CHIMAIRA Guitarist Comments On 'Free' OZZFEST

Brandon Weiss of The Triangle Online recently conducted an interview with CHIMAIRA guitarist Rob Arnold. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

On the series of changes the band went through between their previous, self-titled album and the creation of their new album, "Resurection":

"Basically, it was kind of things not going exactly as we had planned. Things weren't working out with our drummer, Kevin [Talley], at the time. Also, things were kind of falling apart with [Roadrunner Records]. … We just needed to get away from them."

On former label, Roadrunner Records:

"It's every kid's dream that plays in a metal band to sign a deal with Roadrunner Records, so we were totally stoked right off the bat when that happened. As time went on, we saw that they weren't the right label for us. We weren't willing to be dealt only what they were willing to give us. We needed more; we didn't want to have a ceiling put on us. We needed somebody that would recognize our potential. So we decided to get off that label and find something different."

"The vibe started to improve, the family was back together, we were able to get off of Roadrunner and sign a deal with Ferret Records, and Nuclear Blast for the rest of the world, and those guys are just totally enthusiastic about the project. They're pumped about the band. That's what we needed. There were dark times, but now it's totally awesome. Hence the record title, 'Resurrection', which didn't even come out yet, yet things seem better than they've ever been. Sometimes you need to get through the bad to get to good."

On this year's Ozzfest being free:

"When I heard that it was free, I was kind of like, 'Weird.' Then they said that none of the bands are going to get paid either, which I'm like, 'That's fine.' It's tough for a band; it costs a band $100,000 to do an Ozzfest, when you have a bus or whatever you're touring in, and a crew. With all the off dates, you play three or four days a week, and staying in hotels, it all adds up. It could cost a lot. So I don't know how bands are going to do it without any sort of compensation whatsoever. . . We'd be able to [play]. Our off dates would provide us with sufficient amount of income where we'd able to maintain everything like that. We know it's an opportunity as well; it isn't about getting paid. Bands on the second stage don't get paid anyways, unless you're a headliner. But a band like KORN or MARILYN MANSON, they could afford it, but would they? Would they go out for nothing every day? They don't need any exposure. For young bands it's tough. It's definitely something that we'd have to go over if we got the opportunity."

Read the entire interview at The Triangle Online.