CHASTAIN’s Mystery of Illusion: A Dark Jewel of 80s Metal

Monday, 22 September 2025 19:41

CHASTAIN’s Mystery of Illusion: A Dark Jewel of 80s Metal

Written by Rick Patterfield

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L to R: David Chastain, John Luke Hébert, Leather Leone, David Harbour Photo credits: Mark Alexander & Pat Johnson

CHASTAIN Mystery Of Illusion
© 1985 Shrapnel Records / © 2020 The Orchard / Divebomb Records DIVE 207
11 tracks = 46'19"

Who was the strangest rock/metal guitar virtuoso of the 1980s? Joe Satriani? Hmmm. One Yngwie J. Malmsteen? No way! Being cover darlings of so many music and musicians’ magazines back then, both of them were “normal” (should I say “maintream”?) artists, who had contracts with major music labels and hence good promotional budgets, massive world tours, coverage in quality media etc.

Nothing against Mr. Satriani and Mr. Malmsteen in person, but the most idiosyncratic metal guitar player of the era was Cincinnati very own David T. Chastain, “most hard-working guitar player in the music business”, as he was called once in Metal Hammer magazine. Indeed, in 1985–1990 only David recorded and released nine albums: five with Chastain band, two with CJSS and two as a solo artist. Period.

But David was no stranger to what may be called underground ideology: the very term “commercial” was definitely a bad word to him. He disbanded his first professional band Spike (or Spike!) after just one LP in 1983 “because that band’s album was so commercial” (LP The Price Of Pleasure, 1983), and started a band called CJSS (Chastain / Jinkens / Skimmerhorn / Sharp). He began to work on solo instrumental tracks with CJSS around 1984, which led to contact with Shrapnel Records’ president Mike Varney.

Mike offers David a contract for two LPs and helps to construct Chastain, the band. Bassist Mike Skimmerhorn was David’s cohort, while Mike recommended female vocalist Leather Leone (ex-Rude Girl, all-girl California band which promised so much but did almost nothing) and future Cinderella drummer Fred Coury (“Varney knew everybody!”). So Chastain, the band, was on its way to (underground) glory.

CHASTAIN - Mystery Of Illusion

Artwork by Lionel Baker II

CHASTAIN Mystery Of Illusion Track

1. Black Knight

2. When The Battle's Over

3. Mystery Of Illusion

4. I've Seen Tomorrow

5. Endlessly

6. I Fear No Evil

7. Night Of The Gods

8. We Shall Overcome

9. The Winds Of Change

BONUS DEMO TRACKS
10. Mystery Of Illusion

11. The Winds Of Change

1. Black Knight

2. When The Battle's Over

3. Mystery Of Illusion

4. I've Seen Tomorrow

5. Endlessly

6. I Fear No Evil

7. Night Of The Gods

8. We Shall Overcome

9. The Winds Of Change

BONUS DEMO TRACKS
10. Mystery Of Illusion

11. The Winds Of Change

Mystery Of Illusion, Chastain’s debut LP, became quite a mini sensation for the US guitar players community at least. Definitely, it wasn't a commercial product: it got quite a rude, strangely non-American sound, although everybody may understand that it was a good example of what everybody can call “a techno underground record”. Dio-era Black Sabbath and first album of Dio, the band, came to mind and Leather Leone may be contender for the position of next “female Dio”, right after Ann Boleyn of Hellion band. But in truth it was simply modern (for 1985) melodic heavy metal of cosmopolitan nature, even not without what you can call “near-hits” (When The Battle’s Over, I Fear No Evil and We Shall Overcome).

What is truly outstanding here, it’s absolutely unique, even 40 years later, riffs and guitar solos, nowhere near more expressive than in the very complex-structured title track itself. No wonder that some printed publications of the day called David “first real American guitar hero since Eddie Van Halen”.

But anyway, David and his band didn’t belong to the mainstream at all, it’s just pure cult, but in the best sense of this term. Not so in Europe — David as a solo artist and bandleader became a person of interest for HR/HM press there, most notably for KERRANG! and Metal Hammer magazines, right until the dark days of grunge. But Mystery Of Illusion is still the real starting point of David’s long and fruitful career and a fine example of early techno metal from the practicing guitar player point of view.

This CD is a fourth installment in Divebomb Records’ Chastain albums re-issue campaign (after The 7th Of Never, The Voice Of The Cult and original, band’s mix of For Those Who Dare) and a first album’s CD re-release since 2011. Another part of the interview with David and Leather together with songs’ lyrics, archive photos and press clipping of the day are presented in the booklet, and here are two bonus tracks—demo versions of The Winds Of Change and title track itself, both recorded at the band's rehearsal. That’s what I called “collector’s edition”!

Buy Mystery Of Illusion directly from Divebomb Records

https://divebombrecords.bigcartel.com/product/chastain-mystery-of-illusion-anniversary-edition

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Published in Rock, Prog-Rock, Metal

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Rick Patterfield

Rick Patterfield is a dedicated and experienced music journalist and columnist who specializes in Heavy Metal, Progressive, and NWOBHM genres. His name suggests a deep historical interest in British culture and his Anglo-Saxon medieval heritage.

With a career spanning over thirty years, Rick has contributed to numerous renowned music magazines, websites, and radio programs. He has earned a reputation for his insightful reviews and in-depth interviews with some of the biggest names in the metal scene. His passion for the genre is evident in his work, as he consistently delivers engaging content that resonates with die-hard fans and newcomers alike.

Beyond his written work, Rick is also a sought-after speaker at music festivals and conferences, where he shares his extensive knowledge and unique perspectives on the evolution of heavy metal and its subgenres. He is an experienced host a popular podcasts that delve into the intricacies of metal music, featuring exclusive interviews with artists and industry experts.

Rick's commitment to preserving metal's rich history while championing new talent has solidified his standing as a key figure in the metal journalism community.

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Rick Patterfield is a fictional character resembling Suley Era Editorial collective.

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