Doncaster band Saints Among Us aim to balance intensity and vulnerability in a thrilling anthemic alternative metal sound that they describe as “dynamic, emotional and cathartic.”
The Yorkshire quintet began with brothers Brad (guitar) and Adam (drums), who shared a passion for heavy riffs and big ideas. Vocalist Maddy joined after meeting Adam in college, bringing her more melodic, softer vocals to complement the band’s intense instrumentals. Bassist Rahmaal brought an extra layer of groove and texture to their sound, while Brad’s longtime friend and guitarist Tom completed the lineup.
The band members have since crafted a captivating style that combines engaging vocals with crushing riffs and synths. They’re also big advocates of mental health, with lyrics focusing on everything from self-identity and self-worth to the belief that brokenness can be beautiful.
As Maddy explains: “Together, we’ve created a sound that’s distinctly ours – one that channels our individual influences and experiences into something powerful and real. Our sound sits at the intersection of haunting melodies and heavy instrumentation. Think passionate vocals paired with driving guitar riffs, powerful drums, and atmospheric textures that create an immersive listening experience.”
Our latest taste of this is their latest single Hunger, which was released last month. It opens up Maddy’s light vocals “I’m left with a hunger” before a wall of big guitars and synths. Maddy’s engaging vocals take over through a laid-back verse, which bursts into a big chorus “Don’t know how to say what I mean, Everytime I wonder, I’m left with a hunger, I’m left with a hunger, Don’t know if I’m stuck in a dream, Everytime I wonder, I’m left with a hunger, I’m left with a hunger.”
A second verse continues with more intense vocals that tee up another catchy chorus, which drops into dreamy high-pitched guitars. It slowly builds with repeats of “I need you,” which intensify as it hits heavier heights with crushing guitar chords and a soaring synth supporting Maddy’s powerful vocals to bring the track to a superb conclusion.
On the track, Maddy told us: “The response to Hunger has been insane – it’s really resonating with our audience. The song captures the feeling of being broken by constantly yearning for more, torn between what’s missing and the drive to fill that void. For anyone who hasn’t heard it yet, expect a blend of guitar riffs, soaring vocals, and a catchy synth line that adds an extra layer to the sound. It’s emotional, energy-driven, and has a rawness that connects on a deeper level.” Check it out in the lyric video here:
Hunger marked a couple of years away from new releases. But it follows on from a series of great singles over the last few years, including the powerful Heaven and Hell and the intriguing use of synths on Falling and Hallucinations. But a personal favourite is the wonderfully haunting previous release Ashes To Ashes, which comes to a powerful conclusion that you can check out in the video below.
The Saints Among us sound has been influenced by bands like Spiritbox, Holding Absence and Architects, as well as the likes of CHVRCHES and Sleep Token. As Maddy explains: “Their ability to blend intensity with vulnerability has deeply influenced our sound.”
And on what inspires them to write music, Maddy told us: “We’re inspired by the human experience, both the struggles and the triumphs. A lot of our music explores themes of resilience, vulnerability, and self-discovery.
“Recently, we’ve been drawing on the concept of kintsugi, finding beauty in brokenness and how things can be mended. Our latest work, including Hunger, is part of a series where each song represents a different life struggle, with the album artwork reflecting the kintsugi theme. We want to create stories through struggles, showing how overcoming challenges can shape and strengthen us.”
It’s highly unlikely we’ll have to wait two more years for new Saints Among Us music, as the band are currently writing and recording their next bunch of songs. They’ll also be playing plenty of gigs next year, including playing at Novacaine Festival in Sheffield in October.
Maddy adds: “There’s a lot of creativity flowing right now, and we can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on! We want our music to be a safe space where people feel heard and seen. It’s meant to be an outlet for those who need it, and a community for anyone who connects with our journey. Through our music, we hope to create a space where listeners can find comfort, strength, and a sense of belonging.”
You can follow Saints Among Us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, and check out their music on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and YouTube.
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