Album review: Into the black by Aesthetic Perfection.

We have all done it, that moment we sing to ourselves and use that growl like voice most industrial music is known for in an attempt to get whatever song it is out of our heads and often we fail miserably. No one has mastered THAT type of growl singing the way Daniel Graves has. It has become his signature sound and it’s the voice of industrial for many of us regardless of how heavy or soft you like your musical extremes; We wish we could all sing so well.

So it is that ‘Into the Black’ solidifies the mastery of his voice and the evolution of his signature sound in to it’s most powerful form yet. All of Aesthetic Perfection’s previous work will come to mind as you listen through the songs on offer, that is however, not to say it sounds the same as the previous four major albums; more so that it is now the true destination reached and the album could not be more masterfully performed.

The pure artistry and alternative soft ‘screams’ mix so well in to a voice that always comes across with perfect clarity. Never let it be said again by mainstream taste people that.. “You can’t understand what they're saying.”

Daniel has collaborated with Jinxx on several tracks and Wesenberg on another. Most noticeably however you may know that Richard Z. Kruspe is the lead guitarist and founder of Rammstein. What you may not know is that Richard worked alongside AP for the opening track 'Gods & Gold.' (See our Facebook for a link to Richard’s industrial remix of the new track DEUTSCHLAND)

The entire album feels like it has incorporated many genres in to one, even retro / synth wave and most of the songs would be well suited to a new cyber punk film, especially as there seems to be that 80’s theme coming from the synth-wave familiarity occasionally.

It is also an album full of emotion and Daniel is sharing a lot of his personal story and depth throughout (See our interview with Daniel here)

Gods and gold

I’ve never quite come across a track like this and I am in awe of what has been achieved. It’s gritty industrial metal riffs brought home by the influence of Richard Z. Krusp of Rammstein bring across that familiar sound undeniably and yet the emotionally packed rap sends shivers down the spine. Then there's the voice we all know and love Aesthetic Perfection for and the industrial pop and techno mix we expect. There is metal, there is techno, there are the screams which are in perfect opposition to the synthetic melody, voice, and pop influence. I even felt like it was IAMX singing to me at one point. To quote a recent film it’s ‘Perfectly balanced, as all things should be.’

I also get the sense that this is a mash up of all his previous works as fans will recognize the similarities of the previous albums blended together. For the new listeners it is the ideal introduction to Daniel’s voice and style, an album version of a ‘Previously on..’ TV intro.

Towards the end it also paints the difference between what religious gods and material gold promise but then perfectly twists it to express the anger we all come to feel at the reality and harsh truth of them both corrupted by the dogma and greed of man.

I'm not quite sure how this track has blended so many of our beloved styles in to one track but it is has done so masterfully and hits home that Daniel has surely found himself with this album even before the first track finishes.

Wickedness

This is by far my favourite track on the album. It’s floor filling energy and pulse fastening beat never fail to make my leg bounce up and down constantly at the very least. This is going to be an incredible track to listen to live as it reverberates in the chest.

It feels like the golden days of dancing music again so much so that I feel like wearing a hat just like Daniel’s and tipping it, raise one leg up poised to dance Michael Jackson style to the beat.

The catchy chorus of "I want it, I need it" is broken down expertly by the voice of "I like the wickedness" causing a beautiful techno dance macabre that brings a snarl to your lips in an expression of dangerous confidence. "You fell in love with wickedness" starts to build the end up in to a rave sensation that could make mosh pits spontaneously break out.

No boys allow