Kimaera, the Arab world’s trailblazing symphonic death metal band, today release their new album IMPERIVM.
Stream and listen here: https://linktr.ee/Kimaera
The band release their album in honour and recognition of frontman and founder JP Haddad, who tragically has passed away at the age of 39. JP was a true pillar of metal in the Middle East – leading Kimaera as the first metal band from Lebanon to tour internationally and sign an international record deal.
The new album IMPERIVM depicts JP’s love for ancient Roman culture and is a fitting tribute for the man.
Atmospheric death/doom with a progressive touch collides with traditional Middle Eastern and orchestral instruments, to produce a complex dark sound with a cross-generic flair on the new album. Their transcending of musical boundaries is inspired by Epica’s melodies, Dimmu Borgir’s black symphonies, Behemoth’s aggression, Katatonia’s darkness and Middle Eastern oriental music.
Formed in 2000 by the late JP Haddad, Kimaera’s path has helped put Lebanese metal on the world map, signing with Stygian Crypt Productions after releasing their first single ‘God’s Wrath’ in 2004. Since then, they have continued to secure firsts in their home country, where they are known as the “Lebanese ambassadors of doom”. They were the first Lebanese metal band to release songs internationally, to tour outside Lebanon, and to release professionally produced music videos, gaining a loyal worldwide following.
Their music has attracted attention both in their native Middle East and in Europe. Metal Hammer magazine included their single ‘A Silent Surrender’ in its September 2011 covermount CD, and they have shared the stage with renowned international bands at festivals across Europe and the Middle East, including Masters of Rock (Czech Republic, 2010, featuring Epica, Behemoth and Annihilator), Unirock Open Air (Turkey, 2011, featuring Decapitated, Vader and Mayhem), Beirut Rock Festival (Lebanon, 2011, featuring Katatonia and Moonspell), Metal Heads’ Mission (Ukraine, 2012, headlined by Nile), Doom Upon Russia tour (opening for Amorphis on the last night in 2013), and, after a period of hiatus, the Beirut Metal Fest (Lebanon, 2017, headlined by Legion of the Damned) and Zobens Un Lemess (Latvia, 2017, headlined by Amorphis).
After the release of their debut Ebony Veiled in 2006, followed by Solitary Impact in 2010, and The Harbinger of Doom in 2013 (released by Eternal Sound Records, Germany), on 15th March, 2022 Kimaera launch their fourth studio album IMPERIVM,in which they continue to reject being defined by boundaries.
Despite hailing from one of the most war-torn regions in the world in which they have had to overcome ongoing political, economic and security hurdles, Kimaera refuse to be seen simply through the prism of current conflict. They have instead chosen to engage with their country’s ancient history through an original take: Their new album’s theme is inspired by Roman history, with Lebanon having been part of the Roman Empire with all its power, brutality and majesty. The Middle Eastern ethnic instruments whose sound infuses the album also have their origins in ancient Rome, giving the album a distinct aural mark.
Kimaera are dedicating their new album to the band’s founder and frontman JP Haddad, whose untimely death is mourned by the whole of the metal community in Lebanon. The album will be launched posthumously at a tribute event to JP Haddad,taking place in Beirut, Lebanon on 15th March, 2022.
For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/KimaeraOfficial
