Coal Chamber

Coal Chamber is an American nu metal band formed by Dez Fafara and Meegs Rascón in Los Angeles in 1992, initially under the name She's in Pain.<ref name="allmusic">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The original lineup also consisted of bassist Rayna Foss and drummer Jon Tor. Mike Cox replaced Tor on drums in 1995, and the Coal Chamber lineup was complete. After signing to Roadrunner Records, they released their debut album, Coal Chamber, in 1997.

Chamber Music followed two years later and featured the band's only charting single in the US, a cover of Peter Gabriel's "Shock the Monkey", featuring Ozzy Osbourne as a guest vocalist. Their third album, Dark Days, was released in the spring of 2002. Nadja Peulen temporarily replaced Foss on bass for touring commitments, before joining on a permanent basis in 2002. Coal Chamber disbanded in 2003, after ten years together, and then reunited in 2011, with the lineup of Fafara, Cox, and Rascón, along with Chela Rhea Harper on bass.<ref name="allmusic" /> Peulen rejoined the band on bass in 2013, and Coal Chamber released their fourth album, Rivals, in 2015, before disbanding again in 2016. They then reunited a second time in 2022.<ref name="2022reunion">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

History

Formation and early years (1992–1995)

Coal Chamber was originally formed in 1992 under the name She's in Pain by vocalist Dez Fafara and guitarist Miguel "Meegs" Rascón,<ref name=":8">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> based on a mutual love for the Sisters of Mercy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After a few shows, they decided to change the band's lineup, and they adopted their present name in 1993.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bassist Rayna Foss was recruited through a newspaper ad.<ref name="locovideo">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> According to Foss, the band at the time was named "Coal", while Rascón wanted to name it "Chamber", and they ended up combining the two words.<ref name="locovideo" /> The band had two drummers in the two-and-a-half years prior to their signing with a label, the longest-lasting being John Tor.<ref name=":8" />

In late 1994, Dino Cazares of Fear Factory championed a demo tape by Coal Chamber, causing a huge local stir with gigs at the Roxy Theatre and Whisky a Go Go, eventually leading Roadrunner Records to offer the band a contract.<ref name="LarkinHR" /> Fafara dropped out quite suddenly due to disagreements with his wife about the band. In early 1995, he reunited with Coal Chamber, which ended his marriage but revitalized the band.<ref name="LarkinHR" /> With a renewed sense of energy, Coal Chamber was able to regain their deal with Roadrunner, which they signed in December 1995.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A few weeks prior, John Tor was fired for "constantly fighting" with Rascón, per Fafara.<ref name=":8" /> Around the same time, they auditioned Mikey Cox and his brother, hiring the former as their new drummer.<ref name=":8" />

Coal Chamber (1996–1998)

File:Rayna live.jpg

Former bassist Rayna Foss in 1998

In 1996, Coal Chamber played at the first Ozzfest. The band managed to catch the attention of Ozzy Osbourne's wife, Sharon, who became their manager. They recorded their first album, Coal Chamber, which was released on February 11, 1997.<ref name="LarkinHR">Template:Cite book</ref> The record produced one single and a video, "Loco", directed by Nathan "Karma" Cox. The video was included as an extra after the ending credits of Dee Snider's film Strangeland. The band also recorded an exclusive song for the soundtrack, titled "Not Living". The album only sold 844 copies in its first week; at its peak, it was selling 5,000 copies per week.<ref name="TurmanLiners">Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> On December 21, 1999, it was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), signifying over 500,000 copies sold.<ref name="RIAA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 1997, the band toured Europe with Machine Head,<ref name="LarkinHR"/> Napalm Death, and Skinlab, including a show at the Dynamo Festival in the Netherlands. Coal Chamber also supported Pantera on tour from September through December 1997, along with Anthrax. Also, in 1997 and 1998, the band opened for Megadeth during the Cryptic Writings tour.

Chamber Music (1999–2000)

In September 1999, Coal Chamber released its second album, Chamber Music. Prior to its publication, it was dubbed one of the most anticipated albums of the year by Alternative Press.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The album saw the band experiment with their sound, placing a greater emphasis on harmonies and symphonic qualities.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> According to Alternative Press, the record was "one of the few instances where a band lumped into the whole nü-metal phylum sought to challenge their audience."<ref name=":6" /> Chamber Music sold 48,000 copies in it first week and debuted at number 22 on the Billboard 200 chart,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> while its lead single, a cover of Peter Gabriel's "Shock the Monkey", featuring Ozzy Osbourne, gave the band their first radio hit.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Despite this, the album received mixed reviews from critics and did not sell as well as their debut,<ref name=":3" /> with only 272,000 copies sold by 2002.<ref name="Soundscan" /> According to Cox, "A lot of our fans hated [the] album, after not getting more of the same as the first one. The second MTV played our video, that's it, they said we were sellouts."<ref name=":13">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Fafara recognized that that record's direction was not well-received by the band's fanbase but did not view it as a failure due to its initial positive reception.<ref name=":3" />

Coal Chamber embarked on headlining and festival tours in support of the album.<ref>Template:Usurped. Chart Attack, 1999. Story by Alex Ristic</ref> That year, the band took part in Insane Clown Posse's Amazing Jeckel Brothers Tour, along with Biohazard, Krayzie Bone, Twiztid, and Mindless Self Indulgence.<ref name="BehindthePaint444">Template:Cite book</ref> While Biohazard, Mindless Self Indulgence, Krayzie Bone, and Twiztid were well received by audiences,<ref name="BehindthePaint444" /> Coal Chamber was not. ICP fans were not purchasing tickets, as they did not like the band.<ref name="BehindthePaint444" /> For the three shows that Coal Chamber played, there were multiple ticket refunds.<ref name="BehindthePaint444" /> ICP member Violent J and his brother, Rob, made the decision to eliminate Coal Chamber from the tour. After doing so, there were no ticket refunds for the remaining tour dates.<ref name="BehindthePaint444" /> ICP claimed that Coal Chamber had been removed due to equipment problems but later revealed the true reason for their actions on The Howard Stern Show, on August 19, 1999.<ref name="BehindthePaint444" /> On air, Osbourne, who also appeared as a guest, informed Bruce and Utsler that Coal Chamber filed a lawsuit for breach of contract.<ref name="SternOsbourne">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Between August and December 1999, Nadja Peulen filled in on bass while Rayna Foss went on maternity leave.<ref name=":11">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Foss returned to the band in January 2000.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On March 10, 2000, it was announced that Coal Chamber had amicably parted ways with Sharon Osbourne Management.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Rascón said that the band's relationship with Osbourne had "run its course and we needed to find another point of view".<ref name=":4">Template:Cite book</ref> Conversely, Fafara claimed that the other members of Coal Chamber had met up in a hotel—alleging some members had been "up for four or five days straight on meth"—and fired Osbourne without consulting him.<ref name=":4" /> He believes that this cost the band their only "good shot in the [music] business".<ref name=":4" /> On March 29, 2000, the band signed with Left Bank Management.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Having grown exhausted from being on the road together for five years,<ref name=":6">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Coal Chamber abruptly ended touring in support of Chamber Music in July 2000 and dropped off the Tattoo the Earth tour a week before it was due to begin,<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> ostensibly to begin work on new material.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The band members did not communicate with one another for a year,<ref name=":6" /> until Fafara and Rascón reconnected to work on a song with Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Dark Days and first disbandment (2001–2003)

Between May and September 2001, Coal Chamber recorded their third album, Dark Days, with producer Ross Hogarth.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The recording sessions were marked with high drug use and tensions between Fafara and Rascón, the latter of which informed the album's tone and some of its lyrics.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A week after recording concluded, Foss left the band to raise her daughter, and Peulen was brought back as her official replacement;<ref name=":3" /> Foss's departure was announced in January 2002.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Dark Days was issued on May 6, 2002,<ref name=":3" /> to mixed reviews. The album had sold 200,000 copies by December 2003.<ref name=":7">Template:Cite news</ref> Prior to its release, Coal Chamber joined the Jägermeister tour across the United States, which commenced on March 8.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> On April 17, Fafara and Rascón got into an onstage altercation during a show in Lubbock, Texas.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Tensions between the two were high, and they had been fighting before the show.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /> During the first song, Rascón stabbed Fafara with the headstock of his guitar, after which they began fighting.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":0" /> Fafara then announced to the audience, "This is the last Coal Chamber show ever!" and stormed offstage.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /> Coal Chamber attempted to continue the show with Rascón on vocals but soon stopped altogether after two more songs; Cox demolished his drumkit before storming offstage.<ref name=":0" /> Fafara and Rascón exchanged further blows after the show when the latter returned to the band's tour bus.<ref name=":4" /> Two days after the concert, Coal Chamber dropped off the Jägermeister tour.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On May 15, 2002, the band made their debut appearance on television, performing "Fiend" on Last Call with Carson Daly.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In June and July 2002, they embarked on a summer tour of the United States with American Head Charge, Lollipop Lust Kill, and Medication.<ref name=":5">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> For the duration of the tour, Fafara and Rascón traveled in separate tour buses.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In August 2002, Fafara formed the band Deathride, later known as DevilDriver.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In September 2002, he denied that Coal Chamber was breaking up.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In October 2002, Coal Chamber parted ways with their management and Cox.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In May 2003, Peulen said that the band would be releasing a B-sides compilation but that there was no new drummer or album on the horizon.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In July, Rascón confirmed that Coal Chamber had split up.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Fafara attributed the split primarily to the band's escalating drug use (in particular with Rascón and Cox),<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> stating that he did not want to help fund their drug habits.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He also mentioned creative and business differences.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A month after the band's split, a compilation album, titled Giving the Devil His Due, was released, which included several demo tracks submitted by Coal Chamber prior to their signing with Roadrunner Records in 1997, along with alternative studio recordings and remixes of various tracks from their previous albums.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Post-breakup (2003–2010)

In August 2004, Roadrunner Records released The Best of Coal Chamber. In June 2005, Fafara stated that Coal Chamber's break was permanent and they would not be reforming. He also described a reformation as "like asking someone if they would ever want to go back and repeat the third and fourth grades after they're already done with high school".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Fafara continued as vocalist of the metal band DevilDriver, recording seven albums: DevilDriver, The Fury of Our Maker's Hand, The Last Kind Words, Pray for Villains, Beast, Winter Kills, and Trust No One. He is the only member of Coal Chamber to release an album after the disbandment. Bass guitarist Nadja Puelen created the t-shirt company CruelTees. After taking two years off to recover from a car accident, drummer Mikey "Bug" Cox joined forces with his longtime friend and Orgy member Jay Gordon—and the producer of Coal Chamber's first album - to form Machine Gun Orchestra. Guitarist Meegs Rascón formed the rock band Glass Piñata, previously known as Piñata. The group released a few demos on their website, and faced several line-up changes before eventually disbanding. Following Glass Piñata, Rascón joined the Orange County rock/electro band NEO GEO in mid-2009, although he later left the band in 2010.Template:Citation needed

Fafara and Rascón settled their differences on October 24, 2008, with Rascón joining DevilDriver on stage at the Glasshouse in Pomona, California, to play "Loco".Template:Citation needed

In September 2009, it was announced that Peulen and Cox had joined forces to form an unnamed band.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They were seeking a vocalist and guitarist to complete the lineup.

In September 2010, Rascón and Cox joined together in a post-punk band called We Are the Riot.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Reformation, Rivals, and second disbandment (2011–2017)

In September 2011, Fafara, Cox, and Rascón officially reformed the band with bass guitarist Chela Rhea Harper, to play the Soundwave festival in Australia. In October 2012, Fafara stated that the band were "taking it slow", partly due to his commitments with DevilDriver, but he also revealed that they had begun writing new material.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The band later performed at Download 2013 and toured with Sevendust, Lacuna Coil, and Stolen Babies, with performances at Rock Am Ring, Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Nova Rock festival.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Nadja Peulen officially reunited with the band in October 2013, and they signed to Napalm Records the following year, as they continued to work on a new album.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This was completed in December 2014. In February 2015, Coal Chamber revealed that the album's title was Rivals. They premiered the song "I.O.U. Nothing" online in March, and released a lyric video for "Suffer in Silence", which features Al Jourgensen, the following month. The album was released on May 19, 2015, and was their first studio album in 13 years, as well as their first to be released by Napalm Records.<ref name=RivalsMay>Template:Cite news</ref>

In May 2016, Fafara confirmed during an interview with Blunt magazine that Coal Chamber was on indefinite hiatus, stating that due to the current success of his other band DevilDriver, Coal Chamber "has no place in my life whatsoever at this point."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In June 2017, Fafara explained that he would start performing Coal Chamber songs with DevilDriver, coming to the realization that Coal Chamber would probably never tour or make music ever again.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He then went on to say that the band is "done forever".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In July 2018, Fafara officially announced that Coal Chamber was not coming back.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2020, Fafara spoke about the band's status during an interview with Metal Hammer. When asked about a possible reunion, Fafara stated: "I'm not gonna say no, because we've all spoken", adding, "The main thing for me is that the relationship is all good after numerous fallouts in the beginning and after some stuff went horribly wrong when we got back together to release [2015 comeback album] Rivals. The vibe in that camp is very cool at the moment, and we all have each other's backs. I wouldn't put it past us, but right now I'm definitely concentrating on Devildriver".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Second reunion (2022–present)

Coal Chamber announced their second reunion in November 2022 as well as their scheduled appearance at the 2023 Sick New World festival in Las Vegas, Nevada.<ref name="2022reunion" /> According to Fafara, a factor in the reunion was his certainty of dying from a COVID-19 infection, which prompted his wife to contact the rest of the band.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He later indicated the possibility of new music down the line, saying, "I realized that any problem we've ever had is gone".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The band embarked on a US tour in 2023 and a short tour of Australia in 2024. They were slated to begin touring again in 2025, but plans were postponed due to Fafara's health issues.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Musical style and influences

Coal Chamber is most commonly categorized as nu metal<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> or alternative metal.<ref name=allmusic /><ref name=RivalsMay /> Their self-titled album falls into the first category.<ref>Template:Cite book (January 27, 2015)</ref> Elements of hip hop and heavy metal are featured throughout the album.<ref name=Kastle>Template:Cite news</ref> Coal Chamber's second album, Chamber Music, is also mainly nu metal,<ref name=allmusic /> with elements of other genres such as gothic rock,<ref name=allmusic /> industrial, and electronic music.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Rivals has groove metal influences<ref name="onehundred">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} (July 2, 2015). Retrieved on October 1, 2015</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and moves away from their gothic-influenced older sound.<ref name="PRP">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} May 19, 2015</ref> Coal Chamber have also described their sound as "spookycore", a term invented by the band's fans.<ref name="TurmanLiners" /><ref name=":11" /><ref name=":12">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In a 2002 interview, Fafara said of the band's "spookycore" label:

The kids came up with it first because we started gettin' a lot of comparisons to Korn and stuff. Which is fine. They're a great band. But I think the kids wanted to say "No, Coal Chamber is totally different than that." So they started comin' up with "Spooky-core" and we ran with it. We were like "Yeah! That's what we are." I mean if you put it into essence, we're a dark rock-n-roll band. It's almost like sayin' the same thing. "Spooky-Core." "Dark Rock-n-Roll." You know what I mean? I started thinkin' about it like that and was like "Whoa! These kids know what they're doin'." If someone's gonna coin it [your music], who better than the fans?<ref name=":12" />

The band's influences include Bad Brains,<ref name=":9">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bauhaus,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Black Sabbath,<ref name="DezInfluences">Template:Cite magazine</ref> the Cure,<ref name=":9" /><ref name="DezInfluences" /><ref name=":10">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Dead or Alive,<ref name="DezInfluences" /> Duran Duran,<ref name=":9" /> Helmet,<ref name=":32">Template:Cite book</ref> Jane's Addiction,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Kiss,<ref name="DezInfluences" /> Metallica,<ref name=":9" /><ref name="DezInfluences" /> the Sisters of Mercy,<ref name=":10" /> Slayer,<ref name="DezInfluences" /> Tori Amos,<ref name="DezInfluences" /> and White Zombie.<ref name=":32" />

Legacy

Coal Chamber is considered to be one of the bands that popularized and defined the nu metal sound. Alternative Press wrote that "Nü metal would never have left the starting gates if it weren't for the achievements of Coal Chamber [...] 'Loco' and 'Fiend' paved the way for the darker side of nü metal to step into the limelight beyond the lifespan of Coal Chamber themselves."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Revolver credited the band for introducing gothic and industrial influences into the look of nu metal, which Kittie and Dope would later adopt.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Likewise, Kerrang! said that the band "pre-empted the arrival of outfits like Slipknot, marrying feelings of personal anguish to slab-heavy catharsis, then filtering the lot through an absurdist nightmare lens."<ref name="Kerrang!NuRank">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The band's 1997 debut is generally regarded as one of the greatest albums of the nu metal genre, being featured in lists by Kerrang!,<ref name="Kerrang!NuRank" /> Metal Hammer,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":16" /> LA Weekly,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Loudwire,<ref name="LoudwireRank">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Revolver.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

At the same time, Coal Chamber have been criticized for their image and similarities to Korn, with the latter stemming largely from their debut album.<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":16">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":14">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name=":15">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Houston Press noted in 2000 that although both Korn and Coal Chamber rose out of the same scene, and as such, shared the same audiences and sound, the latter was perceived as being derivative of Korn, since the former group had achieved success first.<ref name=":13" /> By 1999, the band was considered "a pariah of the metal community", according to CMJ New Music Monthly.<ref name=":14" /> In 2009, Dayal Patterson of The Quietus called Coal Chamber "something of an icon for nu metal's limitations", while describing their legacy as "a collection of one-idea songs and a portfolio of truly laughable photos."<ref name=":15" /> In their book A History of Heavy Metal (2017), Andrew O'Neill dismissed Coal Chamber as "a distinctly forgettable, cartoonish band, taking all the childish aspects of Korn and throwing away the real emotion and aggression."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Roadrunner A&R head Monte Conner said that although the band received "some grief" due to their similarities to Korn, he believed they were "the first to follow [them]—I would say that Coal Chamber's first record was the second nu metal record ever to come out."<ref name="TurmanLiners" /><ref name="ConnerQuote">Template:Cite book</ref>

Band members

Current

• Dez Fafara – lead vocals (1992–2003, 2011–2016, 2022–present)
• Miguel "Meegs" Rascón – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals (1992–2003, 2011–2016, 2022–present)
• Mike "Bug" Cox – drums (1995–2002, 2011–2016, 2022–present)
• Nadja Peulen – bass (1999, 2001–2003, 2013–2016, 2022–present)

Past

• Rayna Foss – bass (1993–1999, 2000–2001)
• John Tor – drums (1993–1995)
• Chela Rhea Harper – bass (2011–2013)

Timeline

<timeline> ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:0 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:1993 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1993 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1993

Colors =

id:vocals value:red    legend:Lead_vocals
id:guitar value:green  legend:Guitars,_keyboards,_backing_vocals
id:bass   value:blue   legend:Bass
id:drums  value:orange legend:Drums
id:lines  value:black  legend:Studio_album

LineData =

at:02/11/1997 color:black layer:back
at:09/07/1999 color:black layer:back
at:05/07/2002 color:black layer:back
at:05/19/2015 color:black layer:back

BarData =

bar:Dez text:"Dez Fafara"
bar:Rascón text:"Miguel Rascón"
bar:Rayna text:"Rayna Foss"
bar:Nadja text:"Nadja Peulen"
bar:Chela text:"Chela Rhea Harper"
bar:Tor text:"John Tor"
bar:Cox text:"Mike Cox"

PlotData=

width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10)
bar:Dez from:01/01/1993 till:07/01/2003 color:vocals
bar:Dez from:09/01/2011 till:05/01/2016 color:vocals
bar:Dez from:11/06/2022 till:end color:vocals
bar:Rascón  from:01/01/1993 till:07/01/2003 color:guitar
bar:Rascón  from:09/01/2011 till:05/01/2016 color:guitar
bar:Rascón  from:11/06/2022 till:end color:guitar
bar:Rayna  from:01/01/1993 till:08/15/1999 color:bass
bar:Rayna  from:01/01/2000 till:10/01/2001 color:bass
bar:Tor from:01/01/1993 till:12/01/1995 color:drums
bar:Cox from:12/01/1995 till:10/04/2002 color:drums
bar:Cox from:09/01/2011 till:05/01/2016 color:drums
bar:Cox from:11/06/2022 till:end color:drums
bar:Nadja from:08/15/1999 till:01/01/2000 color:bass
bar:Nadja from:10/01/2001 till:07/01/2003 color:bass
bar:Nadja from:10/31/2013 till:05/01/2016 color:bass
bar:Nadja from:11/06/2022 till:end color:bass
bar:Chela from:09/01/2011 till:10/31/2013 color:bass

</timeline>

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions									Sales	Certifications
		US <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	US Heat. <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	AUS <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite journalTemplate:Cbignore</ref>	FIN <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	FRA <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>			GER <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	NLD <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	NZ <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	UK <ref name="uk">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Coal Chamber	Released: February 11, 1997 Label: Roadrunner	—	10	—	—	—	—	—	—	76	US: 448,000<ref name="Soundscan">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	RIAA: Gold<ref name="RIAA" />
Chamber Music	Released: September 7, 1999 Label: Roadrunner	22	—	29	18	70	70	49	22	21	US: 272,000<ref name="Soundscan" />
Dark Days	Released: May 7, 2002 Label: Roadrunner	34	—	61	—	69	61	—	—	43	US: 200,000<ref name=":7" />
Rivals	Released: May 19, 2015 Label: Napalm	82	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Compilation albums

Title	Date	Label
Giving the Devil His Due	August 19, 2003	Roadrunner
The Best of Coal Chamber	August 9, 2004
The Complete Roadrunner Collection (1997–2003)	March 12, 2013
Loco	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Woah Dad!

Singles

Year	Title	Peak chart positions		Album
		US Main. <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	UK <ref name="uk"/>
1997	"Loco"	—	80	Coal Chamber
	"Big Truck"	—	—
1998	"Sway"	—	—
1999	"Not Living"	—	—	Chamber Music
	"Shock the Monkey" (featuring Ozzy Osbourne)	26	83
	"Tyler's Song"	—	—
	"Notion"	—	—
2002	"Fiend"	—	—	Dark Days
2015	"I.O.U. Nothing"	—	—	Rivals
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Music videos

Year	Song	Director(s)
1997	"Loco"	Nathan Cox
1999	"Shock the Monkey" (featuring Ozzy Osbourne)	Dean Karr
2002	"Fiend"	P. R. Brown
2015	"I.O.U. Nothing"
	"Rivals"

External links

• Template:Official website
• {{#ifeq: | yes

| https://www.allmusic.com/Template:Trim/Template:Trim{{

 #if: 
 | /{{{tab}}}
 }}

| {{#if:

 | {{#if: 
   | {{#if: |[[{{{author-link}}}|{{#if: |, {{{first}}} }}]]|{{#if: |, {{{first}}} }}}}. 
   }}[https://www.allmusic.com/Template:Trim/Template:Trim{{
   #if: 
   | /{{{tab}}}
   }} {{
   #if: 
   | {{{title}}}
   | Template:PAGENAMEBASE
   }}] at AllMusic{{
   #if: 
   | . Retrieved .
   }}

 | {{#if: {{#property:P1728}}
   | Template:First word {{#if:  | {{{title}}} | Template:PAGENAMEBASE }} at AllMusicTemplate:EditAtWikidata

   | {{#if: {{#property:P1729}}
     | Template:First word {{#if:  | {{{title}}} | Template:PAGENAMEBASE }} at AllMusicTemplate:EditAtWikidata

     | {{#if: {{#property:P1730}}
       | Template:First word {{#if:  | {{{title}}} | Template:PAGENAMEBASE }} at AllMusicTemplate:EditAtWikidata

       | {{#if: {{#property:P1994}}
         | Template:First word {{#if:  | {{{title}}} | Template:PAGENAMEBASE }} at AllMusicTemplate:EditAtWikidata

         | Template:Main other

         }}
       }}
     }}
   }}
 }}

}}

• {{#if:|Template:PAGENAMEBASE discography at Discogs|{{#if:Template:Wikidata|Template:Wikidata Template:PAGENAMEBASE discography at DiscogsTemplate:EditAtWikidata|Template:PAGENAMEBASE discography at Discogs}}}}