Certain songs, or artists are shunned or banned because of their darkness. Artists choose to express their dark passions through their music and are not accepted. Its considered "underground" and not mainstream, and never really gets the recognition that it deserves. This applies primarily it seems to heavy metal or "thrash" or "goth" bands. The thing is, these bands are expressing themselves in the way they know how. You may like it, you may not, but they should not be put down because of their darkness. I like some music like this, others I can't stand. But, I listen to what speaks to me, and don't worry about what else may be out there. Because I like something, I don't intend to try and force you to like it or even to listen to it, so please show me the same courtesy. I will listen to what I like.

Interestingly, with dark literature, there is a huge market. I am very much a part of that market; I read everything written by Stephen King, Clive Barker, John Saul, and others like that. Its not critically considered "good" usually, but then again, I have never been one to like what I have been told to like. I like what I like. Period.

The list could go on and on, of artists in various media who try to express the darkness in their hearts and are shunned or ridiculed for it. This is a tragedy, that more people are not able to see the beauty in such darkness.

Below are some links to dark music and fiction that I especially enjoy; you might like it, you might not. But listen and read with an open mind, and see if you can't find the beauty in the darkness, too.