AARON STAINTHORPE Talks Leaving MY DYING BRIDE: 'I Feel 10 Years Younger'

Summary

• Aaron Stainthorpe says leaving My Dying Bride for High Parasite made him feel 10 years younger and improved his lifestyle.
• High Parasite’s music blends metal, gothic rock, and dark synth-pop, offering a more energetic and fun live experience.
• Stainthorpe is also performing poetry live and exploring new creative directions outside his longtime doom metal roots.

Aaron Stainthorpe, known for fronting British metal band My Dying Bride for over three decades, says his new project has given him a fresh perspective, and a second wind.

The singer recently spoke with the Brutally Delicious podcast about his current focus: a band called High Parasite, which released its debut album Forever We Burn in 2023.

Stainthorpe shares vocal duties with Danny “Tombs” Lambert, while production was handled by Gregor Mackintosh of Paradise Lost.

High Parasite combines elements of metal, gothic rock, and dark synth-pop, which gives the music a different energy compared to the heavy, emotional tone of My Dying Bride (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH ).

“I feel 10 years younger,” Stainthorpe said. “I’m eating better, drinking less, exercising more. Whatever I’ve decided to become or do is really beneficial.”

The transition didn’t happen all at once. According to Stainthorpe, it was a gradual shift that made the change easier to manage.

“It sort of evolved over months,” he said. “When something evolves at a slower pace, you’ve got time to get used to it.”

One of the biggest differences for him is how performing feels. With My Dying Bride, he described shows as mentally exhausting. The band is known for its emotional and intense music, which often explores themes of loss, despair, and grief.

“It was draining mentally for me with My Dying Bride,” he said. “With High Parasite, I look forward to getting on stage. I love being on stage with them.”

He also mentioned the challenge of adjusting to sharing the microphone. Tombs, his bandmate, sings as well, which leaves Stainthorpe figuring out what to do when he’s not singing.

“I’m not gonna dance. I can’t dance,” he joked. “I just try and walk around a bit. I bought a cordless microphone so I could move more.”

Even with all the changes, many longtime My Dying Bride fans are showing up to High Parasite shows. Stainthorpe said he still signs MDB merch at almost every gig, and many fans have embraced the new sound.

He’s also started performing his poetry live, including at a recent event in Belgium with Darkher and Sylvaine. He says the poems come from the same emotional place as his lyrics for My Dying Bride.

“If you like My Dying Bride lyrics, you’re probably going to like the poetry.”

At age 56, Stainthorpe says it’s exciting to try something new. High Parasite has allowed him to experiment, collaborate, and reconnect with his creative side in unexpected ways.

“It’s all super new to me. I don’t know what I’m doing half the time,” he said. “But it just feels good.”

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