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The Art of Darkness

The History of Goth

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The Art of Darkness

By: John Robb
Narrated by: John Robb
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About this listen

This is the first comprehensive history of goth music and culture. John Robb explores the origins and legacy of this enduring scene, which has its roots in the post-punk era. Featuring sound and original music, and read by the author in his distinctive narrative style, this is a truly atmospheric audiobook that takes you right into the heart of the history of goth.

Drawing on his own experience as a musician and journalist, Robb covers the style, the music and the clubs that spawned goth culture, alongside political and social conditions. Reaching back further into history, he examines key events and movements that frame the ideas of goth, from the fall of Rome to Lord Byron and the Romantic poets, European folk tales, Gothic art and the occult. Finally, he considers the current mainstream goth of Instagram influencers, film, literature and music.

The art of darkness features interviews with Andrew Eldritch, Killing Joke, Bauhaus, The Cult, The Banshees, The Damned, Einstürzende Neubauten, Johnny Marr, Trent Reznor, Adam Ant, Laibach, The Cure, Nick Cave and many more. It offers a first-hand account of being there at the gigs and clubs that made the scene happen.

©2023 John Robb (P)2023 Manchester University Press History & Criticism Music

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This is a wonderful book, detailing most of the major players from the early days of Goth, and all the darkness that preceeded them. If you were there (like I was,) or if you have an interest in one of the most underrated musical genres then this book is a must. It bought back so many joyous memories of those times, I really enjoyed it.
My one criticism, the narration by the wonderful John Robb was at times a little hard to hear.

Not quite definitive, but pretty bloody close.

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A very detailed, full account of gothic music, film and culture. A most enjoyable listen!

gothtastic

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You could quite easily consider this book to be the Encyclopedia of all that is goth. The author John Robb has intensively crammed every small detail regarding the origins of Gothic culture and it’s background, including Gothic architecture, Goth horror TV and film classics and more importantly Gothic music from its inception to the modern day goth scene.
Everything that there is to know about the genre is included in this book and if it isn't in here then I’d say it's probably not worth knowing about.
The author has clearly done his homework and interviewed all key players of the alternative scene.
There are so many fantastic anecdotes from many stars of the genre, he displays an understanding and knowledge of how it all came to be. It's interesting that most bands did not want to be pigeonholed as a Goth rock outfits yet in retrospect bands like Souxsie & the banshees and The Cure gained massive approval being poster girl and boy of all that’s monochrome, to all intents and purpose reaping the benefits of being labelled goth acts.
John Robb exhibits the connections and joins the dots of glam rock, punk rock, new wave, synth pop and industrial. Just like the punk rock Bromley contingent, this book demonstrates how amazingly incestuous the whole gothic scene in effect was. So many musicians had been in and out of each other's bands and when they became dispassionate went on to form their own bands, achieving success elsewhere.

My own flirtation in all that’s goth came via the route of Gene Loves Jezebel who at the time had released the 1986 album `Discover’, though this album was their turning point, discarding their goth rock origination for a more polished pop rock sound. I back tracked to their earlier albums, `Immigrant’ and `Promise’, and without doubt they were sorely overlooked on the alternative scene! Gene Loves Jezebel was my inspiration to start growing my hair long and dye it black. I purchased size 11 winkle pickers, tight black jeans, purple shirts and then painted a picture of Adam Ant in full black kabuki make up, Adam & the Antz with a `Z’. On the left arm I painted Gene Loves Jezebel with one of their logos in gold. At the time I was under age and I was getting into places on the Birmingham Goth scene, the Barrel Organ, Zig Zags and Edward’s Number 8. Places that reeked of petula oil, where the best of all weirdos could hangout and have a good time dancing to alternative music with a pint of snakebite and black in their hands amidst the mist of a fog machine. I bring my own experience into this review simply because this book will evoke a plethora of memories if you were there on the scene.
As a massive Adam Ant fan, I got a lot of derision for the jacket from snooty goths who based their opinion on his later musical output. In this book John Robb sets the record straight where Adam Ant is concerned. `Dirk wears White Sox’ is indeed a monochrome masterpiece, it's dark and broody, coupled with the Kabuki image it couldn’t get any more goth! Therefore totally instilling justification on my part so thanks for that John!

The Art of Goth really defines the era, its rise from underground to acceptance and what’s now considered the norm, where no one bats an eye lid and accepts you for your own choices of imagery.

Like a good film the one thing that this book requires is an accompanied soundtrack. Personally I’m easily distracted and whilst listening I’d find myself leaving the book and going to iTunes or digging out old goth records when bands and tracks I liked were spoken about. In fact there were many bands I’d heard of but never invested in a single record, tape or cd at the time, prompting me to check out quite a few, only to realise I knew some of the tracks from the dance floors of goth clubs.
Before this book my knowledge of goth music was I guess limited and basic to what I knew of the time, totally reigniting my goth past, whetting my tastebuds and checking out a whole lot more music from the scene, although the fad I had for wearing the clothing, crimping my hair and the make up will remain a distant memory!
This is a great book! It will take you on a musical journey to your deep dark past! Happy reminiscing!!!



The holy bible of goth rock has arrived

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For any fan of Music not just Goth. Read well and extremely entertaining. I just wish more of John Robbs books were available to listen.

Excellent

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I’m a big fan of John Robb and actually know him personally, a genuinely nice man and an encyclopaedic knowledge of his subjects like very few others. This book is very much an eye-opener in parts, lots of things that really surprised, entertained and educated me in the subject. However, my one and major “complaint” would be John’s repeated mispronunciation of words, names & places. It’s almost embarrassing and you feel like shouting at the speaker to try and put him right. Whoever has edited the recording has really messed up - we’re not talking about the odd occasional word. We really are talking repeated mistakes. If you can look past this, it’s a great listen.

A fascinating subject, but dodgy delivery

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compelling insight into Gotth i'ts Historic traces, Culture, Music and Way of Lfe itself. 10 out of 10

compelling insight into Gotth i'ts Historic traces, Culture, Music and Way of Lfe itself.

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The content is extremely broad and encompasses the literary / historical roots of Goth. I enjoyed it. From the Sacking of Rome to Frankenstein to The Doors to All The Goth Bands ever, it’s very informative. Robb’s narration is…a bit marmite. Sometimes he tries too hard to be scary and / or sexy and more than once I found myself winding back to check I’d heard him correctly -i.e. Grand Guignol is “Grand Googynol”. I’m also not sure he’s got a handle on the word “Phenomenon”. Whether you can enjoy this depends on how his narration lands for you. Content-wise, it’s great. The music breaks between chapters works well enough, if a touch ersatz Goth.

Interesting pronunciation & fruity delivery

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A very good history of both music and history; it has also opened me up to bands that I haven't heard before, even though 'I was there' 👍

A very enjoyable listen

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Content was detailed and thorough but struggled to make it through due to John Robb's appalling narration. Manglinging vowels and stretching words in a ludicrous attempt to sound 'spooky' with the effect of coming across like a amateur dramatic vampire played with the syntax of scientist Brian Cox. And the pronunciation is comedic! His attempts at the names of composers Berlioz and Mussorgsky are so far off as to be laughable.

Eventually stopped listening and bought the book instead. Maybe that was his intention all along.

I could not recommend and shame on the producer who allowed this to be released.

Needs a new narrator as becomes quickly unlistenable

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