HIGH PARASITE have released "The Screams That Come", a standalone single out now through Spinefarm with a visualiser — the first new music from the band since their debut album, and a signpost toward where the second one is heading.
The track was produced by PARADISE LOST's Gregor Mackintosh and mixed by Lawrence Mackrory, whose credits include MESHUGGAH and KATATONIA. Frontman Aaron Stainthorpe used the release to explain the tag the band have hung on themselves.
"We've coined the term 'death pop' to define our music; we definitely have a strong affinity with all things gothic and dark, but at the same time we're collectively drawn to strong hooks and melodies, to choruses that stick in the mind," he said. "I guess we walk a shadowy, sometimes twisted path between those two worlds; you can hear it on 'The Screams That Come' and even more on the second album. It's like the vampire's smile: seemingly welcoming, at least at a distance, but boy, those teeth are razor sharp!"
The timing is deliberate. HIGH PARASITE play the mainstage at London Metalfest 2026 at the Electric Ballroom in Camden, on a bill headlined by Swedish doom institution CANDLEMASS, and before the show they head to Raven Records — a short walk from the venue — for a signing session at 7:30 p.m.
Since "Forever We Burn" arrived in September 2024, the five-piece have spent most of their time on the road: guest slots on CRADLE OF FILTH and PARADISE LOST tours, festival runs taking in Bloodstock, Rockstadt, Brutal Assault, Eindhoven Metal Meeting and Furiosfest, and headline shows of their own. A Halloween headliner has just been confirmed for October 31 at the Albany Arcade in Halifax, and it is likely to be their last live date of 2026. The second album is scheduled for early next year, with more details promised soon.
HIGH PARASITE are Stainthorpe on vocals, Danny "Tombs" Lambert on bass, Sam Hill on rhythm guitar, Jonny Hunter on lead guitar and Dan Brown on drums.
The singer's other fronts are busy too. MY DYING BRIDE parted ways with him last October, less than a year after bringing in Mikko Kotamäki of SWALLOW THE SUN for their 2025 live dates; when we covered his account of the split in August, he was blunt about it — "by kicking me out, they showed their cards." He returned this year with TOWARDS THE SINISTER, built with three former MY DYING BRIDE bandmates — Calvin Robertshaw, Ade Jackson and Rick Miah — plus guitarist Chris Revett, keyboardist Mark Deeks and violinist Emma Allington, and aimed squarely at the first four MY DYING BRIDE albums.