Chastain

One of numerous musical projects spearheaded by indefatigable guitarist David T. Chastain, the legendary heavy metal band that bears his name has been a fixture in America's underground metal scene for over two decades. First formed in 1985, and based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Chastain was immediately signed to the shred-loving Shrapnel label, and also featured ex-Rude Girl vocalist Leather Leone, bassist Mike Skimmerhorn, and future Cinderella drummer Fred Coury. This quartet performed on Chastain's debut, "Mystery of Illusion." Much better was 1986's "Ruler of the Wasteland," which was recorded with Coury's successor Ken Mary and, along with Leviathan Records 1987 release "The Seventh of Never," is still considered by many to be Chastain's finest hour. New bassist David Harbour made his debut on 1988's "The Voice of the Cult." Roadrunner Records' 1990 release "For those who Dare" saw drummer John Luke Hebert replacing Mary, who was off to join Alice Cooper. Both John and David Harbour eventually went on to play in King Diamond. As if on cue, grunge took over in a big way during the early 90's, driving heavy metal into the cellar, and David Chastain into other solo pursuits. David toyed with the idea of adding a male vocalist but in 1994 met powerhouse vocalist Kate French in LA. It wasn't until 1995 that a new Chastain album, "Sick Society," would surface, and even though the band's basic metal sound remained intact, both it and 1997's "In Dementia" (David's favorite Chastain CD) contained a new-line-up rounded out by singer Kate French, bassist Kevin Kekes, and former Trouble drummer Dennis Lesh. This second coming was to be a brief one, however, and the band Chastain would once again vanish for many years as David released Cds from his new bands Zanister and Southern Gentlemen, before finally returning with 2004's "In an Outrage" album which featured x-Vicious Rumor's bassist Dave Starr and Drummer Larry Howe. As to the future of Chastain, David states, "I am always writing metal music so hopefully a new Chastain Cd will see the light of day at some point in the future!"