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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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Photographer: Katherine Amy Vega

Photography © Katherine Amy Vega, Kataklizmic Design
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