The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth

Reviews

djvampira

If you have been in the subculture for any amount of time parts of this book will feel familiar, like you are talking to a good friend about 'back in the day'. The many experiences that Robb talks about in the book are the same that I had halfway around the world in California during the late 80's. Highly recommended.

Gpaolo

Finished……. Wide ranging and well researched with plenty of interviews with the main players, the book has enough depth and detail to surprise even the most demanding and obsessive fans.

N. Smith

We get long sections on the expected bands (Bauhaus, Banshees, Cure, Joy Division, Killing Joke, Sisters, etc. Anyone who gives a damn about the music genre or general subculture of 'Goth' knows what a daunting task any attempt at a history of it is likely to be: both its historical origins and its influence on wider culture are varied, complex and up for almost constant debate.

Paige Turner

For example, he talks about how The Doors influenced both musicians and fans. I am more than halfway through this book and I am very, very impressed by the information contained within it. Thankfully, journalist and musician John Robb has seen the scene from the beginning, and the six hundred and forty pages of main taxt (plus notes) that he gives us here are packed with information on just about every aspect of the subject you could want. And he knows so much about just about all music, particularly post punk (two words- not just post-punk).

I especially love the fact that Robb was actually around the subculture in the 80's. I also love that he really gets into the threads that tangled together to form the goth subculture. What comes over most is John’s appreciation and love of almost all the music discussed.