There are many popular Television shows that contain Gothic elements, a recent example of this is American Horror Story. In the fifth season of this TV show, the soundtrack is littered with gothic music and the scenery is filled with gothic imagery that many people who have seen the show will not have known. A lot of people think that all “rock” music is the same, they call it “emo” or “metal” when in reality all of these genres are different. In this article I will explain to you how diverse just one style of music can be.
adjective: Something that is characterized by mystery, horror, and gloom.
ORIGINS
Goth music emerged from the 1970s post punk musical scene, But the Gothic aesthetic has much deeper roots. In the 18th and 19th century Gothic literature combined romantic fatalism with a fascination of death, horror, and the supernatural. For example authors such as Edgar Allan Poe and Oscar Wilde wrote tragic tales considered to be gothic which goth musicians have been inspired by. Gothic music artists have also been inspired by classic horror films such as Dracula, House of wax, Nosferatu, Frankenstein and many others
There are many different genres of Gothic music and each of them share similar characteristics. Goth music originated in the United kingdom in the late 1970s from the post punk music genre which shifted towards dark music with gothic overtones. The parent bands to this genre are : siouxxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, Bauhaus, and the cure.
GOTHIC IMAGERY
Often characterized by its dark scenery and macabre tone, the Gothic genre draws its inspiration from the architectural style of medieval times, as it often relies upon settings of old castles, sprawling aristocratic estates, and decrepit and dilapidated structures that reflect the internal decay of the characters. Animals such as bats and characters such as vampires are heavily utilized in gothic imagery.
GOTHIC FASHION
Gothic fashion is a style worn by members of the goth community. It is a dark style of dress, typically including dyed black teased hair, black clothes, Dark eyeliner, nail polish, and lipstick that both male and female members of the culture wear. The styles originate from Elizabethians and victorians.
GOTH ROCK
The first style of Goth music to emerge was Goth rock; it consisted of a darker sound with the primary use of minor bass chords, reverb, or dramatic and melancholic melodies. The lyrics were inspired by gothic literature and spoke of sadness, Nihilism, Dark romanticism, tragedy, and morbidity. Some bands from this era are : Bauhaus, The sisters of mercy, Fields of the Nephilim, The mission, Skeletal family, Dead can dance, Xmal Deutschland, Nick cave and the bad seeds, and many others.
DEATH ROCK
Death rock is a music genre that emerged from a combination of goth rock and punk rock in the 1980s, incorporating horror elements and goth theatrics during their performances. Deathrock songs usually incorporate a driving, repetitive rhythm section, lyrics are typically introspective and surreal, and deal with the dark themes of isolation, gloom, disillusionment, loss, life, death, etc.; as can the style, varying from harsh and dark to upbeat, melodic, and tongue-in-cheek. Lyrics usually incorporate the themes of campy horror and sci-fi films. Some bands from this era of gothic music are : Chrisitan death, Voodoo church, 45 grave, scarlet’s remains, usherhouse, super heroines, the birthday party, Alien S#x fiend, Cinema strange, and many others.
DARK WAVE
Dark wave is a music by genre that emerged from the new wave and post-punk movement of the late 1970s. Dark wave compositions are largely based on minor key tonality and introspective lyrics and have been perceived as being dark, romantic and bleak, with an undertone of sorrow. Some bands from this era of music are : She past away, Faith and the muse, she wants revenge, Black tape for a blue girl, switchblade symphony, The Frozen Autumn, and many others.
For the past few years, this style of music has become very important to me and has had a major influence on my style. I hope that this article has informed anybody who is interested in this topic on the beauty of the gothic subculture.
