Review by Catherine McCauley for MPM
2026 is shaping up nicely with gig announcements already and its only March!! This evening’s road trip is in aid of High Parasite, a five piece which you may have heard of one of the vocalists – Aaron Stainthorpe formally of My Dying Bride.
High Parasite are self-described as Death Pop. Stainthorpe explained in an interview that this is not just a side project and that High Parasite are enjoying the crest of the current wave following the release of their debut Album ‘Forever we Burn’ in 2024.The five piece are cutting their teeth touring with their sights set on bigger tours and festivals in 26/27. Tonight’s gig is not High Parasites first introduction to Irish shores. They provided support to Cradle of Filth alongside Butcher Babies at The Limelight in 2024.
High Parasite comprise of Mr Stainthorpe (vocalist), Tombs aka Danny Lambert (vocals/bass) Sam Hill (rhythm guitar), Jonny Hunter (Lead Guitar), and Dan Brown on drums. Paradise Lost’s Gregor Mackintosh not only produced the album but also contributed on guitar. High Parasite also joined Paradise Lost on tour in 2025. I really like the bands opus and enjoy the mix of genres contained within such as gothic rock, metal, and dark synth pop. I particularly like the eighth track on the album ‘Let it Fail’ and had a chat to both Tombs and Aaron at the Merch stand about Heather Thompson of Tapping the Vein, she alsoguested with Paradise Lost, contributing her ethereal vocals to the track and also ‘We break we Die’.
Aaron sporting a very funky shirt is eager to point out that Tombs had written the lyrics for the album. It is humbling to not only meet Aaron and chat, having seen ‘My Dying Bride’ a few times over the years, but to witness him talk with such humility and enthusiasm about High Parasite. Both men are passionate about the tour and band and they chat about how much they enjoyed the previous nights gig in Dublin and look forward to tomorrow nights gig in Limerick. Intimate gigs in locations such as the Voodoo are never taken for granted as you get a chance to meet your metal heroes and up and coming bands such as High Parasite supported by local bands such as The Crawling.
The Crawling are a three piece band who formed in 2014 and hail from Lisburn, Northern Ireland. The line-up consists of Andy Clarke (Vocals/Lead Guitar), Ant Deane (Drums) and Adrien Crozet (Bass/Vocals). The lads experienced line-up changes in 24/25, however this did not deter their determination to spread the word of Doom and Death metal to the masses. The lads have toured with bands such as Carcass and Winterfylleth and played at a number of festivals including Bloodstock, Inferno and Siege of Limerick to name but a few and now supporting tonight’s headliners High Parasite with their Irish tour dates. The lads joined by their tour manager James Loveday – check out the lads entertaining Vlogs on YouTube – clearly have an avid local following as the Voodoo is very busy with a healthy interest in the Merch Stalls.
The Crawling have an EP – ‘Light of Dark Days’ which was released in Oct 2015. They also have three albums, their debut ‘Anatomy of Loss’ was released in 2017, which was well received garnering excellent reviews. Their follow up releases ‘Wolves and the Hideous White’ in 2018 and ‘All of this for Nothing’ were released in 2023. The lads recent live release ‘Live in Belfast MMXXIV’ launched earlier this year and they have a tour lined up with an appearance at Bloodstock Winter Gathering 2026.
The Crawling
The Crawling take to the stage with a presence greater than expected for a three piece with their easily identified white silhouette of a bird in flight emblazoned on a black background. They launch into the stonking ‘March of the Worm’followed by ‘Thy Nazarene’ both from ‘All of this for Nothing’. Avid fans are recording and gather close to the front of the stage to be enveloped in The Crawlings death filled ambiance. Stainthorpe is noticeable amongst the fans enjoying the support bands set. Clarkes and Crozet’s vocal harmonies are visceral and demonic in nature alongside the crashing drums of Deane. The Lisburn lads deliver ‘The Right to Crawl’ and ‘An Immaculate Deception’from ‘Anatomy of Loss’. As Clarke pounds his chest to the drum beat the Belfast crowd launch into the vocals passion filled and devoted.
As the set nears its completion the lads enthral the crowd with ‘Bound to the Negative’, with accompanying crackling fire sample intro and Clarkes and Crozet’s melodies and stunning yet melancholic riffs. The change in tempo to heavy and death laden tones are welcomed by the ardent fans. Final track of the night is ‘Wolves and the Hideous White’. Clarke’s riffs are intense as are Deane’s thundering drums. The vocals are guttural and extreme. Clarke is engaging throughout the set and thanks High Parasite for not only providing them with the opportunity to support but also use their equipment. The Crawling are tight, they mean business and are definitely not to be missed. Time now for a brief interval and refreshments before the headliners take to the stage. It’s been great catching up with old mates at the gig also.
High Parasite
High Parasite take to the stage, Stainthorpe is now wearing his trademark white suit with face paint and Tombs appears with his black hooded sleeveless top and half mask and face paint. They are like a Yin and Yang duo who complement each other’s dynamic and energy both elegantly and menacingly. The band commences their set with ‘Concentric Nightmares’ which is introduced by synth and melodic guitars. Stainthorpe’s sophisticated poise is deceptive as he rips into penetrating growls and his signature vocal style. Browns drumming is rhythmic yet forceful and Hunters riffs are rapid and technical. We the Voodoo crowd are hungry for more and the lads treat us to ‘Grave Intentions’ and then the new single which is to be released on St Patricks Day 17/03/26 entitled ‘Drag Me Under’. The new song is well received and we look forward to the next offering.
Stainthorpe evidences his dry wit by quipping a number of times throughout the show that “this song may or may not be on the album” with particular reference to ‘Cold’ (released 03/07/25) and ‘Push It’. High Parasite exude a great energy and are cohesive. Stainthorpe seems rejuvenated and enjoys his harmonising with Tombs. This must be a big change for him given that he was the sole vocalist in My Dying Bride and their sound was much more melancholic (by no means a criticism, as I am a MDB fan). It’s great to see the vocalist stepping out of his comfort zone and immersing himself in something fresh and new.
The maleficent synth opens ‘My Syndrome’ which is perfectly accompanied by Tombs thundering bass. ‘Widowmaker’ and ‘We Break We Die’ are filled with catchy and chunky grooves with intricate electronic and industrial samples. Stainthorpe’s vocals remain unchallenged as he descants the subject themes charmingly within the back drop to the bands blistering solos and refrains. The crowd is heaving and swept up in the gothic atmosphere of High Parasites energetic set. The chugging riffs and double bass drum on ‘Wasn’t Human’ are an immense contrast against the opening angelic air and the cathedral organ sounding notes of the prelude to ‘Hate Springs Eternal’. Tombs is certainly the artistic director of High Parasite however, each member is invaluable to their trademark sound.
As an amazing night of crushing Metal performance nearly draws to a close the band finish with an encore with the hefty ‘Let It Fail’ and the final track of the night ‘Forever we Burn’, which ironically is the opening track of the album. The Voodoo is bouncing with powerful energy and High Parasite have more than left a lasting impression. They will no doubt be playing bigger venues and Festivals in the near future. The fans gather at the Merch stalls to buy more and prepare to meet Stainthorpe and the lads in the bar downstairs for a pint and a natter. The Voodoo audience spills out into the Belfast air more than content with what was a fantastic night.
