Aesthetic Perfection was formerly signed directly to Metropolis Records in the United States and Out of Line Records in Europe, until Graves decided to run it on his independent label Close to Human Records. Additionally, the band was licensed to Gravitator Records in Russia and Death Watch Asia in Japan.
The band's third album, All Beauty Destroyed, was released on November 4, 2011, in Europe and November 8, 2011, in the United States.
On March 29, 2019, Aesthetic Perfection released its sixth album, Into the Black. Unlike previous albums which were released by labels, Into the Black was self-released. According to Graves, this was an intentional move towards running the band free of label intervention, due to a belief that the label industry model was "dying".
Band members
Daniel Graves - vocals, keyboards, programming (2000–present)
Joe Letz - live drums (US, 2018–present)
Constance Antoinette Day - live keyboards, guitars, bass (2021–present)
The Dark Half
Aesthetic Perfection Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Into the dead of night
It's time to see the truth,
To meet the other side
I'll give you what you crave,
I'll leave you wanting more
(You're gotta get it, Ohh you're gotta get it)
Is lurking in the core
(You're gotta get it, Ohh you're gotta get it)
You're gotta get it, Ohh you're gotta get it
You're gotta get it, Ohh you're gotta get it
You're gotta get it, Ohh you're gotta get it
You gotta cut that hole inside of me
You gotta cut deep down below
To where the beauty digs its hole
You'll never love me and it shows
For who I truly am
Why must I be a fraud?
Why must I be a show?
Why can't I be content,
To reap the seeds I've sewn?
For all your flattery,
For all your words of praise
(You're gotta get it, Ohh you're gotta get it)
You're only nurturing,
The side of me I hate
(You're gotta get it, Ohh you're gotta get it)
You're gotta get it, Ohh you're gotta get it
You're gotta get it, Ohh you're gotta get it
You're gotta get it, Ohh you're gotta get it
Gotta cut that hole inside of me
You gotta cut deep down below
To where the beauty digs its hole
You'll never love me and it shows
For who I truly am
Run from the one,
In the dark
I'll never let you go
(x4)
You gotta cut deep down below
To where the beauty digs its hole
You'll never love me and it shows
For who I truly am
You're gotta get it, Ohh you're gotta get it
You're gotta get it, Ohh you're gotta get it
You're gotta get it, Ohh you're gotta get it
You're gotta get it, Ohh you're gotta get it
The lyrics of Aesthetic Perfection's The Dark Half invite the listener to follow the singer into the dark and confront the truth, to meet the other side. The singer promises to give what the listener craves, to leave them wanting more, as everything they need is lurking in the core. There is a sense of despair and desperation in the lyrics, as the singer admits that there is a hole inside of them that needs to be cut deep down to where the beauty digs its hole. However, the listener will never truly love the singer for who they are and the singer feels like a fraud who must put on a show to receive words of praise and flattery.
The chorus repeats the phrase "you're gotta get it" as a command to the listener to cut the hole deep inside the singer, as there is beauty and truth there that needs to be revealed. However, the reality of the situation is that the listener will never love the singer for who they truly are, and the singer is resigned to this fate. The repetition of the phrase "you're gotta get it" is both a plea and a demand, showing the singer's need for connection and transcendence.
Overall, The Dark Half is a song that explores the darker aspects of the human psyche, highlighting the tension between the desire for connection and the inability to be truly loved for who one is. The lyrics portray a sense of alienation and despair, but also a yearning for something more, for the beauty that lies deep within the core of the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Follow me to the dark,
I am inviting you to explore the depths of my reality, to leave the light and experience the unknown.
Into the dead of night
We will venture into the emptiness when there are no distractions, face our fears, and explore the forbidden.
It's time to see the truth,
I want you to know the real me, not just the superficial side I show the world.
To meet the other side
Together, we will confront the dark aspects of my personality that I keep hidden from the world.
I'll give you what you crave,
I will give you what you desire, even if it is something that I am afraid of or dislike.
I'll leave you wanting more
I will not judge you for your desires, even if you make me feel inadequate or uncomfortable.
(You're gotta get it, Ohh you're gotta get it)
You need to have it, and so you will come back to me time and time again.
Cause everything you need,
I know that what you want is not limited to surface-level attractions or distractions. You want the essential things in life.
Is lurking in the core
The essence of what you crave in life is hidden within your self, your soul, your essential being.
You gotta cut that hole inside of me
In order to find what you are seeking, you must access the darkest parts of my soul like a surgeon cutting into flesh.
You gotta cut deep down below
Exploring these psychological depths with you will be painful, but also revealing and ultimately rewarding.
To where the beauty digs its hole
Beauty can emerge from the darkness of one's soul, but only when one is willing to face the harsh reality of our deepest fears and desires.
You'll never love me and it shows
I am aware that the reality of my being is hard to love and accept.
For who I truly am
I am not the person you imagine me to be based on the facade I present to the world.
Why must I be a fraud?
I am questioning why I am compelled to present myself as someone I am not.
Why must I be a show?
I question why I have to act in a way that feels unnatural, why I must put on a performance for you.
Why can't I be content,
I am questioning why I cannot simply be satisfied with who I am and what I have instead of trying to appear as something I am not.
To reap the seeds I've sewn?
I am questioning why my actions don't reflect the person I claim to be, why I am not reaping the rewards of my own work.
For all your flattery,
I am aware that you are trying to make me feel better by complimenting and flattering me.
For all your words of praise
You are trying to boost my confidence by offering kind words and feedback.
You're only nurturing,
However, I know deep down that your words are not sincere, they are feeding the side of me that I despise.
The side of me I hate
Your flattery is only serving to reinforce the side of myself I detest and creating an internal conflict within me.
Run from the one,
I am warning you to avoid the facade I have created, the false image of myself that I don't want you to think is real.
In the dark
I am warning you to steer clear of the aspects of myself that are hidden and should be exposed to the light.
I'll never let you go
I am unwilling to let go of the person I truly am, the version of myself that you refuse to acknowledge or accept.
Contributed by Mateo P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sarahs413
Please NEVER remove this video! It's been a "go to" song / video for me for YEARS now.
@tevildech5497
I love the part where he screams at that burning sausage
@DailyDungeonists
oh god where man ive gotta see this! lol. (replays)
Typically multitask when playing yt MV
@angunasha
Lmfao i did literally 😂 never gunna see it the same way! 🤓🤘
@Maliasimpleplanfan
Haha!
@pauljohnson3739
THAT'S A TORCH, SOLDIER!
@vladimirlustblood9694
Typical bloke lol..always blame the fecking burning sausage
@abcjme
This guy's an amazing performer. He has such distinguished and determined movements.
@KuntaKinteToby
Daniel never ceases to amaze me with his ability to go from flat out singing to the retching growl he uses and back again with such ease, and he does each very well. Also he has more than one growl but here uses what I would say is his signature one.
@androbodomknight
Man ... metal fans here ... but I like the music you make man \m/