Andrew Craighan Claims Aaron Stainthorpe “Distanced Himself” from My Dying Bride

The ongoing saga surrounding My Dying Bride and frontman Aaron Stainthorpe’s status within the band remains one of the weirdest things to befall the English doom metal band in a long time. After uncertainty as to what’s going on in the band, they opted to recruit Swallow The Sun’s Mikko Kotamäki to take Stainthrope’s position.

After saying on a recent appearance on the Iblis Manifestations podcast that he didn’t quit the band, nor was he fired, we still aren’t sure what Stainthorpe’s status is. Yet in a recent interview with Metallrium, guitarist Andrew Craighan explained what happened from the band’s perspective.

“Despite all the problems, the band was willing and ready to perform the remaining shows in 2024, but, unfortunately, there was no willing singer. The band only discovered this at the very last minute, which led to the cancelation. Given that the album had just been released, the band was not prepared to be sidelined. As a result, a meeting was organized to discuss the possibility of a replacement. Mikko was the unanimous first choice.”

Notice how they didn’t say they fired Stainthorpe for being what they effectively described as a no-show. Sounds like they’re still holding out hope that he’ll be back into the fold.

“As Aaron has, in truth, distanced himself from the band, we are only aware of his activities through social media and online interviews. The band contacted him in March 2025 to enquire about his intentions with My Dying Bride, but he has not responded. We first learned through social media that he was on a hiatus from MDB. Although he states online that he is still part of the band, he has not engaged with us since April 2024. So, in response to your question, the band does not know what his plans with MDB are.”

My Dying Bride has since played three shows in Europe after recruiting as Stainthrope’s stand in;.