Industrial 

The term "Industrial" first popped up in the 1970s, and is still used today to refer to experimental styles of music. The word Industrial was originally used to describe a style of noisy, experimental style of electronic music that draws on transgressive themes, but now it's a much broader term. Bands nowadays are fusing the industrial style with other genres like metal, rock, electro, etc. These styles are known as "post-industrial". The term is now simply used to describe and musical style that is experimental instrumentally and provocative lyrically.

The word Industrial also refers to the culture. The Industrial culture is quite similar to Goth culture, but there are many differences too. Goths (male or female) tend to go for androgynous clothing, wheras Industrialists almost always wear masculine clothing. Ideologically, Goths are usually more interested in smaller ethics (such as non conformity, creativity, being different) but Industrialists are often more political. Industrial is the masculine, angry, political, scientific side, and Goth is the dark, creative, romantic, bizarre side. One thing both cultures have in common is their love for shocking people.

Industrialists will usually listen to any experimental or noisy style of music, which is why rock and metal are very popular genres in the culture. Dress styles can be quite simple, but many industrialists will wear punk like clothing.

Long story short, industrial is fucking awesome

Person one: Look at that Goth over there. I didn't know Goths could be that masculine.
Person two: No, he's Industrial.

Person one: wtf is that
Person two: Basically a masculine Goth.

Industrial by Chazza2121 September 16, 2015

industrial 

A genre of music that can be easily summed up as an electronica/rock n roll crossover, its follwers refer to themselves as Industrialists or Rivit Heads.
Originated from the Brittish band Throbbing Gristle who founded the record lable Industrial Records in the late 70's.
TG experimented with college rock and synths, distorting the original music with calming instrumentals and violent mechanical sounds.
Industrial later split into 2 forms: Electronic/Experimental Industrial (very similar to EBMelectronic body music in sound)and Industrial Rock/Metal.
Electronic Industrial can be summed up with VNV nation, a band that use no recognisable guitar and sounds like dark techno with angry/angsty vocals (It must be pionted out that any "True" Rivit Head must love this band even though they are almost dance music and whine more than Emo).
Industrial rock can be summed up by the band KMFDM, they use angry vocals, with political lyrics, heavy guitars mixed well with techno and dance beats.

Industrial has its own subculture that is very closely linked tot he Goth scene.
The America the Industrial scene (researched from visiting many websites) tends to be much more snobby towards the music they lsiten to, whilst the UK scene tends to mix more with the goth scene with less elitism.
Industrial has many sub-genres and cross over genres and cultures that have produced Cyber Goths (Followers of Industrial, EBM and Future Pop and sport UV cloths, hair and acsessories), Uber Rivit Heads (American Elitist Industrial fans who shun most guitar based and mainstream bands Nine Inch Nails, Rammstein and Marilyn Manson for not being "true industrial") and Mansonites (Followers of ONLY mainstream industrial and Nu-metal).

Experimental/Electronic Industrial Bands: Throbbing Gristle, Mesh, Front 242, VNV nation<c.r.a.p.>, Wumpscut and Skinny Puppy (Possibly the most well known Underground Industrial band and seen on the same level by Rivit Heads as Metallica are to Heavy Metal).

Industrial Rock/Metal: KMFDM, MDFMK, Gothminister, Pig, Dkay, Newleydeads.

Mainstream Industrial Rock: Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Rammstein.

Nu-Industrial: Fear Facktory (not very good).

industrial by Mike November 26, 2004

Industrial 

A class of music that manifested in the late 80s during the post punk era and defined by emerging underground bands such as Ministry (pre-heavy metal i.e. Twitch, Land of Rape and Honey) (and other Alien Jourgensen side project bands), Skinny Puppy, Nine Inch Nails, KMFDM, Nitzer Ebb, Front Line Assembly, Front 242, Bigod 20, etc etc... mostly of American and European origins and became more refined by the early 90s. With a telltale trade signature characteristic of using samples of mechanical sounds found in real world industrial work places. Clanging sheet metal, grating circular saw and metallic crash sounds being typical. The drum machine, the sampler, the vocoder and the synth being tools of the business sometimes incorporating distortion amp/guitar as well. In addition the use of samples of well known movie sound bytes originating from old Outer Limits/Twilight Zone, horror movies, old westerns, cult films, etc etc were/are used. At times the pace of the songs are danceable i.e. clubby but at other times it is more of a mosh pit pace experience.
And was pretty much the music of a counter-culture group of stereotypes that were labeled as either punk, death-rockers or alternative; in addition to the anti-racist skinhead types.

Skinny Puppy's song "Smothered Hope"
industrial music, techno-industrial, death-rock industrial

Industrial by Night.Rider July 24, 2014

industrial 

1) Of, or pertaining to manufacture.

2) A style of music combining techno and rock instrumentation.

Godflesh is industrial, Trent only wants to be.

industrial by Psiberzerker April 11, 2004

industrial 

A style of music naming itself after a strong sonic association with warehouse machinery (see Einstürzende Neubauten). Arising from audio pioneers such as Kraftwerk and Throbbing Gristle, this genre crossed with punk in the late 70s, creating an idustrial sound heavy with guitars evidenced in such populsr bands as Ministry and KMFDM. Modern industrial music is performed and created mainly electronically with keyboards and synths, developing a strong resemblence to edgy dance music with aggressive vocals. Some unique mainstream artists (such as Trent Reznor, who has worked with Al Jourgensen and KMFDM)have more recently been labeled industrial due to certain characteristics of the sound they play, possibly derived from influences such as Throbbing Gristle. A subculture has developed surrounding the music constisting mainly of airy, bitter drugheads. Examples of industrial music combined with the goth subcultures include VNV Nation, and the Swans.

industrial, vnv nation, skinny puppy, throbbing gristle, ministry, young gods, the swans, front 242, your mom having sex

industrial by Starlite November 9, 2006

industrial 

A genre of music started by such bands as throbbing gristle. It is characterized by it's brutal and harsh sounding music wiht lyrics usually associated with pain and .. stuff like that. It's like goth but heavier. Many 'true' industrial fans like to call bands such as nine inch nains fakes. I do agree with the idea that nine inch nails is NOT an industrial band; but get mad at the dumb-ass fanboys who make it look like they're pretending to be industrial and not the actual band.

Wow, listening to industrial music is like a robot having sex with your head. In a good way.

industrial by dr delicious May 13, 2005

industrial 

Blanket term used to describe any form of hard, dark electronic music.

DJhoobajooba's collection of industrial CDs is unparalleled; from Apoptygma to NIN to Exclipsect, Converter, Foetus or Endif. She's got it all.

industrial by cephalopod July 24, 2003