Single Review: Bring Me The Horizon - Parasite Eve

In an interview with Kerrang, the frontman of Bring Me The Horizon, Oli Sykes stated that their new single, ‘Parasite Eve’, was intended to ‘get your blood pumping, get you p**sed off and thinking about what’s going on.’ This is certainly the case, with the ‘dystopian, cyberpunky, metal feel’ to the track creating an impression of anger and rage throughout, as well as a sense of apocalyptic impending doom. Though written before the Covid-19 pandemic began, it is eerily resonant with it, building a world in which a population stricken with an outbreak is abandoned by its leaders.

Though written before the Covid-19 pandemic began, it is eerily resonant with it, building a world in which a population stricken with an outbreak is abandoned by its leaders

The single is intended to represent fear, panic, and confusion, which is done expertly through Bring Me The Horizon’s experimental style. The use of genre blending, moving quickly from electric rock to heavy metal and back again, seems at first to be similar to their 2019 album amo, however there is nothing up-beat or pop-rock about ‘Parasite Eve’. Instead, the song characterises a move back towards the band’s earlier and much heavier style, with unclean vocals, a powerful bass line, and metal-style guitar. The constantly building drums add to the atmosphere, leaving you on edge until the climax of the breakdown. The use of air-raid sirens in the background of the track plus the incorporation of a Bulgarian chanting song called ‘Ergen Deda’ all helps to create the ominous and apocalyptic sound the band was striving for.

At its core, ‘Parasite Eve’ is a criticism of the ruling elite, both in the UK’s government and the USA’s. This is particularly evident in the pre-chorus where an emotionless robot tells the people ‘we cannot save you’, and the breakdown, where the political message is literally screamed at the listener. Though the government may try to ‘board up their windows’, Sykes angrily declares that ‘you can’t keep washing your hands / Of this shit anymore.’ This seems especially important during the coronavirus crisis, as Boris Johnson has been widely criticised for his response to the pandemic, with the dig about ‘washing your hands’ able to be taken metaphorically, but also literally.

Though this song might not be for everyone due to its heavier sound, I would recommend giving it a listen anyway, if only because of its topicality. Coupled with the dark, extra-terrestrial, and at times grotesque, music video, you will definitely be more likely to keep two metres away from people after listening to it.