Mark Hunter (musician)
Mark Hunter (born May 26, 1977) is an American musician and photographer and is the former vocalist for the heavy metal band Chimaira.[1][2]
Mark Hunter | |
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Mark Hunter performing live with Chimaira at the Nokia Theatre Times Square, on June 25, 2008 | |
Background information | |
Also known as | Metal Moses |
Born | Cleveland, Ohio, United States | May 26, 1977
Genres | Groove metal, metalcore, nu metal |
Occupation(s) | Musician, photographer, health coach |
Instruments | Vocals, guitar, drums, theremin, keyboards, bass |
Years active | 1998–present |
Labels | Roadrunner Records, Nuclear Blast, Ferret Music, E1 |
Associated acts | Chimaira |
Personal life
Mark Hunter was born in Parma Heights, Ohio on May 26, 1977. He grew up in Strongsville and attended culinary school at the Polaris Culinary Academy. He currently lives as a photographer in Medina County, Ohio. He is also a co-host of Rawhead Reviews, a YouTube review series that features Shawn Isley as co-host.
Hunter practiced Muay Thai and was featured in the July 2008 edition of Fight! Magazine, and the April 2009 edition of MMA Weekly.
Chimaira and director Nick Cavalier has released the documentary Down Again in 2018, in which Hunter shares his struggle with bipolar disorder.
He has recently been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
He is a proponent of isolation tanks.
Chimaira
Mark Hunter started Chimaira in 1998.[3] The band has sold over a million albums worldwide[4] and have debuted on the Billboard 200 Chart six times.[5] 2013's Crown of Phantoms debuted at number 54 selling over 7,400 copies in its first week of release.[6] Hunter was one of the main songwriters for Chimaira and considered the band leader. He is also credited in the album liner notes for assisting with guitars, artwork concepts and album production.[7] [8][9]
He was the only original member of Chimaira after departures in 2010 and 2011. [8] [10] Cleveland Scene Magazine nicknamed Hunter "Metal Moses" in 2002 for his popularization of the Wall of Death[11]
Chimaira discography
Writing and blogs
Hunter writes regular columns for Revolver Magazine and GunShyAssassin. Some of topics include meditation, travel, and nutrition. He also penned the liner notes for The Best of Mercyful Fate.
Previous bands and guest work
- Guitarist and vocalist for Cleveland hardcore band Skipline (1995–1997)
- Guitarist for stoner rock band High Point (2003)
- Guitarist for The Demonic Knights of Aberosh
- Contributed backing vocals on "In the Face of the Faceless" by Forever in Terror on the album Restless in the Tides
- Contributed vocals to "13 Years" by Stemm on the album Songs for the Incurable Heart
- Contributed vocals to "The Enemy" on the album Roadrunner United
- Contributed vocals to "Mask of the Damned" by The Elite on the World War 3 EP
- Contributed vocals to "Faith Destroyed" by Excellent Cadaver on the album Faith Destroyed
Contributed vocals to "In Waves" by Without Mercy
Social media
In 2011, Hunter took to his Twitter and Facebook accounts to discuss his frustration with the music industry resulting in praise from fellow musicians and journalists.
Production credits
- The Impossibility of Reason (Co-Producer)
- Chimaira (Co-Producer)
- The Infection (Co-Producer)
- The Age of Hell (Co-Producer)
- Crown of Phantoms DVD (Assistant Camera/Editor)
Influences
Hunter has cited Stanley Kubrick, Gaspar Noé, Trent Reznor, and Slayer to be among some of his top influences. Some inspiration for lyrical content was drawn from Hunter's well known love of movies. Beyond the Black Rainbow, Fire Walk With Me, and The Shining have been mentioned in numerous interviews.[13][14]
References
- Prato, Greg. "Biography: Chimaira". Allmusic. Retrieved March 4, 2010.
- "Crown of Phantoms – Chimaira – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- "Chimaira – Biography – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- "HEAVY Magazine – Chimaira To Release New Album Crown of Phantoms". HEAVY Magazine. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- "Chimaira". Billboard.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- "Chimaira". Billboard.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- "The Impossibility of Reason – Chimaira – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- "Chimaira – Crown of Phantoms". Metal Blast!. August 14, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- "NO CLEAN SINGING " AN NCS INTERVIEW: MARK HUNTER (CHIMAIRA)". Nocleansinging.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- "ROB ARNOLD AND MATT DEVRIES LEAVE CHIMAIRA". MetalSucks. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- "metalupdate.com – Features". Metalupdate.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- "Chimaira – Music Biography, Credits and Discography – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- "Mark Hunter (Chimaira)- Musician Profile". Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- Archived November 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine