“This is not a side project. It’s a new touring and recording band, and with ‘Forever We Burn’, our debut studio album, we’re showing our love for all things gothic and grand, along with a collective belief that dark music doesn’t have to be confined to the shadows. It’s a big part of global consciousness and culture, and our plans for the future are as broad as possible” – Aaron Stainthorpe
‘Forever We Burn’ arrives on September 27th 2024, a worldwide release via Candlelight / Spinefarm.
The 10 tracks are produced by the legendary Gregor Mackintosh of Paradise Lost, who also adds some signature guitar lines and programming, and as a body of work, ‘Forever We Burn’ heralds the arrival of a new name and a familiar, formidable voice.
The name (an acknowledgement of mankind as parasite-in-chief) is High Parasite; the voice, that of Aaron Stainthorpe – longstanding frontman with doom metal maestros, My Dying Bride…
As a revered and recognised performer, a founding member of MDB and singer with the groundbreaking act for over three decades, the spotlight will doubtless focus on Aaron’s distinctive profile to start with; pull back the red velvet curtains, however, and the figure of bassist / vocalist / songwriter Tombs looms large and loud, a crucial player in the creation and launch of High Parasite as a living, breathing entity.
All of the songs carry the Stainthorpe / Tombs stamp, the latter contributing on the vocal front throughout, and together they form the black beating heart of a five-piece outfit fleshed out by Sam Hill (rhythm guitar), Jonny Hunter (lead guitar) and Dan Brown (drums).
“The band has been lurking in the shadows, developing, growing and evolving, and is now ready to unveil its own brand of darkness to the world,” continues Aaron. “Skating the lines between metal, Gothic rock and dark synth pop, High Parasite is here and Death Pop is born!”
First single, ‘Let It Fail’, arrives on May 30th accompanied by a Shaun Hodson (Loki Films) directed video; an anguished wail to a planet wrecked beyond repair (“Had our time, ran our luck / Let the night swallow us up”), ‘Let It Fail’ is a memorable, if bitter taste of what’s to follow – big riffs, big choruses, big grooves, a nod to electronic and industrial music, plus a sing / scream balance tailored to the needs of the songs. Heather Thompson (Tapping The Vein) provides haunting additional vocals, having previously guested with Paradise Lost.
“‘Let it Fail’ signifies the arrival of High Parasite; it sees the band firmly planting its Gothic Metal / Death Pop flag, and raising it high,” states Aaron. “A stark analysis of a dying world, a hopeless dream for change, a nihilistic anthem.
“High Parasite will be bringing the dark to major venues across the UK and Ireland in October and November 2024 in support of Cradle Of Filth.
“The band lives to play live, to connect with people and to share in all the glorious darkness the world has to offer,” he concludes. “This is just the start of our journey. Join us.”