Review: Aesthetic Perfection, Twin Temple, and Till Lindemann at Mission Ballroom
At the reverberant Mission Ballroom, the solo tour of Rammstein‘s enigmatic frontman, Till Lindemann, made a captivating stop on October 7th, nestled within a mesmerizing 17-date odyssey that commenced on September 17th in San Antonio. This electrifying journey was primarily orchestrated to champion his latest album, Zunge.
Preceding the main act, the Austrian-American industrial pop ensemble Aesthetic Perfection ignited the stage with their performance. The music they produced echoed the distinctive styles of Marilyn Manson and Three Days Grace, enlivened by a dash of catchy pop melodies. Daniel Graves, an electrifying frontman par excellence, orchestrated NOIZITH on guitar and keyboard, while Brooke C delivered an energetic and robust drum performance. From the very outset, Graves seized the audience’s attention with his magnetic stage presence, often interacting with spectators and flirting with photographers. Their aesthetic was a harmonious blend of “Summer Goth,” which complemented their eponymous hit single beautifully.
Next up was Twin Temple, the captivating Satanic Doo-wop duo comprised of husband and wife Alexandra James and Zachary James, alongside various touring members. The vocal range of Alexandra James bore an uncanny resemblance to Amy Winehouse‘s soulful melodies, infused with a dash of 50s R&B. Zachary James showcased his retro rock and roll guitar skills, augmenting the nostalgic ambiance while weaving satanic themes into the fabric of their music. The duo’s visual and auditory presentations were nothing short of breathtaking as they donned vintage style outfits adorned with satanic motifs in deep blood-red hues.
Commencing with the song “Zunge,” Till Lindemann and his entourage unleashed an aural and visual onslaught that was almost overwhelming, never relinquishing their grip on the audience throughout the performance. The musicians accompanying Till were Jes Paige and Emily Rudvidich on guitars, Danny Lohner (ex-Nine Inch Nails) on bass along with Constance Day on keyboards and Joe Letz (ex-Combichrist) on drums.
Till’s voice is instantly recognizable, and his solo material seamlessly aligns with the heavy industrial sound that Rammstein is renowned for. The setlist comprised of songs like “Fat,” “Allesfresser” and “Golden Shower.” The graphic imagery emanating from the screens was hardly surprising, given Till’s penchant for boundary-pushing content. Throughout the night, he captivated the audience with his dynamic stage presence, directing the circus of chaos that unfolded before us. During “Platz eins”, Till joined the audience, making his way throughout the floor while throngs of fans enveloped him, with security trying to keep people at a reasonable distance.
From having band members hurl cakes at concertgoers to spraying the crowd down during “Blut” and even using a cannon to shoot fish into the audience during “Fish On,” one thing was abundantly clear: this was an unforgettable spectacle. Although there were no pyrotechnics, it was nonetheless a riveting performance that will likely remain etched in our collective memory until Till decides to embark on another tour and outdo himself once more – a prospect that seems improbable but is characteristic of the enigmatic performer we know as Till.
The band’s performance was mesmerizing, serving as the ideal backdrop for Lindemann’s antics. They delivered an auditory assault that left spectators both dazzled and exhilarated. The setlist spanned approximately sixteen songs, but the evening flew by in a heartbeat – a testament to the electrifying energy that permeated the venue throughout the performance. Truly, this was an unforgettable show that one can only hope to witness again when Till graces us with another tour and attempts to surpass himself, as is his wont.
