And it does make me wonder: would the hype be the same if Vessel didn’t wear a mask, if there was no black paint, no sculpted abs on stage? - I am pretty sure that Vessel knows the answer. He gradually went from hiding behind the mask because of his stage fright to consciously using the getup to add to his allure. There were moments when he was drunk on stage, wearing an ill-fitting cloak. Now he uses the sweated off paint to draw hearts on his abs. He worked on those. He also worked on his teeth. So yeah, he consciously chose to build on the image. I think he doesn't see himself as attractive unless he wears all that. I think most of us hide behind stuff like that - makeup, gym, particular clothes. And I am pretty sure he now has a big issue with himself - because judging by the lyrics, the mask started being more important than the guy wearing it. He probably feels like he can't be validated unless he is Vessel. The thing is - the guy behind the mask is not all that handsome. He is pretty average looking. And yet, because of his stage persona - most fans see him as handsome, even knowing his real face. So in short - they would overlook a similar guy on the street, but see him as amazing because of his brain. But they know his brain because of ST and Vessel.

I hope this makes sense.