Founded in 2005 by Chris Schatz (vocals, guitar), Alex (drums), Andy (bass) and Wiff (keyboard) under the name PRISTINE, it takes this band merely six months to make it into the final of the 15 best bands of the OE3-Radio Soundcheck. The video of the song “Leave me with a smile” is broadcast by GoTV and just in Oktober 2005 their debut album “One” is published by the independent label ATS.
2006 turns out to be a year full of work: master mind Chris is busy writing and composing new songs and the band plays quite a lot of concerts thus perfecting their sound. A search for new partners for the upcoming second album brings them into contact with the German label Chrysalis Edition One Louder which backs their activities in Germany from then on.
During the OE3-Radio Soundcheck in 2007 PRISTINE is noticed by Sony BMG Austria. They publish the single “Supernatural” which shoots up into the Top 20 of the charts. In autumn 2007 producer Alexander Kahr (Christina Stürmer, Luttenberger-Klug) contacts the band. PRISTINE and other “New Austrians” perform together the song “Kinder” for the charity organisation “Licht ins Dunkel”. This single too is widely successful and earns them two nominations for the Amadeus award.
In January 2008 PRISTINE is honoured with the Austrian Newcomer Award for the best new rock band. This underlines once more that they are not only brilliant in the studio but also a terrific live band. The next single “Hurt” – produced by Fabio Trentini (GUANO APES, H-BLOCKX) – is their first single to be published also in Germany and has reasonable success on the German radio. The Christmas song “Come home” is broadcast during the festival season by Austrian and German radio stations.
But with success comes trouble. Their mounting presence in Germany brings the guys into conflict with a German punk band of the same name. A lawyer orders them to change their name. Thus PRISTINE becomes ZEALMEN.
But these guys can’t be pushed down for long. With renewed energy and a new drummer, Bernhard Welz, they start to record their second album. Early in 2005 the single “I (oh, I)” is published as a forerunner and in May the long player “Daytuner” follows, displaying once more their unique and fresh style.

Source : Ravenlady