnold's band at the time, Sanctum had recently split, and he was available to join Chimaira. By 1999, Arnold joined the band soon after as lead guitarist to which Hager was then moved down to play rhythm.

The band recorded its first demo in January 1999, and during the recording, Arnold recommended to Hunter and Hager that they replace Genaro with Arnold's former drummer Andols Herrick in the band Sanctum. After observing a cassette recording featuring Herrick's percussion, the band agreed to replace Genaro in favor of Herrick. Herrick then came along to the studio with the other four and recorded the drums for the demo the very next day.

The band spent much of 1999 doing various live shows around the United States, and during that year Andrew Ermlick left the band to concentrate on his college studies, and was replaced by Rob Lesniak.