Mark Hunter (musician)

Mark Hunter (born May 26, 1977) is an American musician, blogger, photographer and was the vocalist for the heavy metal band Chimaira.^[1][2]

Personal life

Mark Hunter was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 26, 1977. He attended culinary school at the Polaris Culinary Academy and is continuing education through voracious reading and online courses. Hunter practiced Muay Thai and was featured in the July 2008 edition of Fight! Magazine, and the April 2009 edition of MMA Weekly. 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

• This Present Darkness EP
• Pass Out of Existence
• The Impossibility of Reason
• Freddy vs. Jason (Soundtrack)
• Chimaira
• Resurrection
• The Infection
• Coming Alive
• The Age of Hell
• Crown of Phantoms

^[12]

Writing and blogs

Hunter writes regular columns for Revolver Magazine and GunShyAssassin. Some of topics include meditation, travel, and nutrition. He 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

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.

• Metal Sucks – Why You Should Be Following Mark Hunter
• Metal Insider – Mark Hunter Discusses His Twitter Outburst

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