Artist description Guitarist David T. Chastain and vocalist Leather Leone fronted this all star metal band between the years 1985-1990. The band released 5 stellar Cds that won the band rave reviews worldwide. The band had a video in 1990 that was a regular staple on MTV's Headbangers Ball during that era. One of the best true US metal bands of all time.

Music Style Traditional Metal with neoclassical influences

Musical Influences Maiden, Dio, Priest and other like artists.

Similar Artists Maiden, Dio, Priest and other like artists.

Artist History CHASTAIN The 7th Of NeverThe 7th Of Never is the third album for the group CHASTAIN. Critically acclaimed world-wide for their powerful brand of music, the band is comprised of lead guitarist DAVID T. CHASTAIN, vocalist LEATHER, drummer KEN MARY, and bassist MIKE SKIMMERHORN.David T. spurs his band mates on, and undertakes the responsibility of traveling from coast to coast to record the albums. Rarely is one man totally involved and dedicated to every aspect of his craft. The members of CHASTAIN originally came together under the aegis of heavy metal guitar expert and record executive Mike Varney, who had been receiving demo tapes form the guitarist for several months.It was Varney who encouraged Chastain to form a recording unit, and offered to release an album on his Shrapnel Records label.At that time, LEATHER was fronting an all female band in San Francisco called Rude Girl, who were garnering strong press attention and interest from some major labels. When the group disbanded before they signed a contract, Varney brought her to Chastain's attention and the two hit it off from the start. Recalls the vocalist:"David sent me his tapes, which were pretty dramatic. My first ambition was to do musical theater, so I'm obviously into drama. CHASTAIN provides me with the opportunity to do just that."In November 1984, Mystery of Illusion, the debut CHASTAIN album was recorded at Prairie Sun Studios in San Francisco. The first time the whole band met face to face was in the studio; previously their relationship had been entirely on the telephone. "I liked him immediately," LEATHER states. "He's very magical.There's a great aura of peace of mind about him." Thus began mutual admiration society; Chastain says of the singer: "She's probably the best in the world." On that first release, drums were played by FRED COURY, also a Varney reference, and CHASTAIN's band mate SKIMMERHORN was recruited to play bass. Thus, the picture was complete.That is, until COURY joined Cinderella and a replacement was needed for the second CHASTAIN band effort being readied. Once again, with Varney's help, the slot was filled by MARY. "We really work well together," offers the drummer whois currently on the road with Alice Cooper. Previously having recorded with TKO,Fifth Angel and Don Dokken. CHASTAIN is "always a challenge.Learning the material off the demo tapes DAVID sends me is a unique opportunity,and the spontaneity of shorter rehearsals make it more fun to do it DAVID's way."MARY made his debut with the band on CHASTAIN's second LP, Ruler Of The Wasteland, released in August, 1986. Of that album, Kerrang! Magazine said,"...majestic Metal stuffed to the bursting point with all the guitar heroics you could possibly want...and all done in the best possible taste!" MARY simply attests: "This is some of the best Metal music around!"The 7th Of Never reunites these four musicians and once again creates that special chemistry which each one refers to. It is a feeling which is inherent in the music and the people, not the studio in which LP was recorded ..because each part was recorded at a different location. Says Chastain, "Initially, I recorded the demo tape in my home studio playing all the parts. Then I transferred it to tape and MIKE replaced the bass and I replaced the guitars at Counterpart Studios here in Cincinnati. KEN's drum parts were recorded in Seattle with Terry Date, and LEATHER did the vocals in San Francisco. It was at this same Prairie Sun Studiosthat the album was mixed by Steve Fontano, who served in the same capacity for Icon, WASP, and Tony MacAlpine.CHASTAIN has, to date, received critical acclaim from hard rock publications around the world without benefit of videos or many concert appearances. Their brand of heavy metal music has been lauded in England, Japan, Germany, Italy,France, Belgium, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Holland, Greece, Brazil, Sweden and throughout America. Just what is it that separates this band from all others? MARYsuggests, "It's a certain feel, a certain sound we have playing together that is evident on our albums. Plus, the songs themselves contain elements with more capacity, more substance than others. There's a lot of technical musicianship evident, too. Of the songs on The 7th Of Never, CHASTAIN wrote both words and music for all but one cut. "The Wicked Are Restless" showcases LEATHER's debut lyric writing effort. She confides, "I was really pissed off the day I wrote that song. I was talking about the world in general, and people conning other people. I put it into DAVID's gothic terms." Songwriting is an area LEATHER plans to continue developing, and she feels "working with DAVID has inspired me to write. When he's a part of it, inspiration just seems to fall from the trees!""The 7th Of Never", title track on the LP, is "a futuristic vision of Armageddon asviewed from a participant from the good side," says its author. "Paradise," which is subtitled "Is Not What It Seems To Be," carries a strong message. Reveals Chastain:"The song is about your vice, whether it's cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, or meat.Everyone has their own little addiction. Whatever it is, it's a false nirvana and you're gonna lose the battle. It'll take you in the end if you don't curb it."How does band leader CHASTAIN feel about The 7th Of Never? "By far, and without a doubt this is my best guitar playing, and LEATHER's best vocals ever."As for the future, Chastain looks into his crystal ball and predicts: "We'll definitely do more albums and tour as the demand calls for it." The future certainly does lookbright for all.This cd is regarded as a classic amongst most CHASTAIN fans!!

Group Members David T. Chastain-Guitar**Leather Leone-Vocals**Mike Skimmerhorn-Bass**Ken Mary-Drums**

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Drums and Vocals

Albums http://www.diginetmusic.com

Press Reviews Go to http://www.leviathanrecords.com for press info.

Location Tyrone, GA - USA

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