Chimaira fans are set to receive a live history lesson this November as both Ascension and Skipline will be reuniting for a special concert. Ascension featured a pair of pre-Chimaira band members in guitarists Matt DeVries and Jason Hager. Skipline too also served as a precursor band for two members of Chimaira, with vocalist/guitarist Mark Hunter and bassist Jim LaMarca being involved in that short-lived outfit, alongside Ben Schigel. The latter would go on to join SW1TCHED and worked frequently with Chimaira in the year’s that followed via his role as a producer and more.
This live return has been dubbed ‘Back To Before The Beginning‘ and will see Ascension headlining with Skipline, an as-yet unannounced special guest, and Vicar Blood opening. It will take place November 13th at the Glove Iron in Cleveland, OH. Tickets will go onsale this Friday, May 29th. Further details can be found at b2b4tb.com.
Speaking today, May 26th, Hunter said on his social media of the show:
“I’m returning to the stage this year with the band that started it all: Skipline.
We were only around for a year and a half in the mid 90s. Just a bunch of friends, barely out of school, not taking it too seriously. Then it started to move. And just as fast as it started, it splintered apart.
But the seeds were planted.
A lot of what became Chimaira started there. We even covered not one, not two, but three Skipline songs in the early days. Ascension was part of that same world too. Matt and Hager were there. Looking back, it almost feels like it was supposed to happen that way.
I’m excited to reunite with everyone and get back on guitar.
If you were there for hardcore and metal in the 90s, you already know what this night is going to feel like.
If you missed it, this is your shot.
Friday, November 13 at Globe Iron.
The river will burn again.”
