Interview w/ Mark Hunter of CHIMAIRA

I caught up with Mark Hunter of CHIMAIRA fame to discuss latest release "The Infection", his love for movies, anger management and a possible collaboration with Daath in the future.

What I've noticed with latest release the Infection when you compare it to earlier Chimaira releases is that its very night and day - completely different. Was there a specific aim or plan as to what Chimaira wanted to achieve with this record?

Mark: We approach writing a new album like any other band would - we incorporate our influences, new sounds and anything that has inspired us. The main difference with writing the record was that we had never written an album on tour before. We hadn't really had all this technology at our disposal in the past but this time we did and we really wanted to take advantage of it. We'd be on tour, play a show, then after it all we would kick back have a drink and write some music. It was a really fun and enjoyable experience for us. I personally am a big fan of the album mainly because it's very textured with lots of layers that our keyboardist added to the mix. However, I can still see that there's room for improvement.

It's interesting that you should mention that because in alot of parts of the record it gave me the feeling that it was very score-like where you would listen to the soundtrack of a movie where it would be really quiet and then cut to a scene where there's a rush of excitement in a scene where someone might get shot. Did you want to achieve that comparison with each track?

Mark: It's interesting you should say that because I'm really influenced by movies where a director would shoot a scene in a particular sequence [with the aim] to make you feel a certain way. There's the scenes where you get excited and then the come downs. We always try to write a record like a movie with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd acts and stick to that formula.

Even going back to the film clip of "Nothing Remains" when I first saw that video I got the feeling that I'd just walked into a cinema and seen a short horror movie.  Chimaira have even scored a few spots on some horror soundtracks over the years [especially SAW movies].  Do you think that this helps with the popularity of up and coming metal bands?

Mark: Yeah I really think it does. We've always been fortunate and we often aim to get out our songs onto various outlets like soundtracks and PS2/PS3 games that would make sense to the band. Anything that is a high energy or horror based game or movie we try to get out music on there so do I think it helps? Most definitely. But in this day and age do I know exactly how much it helps? I'm not really sure on that one. For example we were on the Freddy Vs Jason soundtrack and our music was on the movie which was a dream come true but I've never really heard anyone say to us "oh I heard you because of that". I think the only one person I've heard say that was the guitar player of Whitechapel and that's because he worked at the movie theater at the time so he would always hear the song. [Laughs]

Any horror fans within the band?

Mark: Well apart from me there is Jim [bassist] and he would have to be the biggest fan. I'm pretty sure Halloween is his favourite holiday so he's always got Michael Myers and Jason Vorhees sitting on his desktop and then there's Rob and Matt our guitarist. So four out of six of us.

Upon first listen of "The Infection" two words I would use to describe how it made me feel would have to be 'aggresion' and 'unease'. How would you describe "The Infection"?

Mark: Heavy - in every sense of the term. A couple of the riffs sound like you're being dragged through the mud with a stone anvil on your chest. Then there's 'trippy' and even 'stone-y' - there's definitely a lot of wierd textures. I think if you're listening to this and under the influence then you're going to be in trouble. [Laughs]

As a vocalist what has changed for you musically and what inspires you now?

Mark: That would definitely have to be movies but then what bothers me as well also inspires me. Those moments in your life where you are just so angry and you don't know why you are so angry about it? Definitely those moments. In the grand scheme of things I think that those things that make me angry or are out of my control help for some good writing and to get out of my system. It's very therapeutic.

You talk about getting your music into other outlets that make sense but I guess with this release you've definitely taken marketting to a whole new level with limited edition Chimaira suitcases and flags. Was this something that Chimaira as a band agreed on or was it something that your record label pushed for?

Mark: It was a collaborative effort. Basically we come up with the idea, pitch it to the record label and then they say yes or no to it. When they say 'yes' they will then come up with some great ideas to implement your ideas. The great thing about our label that alot of people aren't aware of is that they are huge fans of the band so they will try and work with us on anything that makes sense with the music.

How much are you looking forward to returning to Australia in January?

Mark: It feels like a vacation everytime we come to Australia and to top it off we get to play on our vacation our music to people who love it. It's definitely the best place in the world to tour in. We haven't been back since eaarly 2008.

Any plans for 2010, possibly a new album or just touring?

Mark: Well we will be doing heaps of touring but we also have a new DVD coming out. It will have a collection of behind the scenes from 2008 until the last show we have booked this year on December 27th. It will be interesting to look back on. That last show will be filmed and it's going to be very special for us especially for around Christmas time.

One personal question I have to ask. You played a few dates with the guitarist from Daath. Any chance of a future collaboration?

Mark: I definitely wouldn't rule it out. It would be good to give him a guest spot on the next effort. It's funny you should say that because I've had that idea in my mind.

Who knows what may happen. Well thankyou for taking the time to speak with me Mark and I'll be sure to catch you guys when you're next here in January.