A subgenre of metal that grew out of death/doom and has a dark atmosphere, mournful and often introspective lyrics, and a gothic aesthetic. Vocals vary between growls, shrieks, deep bass/baritone male vocals and female vocals.
The genre started thanks to three British death/doom bands, Paradise Lost, Anathema and My Dying Bride, known as the "Peaceville Trio" due to being signed to Peaceville Records. These three were among the pioneers of death/doom, but they soon added other elements to their music, including female vocals and the use of keyboards and, in the case of MDB, violins. The genre grew thanks to Katatonia, Tiamat, Theatre of Tragedy , Type O Negative and The Gathering.
There is some controversy regarding the term amongst members of the metal community; it has been used to describe bands such as Evanescence, Nightwish and Epica, who have nothing to do with the genre and are mainly called "gothic metal" because of their female singers. Some use the term to mean "metal bands with female singers", even though the pioneers of the genre had male frontmen.
Finally, it has nothing to do with goths. Gothic metal is a straight-up metal genre, not a fusion of metal and goth rock. The goth subculture is not affiliated with gothic metal; obviously there are some who listen to gothic metal, but it's not "goth music". This is something many ignorant people get wrong, believing that "gothic metal" means "metal for goths".
The genre started thanks to three British death/doom bands, Paradise Lost, Anathema and My Dying Bride, known as the "Peaceville Trio" due to being signed to Peaceville Records. These three were among the pioneers of death/doom, but they soon added other elements to their music, including female vocals and the use of keyboards and, in the case of MDB, violins. The genre grew thanks to Katatonia, Tiamat, Theatre of Tragedy , Type O Negative and The Gathering.
There is some controversy regarding the term amongst members of the metal community; it has been used to describe bands such as Evanescence, Nightwish and Epica, who have nothing to do with the genre and are mainly called "gothic metal" because of their female singers. Some use the term to mean "metal bands with female singers", even though the pioneers of the genre had male frontmen.
Finally, it has nothing to do with goths. Gothic metal is a straight-up metal genre, not a fusion of metal and goth rock. The goth subculture is not affiliated with gothic metal; obviously there are some who listen to gothic metal, but it's not "goth music". This is something many ignorant people get wrong, believing that "gothic metal" means "metal for goths".
Gothic metal bands - Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, Anathema, Katatonia, Tiamat, Type O Negative, Theatre of Tragedy, The Gathering, Tristania, Trail of Tears, The Sins of Thy Beloved, Cradle of Filth, Graveworm, Moonspell, Draconian, Charon, Before the Dawn, Lacuna Coil (early), Within Temptation (first album).
Not gothic metal - Evanescence, Nightwish, HIM, Epica, Delain, Therion, Sirenia, Nemesea, After Forever.
Not gothic metal - Evanescence, Nightwish, HIM, Epica, Delain, Therion, Sirenia, Nemesea, After Forever.
by EvanescenceIsNotGothicMetal June 4, 2010
Get the Gothic metal mug.Gothic punk (also defined as 'deathrock' and part of the 'post-punk' movement) deals with themes of death and mortality, sorrow, despair, surrealism, fantasy, the darker side of the life of society, the supernatural, the occult, romanticism, the effects of psychological terror and trauma - just to name a few of the basics. The music of gothic punk, (as opposed to the more traditional extremely fast and anger-based hardcore punk), usually exists within the realm of medium-fast, more danceable rhythms often including tribal tom-based drum sections for the verses. The music also often includes a synthesizer to accompany the drums, bass and guitar, which again, is something more traditional hardcore punk usually refrained from including. The result is more of a moody, introspective sound that takes one into the realms of imagination. The classic, essential deathrock (or goth punk) bands include: Christian Death (the original lineup with vocalist Rozz Williams), early TSOL, UK Decay, The Damned, 45 Grave, Alien Sex Fiend and The Cramps.
Keep in mind that there were also several 'dark punk' bands around the same time that, while not maybe being quite as 'gothic' in some regards, still had enough stylistic similarities to be worthy of mention. They include bands such as: The Adicts, The Adverts, The Mob, False Prophets, Wipers, Chrome and can't forget classics that bridged the gap between hardcore and darkpunk such as Black Flag, Dead Kennedys and The Misfits. One should at least check out the classic gothic punk (or, as I prefer to call them, deathrock) bands before making comments on the genre. Keep in mind that while all these bands have similarities, they also have very distinctive sounds that set them apart from the others, as all good artists should, so don't think that just because you've heard one or two of the bands mentioned that you know what gothic punk sounds like. Modern gothic punk bands worthy of mention are: Cinema Strange and Cauda Pavonis.
Keep in mind that there were also several 'dark punk' bands around the same time that, while not maybe being quite as 'gothic' in some regards, still had enough stylistic similarities to be worthy of mention. They include bands such as: The Adicts, The Adverts, The Mob, False Prophets, Wipers, Chrome and can't forget classics that bridged the gap between hardcore and darkpunk such as Black Flag, Dead Kennedys and The Misfits. One should at least check out the classic gothic punk (or, as I prefer to call them, deathrock) bands before making comments on the genre. Keep in mind that while all these bands have similarities, they also have very distinctive sounds that set them apart from the others, as all good artists should, so don't think that just because you've heard one or two of the bands mentioned that you know what gothic punk sounds like. Modern gothic punk bands worthy of mention are: Cinema Strange and Cauda Pavonis.
by Daemone Darker March 1, 2009
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Gothic metal is a type of metal which is fairly heavy, with heavy guitars, but what attributes most to gothic metal is the unique vocals, which make it gothic. If it's a male vocalist, the vocals will be low and deep, and in some gothic metal bands, there is no screaming/growling. If it's a female vocalist, then she just sings in her normal singing voice (no screaming, no POP voice - whining, moaning).
John said, "Hey what's that type of metal called when the dude sings really low, is it black metal or something?" . Micheal said, "No dude, it's gothic metal".
by K. Madness December 1, 2006
Get the Gothic metal mug.A superfluous house of worship; too small to be a cathedral, too gaudy to be conducive to prayer or meditation. The end product of too much ambition and too little ability.
by Wodn May 4, 2009
Get the gothic chapel mug.by argyle November 20, 2003
Get the elegant gothic lolita mug."Not Gothic" is what actual Goths call "Hot Topic". No self respecting Goth owns anything from or ever sets foot in Hot Topic for any reason. Also referred to as "Lukewarm Discussion".
by Anti-HIM October 21, 2010
Get the Not Gothic mug.There is something horribly wrong with the way people view "goths". "Goths" are not always doom and gloom. They are not always listening to screaming, miserable music. And, oh, did you know, some "Goths" even wear different colors other than black? Ever heard of Bauhaus or Siouxsie and the Banshees? They're considered "goth" bands.
The culture is so much different from what people make it out to be. Being "goth" is a way of expressing yourself to your liking. Just as some might wear letterman jackets and other clothes. They're normal people with different views. You can't lump them into some little group because a bunch of teenyboppers decided they were going to slit their wrists and write horrible poetry. That's just the same as saying all "preps" worship their boyfriends and say 'like' all of the time. It's stupid and it's full of prejudice. Granted, prejudice is what seems to make the world go around lately.. Doesn't mean you have to give in to that trend of throwing out vile and disgusting words at something you don't understand.
The culture is so much different from what people make it out to be. Being "goth" is a way of expressing yourself to your liking. Just as some might wear letterman jackets and other clothes. They're normal people with different views. You can't lump them into some little group because a bunch of teenyboppers decided they were going to slit their wrists and write horrible poetry. That's just the same as saying all "preps" worship their boyfriends and say 'like' all of the time. It's stupid and it's full of prejudice. Granted, prejudice is what seems to make the world go around lately.. Doesn't mean you have to give in to that trend of throwing out vile and disgusting words at something you don't understand.
"The Gothic scene and the mundane world have always been at odds. This rift is largely due to a miniscule breakdown in communication resulting simply from the misapplication of certain words."
-Voltaire's 'What is Goth?'
-Voltaire's 'What is Goth?'
by Articia August 6, 2006
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