The Art of Darkness

‘Magisterial’ The Times ‘A treat’ Uncut ‘This exhaustive book shows why the dark side is not dead and buried.’ Mojo ‘Gloriously knowledgeable and inclusive, rich with words like crystalline, lysergic, spectral, and stuffed with stories about the bands who changed your life as a teenager.’ Irish Independent ‘A feast for fans of the subculture’ Hot Press 'John Robb brilliantly illuminates the realm of imagination and dark beauty. Enter the other side of love. The kingdom of goth is within you.' Johnny Marr 'An encyclopaedia of excitement - thanks to this book goth is undead.' Chris Packham 'John Robb has written the definitive book on a scene that demands to be celebrated. Fascinating, thoughtful, surprising and freakishly detailed.' Grace Dent ‘John Robb is an inexhaustible fact finding music sleuth, a sturdy writer and trustworthy guide’ Henry Rollins 'I could not stop reading about the birth, death and ghost of goth as it poured out of this extensively researched panorama of goth music and culture. Connect the dots, do that dance… while wearing black, of course.’ Kid Congo 'This is a glorious book, exploring Gothic from its historical roots to the cliches, caricatures and catcalling of the present age. 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 go-to book on all things goth.' Janina Ramirez, author of Femina -- .