The Gothic Lifestyle
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Gothic Influences in Music
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1. Alternative
The term was originally meant to mean music that was new and different, an alternative from the norm. Now it has become top 40 music and thus fairly mainstream and *normal*. There is nothing notably gothic about the genre(s) called Alternative - in fact the profanity, double kick drums, and other musical formats make it distinctly *ungothic.* However, many times you will hear musical influences from another genre in any given style. In the alternative world, you will find bands such as Tool, which have distinctly gothic lyrics and some other stylistic influences. It is close enough for many Goths to appreciate it.
2. Industrial
This is another child of the punk movement and is very much the antithesis of true Gothic music in any form. Gothic is the romantic side of the musical spectrum, the industrial is the scientific. Some bands use a gothic lyrical base and vocal setup though and there has been some crossover to the point that some clubs advertise "gothic industrial" DJs and music.
3. New Wave/Modern Music
New wave generally describes a 1980s brand of music which relied heavily on synthesizers and keyboards. It is also a child of Punk and many older (or Elder Goths) still love this style of music. One branch of this music will use droning riffs, muffled vocals, echoing and layered sounds as is popular in the Gothic community. Some Goths then are labelled "Mods" and "Wavers" because they like this style of music.
4. Modern Rock
Modern Rock is very ungothic when it comes to musical style convention, and yet there are some groups that seem to have had some gothic influences. You will find groups such as "Breaking Benjamin," "Good Charlotte" or singers such as Avril Levigne, which will have very unconventional lyrics and videos. The lyrics show influences from the gothic movement. No it's not exactly goth and should not be, but you can see the influences if you look, just as you can see the punk influences.
5. Metal
Metal generally is outside the scope of Goth music. There are exceptions however and more and more bands have become the exception. There is now a Goth Metal subcategory whereever metal gets broken into various subclassifications. Usually it is a form of Doom Metal...it's dark lyrics and eerie vocals make them distinct from the rest, but the speed and tempo are not uniform. Some remain more aggressive in tempo than others do. One more aggressive Goth Metal band is Type O Negative, a more melodic Goth Metal band is My Dying Bride. Common Gothic characteristics used by these types of bands are gothic themed lyrics, operatic or melodic female vocals, eerie keyboard, chanting, stringed instruments, classical elements and a very full wall of sound.
6. New Grave
The original gothic format making a comeback. Cinema Strange, Cruxshadows and Faith and the Muse think it is time for the old to be new again. Music stores who sell it will label it "Dark Rock," "Death Rock (Go figure)" or "Gothrock".
7. Folk/Occult
Sometimes this is called medieval folk music and focuses on historical events and sounds. Some of it, like Clannad are not gothic, but when done in the proper mode or with the proper lyrical content it is Gothic. Sol Invictus would be a good example of gothic folk/occult music.
8. Darkwave
A newer genre of Gothic music that uses a dark, melodic electronic sound. It is very subdued, with little or no "beat" to it. Black Tape for a Blue Girl and many other bands from Projeckt records have the typical sound. It is similar to new age or instrumental enough for stores to sometimes file it there.
9. Ethereal
It is also very similar to new age sounds. There is no rock orientation at all and yet sometimes it is sold as such. Vocals are airy, soft and features classical or folk style music. Love Spirals Downwards is a gothic representative that would seem appropriate.
10. Dark Ambient
Often this category is grouped with Darkwave among Goths and "new age/ambient" by mainstream record labels. However, it is quite different. It is a dark and moody ambience with layered and or mysterious sounds and minimal or unconventional use of vocals. Steve Roach and Soul Whirling Somewhere are good examples of this music as is Nox Arcana. Obviously, those who like Darkwave and New Age music will like this but it is not the same at all.
What about me? I like Gothrock and Gothic Metal well enough, but my main loves are Darkwave, Ethereal and DarkAmbient. This is why some narrow minded people would not label me was Gothic. Oh well. Being Gothic was originally about getting rid of society's stupid labels in the first place so it suits me just fine. I have my Gothic lifestyle regardless of whether I am "gothy enough for you."
