Aesthetic Perfection - All Beauty Destroyed

After his last release of 'A Violent Emotion' in 2008, Daniel Graves returns more powerful than ever with his newest 12-track album, 'All Beauty Destroyed'. This album takes a turn away from the very harshness of 'A Violent Emotion' and brings into light much more of Daniel's influences and alternative style. There's a very overriding sense of opposition throughout, dominantly portrayed in the commonly referred to Jekyll and Hyde vocal style of clean and synthesised vocals reminiscent of his other project Necessary Response but also the harshness from 'A Violent Emotion' now somewhat raw voice.

The alternative style as well brings this album straight into the limelight and sets it apart from every other; a fresh electronic vibe with the Industrial sound streaming with the hard beats, dancey synths and catchy lyrics. Aesthetic Perfection in contradiction to the album's name of 'All Beauty Destroyed' really gives a great suggestion of the music and the artist. This juxtaposition can be effectively seen through lyrical and vocal display but much more noticeably between songs as each track fluctuates in it's own unique way really making the album an honour to listen to.

Whereas the last album was focused on external problems, this album takes on a much stronger focus to internal problems, the monster within, clearly portrayed through the album art itself and of course, the lyrics. Another great point on this album is the sheer variety which arises through strong dance-floor hitters and more edgy tracks. Preceding the album's release, Daniel put out a free download of the second track "The Devil's In The Details" as a sampler and needless to say, it came as a surprise arousing quite a good amount of mixed feelings with the new vocal style. However it is easy to adjust considering it's not far off the style commonly used in Metal music. Later came the release of the 'Inhuman' EP containing the track "Inhuman" and various remixes by artists such as Combichrist, Imperative Reaction and Panic Lift. These two songs alone are a pretty good indication of the album on whole. Now, onto the album.

The album opens with "A Nice Place to Visit" going straight into a mighty roar then into the song, no long intro or build, you are plunged directly into the track, and this is just great. "I welcome you to your Hell/ Look around,/ I hope you like what you see." A mighty surge of the amazing 'A Violent Emotion' is reborn in this track and is then evolving throughout the album, manifesting into your mind with the very memorable and striking lyrics that you'll be repeating quite a few times after you've listened to the album.Other tracks each hold something beautiful and sinister, it's almost impossible to pick a favourite as not a single track holds a flaw or any imperfection. However there are a few tracks which really do stand out above all for very obvious reasons. One which does is "Under Your Skin", this track is made purely through voice alone and listening closely you can hear every individual sound made and just sit in awe of the sheer work that has gone into making such a unique song. Blending very sinister and menacing sounds within a sexual context all make this track very human, evermore so with the completely human sound within. Guaranteed to stay in your mind.

The title track, at the end of the album is completely unique to itself again showing the clear mastery of Aesthetic Perfection and the work which was involved to create something so beautiful. "All Beauty Destroyed" starts as a very melancholy ballad-like song with a soft tones of a piano which later ascends into a more sinister style. Could this be an allegory of something bigger? That something starts off peaceful and calm but later grows into something much more evil? The song itself could be a representation of humanity or Daniel himself. What is left when all beauty is destroyed? Nothing but the ugly inside? A mask that hides the darkness. The opening lyrics to the track sum up this track perfectly; "And everyone is so kind/ With the lies that they tell themselves/ 'Cause everyone is so blind/ To the truth that they're ugly inside."A work of musical mastery and poetry combine to bring Aesthetic Perfection to a whole new level, raising the bar for artists and captivating the minds of fans everywhere.

'Close to Human' was a superb album, 'A Violent Emotion' was pure perfection and now 'All Beauty Destroyed' has equalled in standard proving Aesthetic Perfection to be a great unique artist who clearly knows what he's doing. I can only tremble in awe of how amazing a new release will be. Every track on this album is terribly addictive, it would be a crime to not have listened to this, not only is it one of the first to involve such a unique style within its genre but it also marks a point in music in which artists are opening up their individuality rather than fitting a certain sound like so many seem to doing. 2011 really was the year for such sounds to emerge with artists such as: Encephalon, Necro Facility, Die Sektor, and Fractured.On a side note: I'm quite surprised he didn't experiment with Dubstep, maybe in the next release? Not heard much 'Industrialstep', but that's beside the point.

Overall, if it wasn't clear enough, this album is just amazing. Words cannot express the pure wonder of this release you just really need to have heard it for yourself to truly appreciate it as a piece of art. A pure and simple 10/10, no other rating is worthy. Jan 31 2012