Aaron Staithorpe: "My Dying Bride are on a break, no idea how long for"

Α veteran in the gothic doom genre, Aaron Stainthorpe, has been in his most productive years since ever. Despite releasing an album with My Dying Bride in April, he formed High Parasite after the latter went on a hiatus. We had the pleasure of talking to him about his new musical path, the status of My Dying Bride, and the influence of Paradise Lost in his latest album with High Parasite.

First of all, the most important question is, how is your daughter doing? I wish her all the best.

She is doing very well now, thank you, and really enjoying school. She started year 8 just this week.

Congratulations on "Forever We Burn" and "A Mortal Binding". You have been the most productive for years if I am not mistaken. What drives you to create music lately? How has that changed since the beginning of your career?

It does seem that I have been very busy lately, yes. Two great albums, loads of videos and singles and even more to come! I think what has given me the urge to get even more productive is the fact that I am now trying new things which has reinvigorated my sense of creativity. Variety is the spice of life after all.

High Parasite came slowly but with a bang ("Let It Fail"). Can you share the background story of the creation of this project or this full-time band?

It began when a friend (Danny Tombs) sent me a song to do death metal vocals on as he couldn’t do that kind of singing. Then he sent a couple more and more and then suddenly we had a record label and went to record an LP. I just sort of evolved into the band. I never asked to join and Danny never asked me to join, I just sort of merged into it. It may seem like a sudden blast from us but HP is now three years old so it’s been simmering in the background for some time.

What are the plans for the band now? Are you going to be more active with High Parasite (meaning releasing albums every two years or so)?

Oh yes indeed! We already have 11 tracks for the next album and will play as many shows as possible. There is talk of us hitting the studio in January to record LP number 2, which is very exciting.

Greg Mackintosh of Paradise Lost produced the new album and added some guitar melodies on the album. What’s the story behind the collaboration of the two-thirds of the "Peaceville Three"?

Tombs has known both myself and Greg for about 20 years and so it was fairly easy to get us all together. Greg was a delight to work with and we hope he will be on board with the second LP too. I have known Greg for nearly 40 years and this is the very first time we have ever worked together and I must say it went very well indeed.

There is a strong mid-era Paradise Lost feeling on your debut with High Parasite. And that’s a compliment for sure. Do you follow their recent discography? Or you prefer the older stuff? Which era of the band is your favorite?

I actually prefer their very early stuff, with more gruff vocals but that’s not to say they haven’t made some incredible albums since. Nick & Greg are a formidable working pair and testament to that is their magnificent back catalogue.

You label your genre as "death pop". How much more open-minded do you think the metal fans are nowadays? Such a statement would seem bold and a "sell-out" back in the 90s, but now goes almost unnoticed. Is it better the way it is now or it was better back in the day cause people seemed to care more, even if they exaggerated a bit?

I have spent the last 33 years crafting incredible songs with My Dying Bride, songs with depth and passion which are deeply emotive. With High Parasite, we are very much going back to basics and writing songs that are as catchy as hell, ones in which the fans can sing along too. We are not reinventing the wheel here but we are having a great time and long may it continue.

You’ll be touring with Cradle Of Filth soon. If you could pick one current band to tour with, because it would be a great combination with High Parasite, which one would it be? Are there any current artists in this style of music that stand out for you?

Cradle are a great band for sure and it is both an honor and a privilege to be on the road with them. It would be great to tour with Depeche Mode or Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds but that is highly unlikely. Paradise Lost would be ideal as we’re all mates and go back a long way.

What are the chances "A Mortal Binding" to be the last My Dying Bride album? How are things between the members of the band now?

We are taking a break but I have no idea how long for. There should be an EP out at some point as we recorded more tracks for the LP than we needed, and I believe Shaun has composed a lovely piano/violin piece too so that’s something to look forward to. I doubt very much A Mortal Binding will be the last LP so please don’t panic.

You owe us a visit with My Dying Bride since 2020. Could we at least have a show with High Parasite, since all tours with My Dying Bride have been cancelled?

Yes indeed! We are looking at gig offers from all over the world so expect High Parasite to be over there pretty soon!

Thank you for your time. Wish you success with High Parasite and to resolve all issues within My Dying Bride soon.

Many thanks. Hope to see you soon. Cheers.