Coal Chamber
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Coal Chamber was a alternative metal band from Los Angeles, CA, USA formed in 1994. The band was one of the most famous nu metal bands along with Korn and Limp Bizkit. The band gained a large following early in their career, arguably because they were the first "darker" themed nu metal band, with an image that comparatively had more in common with the goth subculture than followers of hip hop culture.
Biography
Coal Chamber signed to Roadrunner Records and recorded their first album (both in 1996) for their self-titled debut in 1997. The album was released to critical praise, especially for the first single Loco, a track that many fans consider the band's finest work.[weasel words]
Their next album was released in fall of 1999 entitled Chamber Music. This album was considered a step away from the nu metal image they had engendered with their prior release, having instead a more gothic metal inspired feel. In this album also was a cover of a song originally done by Peter Gabriel in 1982 called "Shock the Monkey" with legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne providing vocals in collaboration with the band's lead singer Dez Fafara.
With the bit of commercial success Coal Chamber received after Chamber Music, the band toured on headlining and festival tours such as Ozzfest. The band had managed to catch the attention of Ozzy Osbourne's wife, Sharon Osbourne, who became their manager and subsequently placed them on a side stage on Ozzfest for three consecutive years. They later parted ways with Sharon over personal and creative differences.
The band followed up with their third album Dark Days in the spring of 2002, which met with mixed reviews. Bassist Rayna Foss-Rose had left the band to raise her daughter before the album was recorded; she was replaced by Nadja Peulen, who had taken Foss-Rose's place during her pregnancy between the first two albums. Rayna had a falling out of sorts with frontman Dez Fafara saying that she and her husband had "found Christ" and would be leaving Coal Chamber for good.
In October 2002, Mikey Cox parted ways with the band after several personal disputes with both Fafara, and guitarist Meegs Rascón, due to his heavy meth use. Personal disputes had been a vice of the band since around 1998 and was apparent in live performances. The official release on the Coal Chamber website stated that the band was looking for a new drummer.
Late summer 2003 saw the release of a compilation album titled Giving the Devil His Due, which included several demo tracks submitted by the band prior to their signing with Roadrunner Records in 1997, along with several alternate studio recordings and remixes of various tracks from their previous releases. Coal Chamber disbanded in 2003, shortly after lead vocalist Dez Fafara left to form the group DevilDriver.
In June 2005, Fafara stated that Coal Chamber's hiatus is permanent and will not be reforming at any time in the future.
Post-Coal Chamber activities
As mentioned, after the disbandment of Coal Chamber, Fafara chose to continue as vocalist of metal band DevilDriver, recording three albums, DevilDriver, The Fury of Our Maker's Hand, and most recently The Last Kind Words.
Guitarist Meegs Rascon, went on to form rock band "Glass Pinata", previously known as just “Pinata”, the group has so far only released demos via their website.
Drummer Mikey "Bug" Cox went on to form alternative metal band "Butterfly Knife" with friend and singer Dev. Songs are available through their MySpace page.
Bassist Nadja Puelen created Cruel Tees, a t-shirt company that sold online and through stores such as Hot Topic.
Members
- Meegs Rascón - guitars
- Dez Fafara - vocals
- Rayna Foss-Rose - bass (1995-2002)
- Nadja Peulen - bass (2002-2003)
- Mikey "Bug" Cox - drums
Discography
- Coal Chamber (February 11, 1997, album)
- Chamber Music (September 7, 1999, album)
- Dark Days (May 7, 2002, album)
- Giving the Devil His Due (August 19, 2003, compilation)
- The Best Of Coal Chamber (August 09, 2004, compilation)