Since the the early 1980s Goth made its presence known in the music scene , beginning in the United Kingdom with Post-Punk a nd Goth Rock which is otherwise known as Death Rock. The name Goth has many origins in which it was used to describe many things. from Germanic barbaric tribe, to architectural structures, to literature, to movies, to fashion, but most important of all in todays modern era music. The word Goth or Gothic is a word that has always been used to describe things that are associated with darkness, superstition and simplicity. All while encompassing a sense of romanticism and appreciation of the dark, avant-garde, ominous, and spooky made Goth and unique counter culture movement across many mediums. However it is the Goth music scene which has spawned many of gothic sub-genres that made Goth music and sub-culture what it is today. It’s because of bands like The Cure, Joy Division, Bauhaus, and Siouxsie and The Banshees; who used a combination of gloomy lyrics, punk dissidence with imagery inspired, by the Victorian era, Classic horror, and androgynist glam fashion to form the first wave of Goth music which was known to many as Post-punk.
The Sound
In the past six decades the goth music genre has evolved and transformed giving many fellow goths a variety of dark music to enjoy. Whether you were amongst friends in the school yard, or cruising around in Hurst or if you were dancing in your local Goth Club with your friends. There was always something for all goths a like taht would appeal to their music pallet. Now while some people think that the goth music genre is limited to post-punk and death rock. This misconception is further from the truth, as I mentioned before goth has a wide range of sub-genres that can be found under the dark gothic umbrella from Goth Rock, DeathRock, Darkwave, Coldwave, and EtherealWave. What all these genres have in common that ties them to the Goth music genre is that they all take from the key characteristics of Goth Rock while each having their own instrumental quirk to give each genre its own unique sound; all while still keeping the instrumental structure of Goth Music.
Guitar Scything
The main key characteristic that defines Goth music is it’s instrumental sound and structure. One of the main key characteristics that gives Goth it’s sound is the guitar. The style of guitar playing that guitarists in Goth bands use to get their sound is called scything. Scything is a guitar pattern that makes the guitar sound like its shrieking. This accompanied with melodic high pitched bass and drums with downplayed rhythmic back beat are the musical recipe one needs to make your typical Goth Rock sound. So if your a fan of early 80s new wave Goth Rock or Post-Punk as its known to most you like bands Like, The Cure, Architect, Mission, The Danse Society ,Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, to name a few; then this is your go to Goth style of music.
However if your looking for something a little more heavier approach to the Goth sound? Then look no further then the second wave of Goth Rock which saw its rise from the crypt in 1989 -1999. This second wave of Goth music’s most biggest influence where The Sisters of Mercy and Fields of the Nephilim; who heavier approach to the Goth music was a major influence to Goth bands through the 90’s the early 2000’s and today. Some of the most notable bands of the second wave and third wave were London after Midnight, Nosferatu, Love Like Blood Susperia, Paralyzed Age, Th Wake, Rosetta Stone, Draconian Incubus, The Wake, and many others. So if your looking for more of rockier heavier sound in Goth music then second and third wave Goth Rock is right up your dark alley.
Now for those of you who prefer a more electronic sound, then the sub-genre that will most likely enjoy is Darkwave. What makes Darkwave different from Goth rock or Post Punk is its use of synthesizers and how it blends it with the foundational structure of Goth Rock. In most Darkwave songs the scything guitar style is pushed to the background of the song and the synthesizers are right at the forefront. So guitar in this case is mostly heard either during the chorus or in hooks of the song. Bands that were known for making this particular Goth sub-genre popular where Clan of Xymox, The Frozen Autumn, Diva Destruction, Double Echo, She Passed Away, and Switch Blade Symphony along with many others. The thing that separates Darkwave from other electronic sounding music sub-genres is its consistent use Scything Goth guitar sound in its sound. So if your looking for a dark electronic sound then put on some Darkwave and do the haunted tree dance.
DeathRock and Death Metal Are In No Way related & Dreamy vs. Gloomy
If your someone who prefers a more punk like sound then DeathRock is definitely the Goth Sub-genre for you! Just like the previous sub-genres DeathRock takes the sound structure and foundation of your basic Goth Rock sound and mixes it with Punk Rock with simple guitar chords or effects and a driven lead. One thing that I want to make clear about this sub-genre is that DeathRock and Death Maetal are in no way related in anyway, this because like Deathrock which is a sub-genre of Goth music, Death Metal is a sub-genre of Metal music. What makes this style of Goth music unique is that its more aggressive and fast passed much like centered Punk Rock but can also be heavy at times though very rarely. The bands most known for this sub-genre of Goth music are Community FK, Christian Death, 45 Grave, Alien Sex Fiend, Cinema Strange, All Gone Dead, Dystopian Society, and Horror Vacui. So if you want a little bit more kick to your Goth music with a punk Edge then DeathRock will get your blood pumping.
Lets say you had long hard day and you just want to put on something relaxing, soothing, or atmospheric style of music? Well my tired cats and bats Ethereal Wave has just what you need to put your mind at ease and sooth your aching bones. the sub-genre takes the over foundation of a Goth Rock song by taking the scything style of guitar and adds in synthesizers though unlike Darkwave Ethereal eave uses it in way to make the song sounds dreamy and atmospheric, some bands on rare occasions will use classical instruments like the violin in their songs. Bands like Faith in the Muse, Cockteu Twins, Empathy Test, Trance to The Sun, Miranda Sex garden, Faith In Disease,Violet Tears, and Dyonisis along with many others are known for driving the sub-genre forward. What makes this sub-genre great to listen to it that it always puts you in a calm relaxing place.
Then we come to the final of the big 4 music sub-genres of Goth ColdWave, which has a gloomy and cold type of sound to its music. Just like Etherealwave which uses synthesizers but in a way that makes the music sound gloomy and cold and atmospheric. Some notable cold wave bands are Asylum Party, Little Nemo, Lost Dessert, Mary Goes Round, Taitrs, Shadow Age, and Lebanon Hanover. So if your looking for something gloomier to vibe out to as the kids say in this day and age. Then Coldwave is definitely the subgenre you want to put on in your living room on a dark stormy night.
Goth Music Today
Those of you who think Goth music is not as big as it was back in the 80,90s and early 2000’s, I’ve got news for you, the Goth music genre and movement is still growing strong underground to this day. With a new waves of bands that were inspired by both 80’s Goth Rock, Post Punk, DeathRock, Etherealwave, Darkwave, Gothabilly, (yes that’s a sub-genre) there is plethora of Goth bands that you can all enjoy. With bands like Vision Video who is you listen to you could tell they were heavily inspired by bands like The Cure, and Siouxsie and The Banshees. Along with other bands like Twin tribes (inspired by second wave Goth Rock, The Birthday Massacre (Darkwave/Etherealwave) Aurelio Voltair (Whom some of you might know from his songs on The Grim adventures of Billy and Mandy He’s a bit of everything) Black Rose Burning (Who is a blend of post -Punk, Darkwave and Coldwave) Yes the Gothic music scene is alive and strong for all you Cats and Bats to enjoy.
CyberGoth Industrial EBM and Horror Punk: They are part of our Subculture We Do Not Gatekeep
Now I know some of your are probably thinking “Wait Industrial EBM are Rivet heads their not Goth Their Rivet heads and horror Punk is just dark!” Okay listen Cyberpunk though doesn’t have the key characteristics and structure of Goth music like scything guitars, high pitched base, low beat drums and all. They are still part of our subculture. If you have gone to Goth clubs they play all the genres I mentioned along with Industrial music which most know as either Cybergoth , Industrial, or Post industrial and at times horror punk . Now while these genres have their own origin with them being darkly inclined than Goth, with bands like Skinny Puppy, God Module, My life With The Thrill Kill Cult, Nine Inch Nails, VNV Nation, Ramstein, and Boy Harsher to name a few. These bands and sub-genres are a part of Goth culture and compliment each other very well. So lets your a guy at a Goth Club and your into Sisters of Mercy or Maybe your a girl at the Goth Club who is into Skinny Puppy? Guess what you can still get along and enjoy each others music. After all we are all part of an alternative counter culture community where we are all need treat each other with respect and acceptance. People on both ends Goths and Rivet Heads have both been outlasted by mainstream society for being different and severely picked on! So we should embrace and respect one another for boldly choosing to be ourselves. You can be a Goth who likes other music outside of Goth same goes for Rivet Heads and any other people who like alternative music that’s considered counter culture. Just remember Cats and Bats we are creature of the night and should make the effort to make our subculture an accepting place for all who Goth, Rivet head or juts Darkly inclined. Other than that jam out and have fun now that Goth clubs are opening back up. So lets make it a great reopening Goth is subculture and umbrella term that has a lot of things under it. There is overlord of Goths dictating what is and what isn’t Goth music. Just enjoy the music.