Chimaira Spreading The Infection from Metal to MMA

If heavy metal band Chimaira were a mixed martial artist, which one would they be? Probably Wanderlei Silva.

Like the Axe Murderer, Chimaira's off-stage demeanor is pretty laid back, but once they get into their music, it's like a Wanderlei Silva knee to the grill.

"The happier we get, the meaner and angrier our music sounds," says Chimaira lead singer Mark Hunter, a life-long martial artist and avid MMA fan. "So that's a good thing. So you want to keep us happy."

It's no surprise then that Hunter's favorite fighter is, in fact, Wanderlei Silva. "He's one of my favorite fighters of all time. When I watch him, I try to emulate him quite a bit. He's got the staredown to end all staredowns."

Other favorites include UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and fellow Midwesterner Clay Guida. "I like Clay Guida a lot because his entrances, that's the main event," says Hunter, who's band hails from Cleveland. "His last match, he was one of the first guys to come out and his entrance was just so triumphant, he was just so pumped up, I was like, 'I don't need to watch the rest of the fight.'

"I also love the Rampage saga of (Wanderlei) and Rampage fighting, those are some of the best fights ever."

Being a martial artist himself, Hunter's interest in MMA is a little deeper than just his love of watching the fights. Currently in the midst of a two-month tour in support of their new album The Infection -- which hits stores on Tuesday, April 21 -- he tries to find as much time as possible to continue training in everything from Tae Kwon Do to Muay Thai to Jiu-Jitsu and other martial arts.

"We're getting to a position now with our band that we have some time off -- more so than we used to. So I'm like, I can train again," Hunter told MMAWeekly.com's MMA Insider."

He often trains with one of his guitar techs while on the road, and Chimaira's drummer, Andols Herrick, who has also taken up an interest.

Not only has his interest in training in MMA been one of personal satisfaction -- "it really helps me as a person and it helps me with confidence on stage" -- but it has also spilled into the business side of things just a bit. Hunter can often be seen on stage sporting 5280 Fighter or Manto gear due to some loose partnerships with the fight gear companies.

Chimaira was also one of the bands featured on the UFC's 2004 release Ultimate Beatdowns, a compilation CD featuring the band's song "Indifferent to Suffering."

As mentioned, Chimaira is currently in the midst of a two-month tour in the U.S. with headliners Disturbed, and other supporting acts Killswitch Engage and Lacuna Coil. You can listen to cuts from their new album The Infection, out on Ferrett Records, on the band's myspace page, as well as cuts from their other albums.

Chimaira's music is a brutal, in your face attack on the senses, not for the faint of heart.

As Hunter says, it's "M-E-T-A-L... that's it!"

Chimaira is extremely active in social networking on the web, reaching out to their fans. You can check them out at:

Official Website: www.Chimaira.com

Official MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/chimaira

On YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/chimairatube