One Listen Review
1st Listen 27 Sept 24
Reviewed 2 Oct 24
High Parasite – Forever We Burn
Candlelight Records
Released 27Sept 24
Everyone who knows me is aware of my love of the myriad of mythological, fake genres. So let me introduce you to another genre that doesn’t really exist, Death Pop.
Forever We Burn is the debut album by High Parasite, a band featuring Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride fame. Described as a ‘new touring and recording band’, Stainthorpe adamant that this isn’t a side-project. This is a rather good thing, as the 10 tracks delivered by the 5 piece is nowhere near a vanity project. Forever We Burn is an exceeding enjoyable album that has an incredible listenable quality about it and it deserves a tour and big promotion.
Produced by Gregor Mackintosh (yes, he of Paradise Lost fame), the album has a vast tranche of the producers band littered throughout it. You can also hear a distinct Type O Negative influence, especially in tracks like ‘Concrete Nightmares’, a track whose ominous start delves into a genuine headbanging riff. It is a very good listen.
But it is gothic era Paradise Lost that appears to be the biggest influence on the album. ‘Grave Intentions’ and ‘Let it Fail’ drip with gothic vibes. Death Pop, in
these tracks at least is a fallacy.
When listening to Forever We Burn, think The Mission, think non-whiny vocals Cradle of Filth, think Him. High Paradise have a number of influences, none of which would constitute this being ‘Death Pop’.
What we have here is a very strong debut album from a named singer who has been able to spread his wings. Ably supported by Tombs, the song writing, singing bassist, as well as Sam Hill on rhythm guitar, Jonny Hunter on lead guitar and the excellent skin basher, Dan Brown, this band has a genesis that hints at a strong future. Not a side- project? I hope not. High Parasite may be the old, ‘new’ kids on the block. This is a recommended listen.
The DevilsHorns 
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