In the late seventies, a new sound emerged in England that was darker and more melancholic than the rock music known until then. Gothic Rock dealt with themes such as death, despair, and the depths of the human soul, while musically building on the minimalism of post-punk and enhancing it with hypnotic song structures and minor chords. The romantic longing for death in Gothic was often mocked by the rock press, and the humor behind the vampire outfits was frequently overlooked. This book finally dispels the prejudices surrounding this genre: Instead of focusing on Satanists, graveyards, and endless sadness, Dave Thompson explores the musical roots, from Bertolt Brecht and Leonard Cohen to Iggy Pop, as well as funny horror films and truly dark humor – and the influence of a sound that not only shaped Marilyn Manson but ultimately much more.