What is goth music?

Goth music, or gothic music, is a genre that emerged from post-punk in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It is characterized by dark, melancholic themes, atmospheric and moody instrumentation, and often introspective or dramatic lyrics. The genre is associated with the broader goth subculture, which embraces a fascination with darkness, romanticism, and the macabre.

Goth music evolved from post-punk, with bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, and Bauhaus pioneering the sound. It draws influence from glam rock (David Bowie), proto-punk (The Velvet Underground), and even elements of psychedelic and classical music.

Gothic Rock – The classic goth sound, featuring jangly or haunting guitars, deep vocals, and an eerie atmosphere.

Deathrock – A punk-influenced version of goth with rawer production and horror aesthetics.

• Examples: Christian Death, 45 Grave, Kommunity FK

Darkwave – A more electronic and synth-heavy take on goth, often blending with new wave and industrial.

• Examples: Clan of Xymox, The Frozen Autumn, She Past Away

Ethereal Wave – A dreamy and atmospheric variant with reverb-heavy guitars and ghostly vocals.

• Examples: Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Lycia

Industrial Goth – A fusion of gothic music with harsh, mechanical beats and electronic elements.

• Examples: Nine Inch Nails (early), Skinny Puppy, London After Midnight

Goth music typically explores themes like:

• Mythology and literature (especially Gothic novels)
• Romance and heartbreak
• Death and the macabre
• Existentialism and introspection

Bauhaus
Notable Songs: Bela Lugosi’s Dead, Dark Entries, She’s in Parties
Sound: Haunting, angular guitars; deep, dramatic vocals; eerie atmosphere.
Why They Matter: Often credited as the first gothic rock band, their 1979 song Bela Lugosi’s Dead set the standard for goth music with its dark, droning sound and vampire imagery.

Siouxsie and the Banshees
Notable Songs: Spellbound, Cities in Dust, Night Shift
Sound: A mix of post-punk, goth, and new wave, featuring Siouxsie Sioux’s commanding voice and experimental instrumentation.
Why They Matter: While not strictly goth, Siouxsie and the Banshees heavily influenced the genre with their dark, mysterious sound and aesthetic.

Joy Division
Notable Songs: Love Will Tear Us Apart, Atmosphere, Shadowplay
Sound: Cold, melancholic post-punk with sparse guitar work and Ian Curtis’s deep, sorrowful vocals.
Why They Matter: Though more post-punk than goth, their bleak, introspective lyrics and haunting sound made them an essential influence on gothic rock.

The Sisters of Mercy
Notable Songs: Lucretia My Reflection, Temple of Love, Dominion/Mother Russia
Sound: Deep, baritone vocals, pulsating drum machines, gothic grandeur mixed with a rock edge.
Why They Matter: One of the biggest goth bands of the 1980s, they blended rock and goth aesthetics with anthemic, cinematic songs.

Christian Death
Notable Songs: Romeo’s Distress, Spiritual Cramp, Deathwish
Sound: Raw, eerie, theatrical punk with horror themes.
Why They Matter: Pioneers of the deathrock subgenre, Christian Death’s early work (led by Rozz Williams) mixed punk energy with a macabre, gothic aesthetic.

45 Grave
Notable Songs: Partytime, Evil, Black Cross
Sound: Horror-themed punk with fast tempos and eerie melodies.
Why They Matter: Known for their campy yet dark aesthetic, they were a major force in the early 80s Los Angeles deathrock scene.

• Notable Songs: A Day, Louise, Obsession
• Sound: A blend of goth and electronic darkwave, often atmospheric and melancholic.
• Why They Matter: Their early albums in the 80s helped bridge the gap between traditional goth rock and electronic music.

• Notable Songs:Heaven or Las Vegas, Pearly-Dewdrops’ Drops, Lorelei
• Sound: Dreamy, reverb-heavy guitars, unintelligible ethereal vocals by Elizabeth Fraser.
• Why They Matter: Though more ethereal wave than gothic rock, their lush, otherworldly sound influenced many goth bands.

• Notable Songs:The Host of Seraphim, Cantara, Saltarello
• Sound: A mix of gothic, medieval, world music, and classical influences.
• Why They Matter: Their mystical, ancient-sounding music added a unique, ritualistic atmosphere to goth culture.

Are you looking for more dark music after digging through all of this. Check out our new album “Songs for the gothic people”, it’s honestly a lot more “gothic” than dark wave but it should fit all dark souls out there. If you would prefer a physical copy instead of streaming you can order the album on CD or LP at The Circle Music.