Chastain Discography

[1985] Chastain - Mystery of Illusion
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[1986] Chastain - Ruler of the Wasteland
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[1987] Chastain - The 7th of Never
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[1988] Chastain - The Voice of the Cult
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[1990] Chastain - For Those Who Dare
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[1995] Chastain - Sick Society
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[1997] Chastain - In Dementia
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[2004] Chastain - In an Outrage
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One of numerous musical projects spearheaded by guitarist David T. Chastain, the heavy metal band that bears his name has been a fixture in America's underground metal scene for over two decades, but has rarely reared its head above ground. First formed in 1984, 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.

Few females in metal have the internal fortitude to go after it, to really take charge of a band and lead them into the realms of metal greatness. We've all seen our share of proverbial metal icons, all of which are male. The Geoff Tates, the Bruce Dickinsons, and the Rob Halfords of the world. But what about the other end of the spectrum, how about the other side of the fence? How many women can command that type of respect and admiration?

Sure, the world is aware of "rock" goddesses such as Pat Benatar, Lita Ford, and Joan Jett, but few can acquire that heavy metal edge that takes them into uncharted territory. Benatar won't win any metal awards. Lita was too rock oriented, and Joan Jett illuminates pop rock. So what is left for metal? Doro and her Warlock conspirators have always been true metal through and through, bellowing battle hymns from a metallic mountain that few Americans saw. Doro is and always will be a huge metal force and an inspiration for other female singers worldwide. But after Doro, what is left? Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, Lullacry, After Forever, The Gathering, etc. All of these chicks demand a certain quality from their followers, a trendy quality of gothic aspirations. These bands don't really have the drive to take it to the top, with many of these vocalists playing the part of orchestra coordinator. I personally don't like headbanging to opera, and unfortunately that seems to be the case 99% of the time with today's modern female metalists.

In steps Leather Leone. No, let's take that back a sentence. In stomps Leather Leone, with the massive footsteps, attitude, internal drive, and commanding presence to wipe the slate clean, to even up the odds and take control of the metal boulevards. Leather Leone is the supreme heavy metal force, a female fronted assault on all senses, driving home the fact that metal isn't a boy-toy, but truly a universal feeling that transcends the gender boundaries, allowing all players to make the team and play in the big game.

Leather's melodic voice can do so many things in the blink of an eye. Her magical charm can sway the most aggressive of metal fans, but at the same time she manages to use her powerful demeanor to take flight, taking aim at the fiercest of the fierce, conquering many of the same legions as Dickinson, Halford, and Tate. Did you forget about those guys yet? With her powerful falsetto she can raise the roofs of the truest metal concert halls, rivaling only Halford for control of the highest skies. With her mid-temp range, she can rock and roll all night, making the Saturday nights all right for fighting. With the greatest of ease, Leather gets downright sulky, almost sexual with her angelic serenades, a whispered voice that can soothe the mightiest giants.

So, where have we heard her? The biggest portion of her career was spent with David Chastain and his power metal offspring, Chastain. Her voice served up some of the finest US metal albums of all time from '84 through '90. Her resume includes Chastain records "Mystery Of Illusion", "Ruler Of The Wasteland", "The Seventh Of Never", "Voice Of The Cult", and "For Those Who Dare". On her own she recorded "Shock Tactics" under the name of Leather, released originally in 1989. Before Chastain she spent some time with Malibu Barbie and Rude Girl, both of which were born from the San Francisco scene.

After her last record with Chastain, "For Those Who Dare" in 1990, Leather Leone disappeared. Chastain picked up another female voice in Kate French for his band, and then the great mystery begins. Where is Leather? The last known whereabouts of this metal goddess is that she was working as a veterinarian assistant. An animal doctor? One of the finest metal voices of all time is spending the majority of her time as an animal doctor? There is nothing wrong with this if we were talking about your average guy or gal, but let's keep in mind that Leather and Doro are in my opinion the two leading ladies of all time. They are the metal queens! In this current time where opera and art dominate metal integrity, Leather's voice needs to be heard again. Megadeth says the world needs a hero, and our hero is/was working in an animal hospital!

Anyway, for me, the next in line to carry the torch would be another Leather. Haha...yes, the vocalist of a Polish Heavy Metal band, Crystal Viper who goes under the pseudonym of Leather Wych (Marta Gabriel). If you haven't heard the Crystal Viper album(they've released only one so far...The Curse of The Crystal Viper), you should give it a listen as soon as possible! It is one of the best releases of 2007.

Back to Chastain. Rumour is on the rife that Kim Goss of Sinergy fame has stepped in to do vocals for a project under the name "Fools Gold" or as a direct vocal replacment for Kate French for Chastain. Lets see what happens...