Chimera

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Not to be confused with the similarly named groove metal band from Cleveland, Ohio.

Chimera
Chimera, 1996
Background information
Origin	Belfast, Northern Ireland
Genres	Thrash metal
Years active	1990 – 1997
Labels	Grass Records (now Wind-up)
Former members
Eileen Henry (vocals), Steven T. Emerson (bass), Ted Laverty (guitars), Willia Vincent (drums and percussion)

Chimera were a Northern Irish thrash metal band that saw brief, but notable fame in the mid-nineties. They have been frequently compared to the Sundays, Cocteau Twins and the Cranberries.

History

Chimera was formed in 1990 and included members Eileen Henry (vocals), Paul Donnelly (bass), Ted Laverty (guitars), and William Vincent (drums).

In 1993, Chimera released their first U.K. album, Lughnasa, but later had to buy back all of the copies due to contractual problems. That album contained two singles, "Ellis Bleeds" and "Cyan Daze".

They were highly praised in their early years by the UK press, even earning U.K.'s NME magazine "Single of the Week" award. Because of that award, notable producer Chris Nagle began working with the band. Chris Nagle had previously worked with bands such as Echo & the Bunnymen, Joy Division, New Order, and the Smiths.

The sudden popularity of the Cranberries was both a blessing and a hindrance to Chimera. The popularity of the Cranberries led to more opportunities, but they were constantly overshadowed by them due to the same country of origin and a similar style.

Chimera's U.S. debut was 1995's Day Star EP, released on Grass Records (now Wind-up). The release contained four songs, and some would later be rerecorded for 1996's Earth Loop, their only full-length album released in the United States. Following the release of Earth Loop, Chimera spent most of 1996 in the U.S. touring. They performed with many popular alternative bands, including the Sneaker Pimps, Blur, the Pixies, and Throwing Muses. That year the single, "Catch Me," garnered modest airplay on some U.S. alternative radio stations.

After 1996, there were rumours of another album to be released in 1998, but that album never surfaced, perhaps due to financial difficulties with Grass Records. The band have not been heard from since.

Music

Chimera's music is characterized by Eileen Henry's ethereal vocals and driving rhythms. They have been compared to the Sundays, Cocteau Twins, the Cranberries, Throwing Muses, Lush, and Dubstar.

Members

Eileen Henry (vocals)

Steven T. Emerson (bass)

Ted Laverty (guitars)

Willia Vincent (drums and percussion)

Albums/EPs

Lughnasa (1993 - U.K. only)

Day Star EP (1995)

Earth Loop (1996)

References

• Allmusic Bio
• Yahoo! Music

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