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Chimaira
Pass Out of Existence


2.5
average

Review

by ocelot-05 USER (20 Reviews)
September 30th, 2005 | 55 replies


Release Date: 2001 | Tracklist


I know what you might be thinking. I would not want to be in a nu metal band with five other people, either. Well, Chimaira still managed to make a decent album, and hopefully they were sensitive to each other's creative imput.

In 2003, Chimaira released "The Impossibility Of Reason. They broke through to more of the metal community with their single, "Down Again." I discovered Chimaira back then, and I had never heard or heard of anything from Pass Out Of Existence.

Chimaira, while not having very eclectic individual albums, demonstrate that they are capable of capturing completely different soundscapes. This is evident in Pass Out Of Existence. I have to cut them a little bit of slack, for their cons, since this was early in their career. As mazz567 said, Pass Out Of Existence has a more industrial feel to it. This is not a reason for me to dislike it, though. Chris Spicuzza is heard quite a lot on this album, while his work isn't as much a part of the music as Sid Wilson and 133's from Slipknot is. On the tracks Abeo and Jade, Chimaira strays away from their hardcore sound and actually pulls off a couple of rather mellow songs, demonstrating their considerable flexibility.

One con to the album is the very simple guitar work. At times, it is beaten even by some Korn riffs. However, Rob Arnold makes up for it on some good solos, especially on The Impossibility Of Reason. So apparently, he is a skilled guitarist. Another con is the drumming. Andols Herrick is a truly underrated drummer, but he doesn't do much to much to prove himself on this album. Sure, he provides some fast, pounding beats, but the drumming relies far too heavily on the double bass. He does not utilize the snare and toms like Joey Jordison of Slipknot does. However, as with Rob Arnold, he went on to create better music on their second album.

One final con to the album is Mark Hunter's lyrics. They are very simple, as most nu metal lyrics are. He does not prove himself on The Impossibility Of Reason, either. Oh well, the lyrics aren't the most important thing when it comes to music. There are many good things in this album that make for the whiney lyrics.

One of these pros is Mark Hunter's voice. He does not sing especially well, using the same voice all the time. However, his screaming his amazing. His blood-curldling vocals express real rage and fury, better than most other singers do.

A few of the songs on Pass Out Of Existence, like Forced Life and Painting The White To Grey, sound way too much like other songs. The powerful, unique songs make up for this, though. Dead Inside was the first song I heard from this album, and it is relentless. Another great song is Rizzo. It breaks down into an erie and moving 7/4 section at different points in the song. Also, Sphere is an awesome song, despite its unbelievably simplistic guitar riffs. Mark Hunter sings behind clenched teeth, and when I first listened to this song, I felt that I was fully familiar with his voice. Another standout song for me is Options. Options is one of the softest songs on the album, save Abeo and Jade. Mark Hunter actually sings well during the chorus, and the guitars play a nice harmony. The last track of the album is Jade, which also stands out. Not necessarily in a good way. Jade is very long song, coming in at nearly 14 minutes. It is not by any means an epic, despite its length. It is very monotonous and repetitious, similar to Slipknot's Iowa (the song).

Pass Out Of Existence is quite a limited album, falling victim to some of the cons inheritant in making nu metal music. However, they proved themselves to be talented musicians in their sophomore album, so I cannot take points away from this album for them being poor musicians. Their dull riffs evolved into fantastic heavy-metal shreds, and Andols Herrick's drumming improved greatly after this album.

Pros
Dead Inside
Chris Spicuzza
Options
Vocals

Cons
Riffs
Lack of musical variety
Jade
Lyrics

I give this album a 2.5/5. Had I only heard this album, I would have probably given it a 2/5, but I know what potential they had when they made Pass Out Of Existence. From the monotony and simplicity of Pass Out Of Existence, they moved on to the more technically proficient and consistent Impossibility Of Reason.

Chimaira was:

Mark Hunter: vocals
Rob Arnold: guitars
Chris Spicuzza: electronics
Jason Hager: guitars
Jim LaMarca: bass
Andols Herrick: drums



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user ratings (385)
3.1
good


Comments:Add a Comment 
ocelot-05
October 1st 2005


807 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Comments are welcome, everyone. This Message Edited On 11.30.05

Priestmetal
October 1st 2005


542 Comments


I havnt heard much of these guys but what I have heard didtn impress me... at all... in any way... what so ever. Besides that, pretty good review.

ocelot-05
October 1st 2005


807 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Edit: This is where I got pissed and started complaining about no one posting. It was pretty dumb and I'm cleaning up this post.This Message Edited On 11.27.05

ocelot-05
October 1st 2005


807 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Finally, Priestmetal. Someone.

Toaster
October 1st 2005


343 Comments


Great review, way harder to write than a track-by-track.

I really don't like this album that much. Although it has some really powerful songs (sphere, dead inside), it is unbelievably inconsistent and repetetive. I can't see why many Chimaira fans like it the most.

Toaster
October 1st 2005


343 Comments


Do something really mainstream if you want criticism on your writing.

superpeer
October 1st 2005


257 Comments


The album after this one is much better.

Apathy
October 1st 2005


645 Comments


Here I am, Ocelot. This is a really, really heavy album, and highlights include "Dead Inside", "Sphere", "Lumps" and "Let Go". It gets really repetitive after awhile. 3/5 IMO. Great review too.

What album of theirs do you like the best anyway? I'm mystified.This Message Edited On 10.01.05

ocelot-05
October 1st 2005


807 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Well I used to think this was my favorite, but now I think I prefer The Impossibility Of Reason. Sorry for blowing up at everyone.

Apathy
October 1st 2005


645 Comments


Ocelot, have you heard their new self-titled? It represents their growth as musicians greatly. In fact, I think I'll review it now!

ocelot-05
October 1st 2005


807 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Someone already reviewed it like a few days ago. If you're gonna review it, at least wait a while. And no, I haven't heard it. I really want to.

Apathy
October 1st 2005


645 Comments


Too late. I've already started . Also, buy it. NOW. This Message Edited On 10.01.05

XmetalXmaniacalX666
October 2nd 2005


10 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I like this cd bcuz it has awesome guitar, synth, drums, bass, and vocals... basically all around a classic for me. its preety good to listen to while having sex...

ocelot-05
November 9th 2005


807 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I like this cd bcuz it has awesome guitar, synth, drums, bass, and vocals... basically all around a classic for me. its preety good to listen to while having sex...




Umm, I don't know about you guys, but I'd rather not listen to any kind of metal while doing it. No much aggression. Whenever it does happen someday, it'll probably be to Brian Eno or something like that. :naughty:



Apathy
November 10th 2005


645 Comments


Steve Vai over here.

Cravinov13
November 27th 2005


3854 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Self-Titled is their best

ocelot-05
January 17th 2006


807 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I still haven't got it. Nothing Remains is mental, though. I love that part at the end where he scream, "NOTHING REMAINS" at the top of his lungs. Very powerful stuff.

RunAmokRampant
January 22nd 2006


228 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Meh. This album had its brief moments. Luckily they've improved a lot since POOE.

ocelot-05
January 22nd 2006


807 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Haha, that's an ironic abbreviation.

jayb999
April 30th 2006


29 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I thought it was an amazing attempt for a first album, it might have its ups and downs but i really was amazed when i first heard thm especially with dead inside and POOE title-track. The amazing vocals the pure harshness of the guitars gives me the shivers when ever i listen to one of those two songs. Admittedly its by far not their best album:P but it definetly was a break thrgh for a Nu-Metal band to hv such an influence in music after only 5 years since the first album.



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