Chastain Stump Metal Guitar Heroes Blues Fusion Improv New Age All Home

CHASTAIN
"The 7th of Never"

The 7th Of Never was the third album for the group CHASTAIN. This Cd has been remastered and repackaged in 2001. This is the original bio when the Cd was originally released.

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 who is 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 Studios that the album was mixed by Steve Fontano, who served in the same capacity for Icon, WASP, and Tony MacAlpine.

"The 7th Of Never", title track on the LP, is "a futuristic vision of Armageddon as viewed 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."

This cd is regarded as a classic amongst most CHASTAIN fans!!

Excellent music from one of the best US based metal bands of all time.
David T. Chastain-Guitars
Leather-Vocals
Mike Skimmerhorn-Bass, vocals
Ken Mary-Drums

Chastain Cds at Leviathan Records.
Chastain 7th of Never era picture