HIGH PARASITE – A Promising Debut!
High Parasite, the latest side project of My Dying Bride’s iconic frontman Aaron Stainthorpe, offers a fascinating blend of Gothic Rock, Gothic Metal, and catchy pop elements. With Stainthorpe at the helm, expectations were already high, and this debut doesn’t disappoint, stirring a mixture of nostalgia and excitement for what lies ahead.
Fans of both Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride will immediately feel at home with the familiar melancholic vocals. Stainthorpe’s voice is a powerful, emotive anchor throughout the album, often brooding and reminiscent of his work in My Dying Bride, while still embracing more melodic and accessible tones. The album deftly balances the raw intensity of gothic metal with lighter, almost ethereal moments of pop sensibility. It’s this contrast that gives the music a unique flavor, managing to be dark and brooding yet oddly infectious at times.
The album’s sound captures the essence of early gothic rock – think the somber atmospheres of The Sisters of Mercy – but with the weightier, doom-laden textures of gothic metal. While the album’s production leans towards a cleaner, more polished finish, the instrumentation still conveys that deep, gloomy mood synonymous with the genre.
Standout tracks include the haunting opener, which builds layers of atmosphere before plunging into deeper, doomier territory. There are also moments of surprising brightness—synth melodies and lush choruses that push the boundaries of traditional gothic metal, giving the album a refreshing edge.
Lyrically, Stainthorpe continues his legacy of introspection and despair, with poetic themes of loss, love, and mortality weaving throughout the record. These themes are common in his work but feel newly invigorated by the experimental nature of this project.
High Parasite’s debut is an album filled with promise. It serves as a compelling introduction to a band that isn’t afraid to take risks and push the gothic genre into new territories. For fans of My Dying Bride and Paradise Lost, this record is a must-listen, not just for its connection to Stainthorpe, but for the fresh direction it hints at. It’s clear that this is just the beginning for High Parasite, and their future releases will surely be highly anticipated.
Check out the Album on Spotify: