Into the Black: A Review

Patreon supporters were treated to a spectacular surprise Thursday evening when Daniel Graves released his latest album “Into the Black” early. The album features 10 new Aesthetic Perfection tracks with guest spots by Richard Z. Kruspe (Rammstein and Emigrate), Jinxx (Black Veil Brides), and Krischan Wesenberg of Rotersand. The album is being released via Daniel Graves own record label, Close to Human.

Graves built up hype for the album by hiring noted TV personality Percy McDougal. McDougal filmed a series of short TV infomercials sharing the wonders and splendors of “The Black.” To learn more, visit GetTheBlack.

Though the album bears some resemblance to previous releases, Aesthetic Perfection is continuing to push the envelope and grow the industrial pop sound. Graves continues to refine his clean vocals, proving that he is a professional bent on perfecting his craft.

It is obvious that this album is a labor of love for Graves. Though he previously stated he would stick to singles only because it helps with fans consume music faster, he acquiesced to his fans who were craving a full album.

Highlights from “Into the Black” include:

Gods & Gold: Graves starts the album strong with “Gods & Gold” featuring Kruspe. The song is a hard and heavy hitting tune with a melodic chorus. It is clear with this track that Graves has been working on and fine-tuning his vocals. Some fans and reviewers are arguing that Graves is rapping in the song. Honestly, it’s the change in tempo that people are hearing. Graves moves effortlessly through the different tempo and time changes of the song.

No Boys Allowed: Probably one of my favorite tracks on the album. If this song doesn’t see play time in clubs, I’ll be very surprised. (I’m not a dancer and this song had me dancing all around my living room.) The upbeat tempo helps Graves continue to rhythm of the album.

Supernatural: With the fourth track, Graves takes the temp down to his version of a ballad. The constant repeating of “are we gonna survive the fall/ we’re just human after all/ we’re not supernatural” coupled with the whispered nighttime prayer “if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take…” is extremely powerful.

Echoes: This is the song where Graves lets his clean vocals shine. The ballad is extremely poignant and moving. The lyrics are equally haunting and relatable.

“I’m stuck inside an echo/ Where every word is everything I want to hear/I’m blinded by an echo/ Now everyone’s an enemy it’s all so clear/ I don’t want to find out who I am/ I’d rather live a lie until the end/ I’m stuck inside an echo”
-“Echoes” by Aesthetic Perfection

Mourning Doves: Graves ends the album on a slower, more poignant ballad. Again, the guitar genius of Jinxx from Black Veil Brides are highlighted on the song. The lyrics and tone of the song moved me to tears upon the first listen. (Even now on the billionth listen, I still get chills.)

Overall, this is a masterpiece that Graves should be proud to call his own. From beginning to end, there is not a bad track on the album. The growth he is showing as a singer, songwriter, and musician are all equally impressive.

Full Tracklist:

Gods & Gold (feat. Richard Z. Kruspe)
Wickedness
No Boys Allowed
Supernatural
Echoes (feat. Jinxx)
We Wake Up (feat. Jinxx and Wesenberg
If I Die (feat. Jinxx)
Saint Peter
Yolo
Mourning Doves (feat. Jinxx.)

Aesthetic Perfection is set to embark on a European and US tour shortly. Be sure to check them out!

March 16, 2019 – Club Science – Tokyo, JP
March 30, 2019 – Dark Side of the Con – Parsippany, NJ
April 05, 2019 – Dark Malta Festival – Santa Lucjia, MT

| Europe |

w/ Priest & Amelia Arsenic

April 10, 2019 – Fleece – Bristol, UK Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/y8uw22cb
April 11, 2019 – Ivory Blacks – Glasgow, UK Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/y7q8nbly
April 12, 2019 – The Slade Rooms – Wolverhampton, UK Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/y8pt277j
April 13, 2019 – Night People – Manchester, UK Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/yc7nlbxn
April 14, 2019 – 02 Islington – London, UK Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/yajg2kjb
April 18, 2019 – Kaiserkeller – Hamburg, DE Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/zxa8395
April 19, 2019 – Privatclub – Berlin, DE Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/zxa8395
April 20, 2019 – Das Bett – Frankfurt, DE Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/zxa8395
April 21, 2019 – Kulttempel – Oberhausen, DE Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/zxa8395
April 22, 2019 – Subkultur – Hannover, DE Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/zxa8395
April 23, 2019 – Subkultur – Hannover, DE Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/zxa8395
April 24, 2019 – X-Tra – Zurich, CH Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/zxa8395
April 25, 2019 – Backstage – Munich, DE Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/zxa8395
April 26, 2019 – Escape Metalcorner – Vienna, AT Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/zxa8395
April 27, 2019 – Reithalle Strasse E – Dresden, DE Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/zxa8395
April 28, 2019 – Rock Café – Prague, CZ Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/ybs96gxl
April 30, 2019 – Progresja – Warsaw, PL Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/yczpwbpx

| North America |

w/ Empathy Test

September 06, 2019 – The Casbah – San Diego, CA Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/y7fydot2
September 07, 2019 – Club Red – Mesa, AZ Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/ydx6w2y5
September 08. 2019 – Rock House – El Paso, TX Tickets: TBA
September 12, 2019 – Amp Room – San Antonio, TX Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/y9hjlfy9
September 13, 2019 – Elysium – Austin, TX Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/ycufon5e
September 14, 2019 – Warehouse Live – Houston, TX Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/y7zd6zel
September 15, 2019 – The Church – Dallas, TX Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/y7r3wrm5
September 18, 2019 – Drunken Unicorn – Atlanta, GA Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/y7n3ww3n
September 19, 2019 – The 926 Bar – Tallahassee, FL Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/yaa2fb6b
September 20, 2019 – The Orpheum – Tampa, FL Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/y8o4u8b6
September 21, 2019 – Will’s – Orlando, FL Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/ybutqghq
September 24, 2019 – The Milestone – Charlotte, NC Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/ycv6km9n
September 25, 2019 – Fallout – Richmond, VA Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/y7947m64
September 26, 2019 – The Pie Shop – Washington, DC – Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/y7wv7w68
September 28, 2019 – The Knitting Factory – Brooklyn, NY Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/y8r3ro8q
September 29, 2019 – ONCE Ballroom – Boston, MA Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/y9f9bg7o
September 30, 2019 – Mohawk Place – Buffalo, NY Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/y8evdrty
October 01, 2019 – Coalition – Toronto, ON Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/ycbbxywo
October 02, 2019 – Howlers – Pittsburgh, PA Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/ya9bry5s
October 03, 2019 – Southgate House Revival – Cincinnati, OH Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/ybl797t7
October 04, 2019 – Small’s – Detroit, MI Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/y9xmkt92
October 05, 2019 – Reggie’s – Chicago, IL Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/ybj6tthc
October 06, 2019 – Club Anything – Milwaukee, WI Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/ya4ay9wp
October 07, 2019 – Warehouse – LaCrosse, WI Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/y9fs4ch6
October 08, 2019 – Red Sea Lounge – Minneapolis, MN Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/y8rlz9sc
October 09, 2019 – Riot Room – Kansas City, MO Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/y89fcuqn
October 11, 2019 – Marquis Theater – Denver, CO Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/ybvncub5
October 12, 2019 – Area 51 – Salt Lake City, UT Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/ybzopa4v
October 14, 2019 – Pub 340 – Vancouver, BC Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/ycd555sn
October 15, 2019 – Highline – Seattle, WA Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/y93hsfor
October 16, 2019 – Paris Theater – Portland, OR Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/y9lqow47
October 18, 2019 – Brick and Mortar – San Francisco, CA Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/yc529khx
October 19, 2019 – The Lodge – Los Angeles, CA Tickets:https://tinyurl.com/ycmshkbd