Coal Chamber, are proof that you can snatch success from the jaws of defeat. The band's explosion on the hard-rock scene proves, hard work, determination, innovation, and confidence can overcome any obstacle--even the ones artists put before themselves. Whereas less than two years ago, the very existence of the band was in doubt, Coal Chamber is now taking their unique brand of music and road-tested performance to new heights.

Here are the up-to-the-minute, hard numbers on Coal Chamber's self-titled debut album, released in February of1997: over 100,000 copies shipped, with sales climbing to approximately 3,000 a week. Spectacular figures for a band that is, just now, breaking through at rock radio for the first time. The single, "Loco," is getting airplay on influential stations like WRCX (Chicago, IL), 93X KXXR (Minneapolis,MN), WAZU (Columbus,OH), WBUZ (Toledo,OH), WKLQ (Grand Rapids, MI) and a host of others, including a rousing appearance on the nationally syndicated MANCOW morning show. The nightmarish video for "Loco," directed by longtime band friend Nathan Cox in October, is now set to send shockwaves through MTV, M2, and every regional outlet it can invade.

It was relentless touring that got Coal Chamber to this point in their careers. "We don't like being at home," admits frontman Dez "If we're home for an extended period of time, we feel like we're not doing our job" Well, the band has been doing their job, and doing it damn well: following their triumphant European debut last spring and their high-profile slot on last summer's already legendary Ozzfest, the band jumped into the opening slot of the Pantera/Machine Head tour at the personal request of Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul. Next up came another cross-country jaunt as openers for Type O Negative. All along, this nonstop touring machine has received rave reviews for their manic and dramatic performances, which have called "the musical equivalent of an exorcism" for their intensity and emotional output.

It's that intensity-fueled by personal and musical turbulence-that has earmarked Coal Chamber for success from the beginning. The group came together in the spring of 1994 and produced a self-financed demo which caught the ears of Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares and producer Ross Robinson. The two brought the demo to the attention of Roadrunner Records, who promptly offered the band a deal in the fall of 1995.

Personal trauma ripped Dez from Coal Chamber for a short period of time. His life experience played a big part in the music that came out of the recording sessions for their first Roadrunner album. Dez and his bandmates are taking full advantage of the new beginning that his return afforded them.

The band continues to rack up acclaim in the press, with coverage in Alternative Press, Request, Thrasher, Metal Maniacs, Live Wire, Bass Player, Hit Parader, Metal Edge, and especially Kerrang! (which voted the band Best International Act at their 1997 Kerrang! Awards ceremony). The group has also been featured in over 30,000 classrooms as part of a CNN cable program called "Cable In The Classroom." Finally, Coal Chamber's career got a huge boost last August when Sharon Osbourne, wife and manager of Ozzy Osbourne, decided to manage the band--the first new act she has taken on in a decade.

This is just the beginning. Most importantly, don't look for Coal Chamber to tone down their approach or get off the road until sometime after you can ice skate on the lakes of Hell. Despite the band's rapidly blossoming success, they're still driven by the same demons that first ignited the band's music. "We thrive on that," remarks Dez. "That's what drives us and gives us our edge. That's what keeps it real."

That's Coal Chamber. Right now.