I Don’t Despise the New Chimaira Song

The moment I have been both anticipating and dreading is here: Chimaira debuted a new song, “I Despise,” at their annual Christmas show in Cleveland over the weekend. I’ve been anticipating this because I love Chimaira, and dreading it because the band now counts vocalist Mark Hunter as its sole original member, and, well, y’know. It could suck.

Good news: it doesn’t suck. I didn’t immediately fall head over heels in love with it, but it doesn’t suck.

First, what I dig about it: the main riff is definitely Chimaira, the section that begins at the 1:32 mark absolutely crushes, and the vocal interplay between Hunter and keyboardist Sean Z. is killer.

What I maybe don’t dig about it: the chorus isn’t as memorable as those of the best Chimaira songs, and the chord progression underneath said chorus sounds a little too much like “Pure Hatred.” Also, for the love of all things holy, if you have Emil Werstler in your band, please please please please please let him play some guitar solos. The guy is a wizard and his talents should not be wasted.

That being said, I definitely think the band is on the right track here, and I’m still beyond curious to hear what else they cook up.

Listen/watch below and see what you think:

And in case that wasn’t enough for you, the band has also released a teaser for… um, the year 2013, I guess. There’s still no release date for their new album or anything and there isn’t really any new music in here, but I’m including it because if you’re a Chimaira fan I know you’re gonna wanna watch it anyway. And so:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZNkfqe0-4o