Mark Hunter (musician)

Mark Hunter (born May 26, 1977) is an American musician best known as the lead vocalist of heavy metal band Chimaira.[1]

Mark Hunter
Hunter performing with Chimaira in 2008
Hunter performing with Chimaira in 2008
Background information
Also known asMetal Moses
Born (1977-05-26) May 26, 1977 (age 47)
Parma Heights, Ohio, U.S.
GenresGroove metal, metalcore, nu metal
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Years active1998–present
Member ofChimaira

Early life

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Hunter was born in Parma Heights, Ohio, on May 26, 1977.

Career

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Hunter started Chimaira in 1998.[2] The band has sold over a million albums worldwide[3] and have debuted on the Billboard 200 Chart six times.[4] 2013's Crown of Phantoms debuted at number 54 selling over 7,400 copies in its first week of release.[5] 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.[6][7][8]

He was the only original member of Chimaira after departures in 2010 and 2011.[7][9] Cleveland Scene nicknamed Hunter "Metal Moses" in 2002 for his popularization of the Wall of Death[10]

Influences

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Hunter in 2004

Hunter has cited Stanley Kubrick, Gaspar Noé, Trent Reznor, and Slayer to be among some of his influences. Some inspiration for lyrical content was drawn from Hunter's love of movies. Beyond the Black Rainbow, Fire Walk with Me, and The Shining have been mentioned in numerous interviews.[11][12]

Personal life

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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 released the documentary Down Again in 2018, in which Hunter shares his struggle with bipolar disorder as well as his interest in photography.

Hunter was diagnosed with thyroid cancer but is now in remission after a full thyroidectomy.

Writing and blogs

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Hunter wrote regular columns for Revolver magazine and GunShyAssassin. Some of topics included meditation, travel, and nutrition. He also penned the liner notes for The Best of Mercyful Fate.

Social media

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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.

Discography

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Chimaira

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[13]

Previous bands and guest work

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  • Guitarist and vocalist for hardcore band Skipline (1995–1997)
  • Guitarist for stoner rock band High Point (2003)
  • Guitarist for The Demonic Knights of Aberosh
  • Backing vocals on "In the Face of the Faceless" by Forever in Terror on the album Restless in the Tides
  • Vocals on "13 Years" by Stemm on the album Songs for the Incurable Heart
  • Vocals on "The Enemy" on the album Roadrunner United
  • Vocals on "Mask of the Damned" by The Elite on the World War 3 EP
  • Vocals on "Faith Destroyed" by Excellent Cadaver on the album Faith Destroyed
  • Vocals on "Desert Dread" by Ghost Iris on the album Comatose
  • Vocals on "Parasite" by Bleed the Sky for their newest single. (02-2023)

Production credits

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References

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  1. ^ Prato, Greg. "Biography: Chimaira". AllMusic. Retrieved March 4, 2010.
  2. ^ "Chimaira – Biography – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  3. ^ "HEAVY Magazine – Chimaira To Release New Album Crown of Phantoms". HEAVY Magazine. June 27, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  4. ^ "Chimaira". Billboard.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  5. ^ "Chimaira". Billboard.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  6. ^ "The Impossibility of Reason – Chimaira – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Chimaira – Crown of Phantoms". Metal Blast!. August 14, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  8. ^ "NO CLEAN SINGING " AN NCS INTERVIEW: MARK HUNTER (CHIMAIRA)". Nocleansinging.com. October 31, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  9. ^ "ROB ARNOLD AND MATT DEVRIES LEAVE CHIMAIRA". MetalSucks. November 10, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  10. ^ "metalupdate.com – Features". Metalupdate.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  11. ^ "Mark Hunter (Chimaira)- Musician Profile". spirit-of-metal.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  12. ^ [1] Archived November 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ "Chimaira – Music Biography, Credits and Discography – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
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