Displaying items by tag: Shrapnel Records

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.

Written by John Ivan - GuitarSlinger

It’s always a special feeling to return to Musicians Institute (MI) — the place where my American musical journey began. My time there is etched in memory with warmth and excitement: it was my first trip to the U.S., I studied under some of MI’s finest instructors, met lifelong friends and serious musicians, and made my first real connections in the professional music industry out West.

I’ve been keeping an eye on MI’s events ever since — they consistently bring in legendary artists and put on one-of-a-kind clinics and performances you simply won’t find anywhere else in California. One such event was the recent clinic featuring the iconic Tony MacAlpine and young shred sensation Luis Kalil, held on Wednesday, July 30th, 2025, at the MI Concert Hall.