In a move few doom fans expected to see written out in official form, MY DYING BRIDE have publicly confirmed that they are continuing without vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe, marking a new phase for a band that, for over 30 years, was defined by his voice and sorrow-drenched presence.
The announcement comes after nearly a year of live appearances with Mikko Kotamäki (Swallow The Sun), who stepped in for the band’s 2025 shows. What was once considered a live stand-in situation has quietly shifted into something more permanent — and now, official.
The Statement That Sealed It
The band posted the following message:
“MY DYING BRIDE have decided to part ways with vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe.
Please understand that this decision does not come lightly, hence our initial and painful silence while we gathered our thoughts and carefully considered our response to the disengaged, eerily abandoned state we suddenly found ourselves in.
Our collective decision to move forward without him is not something we thought we would ever be forced to say, but to ensure a continued legacy for what we hold dear to our hearts, we simply have to move past this. Whilst change can be difficult, we are doing our best to bring this new chapter forward with powerful positivity.
MY DYING BRIDE are not on hiatus, we were never on hiatus. However, we do genuinely wish Aaron all the luck in the world in his new solo endeavours.”
It’s a rare statement that sounds both final and strangely poetic — fitting for a band that made grief into an art form.
Two Realities, One Band Name
Here is where it becomes truly My Dying Bride-esque: both sides have spoken, yet they are clearly not speaking to each other.
The band’s position
There was distance, no communication, a need to move on. They officially close the chapter and publicly step forward.Aaron’s last known position:
He stated he had not left, had not been fired, and still considered himself legally part of the partnership that holds the band’s name. He wasn’t chasing anyone — instead, he simply continued with his life and music, expecting conversations to eventually happen… which they never did.
There has been no new statement from Aaron following this October announcement. Meanwhile, he has remained active, writing, recording and performing with HIGH PARASITE, his newer band, without any signs of looking back in frustration.
No drama, no public meltdown — just two paths quietly diverging.
Why Mikko Stepped In
In guitarist Andrew Craighan’s own words, the shift wasn’t born from a grand artistic decision, but necessity. After a batch of 2024 shows collapsed at the last minute due to having “no willing singer,” the band decided they could not disappear just as A Mortal Binding was released.
A meeting was held, and Mikko Kotamäki was chosen unanimously. He has since fronted them across Europe, Australia and Asia — effectively becoming the live voice of MY DYING BRIDE.
The Legal & Emotional Grey Zone
Aaron previously mentioned that, if a new MY DYING BRIDE album appears without him while he is still officially registered as vocalist and co-owner, he may need to consult the Musicians’ Union to clarify the legal ground. Not out of hostility — simply because paperwork and band history don’t erase themselves.
And so, an unusual situation stands:
A band continuing with a new voice.
A founding vocalist who never officially left.
It is less a dramatic split and more a quiet, slow-moving parting of ways — the kind only long-running bands can experience.
What Comes Next?
MY DYING BRIDE continue forward with renewed momentum and a new frontman.
Aaron actively creates with HIGH PARASITE, shows no signs of creative downtime, and does not appear emotionally entangled in the decision.
No official closure has been made between the parties — only a public acknowledgement that their roads have separated for now.
A Final Note
No explosions. No accusatory statements. Just a band moving forward, and a former frontman simply refusing to stand still.
In other words — classic doom metal energy.
