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Gesaffelstein is an enigmatic Frenchman, a game-changer within the industrial techno landscape. His real name is Mike Lévy, but his cloak-and-dagger stage name, an amalgamation of 'Gesamtkunstwerk' (a German term meaning 'total work of art') and 'Einstein', truly encapsulates his genius and dedication to his holistic art form. His sonically shapeshifting tracks echo through the contemporary scene, blending aggressive techno with synth-driven industrial undertones to create an encompassing visceral experience. His 2011 breakout single "Viol" reverberated through the dance floors of Europe and beyond, catapulting him to prominence. For an electronic artist, he is unusually immersive, often seen brooding behind his all-black synthesizer set, garbed in noir attire under an unforgiving spotlight.
His music videos, like his music, are avant-garde, rebellious, and powerfully evocative. Switching between eerie noir landscapes and unsettlingly provocative scenes, his narratives are as unforgettable as they are controversial. "Pursuit," a video boasting a rare appearance by the reticent Lévy himself, unfurls as a dystopian visual novel. Glittering diamonds dissolve into a grimy underworld inhabited by menacing, metallic-clad figures against a heavy soundtrack that drums up tension with every beat. While in “Hate or Glory,” a man turns to gold after relentless hunger for power and wealth, unmistakably reminiscent of the Greek legend of King Midas. Somehow, the relentless, pulsating nature of his music always finds an equal in visuals—dark, intense and titillating your senses.
And for something a bit tantalizing, did you know Gesaffelstein once hung up on the pop diva Madonna herself? During his initial rise to fame, a call came through while he was driving. Not recognizing the number, he simply hung up. Only when another call came in the next day from her studio did he realize he'd accidentally snubbed the Queen of Pop herself. Yet, it wasn't long before they were working together – a testament to Gesaffelstein's allure and originally in the music industry.
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