Maximum Metal Discusses Exclusive Shows with Chastain’s Leather Leone, Benedictum’s Veronica Freeman, A Sound of Thunder’s Nina Osegueda
by Eric Compton
6/20/14
Beginning on June 26th in Springfield, VA, metal icon Leather Leone (Chastain, Sledge/Leather) will step into a different role by fronting San Diego’s Benedictum to perform Chastain songs. The exclusive three date run will continue on June 27th in Atlantic City, NJ and wrapping with “Warriors of Metal” on June 28th in Columbus, OH. In addition to the performance of Leather with the Benedictum band, the three shows will also feature a full set from Benedictum with vocalist Veronica Freeman and support from A Sound of Thunder.
Eric Compton of Maximum Metal recently spoke with all three vocalists about the exclusive shows and how the concept began.
Leather Leone explains, “Since the ‘V’ (Benedictum vocalist Veronica Freeman) and I have been in touch and in the studio, certain opportunities have come up that we feel strongly about taking part in. Veronica and Benedictum have been extremely generous with their talents to include me”.
“When it was brought to my attention that Chastain was not going to tour I thought it would be a fun way to make it all happen. A Benedictum set and also a chance for Leather to get out there and do her thing and also a cool package. When it came to pass that Nina Osegueda from A Sound of Thunder was on board to put it all together then the rest fell into place”, said Veronica Freeman.
A Sound of Thunder vocalist Nina Osegueda adds, ““Veronica and I met at ‘Flight of the Valkyries’ in St. Paul, MN in 2009. Since then we've spoken a lot about doing shows together, so when Veronica said she wanted to do some shows to lead up to ‘Warriors of Metal’ (6/28/14) I figured that would be a great opportunity!”
Classic metal fans cherish Chastain, holding albums like “Ruler of the Wasteland” (1986) and “The 7th of Never” (1987) in high regard, but rarely see Chastain’s songs performed live. The band’s anchor, virtuoso phenom David Chastain, rarely tours the live version of the band, one of the many reasons why these shows are so unique.
When asked about touring old and new Chastain material without the band’s leading man, Leather responds, “Chastain is very supportive of me getting out there again. He is not interested in playing out anymore. Even back in the day I don't think he was overwhelmed with running around the country losing money, losing sleep. He basically ran everything, so he's done. I on the other hand, did my job without worrying about the business aspect. It was different for me.”
Benedictum released their debut full-length, “Uncreation”, in 2006, twenty-one years after the Chastain debut “Mystery of Illusion”. Veronica explains the first time she became a fan of Leather. “To be completely honest I had heard of her because when Benedictum first came out I was compared to her a lot. So I checked her out and I totally ‘got it’. I became a fan of hers the first time I heard her, but honestly, even more so the first time I spoke with her on the phone.”
To read the full article, which also features insight on the new A Sound of Thunder album as well as Veronica Freeman’s solo album, please visit HERE.
June 26th - Empire in Springfield, VA
June 27th - Le Grand Fromage in Atlantic City, NJ
June 28th - O’Sheckys in Columbus, OH.
Chastain - http://www.facebook.com/davidt.chastain
Leather - http://www.facebook.com/leatherleone
Benedictum - https://www.facebook.com/Benedictum.Official
A Sound of Thunder - https://www.facebook.com/ASoundOfThunder
Maximum Metal – https://www.maximummetal.com
