CHRIS SPICUZZA QUITS CHIMAIRA

UPDATE: Vocalist Mark Hunter has addressed fans’ concerns that this means the end of electronic elements to Chimaira’s music: “there are definitely samples, keys, electronics, and all sorts of other wizardry on this record. we’ve spent the past 12 years creating the atmospheric side of chimaira, and we can’t imagine listening to us without those cool bits either.” Read his full statement here.

I always say that no two Chimaira albums are alike, and while we’ve only heard just the teensiest lil’ bit of the band’s forthcoming release, we already know one huge difference their new album and 2009’s The Infection: not only will bassist Jim LaMarca no longer be in the band, but neither will keyboardist/programmer Chris Spicuzza.

Here are some excerpts from a statement Spicuzza released to The PRP:

“As of early January I decided to leave Chimaira. The choice was extremely tough and stewed around in my mind for quite awhile. Many things led to this decision. The situation in Chimaira had ultimately become a negative environment that I had to get out of. Secondly, the music industry is completely fucked and honestly, I became concerned for my future. The amount of work and stress I took on got the best of me. I guess if you’re not happy or having fun, what’s the point?

“As far as the new Chimaira album, I have not contributed to it. There is no doubt in my mind that Chimaira’s sound will not suffer minus my presence. The demos I heard showed great potential and I’m sure the album will melt faces. I’m proud to say I was on five Chimaira albums and wish those guys the best.”

Spicuzza goes on to announce that he’s getting into the video game business, and remains self-deprecating throughout the statement, referring to himself as “The dude who made noise and headbanged.” Oh, so modest! He was really the dude who made noise and headbanged and sometimes did backing screams!

I kid, I kid. It wouldn’t be MetalSucks if we weren’t pricks all the time.

ANYWAY, Spicuzza’s atmospherics have inarguably added a lot of texture to Chimaira’s music over the years, but let’s not kid ourselves — Chimaira’s greatest strength is that they write awesome fucking songs, and Spicuzza was not one of the songwriters in the band. Even he says that the band’s sound won’t suffer in his absence. So, my fellow Chimaira fans — don’t let this get you down, okay?

You can read the rest of Spicuzza’s statement and get the skinny on new video game endeavor at The PRP. Chimaira’s new album will be out later this year on eOne.

-AR

Thanks: Olinville