I've been a fan of Aesthetic perfection for quite a few years now, I can't remember exactly when but I think around the time of the release of 'A violent Emotion' in 2008.
I had a mix CD a friend had given me with no idea who half the artists on it were but now I know that one of those songs was 'Coward' from the first A.P album 'Close to Human' and when I put two and two together (Eventually) it was the foundation being laid for my later love of all things industrial.
It wasn't until a few years later when I discovered Combichrist that I really began to leave metal behind for this scene and A.P probably helped that transition a lot more than I realised looking back. It was a real honour for A.P to be my first real text and then first real video interview too, small world!
Why do I mention all this? Well the scene we find ourselves in is a strange one. Half the fans of industrial wish for the golden days of the early 2000's to come back with the hellektro and aggrotech style vocals and fast BPM. Whilst the other half bemoan such days and well.. pretty much anything that gets released by anyone actually; Always claiming some undiscoverable (to the rest of us) maturity in their music that apparently makes them feel superior, but rather creates unnecessary gate keeping and frankly.. they're full of bullshit.
Serious, what do those people even listen to happily anyway??
Recently Daniel has been poking fun at people on social media constantly telling him to make more music like 'A violent emotion', with this release soon after that he says..
"Me: Hrm, this new song resurrects the vocal style from A Violent Emotion, I wonder if it will appease old fans... Old fans: We still hate you."
I can't see why because this release brings together that gorgeous blend of old school A.P with the incredible boundary defying skill put in to the 'Into the black album' and I for one love it and can't see the reason why people need to be so toxic.
Not only is the title song a great release but this also comes with a remix by none other than the rising star of Moris Blak!
Words from Daniel Graves:
"I am beyond excited to announce my new single “S E X” which drops worldwide on January 8th, 2021. Featuring guitars by Sebastian Svalland (Pain, IN MOURNING & formerly Lindemann) this new song continues in the industrial metal tradition of tracks like Rhythm + Control while expanding on my ever broadening vocal and production horizons. This is the first installment of my 12 singles in 12 months project that is being fully funded by my Patreon supporters. Each single is unlocked every time our community gains 10 new members, and, hopefully, will result in a full-length album at the end of the year. Also included is a blistering club remix by MORIS BLAK! To join our community, help unlock future singles and ensure another Aesthetic Perfection LP, visit www.imperfect-society.net. Another great way to support independent artists is to presave and preorder releases before they drop."
You can do that right here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/aestheticperfection/s-e-x #IndustrialPop
Review
First of all this track is pay what you want on Bandcamp so go get it.. Seriously!
The robotic vocalisations of Daniel's voice are such a signature and nostalgic opening to this track but is also very familiar in the likes of the recent 'No boys allowed' song.
It opens with subtle yet powerful little guitar riffs that add a real sense of foreplay before dropping that S E X bomb main riff and heavier vocal style.
It contains all the elements that makes industrial pop so catchy and enjoyable but then throws in the passion and ferocity we all love about metal, all be it a little too short for a full head bang session though.
Daniel has achieved the best of both worlds in bringing together the old school vocals and beats with the more recent melodies and depth of his work and I think this is some great skill that shows so much potential for the rest of the eleven singles scheduled for release this year!
This is one of those tracks that can't be fully appreciated without large club amps to belt it through your very core but I'm sure that day will come because there's no doubt that this or at least the Moris Blak version will be on many a club DJ's set-list when they re-open.
As for the Moris Blak version, there is the undeniable cyberpunk mid tempo action steadily powering up the track to one hell of a break down of break beat and using those screams of Daniel to reach a brand new height of remix potential; It is masterfully done.
It brings A.P in to a direction it's never been pulled in to before and it's quite a lot to swallow at first when at around 3:40 it almost sounds like Faderhead singing with the way it's been manipulated!
After a few very loud play throughs I can tell you this much..
This is incredible!
Scores
Technicality: 8.5/10
Dance factor: 8/10
Energy: 8/10
Vocals: 8.5/10
Re-playability: 9/10
Overall score: 8.4 / 10
See also
Released on Christmass day:
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