For longtime Damned fans, "Phantasmagoria" and the follow-up album "Anything" were not welcome creations from the band that started the punk scene (they beat the Sex Pistols and Clash with the first record contract).

By 1985, the band's sound was more gothic-pop than punk (Fans of The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, or Clan of Xymox take note). The album cover itself reflects the dark undertones found throughout many of the songs. Plenty of synths, organs, harpsicords and a touch of wind and howling here.

"The Shadow of Love" is a haunting song with David Vanian's howl-like vocals and a driving bassline in the fashion of Killing Joke's "Love Like Blood" or Sisters of Mercy's "This Corrosion."

"Is It A Dream" and "Edward The Bear" are pure pop and about as commercial as The Damned would ever become while "Grimly Fiendish" is a classic and humourous Halloween-flavoured track with a great harpsicord intro. The final track, "Trojans" (before the two bonus mixes)is an almost romantic instrumental and a perfect end to a very good album.

As I said before, this album is not for early Damned fans so keep that in mind if "Smash It Up" and "Disco Man" are favorites. If you are a goth or darkwave fan, you must must must add this to your collection. There is a reason why this album is one of the band's hardest to find. If you like The Cure, Xymox, Sisters of Mercy or mid-80's Killing Joke and The Cult, then grab this CD and the equally dark follow-up "Anything."