The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth

Product Information

Finally, after a decade of work, countless interviews and immersing deep into the culture, John Robb's definitive book is a journey deep into The Art Of Darkness. His latest opus is the 650-page “The Art Of Darkness : The History of Goth”, an in-depth account that he feels presents the first major and comprehensive overview of Goth music and culture and its lasting legacy.

John Robb on his massive new goth book: “It’s simple: no John Robb on his massive new goth book: “It’s simple: no

With references as far back as the fall of Rome, Robb succinctly establishes a convincing two-fold overview of modern aesthetics, classical and gothic, as preamble to a grab-bag of pick-and-mix rock journalism centred on melancholic post-punk: Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Damned, Joy Division, The Cure, Bauhaus, Killing Joke, The Cult… the usual suspects, with some surprising editions I will leave to the reader to discover. Early songs like Carcass, which dealt with a butcher falling in love with a slab of meat on his butcher’s block, showed a leaning towards the darker and stranger side of things, rather than the political or nihilistic form that was getting attention.The music, dance and fashion are sumptuously brought to life, but more than that, Robb manages to take us into the psyche, fantasies and imaginations of a plethora of fascinating Goths. The topic of who was the first Goth band has long been the subject of debate, but personally, I would discount those listed above, despite them having some leaning towards the darker side of music and culture at times. You will find unique and revealingtestimonials such as “The Doorsbeing the first Gothic Band” andinterviews with icons that haveshaped the musical genre. When he’s not touring with his band (they recently toured in Europe with The Stranglers, The Chameleons and Fields Of The Nephilim), he’s presenting, moderating or writing for his popular UK music site Louder Than War. Robb again turns etymological sleuth and tracks down the first uses of the word ‘Gothic’ in relation to the first-wave punk bands and finds Nick Kent describing the Banshees by saying “ Parallels and comparisons can now be drawn with Gothic rock architects like The Doors and, certainly, early The Velvet Underground”, and Joy Division being described as “ Gothic dance music”.

JOHN ROBB – THE ART OF DARKNESS – THE HISTORY OF GOTH JOHN ROBB – THE ART OF DARKNESS – THE HISTORY OF GOTH

To add to the completeness of the book, there is also a kind of round-up of bands who never made it to Goth’s Premier Division. He could have gone on to explore the enduring legacy this novel had on the horror genre and the stylistic influences of its creatures (think bride of frankenstein hair etc).

Robb spends more page-space on Ian Astbury's couch-surfing days than he does on the influence of Tim Burton. Author John Robb was tasked with (or chose to) expand the book into a history of modern Goth in general. Of course, a crushed velvet, vintage aesthetic is one element, but goths always had something to say. The book's core is dedicated to in-depth explorations of Goth's signature artists: Siouxsie, Joy Division, the Cure, etc. Interviews with the main players are a huge part of The Art of Darkness, and an interview with Banshees bass player and founder member Steve Severin is a rare treat and the band’s history is discussed at length.