AARON STAINTHORPE Says Performing Live With MY DYING BRIDE Was ‘Mentally Draining’

Aaron Stainthorpe 2025 Interview

In a new interview with the Brutally Delicious podcast, longtime MY DYING BRIDE frontman Aaron Stainthorpe opened up about his new musical direction with HIGH PARASITE — a project that not only marks a stylistic shift but also a personal rejuvenation.

HIGH PARASITE, whose debut album Forever We Burn arrived last September via Candlelight/Spinefarm, sees Stainthorpe teaming up with bassist/vocalist Danny “Tombs” Lambert. Produced by Gregor Mackintosh of PARADISE LOST, the record fuses metal, gothic rock, and dark synth-pop into a brooding yet energetic experience — a far cry from the slow, mournful doom of MY DYING BRIDE.

Discussing the emotional toll of his previous work, Aaron candidly admitted: “With MY DYING BRIDE, I never had — I wouldn’t call it ‘fun’ on stage, because the songs are really emotional and they’re super heavy. It was draining mentally for me with MY DYING BRIDE. With HIGH PARASITE, for the first time ever, I look forward to getting on stage… and I love being on stage with HIGH PARASITE. And I’ve never felt that.”

Unlike a sudden break from his legacy act, Aaron said the transition was gradual. “It didn’t happen like that. It sort of evolved over months. When something evolves at a slower pace, you’ve got time to get used to it… I feel 10 years younger. And so it must be good for my health.”

The change has impacted him beyond just music. Aaron noted he’s now eating better, drinking less, and even exercising — lifestyle shifts he credits to the energy of the music and his younger bandmates.

While some MY DYING BRIDE fans were understandably hesitant, many have embraced the new project. “We always see MY DYING BRIDE shirts at the gigs… A lot of them have come along for the ride. Some absolutely love it and have bought everything, which is fantastic.”

Still, it hasn’t all been easy. Sharing vocal duties with Tombs has introduced new challenges onstage. “It’s weird having someone else singing… I’m thinking, ‘Well, when he’s singing, what am I supposed to do?’ I’m not gonna dance — I can’t dance. My stage craft is still developing.”

Earlier this year, Aaron even performed at a church in Belgium alongside DARKHER and SYLVAINE — a unique event that blended poetry with dark ambient music. He’s planning more of those intimate, cross-disciplinary shows later this year.

Meanwhile, MY DYING BRIDE continues on, now fronted live by SWALLOW THE SUN’s Mikko Kotamäki for the band’s 2025 appearances. Their latest album, A Mortal Binding, was released in April 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records.