Formed in 1998, the Cleveland, OH-based hardcore sextet Chimaira consists of singer/screamer Mark Hunter, guitarists Matt DeVries (who replaced Jason Hager in mid-2001) and Rob Arnold, bassist Jim LaMarca, drummer Andols Herrick, and electronic specialist Chris Spicuzza. The band's mixture of hardcore, metal, and electronics proved to be a big hit back home, as they sold 10,000 copies of their independently issued debut EP, This Present Darkness, leading to an appearance on the now-defunct USA Network TV show Farmclub. The band opened for the likes of Soulfly, Hatebreed, Spineshank, and Snapcase and was eventually signed to Roadrunner Records, issuing their 14-track debut full-length, Pass Out of Existence, in August 2001.