Welcome to Albums That Shaped My Sound, our new series where we ask artists to choose ten of the most influential albums that have had a profound impact on their sound and ultimately, their lives. This week, the French kings of goth-inflected metalcore TSS (formerly The Sunday Sadness) join us to discuss the records and artists that have inspired their undeniable, genre-fluid sound.
Fresh off the release of their latest single, "Die In Your Arms," a synth-driven ripper with emotive vocals, crushing breakdowns, and pop hooks, TSS, which consists of Matthieu Kirby (vocals), John Fine (vocals, guitar), Hugo Peix (drums), and Tom Saulnier (guitar), are further cementing their place on the global stage as one of the most compelling new acts in metalcore.
In late 2025, TSS released END OF TIME, their third studio album and first with Fearless Records, and have since graced the stages of major festivals, including Sick New World and Resurrection Fest, and recently completed their first U.S. tour with JILUKA this past spring. Whether they are singing in their native French or in English, TSS have an innate ability to convey relatable emotions and forge a genuine connection with their rapidly expanding audience, and are poised to become household names in no time.
From Green Day to Sleep Token, and Blink-182 to Motionless In White, TSS break down the albums that have shaped their undeniable sound. Read below.
Matthieu Kirby (Vocals)
The Black Parade - My Chemical Romance
The Black Parade is an album with lyrics that have touched me the most. Every song is a reminder of how heartbreaking life can be, yet we still feel accompanied and reassured by Gerard Way, whose interpretation is unique, somewhere between vocal performance and acting. There is definitely an inexplicable bond between this album and its fans, but also among the fans themselves.
Withering to Death. - Dir En Grey
Withering to Death. was my gateway into Japanese music when I was still a child. Kyo is a major inspiration, not only because of his style but also because of the way he sings, shifting from desperate, hateful screams to incredibly powerful, high-pitched vocals that are almost feminine. His voice is so expressive that I can feel an intense sense of depression and fatality in just a few syllables, even without understanding the language.
Creatures - Motionless In White
Creatures was the first album by Motionless In White that I ever listened to. I was deeply moved by the way the band presented themselves with very gothic, vampiric, and androgynous looks in such an unapologetic way. The theatrical way Chris Motionless sings also resonates with me a lot. It reminds me of what I love about Visual kei. I feel it's a vocal style that is uncommon in the Western world.
John Fine (Vocals, Guitar)
Meteora - Linkin Park
This is the album that introduced me to metal and the alternative world. It opened a door that's never really closed since.
Hypochondriac - brakence
It's become rare for me to feel something truly fresh when I listen to music nowadays, and brakence managed to make me experience something new. This album is the peak of "less is more," and I learned a lot from it.
Caché derrière - Laurent Voulzy
Pure nostalgia. My dad used to play this album all the time in the car when I was a kid. The mix is timeless. I'm still amazed by how good it sounds for an early '90s album. It's also a huge reference point for me stylistically when I write lyrics in French.
Hugo Peix (Drums)
Take Me Back To Eden - Sleep Token
This album changed the way I see metal. The drummer's creativity, the singer's lyrics, and the blend of styles left a huge impression on me.
After Hours - The Weeknd
To me, this is one of the greatest albums of all time in terms of production, atmosphere, and toplines. I also love the drummer's interpretation when he plays these songs live.
Tom Saulnier (Guitar)
American Idiot - Green Day
A true gateway into alternative culture for me. I discovered a completely different way of approaching music, not only through the sound, but also through the aesthetic and even the themes being explored. Something more engaged, provocative, and free.
Blink-182 (Self-Titled) - Blink-182
A very minimalistic and sincere album. It relies heavily on melodies and emotions. There's something very raw and authentic about the songwriting, while also embracing artistic risks and sonic experimentation that give the whole record a lot of depth.
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