Chimaira has had one hell of a year, with both of their guitarists leaving, singer Mark Hunter getting arrested, and oh yeah, a solid new album. Now, as one of the replacements, they’ve officially hired Daath guitarist Emil Werstler as their lead guitarist. The band confirmed this via a post on their website. It’s not like Werstler was new to the band – he was their touring bassist this past year, and played rhythm guitar for them a few years back.

We are pleased to announce that Emil Werstler will be handling lead guitar duties for Chimaira in 2012

Fans already know Emil from the Coming Alive DVD, the insane guitar solo at the end of “Samsara”, and most recently on stage playing bass for The Age Of Hell tour.

For those that don’t know, time to get familiarized. Listed as one of modern metal’s most important guitar players, Mr. Emil Werstler.

This also makes vocalist Mark Hunter the only original member on the band, and for those of you playing along at home, makes Chimaira officially half-Daath, since Sean Zatorsky is the band’s keyboardist after the departure of Chris Spicuzza earlier this year. It’ll be interesting to hear what new material from the band sounds like, as the Age Of Hell in and of itself was somewhat of a departure from the band’s earlier sound.