The last few years have been bizarre, to say the least.
 
Chimaira went through an insane amount of changes that would have killed 99% of the bands out there, and all things considered, probably should have killed us, too.
 
Since 2009, we’ve switched labels, management companies, booking agents, merchandisers, and unfortunately, band members.
 
Like many bands, we were tested in order to survive an ever-changing industry. There were various suggestions implemented to try and improve our situation; some methods worked, some not so much. Regardless, we all had different ideas and life goals that ultimately led to where we are today.
 
For over a year, we’ve been working incessantly to assemble a solid team that would represent Chimaira moving forward, all the while rebuilding the entire infrastructure. With the music industry being in a transitional period, it was imperative to align ourselves with the right people.
 
Thankfully, a new balance has been found and goals have been met. Though the past few years have been difficult (with actual blood, sweat, and tears), today I’m excited to announce that the machine is running stronger than ever.
 
I want to thank all of our dedicated fans for understanding that every change made was to keep Chimaira alive. A harrowing journey, the humility that accompanied each step of the path is a blessing, and your loyalty speaks volumes that will not go unrecognized.
 
I fully understand the vastness that is the flip side of the coin and empathize with the fact there are a few upset fans disappointed in the changes that happened.
 
The question (or scoff) I encounter regarding the lineup change is why I decided to keep the name Chimaira despite losing key members. It’s quite understandable as I’m the first person this riotous situation perplexed.
 
It’s unchallenging to say that after the guys split that my commitment to move forward with the name was for ego, or I’m holding on too long, call me Axl Rose, etc… while all of that is somewhat accurate (and innocuous), I hope you get the logical explanation as well, and discern the passion behind the motivation.
 
First, it’s not as straightforward as changing a band name. When I learned of Matt and Rob’s decision to leave the group, there were five months of announced tours on the agenda, there were contracts with my name on it – and there are still contracts with my name on it. 
 
Record labels had invested over six figures into The Age Of Hell, which at the time had not been released. Closing out in the middle of a cycle is a complex scenario. Family members, crew, and beyond needed the wheels to spin in order to pay bills. Like many decisions, this was an intricate conundrum and needed to be respected with careful thought. I couldn’t walk away from that type of responsibility, nor was I about to disappoint our fans any further.
 
After securing the new lineup, I had no idea how the tours or the future would work out. There was no crystal ball to establish a fan reaction toward the new look and feel. What would the chemistry be like on the bus? There was a healthy amount of pressure on all of us and it was imperative to stay focused.
 
After spending a few months with Emil, Austin, Jeremy, Matt, and recent winner of the best beard in metal, Sean Z., our mission became clear, and everyone involved realized Chimaira was more relevant than previously imagined. Numbers went up across the board and are continuing to do so. 
 
The audience seemed genuinely stoked and accepting, and we felt tight as a unit. One awesome aspect of the tour was meeting skeptical fans that walked in thinking the night would suck; then watching those same fans leave with a feeling that it might have been the best show they’d seen. The most fulfilling feeling was the sound of the name Chimaira chanted.
 
The band was named, and is still named “Chimaira” to represent a hybrid style of heavy metal. The Chimera is a mythological creature comprised of several different animals forming into one unique monster. In modern terms, it can be defined as follows: “ Biology: an organism containing a mixture of genetically different tissues, formed by processes such as fusion of early embryos, grafting, or mutation: the sleeplike goat chimera.
 
• A DNA molecule with sequences derived from two or more different organisms, formed by laboratory manipulation. “
 
That sounds like us. I hope that puts an end to some of the confusion.
 
Will the new music sound like the old albums? None of our albums sound the same, but there are always familiarities. The five new Chimaira songs I’m listening to sound like the band you love without question. 
 
Old school fans can be excited about the fact that we brought back the seven strings on a couple jams, and the thrash era can be excited for some of the most technical riffing yet. Like the ethereal, electronic, heavy as fuck, stoner sludge of the last two? It’s there. We have every intention of preserving the quality you expect from this band, while at the same time raising the bar to unreachable heights. It’s a powerful time.
 
Thanks again to everyone that continues to stick by our side through thick and thin. Now that everything is worked out behind the scenes and the business is fun again, it’s time to go back and concentrate on what’s integral. The music. We plan to make an incredible album. And on that note...
 
The Age Of Hell is over.

I saayng and I write and I am here.
In the stars.

Download my debut album 'I Cry When I Laugh' here: http://smarturl.it/ICryWILaughiTunesX

Info: sasha@foundationartists.co.uk
Bookings: alex@mbartists.co.uk (UK/Europe)
Saleem@amodeagency.com(N.A)
tom@fatcatmusicgroup.com (Australasia)

Individually and as part of a duo, Matrix & Futurebound have decades worth of experience in shaping the drum & bass landscape. Brendan Collins and Jamie Quinn possess one of the most impressive track records in the genre's history, boasting one hundred million combined streams, one critically acclaimed album 'Universal Truth' and multiple consecutive Top 40 UK records. Their expert song writing can be seen through cuts such as 'All I Know', 'Magnetic Eyes' alongside Baby Blue, 'Don't Look Back' ft. Tanya Lacey and the legendary silver certified 'Control' with Max Marshall, which reached number seven on the UK's Top 40 singles chart whilst representing their fourth consecutive track to be playlisted on BBC Radio 1. Matrix & Futurebound are set to capitalise on this success for 2019- their forthcoming second studio LP 'Mystery Machine' is a testament to the legacy which they've built throughout their career, as they've become one of the most influential figures for a colossal dance music export. 
2005 was the year which led to the collaborative project between Matrix & Futurebound; 'Strength to Strength' was a pivotal moment for both artists, who were already prolific through their individual pseudonyms and it's a relationship which soon developed with exciting results. Their debut album 'Universal Truth' in 2007, jointly released on Matrix's Metro Recordings and Futurebound's Viper Recordings, signified the beginning of their joint alias. With Futurebound already having a powerful stake in the Liverpudlian bass scene and with London-based Matrix becoming a staple in DJ sets across the city's major club spaces, they had laid the foundations to launch a critical production team. 
Since then, the pair have gone on to cross over the divide between the underground world of drum & bass and mainstream commercial achievements, with their music translating to both intimate clubs spaces and global festival audiences. 2018 saw the first steps towards 'Mystery Machine', with title track 'Mystery Machine', 'Tardis', 'Live Another Day' and 'Believe' signalling the dancefloor viability of their next historic addition to an already impressive back catalogue. Having debuted many of its ground-breaking new records on stages at EDC, UKF Buenos Aires, Reading & Leeds, Glastonbury, Creamfields, Exit Festival, Let it Roll and due to showcase their album at the first of their 'Matrix & Futurebound Presents' nights at XOYO, they helped define the year's taste making tracks. 
But it's not just their standalone tracks which have caught the ears of fans and trend setters alike; as two of the biggest drum & bass figures, they've also remixed the likes of Emeli Sande, Pendulum, Eric Prydz, Jess Glynne, Demi Lovato, Labrinth, Birdy, Tinie Tempah plus many more names of the same stature. Their Emeli Sande rework was one of the vocal drum & bass anthems of the year gaining huge support from daytime Radio 1, making its way into the A list and with extensive specialist play from Annie Mac. This culminated in a highly successful Live Lounge appearance where the duo performed 'Breathing Underwater' with Emeli at Maida Vale, with their remix closing the London NYE fireworks.
Their next single 'Got You There', penned by esteemed songwriter Becky Hill and featuring alt-pop newcomer Zelah on vocals, begins the New Year with a slab of stunning musicality. Released through Viper / Metro Recordings, the emotionally charged anthem received three consecutive weeks of Radio 1 support on Mistajam's Dance Anthems slot, as well as being featured on the Spotify UK and US New Music Friday playlist. It was a hugely successful offering from Matrix & Futurebound and it's another chapter which brings listeners closer to the reveal of 'Mystery Machine'.

Short Facts:
• World tours as special guests of Michael Buble
• 3 duets with Michael Buble
• Special guest for Coldplay
• Duet with Ludacris on Quincy Jones most recent studio album
• BET Honours for Herbie Hancock
• Night Of The Proms with Mick Hucknall and The Jacksons
• Release of “All Natural Live” – DVD and CD in 2013
• Release of new studio album “Hidden in Plain Sight” in 2015

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As hot as the Sahara and standing every bit as tall as the pyramids, Aly & Fila are one of the worlds most in demand Trance & Progressive artists. Tune into Future Sound of Egypt Radio - Every Wednesday, direct from Cairo.

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