Zanister "Fear No Man"

by Metal Gods Magazine 4/22/01

ZANISTER-METAL GODS INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW WITH DAVID ZANISTER'S GUITARMAN

1) I FELT SECURITY IN ONE OF YOUR STATEMENT. WHEN YOU SAY TO FIGHT, TO RAISE THE HEAVY METAL'S TRADITIONAL FLAG. TALK ABOUT THAT.

David T. Chastain: In the US traditional heavy metal was in disfavor during the 90s as grunge took over. So many musicians either quit the business or crossed over into grunge and rap/metal. There were only the true metal bands that did not abandon ship. I make metal music because that is what I like.

2) STILL TALKING ABOUT THE SUBJECT HEAVY METAL, WHAT'S YOUR OPINION ABOUT NOT COMING UP TRADITIONAL HEAVY METAL BAND'S, AND A WAVE OF POWER METAL AND MELODIC HEAVY BANDS?

David T. Chastain: I think there are many great bands out there it is just most people have not heard of them. Metal is not dead in most places it is just underground playing to the true fans. I think there is a lot of good new blood in metal.

3)DOES A GUITARMAN AS A WRITER AND MUSICAL ARRANGER, HELP AT THE MOMENT OF RECORDING AN ALBUM?

David T. Chastain: Yes and no. Sometimes it helps to have someone else take over. On Zanister's first Cd Symphonica Millennia I purposely did not help with the mix in hopes the Cd would not sound like a Chastain Cd. However I found out that I am happiest when I am in control of most things in regards to the Cds. I appreciate everyone's input but I usually am usually the captain of the ship.

4)BY MAKING THE ALBUM "FEAR NO MAN" YOU REALLY DECIDED TO USE THE SAME CHEMISTRY ,THE SAME TONE OF THE NEW IRON MAIDEN AND ROB HALFORD'S RECORDS. DO YOU REALLY LIKE THE TRADITIONAL HEAVY METAL? TALK ABOUT THAT.

David T. Chastain: I wanted to create a more traditional metal sounding band in Zanister. I guess similar to the "good old days" of the mid 80s or so when Maiden, Dio, Chastain & Priest were all putting out great stuff. To me that era is what real metal is all about. The bottom line was I wanted a two guitar band that played metal with integrity. When I was mixing the Cd the 2 Cds I put up most often to compare it to where the new Halford and Maiden Cds.

5) THE FACT THAT SOME METAL BANDS USE EXPERIMENT SONORITIES, SAYING THAT THIS IS PROGRESS, WHAT'S YOUR OPINION ABOUT (I'M ADVANCING) MUSICAL DECREASE?

David T. Chastain: To each his own. If people are happy doing that then that is great. Music is art and art is in the eyes and ears of the beholder. While I might not like something someone else may love it. Just like my music, I certainly don't expect everyone to love it. I am not offended if they don't. Everyone is different. There is no true final answer about art.

6) WITH SO MANY SOLO WORKS AND IN PARTHERSHIP, WHAT'S YOUR PRIORITY?

David T. Chastain: That is like asking a father who is his favorite child. I love all of my bands and depending on the day of the week my answer might change. However right now I am most excited about Zanister, Southern Gentlemen and my new instrumental Cd called 'Rock Solid Guitar.'

7) WITH SO MANY BANDS AND MUSICIANS THAT DEDICATED THEIR WHOLE LIVES TO THE TRADITIONAL HEAVY, WHAT ARE THE REAL BANDS, THAT REPRESENT THIS SCENE UNTIL NOWADAYS?

David T. Chastain: Priest, Maiden, Dio, Motorhead, Manowar and a handful of others

8) IN ORDER TO CONCLUDE THIS INTERVIEW, WHAT'S THE NEXT ZANISTER'S STEP?

David T. Chastain: We want to promote Fear No Man in every way possible and then we will most likely begin the process of recording a third Cd in late 2001 or early 2002 with a release date in summer or fall of 2002.