Former MY DYING BRIDE vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe has formed a new gothic doom project, TOWARDS THE SINISTER, reuniting with three founding members of his former band following his 2025 dismissal after 35 years as its frontman.
The new lineup brings together Stainthorpe with guitarist Calvin Robertshaw, bassist Ade Jackson and drummer Rick Miah — all founding MY DYING BRIDE members — alongside second guitarist Chris Revett, keyboardist Mark Deeks and violinist Emma Allington. MY DYING BRIDE had moved on from Stainthorpe last year by recruiting SWALLOW THE SUN's Mikko Kotamäki as its new vocalist.
Stainthorpe described TOWARDS THE SINISTER's formation as almost accidental rather than a deliberate plan for a reunion. "We met in a pub... we didn't discuss anything about reforming. The internet sort of decided, 'I wonder if they're getting together?'" he said, adding that the group committed to the project only "after a few more drinks," with Miah especially eager to get back behind a drum kit: "Rick was so keen to get behind the drum kit. Chomping at the bit, really."
The band plans to build its live sets around material from MY DYING BRIDE's first four studio albums — "As The Flower Withers," "Turn Loose The Swans," "The Angel And The Dark River" and "Like Gods Of The Sun" — with Stainthorpe promising an ambitious approach to the catalog: "We'll do all of the classics... we plan to play as many of them as we can, even some that have never been played live." Small warm-up shows are planned in England, with European festival dates targeted for summer 2027.
While original material isn't a priority for now, Robertshaw has already written songs the band considers usable, and Stainthorpe confirmed new music will eventually follow: "We're not in any rush." No record label has yet been announced for the project, which arrives as Stainthorpe's second post-MY DYING BRIDE outlet after HIGH PARASITE's 2024 debut album.