The Gospel of Filth: A Bible of Decadence & Darkness

The Gospel of Filth is the boldest, most comprehensive guide to the realms of darkness and devilry ever published. Taking in every significant milestone and major landmark, this lavishly illustrated volume is the definitive study of the dark side. No tombstone remains unturned in this wide-ranging and witty dissection of the uncanny and unholy, of the esoteric and erotic. Music forms The Gospel's entry point, but every medium, from movies and literature, to comics and computer games is considered, while the authorities consulted range from Oxford academics to metal musicians as well known for their criminal records as musical ones.

The principal consultant is Dani Filth, who rides shotgun with author Gavin Baddeley, providing insight and impish irreverence at every turn. Dani's band Cradle of Filth are one of England's most successful and controversial musical exports of the past decade, loved and loathed in equal measure, the singer bringing that same provocative edge to this, his first literary effort. Emerging from the violent cauldron of chaos that propelled the black metal scene to the forefront of the extreme music scene in the early-90s, Cradle of Filth have since transcended such subcultural boundaries, embracing the likes of Decadent art and Gothic literature to create an inimitable, sensuously sinister style all of their own.

Experts consulted range from ex-FBI Agent Robert Ressler (who first coined the term 'serial killer'), to world expert on psychoactive drugs Richard Rudgley, via Satanic High Priest Peter Gilmore. Legendary horror film director Dario Argento gives insight into his art, as do War of the Worlds composer Jeff Wayne, controversial art director Nigel Wingrove, Lovecraftian artist John Coulthart, and ghost photographer Simon Marsden.

A galaxy of dark stars from the modern musical world are also represented, with original words from the likes of Tom Araya (Slayer), Pete Steele (Type O Negative), Sharon del Adel (Within Temptation), Glen Benton (Deicide), Ville Valo (HIM), James Hetfield (Metallica), Adam 'Nergal' Darski (Behemoth), Bard 'Faust' Eithun (ex-Emperor), Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil), Jason Mendonca (Akercocke), Andi Sex Gang (Sex Gang Children), King of Hell (Gorgoroth), Nick Holmes (Paradise Lost), Chad Gray (Mudvayne), Le'rue Delashay (Christian Death), Montalo (Witchfynde), Jinx Dawson (Coven), Metatron (The Meads of Asphodel), John Bush (Armored Saint), Andrea Haugen (Nebelhexe), and many more.