Complex sentence: Their dark style and appearance in a mostly Catholic country gained them notoriety as well as negative perceptions by religious sectors and establishments, despite the dire conditions, the band proceeded with various shows and developed a loyal cult following.
Split into simpler sentences: Their dark style and appearance in a mostly Catholic country gained them notoriety as well as negative perceptions by religious sectors and establishments. Despite the dire conditions, the band proceeded with various shows and developed a loyal cult following.