When it comes to the future of thrash metal, it’s safe to say the genre is in perfectly good hands with Florida-based teen metal outfit Chained Saint. Following the release of their raw and razor-sharp 2024 debut album, Blindside, produced by none other than William DuVall of Alice In Chains, Chained Saint have continued to keep the spirit of thrash metal alive through their commanding live shows and youthful, punk and hardcore-inflected energy.
While the members of Chained Saint may be teenagers, the band exists in defiance of the digital age, with an uncanny ability to channel the raw and analog sounds of classic acts such as Death, Metallica, Megadeth, and Exodus, which will surely make any of their thrash forefathers proud.
Having recently wrapped up a high-profile appearance at the Louder Than Life Festival in Louisville, KY, Chained Saint, which features vocalist Sean Sterling, guitarist Ethan Kahn, bassist Sebastian De Avilla, and drummer Cameron Cottrell, have re-emerged with a brand-new EP titled RISE TO FALL, due for release on October 9th. With the release of their venomous new single, “Punk,” an under-two-minute ripper aimed at those who fake the funk, Chained Saint are seemingly entering their most energized and urgent era yet.
With their new EP RISE TO FALL set to drop on October 9th, Chained Saint guitarist Ethan Kahn joined us to reflect on ten albums that have had a profound impact on the band's fresh yet classic thrash metal sound. From Exodus to Megadeath and Sepultura and Black Sabbath, these are the albums that shaped Chained Saint's sound!
Symbolic - Death
My favorite among all the Death records, mostly due to [Guitarist] Chuck Schuldiner’s tone and harmonies. This record is what prompted me to purchase my first real amp head, being the same Marshall Valvestate 8100 that I used for the majority of the writing of Blindside. His approach on harmonies through 5ths was very influential to harmonies on the record.
Satisfaction Is the Death of Desire - Hatebreed
This really should be higher up in the list. However, I am keeping it down here since the others had inspired me over a much longer period. This record has and continues to inspire me to write the hardest breakdown known to mankind.
La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume One - White Zombie
I had to add this pick because I simply just love this record. [Guitarist] Jay Noel Yuenger’s work on this was super inspirational to me on some of these newer songs and how he applies groove.
Vol. 4 - Black Sabbath
This record shaped how I wanted my tone to be for a long time early on. Alongside being a riff powerhouse, I was super inspired to continue learning more about songwriting and tone from this record.
How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can’t Even Smile Today - Suicidal Tendencies
All these songs are just so awesome. Another riff-heavy record, top to bottom. This particular record had an impact on my songwriting and soloing.
Peace Sells... but Who’s Buying? - Megadeth
Another record that had a tight hold on me at fourteen. I absolutely love this record, and when first getting into guitar and metal, finding this was a holy grail. We used to jam songs like “Wake Up Dead” or “Devil’s Island” at practice or soundchecks. Chris Poland’s guitar work shaped how I looked at phrasing on my solos.
Bonded by Blood - Exodus
This record alone had such a massive influence on me at fourteen years old, turning me on to wanting to just play fast and shred. The Bay Area sound has a huge impact on the band’s sound, and mine especially.
Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form - Crowbar
The absolute motherlode of tone and riffs. How could I not include this in the top 3? The riffs alone on this album have completely reshaped how I go about trying to make a groove.
Cowboys From Hell - Pantera
Riff after riff with this one. It keeps pushing from start to finish on every track, absolutely blowing me away the first time I heard riffs on songs like “Psycho Holiday” or “Message in Blood.” This record had a huge influence on my songwriting and riffage.
Arise - Sepultura
This album is where it all begins for me. There isn’t another band that had such an impact on my playing style and sound like Sepultura, and this record, above all else, is my favorite.
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