The band has not played their Chimaira Christmas gig at The Agora since since 2017
This year, Chimaira are bring back their annual holiday tradition. On December 20, the band will return to The Agora in their native Cleveland, Ohio for their Chimaira Christmas event for the first time since 2017. Very special guests for the gig will be 200 Stabwounds and NunSlaughter.
“The most violent night of the year is back,” the band said in a statement.
Ticket pre-sale begins this Wednesday, June 18 at 10am EST using the code: SACK. General tickets go on sale this Friday, June 20 at 10am EST.
Chimaira was founded in 1998 by vocalist Mark Hunter and guitarist Jason Hager, both veterans of Cleveland’s hardcore and metal scenes. The name “Chimaira” was inspired by the mythological creature Chimera and chosen for its symbolism of something monstrous and hybrid — a reflection of the band’s sonic identity.
The band solidified its early lineup with Rob Arnold (lead guitar), Andols Herrick (drums), Jim LaMarca (bass), and Chris Spicuzza (electronics/keyboards/samples). After releasing an independent EP This Present Darkness in 2000 through East Coast Empire Records, Chimaira attracted the attention of Roadrunner Records and was soon signed to the label.
Their full-length debut, Pass Out of Existence, was released in 2001. Featuring a strong industrial influence, thick guitar tones, and bleak lyrical themes, it earned them a spot on Ozzfest 2001 and tours alongside Slayer and Fear Factory. Though the album received mixed reviews, it built a strong underground following.
In 2003, Chimaira released The Impossibility of Reason, which marked a shift toward groove metal and metalcore, emphasizing tighter songwriting and heavier riffs. The album was well received and is often cited as their creative peak. Songs like “Down Again” and “Pure Hatred” became staples of 2000s metalcore and helped the band rise in popularity.
Drummer Andols Herrick left the band shortly after touring for The Impossibility of Reason and was replaced by Kevin Talley, formerly of Dying Fetus and Misery Index. The self-titled Chimaira album arrived in 2005, a darker and more complex record that showcased the band’s willingness to experiment and embrace technical musicianship. It peaked at No. 74 on the Billboard 200 and demonstrated their growing influence.
In 2006, Chimaira left Roadrunner and signed with Ferret Music, which released their fourth album, Resurrection, in 2007. The album was a commercial and critical success, bolstered by the return of drummer Andols Herrick. The title track and “Six” were fan favorites, and the band continued to tour heavily, including high-profile appearances at Download Festival and Sounds of the Underground.
In 2009, Chimaira released The Infection, their fifth studio album. Featuring slower tempos and downtuned grooves, the album reached No. 30 on the Billboard 200 — their highest charting position. While some fans welcomed the heavier direction, others found it less accessible. Nonetheless, The Infection reinforced Chimaira’s reputation for uncompromising brutality.
2011’s The Age of Hell marked a period of major lineup instability. Spicuzza, Herrick, and LaMarca all departed, and the album was largely recorded by Hunter and Arnold with help from drummer Austin D’Amond and keyboardist Sean Zatorsky. Despite the chaos, the album received positive reviews.
By 2013, Rob Arnold — the band’s primary songwriter — and other members exited. Mark Hunter recruited a new lineup for the band’s final album, Crown of Phantoms (2013), released on eOne Music. While praised for its intensity and Hunter’s impassioned vocals, it was clear that Chimaira’s identity was fragmenting.
On September 1, 2014, Chimaira officially announced their breakup after the departure of all members except Hunter.
In 2017, Chimaira announced a one-off reunion show in Cleveland featuring the classic The Impossibility of Reasonlineup. The sold-out show at the Agora Theatre rekindled fan enthusiasm, and a second reunion was planned for 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In late 2023, the band announced another full reunion of the classic lineup for a 2024 show in Cleveland. Due to overwhelming demand, more performances were added, confirming that Chimaira’s music continued to resonate with fans even a decade after disbanding.
Chimaira’s sound fused elements of groove metal, industrial, metalcore, and death metal. Mark Hunter’s ferocious growls and lyrics often focused on depression, anger, and inner turmoil, while the band’s instrumental work evolved from industrial-influenced riffs to brutal, groove-laden metal with melodic flourishes.
They were frequently compared to contemporaries like Lamb of God, Machine Head, and Slipknot but carved out their own space with a blend of technical precision and emotional weight. Chimaira was a key contributor to the American metal revival in the early 2000s.
Chimaira’s legacy lives on through their intense studio recordings and a dedicated fan base that continues to celebrate their contributions to modern metal. Though marked by lineup changes and inner conflict, their music remains a powerful reflection of the aggression, passion, and complexity that defined 21st-century heavy metal.
