It’s uncommon to find a collective of passionate young thrash metal artists making critically important strides in the music industry—after all, how frequently enough does fresh talent emerge in this manner? With their recent appearances at prominent festivals such as Louder Than Existence, Welcome To Rockville, and Van’s Warped Tour while balancing academic responsibilities during the week, they are certainly capturing attention.
Vocalist Sean Sterling was unable to join our discussion with guitarist Ethan kahn, as his studies were demanding his time. Still, the band values education despite their burgeoning success. Kahn expressed his views on music education: “What is taught in schools about music frequently enough diverges from real-world experiences. It tends to emphasize theoretical knowledge over nurturing creativity as an art form. many students who attend music institutions eventually become educators themselves.” For this talented group of youngsters, managing both academics and their musical aspirations appears entirely achievable.
Chained Saint has swiftly made a name for themselves within the metal scene. Their debut album titled Blindside, scheduled for release in 2024, showcases guitarist Ethan Kahn (18), bassist Sebastian De Avila (19), vocalist Sean Sterling (19), and drummer Cameron cottrell (19). They have already attracted attention from major festivals and radio outlets like SiriusXM’s Liquid Steel Channel along with notable publications such as Guitar World, Revolver, and Loudwire.They’ve even piqued the interest of iconic bands like Mastodon and Judas priest; William DuVall from Alice In Chains has stepped into a mentorship role for them—remarkable considering they’ve only been active for about a year!
Squeezing in some time between classes and assignments, Ethan Kahn spoke with Steel Injection, reflecting on what an exhilarating year 2025 has been leading up to their performance at Orlando’s Warped Tour.
The Birth of Chained saint
Kahn: We all crossed paths while attending the same music school multiple times each week where I formed close friendships with Sean [Sterling] and Sebastian [De Avila]. Cameron [Cottrell] was part of my high school guitar class; we connected over our mutual love for music when I discovered he played drums. Initially jamming on covers in my garage led us to realize we wanted to craft original compositions—that’s how Chained saint came into existence.
Amazing Growth Amidst Recognition by Metal Icons
A memorable highlight last year occurred when rob Halford mentioned us during an interview with Full Metal Jackie:
“I enjoy discovering new bands; recently I’ve been listening to one called Chained Saint from Florida who just released a track off their upcoming album.”
This acknowledgment came shortly after our debut album launched! I vividly recall walking into my kitchen where my parents excitedly asked if I’d seen what had happened—it felt surreal knowing someone like Halford appreciated our work! It provided an electrifying surge of motivation.
Navigating Guidance From Industry Titans Like DuVall
Kahn: William is an remarkable mentor—he sets high expectations while fostering creativity among us. he emphasized how vital it is to slow down musically—even though we’re recognized for fast-paced thrash metal—to ensure that every note serves its purpose beyond mere speed. His insistence on recording using analog tape added another layer of authenticity; there were no retakes which made every decision crucial during production.
An Unexpected Stage Experience at Louder Than Existence
Kahn:The day started early—we arrived by 9 AM for load-in before our scheduled slot at 11 AM—but due to lightning warnings everything got postponed by stage manager Kenny who informed us we had no choice but return later once conditions improved.
Disappointment doesn’t begin to cover it considering this wasn’t even our first cancellation this past year! Last May we faced similar circumstances right before opening up for Alice In Chains when Jerry Cantrell informed us that show would also be canceled due health concerns regarding Sean Kinney.
Afterward though we enjoyed some milkshakes together trying not dwell too much until heading back home only find out more shows were canceled again—all thanks again apparently connected back Kenny!