Coming out of Cheyenne, Wyoming with a fresh sound and an unrelenting drive, Antisaint is the band you didn’t know you needed—but won’t forget once you’ve heard them. We caught up with vocalist Matt Whiteman to talk about the band’s beginnings, their debut album Vitin, and their upcoming slot at the legendary Download Festival in the UK.

From Pandemic to Powerhouse: The Birth of Antisaint

Formed during the quiet chaos of the pandemic, Anti Saint rose from the ashes of Matt and his brother’s previous decade-long band.

“We had been in that project for about 10 years, but it no longer reflected who we were or what we were capable of,” Matt shared. “The pandemic gave us that rare moment of pause. We rebranded, refocused, and came out swinging.”

The band made their live debut in August 2022, and haven’t looked back since.

What’s in a Name? A Nod to Chevelle

The band name Antisaint pays tribute to one of their biggest influences—Chevelle.

“Anti-Saint is actually a song by Chevelle,” Matt said. “We’ve always been huge fans, and it just stuck with us. Plus, it wasn’t already taken or copyrighted, so that helped too.”

Influences and Evolution: The Sound of Anti Saint

Though Chevelle’s groove-driven style clearly echoes in Anti Saint’s music, Matt cites a wide spectrum of vocal influences.

“I’m a proud student of the nu-metal era,” he said. “David Draiman (Disturbed), Corey Taylor (Slipknot), Jonathan Davis (Korn), Dave Williams (Drowning Pool)—those guys changed the game. They made it okay to sing clean one moment and scream the next. That vocal freedom shaped my entire approach.”

Matt has been vocally trained since age 13, studying under renowned coaches including James Lugo and most recently, James Vidara—a vocalist known for literally shattering glass with his voice.

“I call my approach hybrid singing,” Matt explained. “I’ve been fortunate to learn from the best, and it’s helped me find my own sound.”

Vitin: The Debut That Almost Wasn’t

The band’s debut album Vitin (pronounced Vite-in) was originally intended as three separate themed EPs. But the pandemic had other plans.

“We wanted to release them in phases with unique live shows for each theme,” Matt said. “But after over a year of delay, we decided our fans had waited long enough—we dropped the whole thing as a full-length.”

Released in 2021, Vitin is a loosely conceptual album inspired by Orwellian themes and dystopian isolation, making it eerily prophetic in light of recent global events.

Albums vs. Algorithms: Why the Long-Play Still Matters

While the digital age favors singles and streaming, Matt still values the full-album experience.

“Sure, people skip around on Spotify, but the live show is where we control the narrative,” he said. “The industry may have changed, but we’re not giving up our artistic vision. They killed the platinum record—fine. But they won’t take away our right to tell a complete story through music.”

What’s Next? A New Chapter and a Darker Tone

Antisaint is already looking ahead with new music—and a more personal direction.

“We just wrapped a brand-new single,” Matt revealed. “We’ll be announcing the release tomorrow. This next chapter is darker, more serious. It’s about real-life experiences and the emotional toll of the last few years. I think a lot of people will relate.”

Unlike Vitin, which leaned into concept and dystopia, this new material pulls directly from personal growth and shared human struggles.

Download Festival: A Dream Realized

One of the biggest moments on the horizon for Anti Saint? Their upcoming slot at Download Festival UK, headlined by none other than Metallica.

“We’re finalizing all the details now. It’s surreal,” Matt said. “This is a bucket list moment for us—and we’re bringing our own videographer to capture every second.”

Despite past snubs from U.S. festivals like the Danny Wimmer events, Antisaint is entering Download with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove.

“We’ve opened for Sevendust and Drowning Pool on full tours, but somehow never made it onto those big festival radars. Download is our moment to show the world who we are—and why we belong on every major stage.”

What Comes After Download?

Expect a Stateside push this summer and fall, fueled by their new single and the momentum from their Download debut.

“We’re aiming to jump onto some U.S. festivals last-minute,” Matt said. “This new single is the best work we’ve ever done. We’re ready to turn some heads and open doors.”

Final Thoughts

Antisaint is more than a pandemic project—it’s a rebirth. With sharpened sound, renewed purpose, and international stages calling, Matt Whiteman and the band are poised for something big. From Wyoming to Download Festival, the Anti Saint story is just getting started.

Follow Anti Saint:
🎵 Spotify | 📸 Instagram | 🎥 YouTube
Catch them at Download Festival, UK – June 2023

Categories: Antisaint, Interviews

Tags: Antisaint