David T. Chastain

During the 1980s peak of guitar shredders, instrumentalists such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Yngwie Malmsteen captured most of the spotlight and record sales, while David T. Chastain pursued an equally lengthy career without matching their visibility. His technical command of the instrument enables fluid delivery of rapid neo-classical passages, which has fueled a steady output of recordings since the mid-'80s, whether issued under his own name or through the groups Chastain and CJSS. Mike Varney's Shrapnel label, known for spotlighting technically accomplished rock guitarists, became one of his first homes and yielded the shredder classics Mystery of Illusion and Ruler of the Wasteland. Countdown to Infinity appeared on Leviathan in 2007.