Chimaira - "The Impossibility Of Reason" - 20 Year Anniversary || BTS

When I was 15 years old I discovered the seminal record from metal band Chimaira as an angsty youth in Cleveland Ohio. The fact these guys came from my hometown is an inspiration and a point of pride. As a newly minted metalhead, I became obsessed with this record and played it on loop even in my darkest times at the mental hospital. It was a huge honor to be asked by Mark, (who I worked together with creating Down Again) to document the anniversary show for that record in a meaningful way.

I worked with Mark on getting down a stylistic approach in homage to our favorite 80’s horror movies, and combining the stylized lighting and monitor design of the show with a gritty filming and color processing aesthetic. As well as intercutting some reflective interviews and b-roll of the band and fans from the moment of the weekend.

I enlisted the help of my friend and producer James Waters to crew it up in my hometown of Cleveland. We would be filming in the historic and newly remodeled Agora, and I really wanted to bring the moment to life. He recommended Red Bicycle Media, an outfit I am well acquainted with and had been looking for a great project to work together on, and this was the opportunity to do it right.

These guys didn’t mess around, we got a stellar team wrapped around this, and top of the line equipment. After recently having done Eric Schwartz’s special, I knew exactly how to treat the live performance portion.

We opted for an 8 camera set up, with all the operators linked up with coms and teradecks for a wireless feed. Allowing me to call the direction in real time. Since I knew the songs well, I was able to position our pit and stage cameras in the right spots for best results in the edit juxtaposed against the other 6 cameras.

Intro - “Cleansation”

“Power Trip”

We had the luxury of documenting two shows so we were able to be flexible with the coverage, and track listings. On top of documenting the live show we also interviewed the guys from the band about the record in a verite’ setting, as well as the fans during the VIP meet and greet. I really wanted to present the sentimentality of this record for so many fans. Because after all it effected me in such a deep way I was sure that it had the same effect on the rest of the fans.

I’m very excited about what we were able to capture, and I cannot wait to dig into this edit. A true labor of love for me on this project.

I want to thank James Waters, James Pizarro and the entire crew. Luke DeJeu, Thomas Matheis, Christian and Anton Pizarro, Miles Austin, Matt Petrunak and Spencer Hendricks, for all their enthusiastic work on this one.

Huge thanks to the Agora and all the crew for accommodating us, and making the production of the show so stellar.

I also want to give a huge thanks to the band for not only making an incredible record that impacted me in a deep way, but also for letting us document this, as I know there’s a lot of pressure day of a big show like this. They were vulnerable enough to let us into their world and it will show in the final edit.