CHIMAIRA Signs With LONG BRANCH RECORDS For Europe, Australia

Cleveland, Ohio metallers CHIMAIRA have inked a deal with Long Branch Records for the European and Australian territories. The band's new album, entitled "The Age of Hell", will be released August 26 in Germany and August 29 in the United Kingdom, Australia and the rest of Europe. The CD will be made available in North America on August 16 via eOne Music.

Long Branch Records is a new SPV label imprint created by industry veteran Maria Ouellette. CHIMAIRA is the first of many acts to sign to Long Branch Records, therefore becoming a cornerstone in the label's quest to build a home for today's best in new and established rock and metal groundbreakers.

Commented CHIMAIRA frontman Mark Hunter: "CHIMAIRA understand that in this day and age you need to team up with people who are not only innovative, but passionate about what they do. We are excited about the partnership with Long Branch/SPV and look forward to bringing 'The Age Of Hell' to international soil."

Added Ouellette: "We really hope to build a label with a thread that connects amazing artists in the rock and metal genres and sub-genres. We're going to try to do things a bit differently, and to do that we need bands that aren't afraid to go their own way, are amazing musicians, and have something exciting to give to their fans with every new release. I can't express how thrilled I am that a stellar band like CHIMAIRA has joined forces with us to explore this new territory. I look forward to our joint evolution."

Stated SPV administrator Andreas Rennmann, "We are very happy about the opportunity to work with CHIMAIRA and the beginning of Long Branch Records. It's an exciting time for us, and it will only get better and grow stronger. The future is very bright indeed."

A 43-second video teaser for "The Age Of Hell" can be seen below.

Mark Hunter recently spoke to AOL's Noisecreep about "The Age Of Hell" and the band's recent lineup changes.

"Last year we did the [Rockstar Energy Drink] Mayhem Festival, which was an amazing opportunity for us, and I had a great time doing those shows," Hunter explained. "But somewhere in between, we all started taking different directions in our personal lives. It's like any relationship, really. I think after 12 years of playing in a band together you start experiencing things that you don't enjoy anymore. It just doesn't seem worth it to carry on like that. Even though we had just finished a big tour, we started feeling like that. It became a drag."

He continued, "Musically speaking, we felt that we needed to make something truly special this time out. It got frustrating when we weren't getting the same feedback from the drummer [Andols Herrick] we had at the time. We brought it up to him and we didn't like how the conversation went. So from there we decided it was best if we just parted ways with each other. Jim [LaMarca, bassist] quit late in 2010. If that weren't enough, the next thing I know our keyboardist [Chris Spicuzza] left and we're down to three members left out of a six-piece band. And we have to go into the studio [laughs]."

CHIMAIRA 2011 is:

Mark Hunter - Vocals
Rob Arnold - Guitar
Matt DeVries - Guitar
Emil Werstler (DAATH) - Bass
Sean Zatorsky (DAATH) - Keyboards/Samples
Austin D'Amond (BLEED THE SKY, THE ELITE) Drums

Although D'Amond is sitting behind the kit for all of CHIMAIRA's current shows, the drum tracks on "The Age Of Hell" were laid down by the CD's producer, Ben Schigel, who has previously worked with DROWNING POOL and WALLS OF JERICHO, among others. The effort was mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL, MURDERDOLLS, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD).

CHIMAIRA spent several days last month filming a new music video and DVD, to be released in connection with "The Age Of Hell".

Check out photos from the shoot at the group's Facebook page.

Photo credit: Todd Bell