Chimaira

Chimaira ( ) is an American heavy metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in August 1998, the band's name is derived from the word Chimera, a monstrous creature in Greek mythology. Throughout its history, the band had numerous line-up changes, leaving vocalist Mark Hunter as the only constant member. The band dissolved in 2014, but announced a reunion in 2017 and a return in 2023 with most of the group's longtime members rejoined.

==History== ===Early days (1998–1999)=== Prior to Chimaira, vocalist Mark Hunter and bassist Jim LaMarca were part of a hardcore band named Skipline, which lasted two years from 1996 to 1998. Shortly before Skipline's first ever Rhode Island show, the group was carjacked of their van (along with all of the inside equipment), which left the 4-piece band to find their way back to Ohio and effectively ended Skipline. Soon after the experience, Hunter was contacted by guitarist Jason Hager, who was part of a local Cleveland metalcore band known as Ascension, to form a new group. Hunter was ecstatic about the opportunity and agreed. Hunter and Hager recruited friends and previous bandmates Jason Genaro on drums and Andrew Ermlick on bass to complete the required positions for a line-up. Chimaira was officially founded in August 1998.