Goth as a musical style has been with us for almost 40 years, but in other art forms is has been with us for almost a millennium - from old gothic buildings, Bram Stoker, Hammer House of Horror to Dave Vanien and Cradle of Filth. And I listen to Goth rock before going to sleep, I still dance to it in the dark despite not looking die-hard Goth or being part of the scene anymore, but what exactly is the magic behind the alluring grip of Goth that just will not let you go?
Back in Copenhagen, when I used to live on the 11th floor, late at night I used to put on some Goth rock and just stare at the night sky. To me the sky transformed into a lover dressed in soft black velvet holding the whole world lovingly in its arms and that is the best way to describe Goth as a whole - the loving side of death often manifested as a seductive Vampire in gothic literature and media, the soft touch of heavy velvet, the soothing embrace of a 1000-year-old but forever young lover, the eternal romance with the night sky! So despite me not being able to really see the night sky anymore due to my living quarters - I live in a cellar flat and Sweden is, as these words are written, still in the grip of the midnight sun, then I will never fall out of love with Goth, because why say no to the above, if you equally love life?
I must honestly admit that I do not know how things are now, I simply do not care anymore to even be bothered to stay updated, but there used to at least be a misconception that Goths were depressed and generally suicidal. Obviously, I do not know the mind of every single Goth who has ever lived on this planet, but none of them that I ever knew were suicidal or self-destructive - they were and are very creative people and many of them extremely intelligent. Many of them were and are shy, but once you got/get to know them, very nice people. And in a world increasingly obsessed with meaningless reality T.V, then Goths were and are reading Edgar Allan Poe and Yeats when not listening to music including Manowar and W.A.S.P! And as with the ancient Egyptian, then Goths love life...and see the beauty in death and rebirth! Some of my best memories of late-night outdoor parties in forests and on beaches have been Goth parties...Goths are just flipping good at arranging and holding picnics and bonfire parties! They are also extremely good at organizing gigs, festivals, clubs etc. No one has ever handed the Goth movement anything on a silver platter which is why Goth has always been so unique and why it is despite its thousand-year-old history like the Vampire...eternally young and forever giving birth to a new incarnation!
And it is a bit hard to enjoy and appreciate all the above if you decide to slash your wrist and die. In fact, as a person who is deeply in love with Goth and it's true nature, then I am not concerned about the average Goth...because I know this person is perhaps the most mentally stable of all despite being eternally in love. I am concerned about those who have succumbed to a life of social control and mental enslavement, those who fear darkness but ignore the signs of mental and physical burn out due to the burden of next years holiday aboard or the longing for a fix of whatever drug that controls them may it be junk food or heroine. I am concerned about the many who feel unloved but still convince themselves that they are happy in terrible relationships...
While the Goth is happily enjoying life in the arms of a lover dressed in a black velvet cloak, feeling the warmth of the lover's breath on their pale cheeks, and sensing the sweet blood pumping through an ancient but strong heart...while listening to Rosetta Stone.
Goth is life and love...at night!!!!!!
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