A few years ago Chimaira were considered first class metalcore. Seen not only as an innovative band during the 'Impossibility Of Reason' era, but also as forerunners of the so called NWOAHM movent (along with KSE, LOG and Shadows Fall), Chimaira had all the chances to outshine their contemporaries. Unfortunately there were also too many drummers, label changes and personal clashes too and today the band is often being ignored as a generic metalcore act with nothing passionate and exciting to be expected from. Some say Chimaira have missed their momentum. Might be, but they have also found something that others would spend their lifetime to discover- depth of expression. Chimaira's new album 'The Infection' is a hard ride, a bumpy one. It's slow and dark. Very misanthropic experience at certain times. It makes you ask yourself whether it's the same band. You reach for the booklet again in order to check it. Yes, it says Chimaira. Wow! Mark Hunter's voice has obviously undergone some gruesome surgery. it sounds almost like Chris Barnes sometimes. 'The Infection's trademark is somewhat different form the approach they used in the previous album 'Resurrection'. Now it's the terrifying shadowy power of the harsh and in the same time very precise guitar thuggery that remains constant throughout the whole infectious journey. 'Infection' is a scary experience. The sound has all the hallmarks of today's metal greats, but when you listen to again and again it becomes obvious that not all songs match up to the might of Chimaira's last album, let alone 'Impossibility Of Reason'. May be its the mundane start ('The Venom Inside') or the messy 'Secrets of The Dead'. It might be even the not so memorable 'Impending Doom'. I don't know, but something is missing. Fortunately, songs like 'Frozen in Time' and 'On Broken Glass' partly succeed on fixing things right. What saves the album is the ultimate instrumental dark epic masterpiece in the end 'The Heart Of It All'. That's class! Chimaira may do better. Let's hope they will be back to their usual tempo next time. Slow stuff doesn't work for you guys.