Chateaux were born out of Cheltenham’s heavy metal underground in 1981, rising from their short-lived incarnation as Stealer to become cult heroes of the NWOBHM scene. With Krys Mason (vocals/bass), Tim Broughton (guitar), and Chris Dadson (drums), they delivered raw, rebellious anthems across three full-lengths which are “Chained and Desperate” (1983), “FirePower” (1984), and “Highly Strung” (1985). Their track “Young Blood” on Ebony Records’ Metal Maniaxe compilation cemented their place among the movement’s fiercest new names, while a brief collaboration with powerhouse vocalist Steve Grimmett added extra firepower.

Though they split in 1986, Chateaux’s music never faded. Sanctuary Records kept their flame alive with “Fight to the Last!” The Anthology (2003), and in 2024 the band’s legacy was celebrated with “Spirit of the Chateaux,” a boxed set that reintroduced their thunderous riffs to a new generation. With themes of motorcycles, rebellion, and rock ’n’ roll, Chateaux remain a cult name in heavy metal history — a band whose spirit still rides loud and free.