Art of Darkness

Why-HOMni: Ambiguity sexual content

Achievements: Art of Darkness

Family story

The Art of Darkness (Universal, 1998)

by Tony Esposito

Subtitled Essential Goth 1982-95, this compilation of 13 songs is not as black as the cover would like us to believe. From Bauhaus to Marilyn Manson, the vision of The Art of Darkness has evolved.
Of course, for the newcomer, the whole thing seems similar. Heavy textures, violence, dark and guttural atmosphere. A family link is woven. The ghost of grandfather David Bowie casts a shadow (especially in This Corrosion by Sisters of Mercy from 1987 and Moonchild by Fields of the Nephleme from 1988). Memories of big brother The Cure appear (Love Like Blood by Killing Joke from 1985 or Everyday Is Halloween by Ministry). But some brothers and sisters are there, claiming their own identity. By marrying the members of Bauhaus (present here with its Bela Lugosi Is Dead live version from 1982) and Japan, a first generation has grown (Tones on Tail, Dali's Car, Love and Rockets, and the solists David Sylvian, Mick Karn and Peter Murphy) represented on this album by Peter Murphy (All Night Long from 1988) and Love and Rockets (Haunted When the Minutes Drag from 1985).
Twins were born (Gene Loves Jezebel with Desire (Come and Get It) from 1986), another big brother, after shedding a couple of skins, became wise (The Cult and the classic Rain from 1985), a Canadian cousin a bit more punk was found (Skinny Puppy with Dig It from 1986) and the family, now international and known, was ready to evolve into a newer generation.
And now the nineties. Different approaches: a bit of acoustic guitar with The Mission UK (Tower of Strenght from 1994), or hyper-sexuality with Closer of Nine Inch Nails (1994). To finally conclude in the new born, Child of Androgyny, Violence and Sex: Marilyn Manson, antichrist and superstar, covering and redefining Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) from Eurythmics.
A nice package (even if it is full of important holes: Japan, The Cure, Joy Division, etc.), like a document, an archive about a recent page of music history. A page not finally turned yet.

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