Tag Archives: Daniel Graves

REVIEW: A Night of Dark Glamour: Aesthetic Perfection Takes the Stage (10-12-24)

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Chandler, AZ — On an unseasonably warm mid-October evening, Aesthetic Perfection brought their signature blend of dark electronic and industrial sounds to the Wild Horse Pass Festival Grounds. Aesthetic Perfection is celebrated for their intense performances and thought-provoking lyrics, and on this summery evening, the band delivered an unforgettable performance while opening for Twin Temple and Till Lindemann.

Daniel Graves, Aesthetic Perfection - Wild Horse Pass Festival Grounds
Daniel Graves (Vocalist), Aesthetic Perfection
Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

Founded by Daniel Graves – who is still the lead vocalist nearly 25 years after the band first came into existence – Aesthetic Perfection has a contagious energy. Graves noted several times that they weren’t very well-known, but that mattered very little to the audience. After all, what is there not to like? Graves is indomitable onstage, a whirlwind of sound and fury, mixing his nearly non-stop movements and animated expressions with a voice that switched between a vocal-fried metal growl and smooth as butter – something one would expect to hear in a Top 40 song from back when Casey Kasem was hosting the show.

Close-up of Daniel Graves of Aesthetic Perfection reaching out to the camera
Daniel Graves (Vocalist), Aesthetic Perfection
Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

Graves was joined onstage by NOIZITH who switched between the guitar and keyboard throughout the night. NOIZITH was known as PYRCE until recently, and before that, Julia Pierce from the band Cherri Bomb. NOIZITH is an incredibly talented artist, moving from rock to being a DJ and then stepping in to play with Aesthetic Perfection. Playing a sleek black Schecter guitar, NOIZITH made the remarkable look almost routine. Pacing from side to side, posing occasionally, and doing some dancing while shredding, it would be hard to picture another artist who could play off of Graves and his energy any better.

NOIZITH, Aesthetic Perfection - Wild Horse Pass Festival Grounds
NOIZITH (Guitarist), Aesthetic Perfection
Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

Rounding out the band was drummer Brooke Colucci, known better as “Rock Angel” to many fans who followed her on social media as she went from a 15-year-old phenom to a touring drummer at only 21. Formerly the drummer for the band Plush, Colucci made a name for herself with her drum cover of Tool’s “46 & 2” on YouTube. Colucci was the only one of the trio to stay stationary, in no small part due to the difficulty of moving a drum kit around the stage.

Brooke Colucci, Aesthetic Perfection - Wild Horse Pass Festival Grounds
Brooke “Rock Angel” Colucci (Drummer), Aesthetic Perfection
Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

The seven song setlist included a new single “Into the Void,” from the 3 song Bad Vibes EP. Casual goth/industrial music fans may note there is an undeniable Nine Inch Nails influence in the song – with perhaps some Marilyn Manson mixed in there for some good measure. They would be right, as the song was mixed by Sean Beaven, who mixed the aforementioned artists as well. 

Graves also made sure to mention the heat – which has stuck around, refusing to leave, much like the first clingy middle school boyfriend who just doesn’t get the damn hint – you know the one. He noted how little it bothered him, as he is a goth who grew up in the deserts of Southern California. This, of course, was tied to the song “Summer Goth,” which has an unexpected yet very welcomed reggae feel to it until you get halfway through and the breakdown reminds you that you are, indeed, at an Aesthetic Perfection show. The song’s vibes felt especially appropriate for the atmosphere of the outdoor concert.

Daniel Graves, Aesthetic Perfection - Wild Horse Pass Festival Grounds
Daniel Graves (Vocalist), Aesthetic Perfection
Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

The final songs of the short setlist included “Gods & Gold,” “S E X,” “TOXIC,” “Rhythm + Control,” and “Love Like Lies.”

Aesthetic Perfection "Fall Goth Tour 2024" dates
Aesthetic Perfection “Fall Goth Tour 2024” dates

Aesthetic Perfection may not exactly be a household name for the casual music lover, and this is unfortunate. If you see them on the bill, make sure to check when they’re hitting the stage, get there a bit early, and be prepared for a sonic delight. Graves, NOIZITH, and Colucci are dark, charming characters, and they will absolutely win you over by the end of the show, even if you have never heard of them. This was the case this evening, with the audience eagerly raising their hands into the air at the behest of Graves, gladly posing for a photo behind the band before their set’s finale.

Aesthetic Perfection "Fall Goth Tour 2024" dates
Aesthetic Perfection “Fall Goth Tour 2024” dates

Photo Gallery

Photographer: Katherine Amy Vega

Aesthetic Perfection – Wild Horse Pass Festival Grounds 10-12-24

Photography © Katherine Amy Vega, Kataklizmic Design
All Rights Reserved.

Industrial Pop Outfit AESTHETIC PERFECTION Reveals Eccentric Music Video for “Gods & Gold”, Featuring Guitars by Richard Z. Kruspe of RAMMSTEIN

Los Angeles-based producer Daniel Graves has been turning heads with his addictive industrial pop project, Aesthetic Perfection, for nearly two decades. Since forming in 2000, Graves has released five full-length albums, numerous singles and music videos, all the while reinventing what it means to be a dark electro artist. Blending industrial, pop, goth, and everything in between, Aesthetic Perfection defies definitions in a world that demands them.

Today marks the release of the visually stunning and eccentric new music video for “Gods & Gold“, an instantly gripping industrial pop crossover anthem with an unforgettable hook that listeners will be humming for days. The track features scorching guitars by the inimitable Richard Z. Kruspe of Rammstein, who adds an extra aggressive punch to the tune. Watch the deliciously avant garde video now via Alternative Press HERE.

Aesthetic Perfection mastermind Daniel Graves says about “Gods & Gold“:Gods & Gold was a very challenging song for us to work on. I really wanted to push the envelope here and try something new. We’d been tinkering with it for quite some time and it was just coming up short. Once our friend Richard Kruspe expressed interest in playing on the record, I instantly knew he was the missing puzzle piece. I didn’t even realize I’d had his playing style and vibe in mind when I was writing the track until that very second. Then BOOM, just like magic it all came together. It instantly became our favorite song and obvious choice for the first track on the album. Of course, we’re all enormous Rammstein fans and honored to finally work with Richard in a professional capacity.”

Aesthetic Perfection Into The Black

Gods & Gold” is cut from Aesthetic Perfection‘s fifth and latest studio album, Into The Black, which hit stores everywhere on March 29 via Close to Human Music. Featuring an all-star cast of collaborators such as the aforementioned Richard Z. Kruspe, Jinxx of Black Veil Brides, Mick Kenney of Anaal Nathrakh and Krischan Wesenberg of Rotersand, Into The Black is the most mature Aesthetic Perfection album to date. Fans can order Into The Black and “Gods & Gold” now via Apple Music, Amazon and Bandcamp. Physical editions and merch are available HERE, and the album can be streamed via Spotify.

Into The Black features acclaimed drummer Joe Letz, recognized for his work with artists such as Emigrate (also featuring Richard Z. Kruspe), Combichrist, Wednesday 13, Genitorturers and several other top heavy music artists.

Dark and gritty, yet undeniably catchy and melodic, Into The Black builds upon the band’s past while solidly keeping its eyes focused on the future. From the haunting electronic melodies of “Supernatural” to the twangy guitars of “Echoes“, from the punch-to-the-gut beat of “No Boys Allowed” to the soaring highs of “Mourning Doves“, Daniel Graves takes the transgressive art form known as industrial pop to the next level.

Aesthetic Perfection will head out on a full North American headline tour beginning September 6, 2019 in San Diego, CA. The tour will feature support artist Empathy Test and will visit over a month’s-worth of cities, coming to a close in Los Angeles, CA on October 19. See below for all tour dates, and visit Aesthetic Perfection‘s website HERE for tickets and HERE for VIP information.

Aesthetic Perfection Into The Black Tour

Aesthetic Perfection Tour Dates with Empathy Test:

September 06, 2019 – The Casbah – San Diego, CA
September 07, 2019 – Club Red – Mesa, AZ
September 08. 2019 – Rock House – El Paso, TX
September 12, 2019 – Amp Room – San Antonio, TX
September 13, 2019 – Elysium – Austin, TX
September 14, 2019 – Warehouse Live – Houston, TX
September 15, 2019 – The Church – Dallas, TX
September 17, 2019 – The Goat – New Orleans, LA
September 18, 2019 – Drunken Unicorn – Atlanta, GA
September 19, 2019 – The 926 Bar – Tallahassee, FL
September 20, 2019 – The Orpheum – Tampa, FL
September 21, 2019 – Will’s – Orlando, FL
September 24, 2019 – The Milestone – Charlotte, NC
September 25, 2019 – Fallout – Richmond, VA
September 26, 2019 – Dangerous Pies – Washington, DC
September 27, 2019 – Voltage Lounge – Philadelphia, PA
September 28, 2019 – The Knitting Factory – Brooklyn, NY
September 29, 2019 – ONCE Ballroom – Boston, MA
September 30, 2019 – Mohawk Place – Buffalo, NY
October 01, 2019 – Coalition – Toronto, ON
October 02, 2019 – Howlers – Pittsburgh, PA
October 03, 2019 – The Event Center – Cincinnati, OH
October 04, 2019 – Small’s – Detroit, MI
October 05, 2019 – Reggie’s – Chicago, IL
October 06, 2019 – Club Anything – Milwaukee, WI
October 07, 2019 – Warehouse – LaCrosse, WI
October 08, 2019 – Red Sea Lounge – Minneapolis, MN
October 09, 2019 – Riot Room – Kansas City, MO
October 11, 2019 – Marquis Theater – Denver, CO
October 12, 2019 – Area 51 – Salt Lake City, UT
October 14, 2019 – Pub 340 – Vancouver, BC
October 15, 2019 – Highline – Seattle, WA
October 16, 2019 – Paris Theater – Portland, OR
October 18, 2019 – Brick and Mortar – San Francisco, CA
October 19, 2019 – Lodge Room – Los Angeles, CA

Aesthetic Perfection is:

Daniel Graves – Vocals
Elliott Berlin – Keys & Guitars
Joe Letz – Drums

Aesthetic Perfection Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter
Instagram | YouTube