Misplaced Pages

Gothic metal: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 04:24, 11 December 2006 editIdont Havaname (talk | contribs)8,502 edits revert Leyasu edit - see Misplaced Pages:Banning policy#Enforcement by reverting edits← Previous edit Latest revision as of 16:09, 3 December 2024 edit undoBinksternet (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, File movers, Pending changes reviewers493,948 edits restore lead summary sentence per WP:LEAD. cleanup. 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Genre of heavy metal music}}
{{genrebox|name=Gothic Metal
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
|color=#b02
{{Use British English|date=February 2024}}
|bgcolor=white
{{Infobox music genre
|stylistic_origins= ], ], ]
| name = Gothic metal
|cultural_origins=early 1990s, Europe
| stylistic_origins = {{hlist|]|]|]}}
|instruments=] - ] - ] - ]
| cultural_origins = Early 1990s, United Kingdom
|popularity= Small, dedicated fanbases mainly focused in Europe
|derivatives= | derivatives =
|subgenrelist= | subgenrelist =
|subgenres= | subgenres = ]
|fusiongenres= ] | fusiongenres =
| regional_scenes = {{hlist|England|Finland|The Netherlands|Norway|Sweden|Germany|Italy|Poland|United States|Greece}}
|regional_scenes=], ], ] ]
|other_topics= | other_topics = *]
*]
*]
*]
*]
}} }}


'''Gothic metal''' (or '''goth metal''') is a fusion genre combining the aggression of ] with the dark atmospheres of ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://radio.darkness.com/gothic-metal/ |title=Heavy Metal Artists and Heavy Metal Styles |publisher=heavymetal.about.com |access-date=14 July 2015 |archive-date=19 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219104009/http://radio.darkness.com/gothic-metal/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The music of gothic metal is diverse with bands known to adopt the gothic approach to different styles of heavy metal music. The genre originated during the early 1990s in the ] originally as an outgrowth of ], a fusion of ] and ]. Lyrics are generally dark and introspective with inspiration from ] as well as personal experiences.
'''Gothic metal''' is a genre of ] that originated during the mid 1990s in ] as an outgrowth of doom-death, a subgenre of ].


Pioneers of gothic metal include ], ] and ], all from the north of England. Other pioneers from the first half of the 1990s include ] from the United States, ], ] and ] from Sweden, and ] from the Netherlands. ] band ] developed the "beauty and the beast" aesthetic of combining aggressive male vocals with clean female vocals, a contrast that had been adopted by groups before them, but not as a regular trademark; several bands have employed the technique since. During the mid-1990s, ], ], ] and ] brought the gothic approach to ]. By the end of the decade, a ] variant of gothic metal had been developed by <!--See talk page for Tristania.--> ] and ]. ] also integrated elements of gothic metal into their well-known mix of symphonic metal and ].
==Characteristics==
===Music===
Gothic metal is sometimes considered a broad genre in the way it sounds due to a lack of a centralised ideology in regards to this aspect of the music. The genre is mainly defined by its composition and its aesthetics, leaving individual bands to provide their own artistic interpretations of what to include and/or leave out. The only prerequisite characteristics of the music are the genres use of dual vocalists, keyboards and acoustic guitars.


In the 2000s, gothic metal has moved towards the mainstream in Europe, particularly in Finland where groups such as ], ], ], ], and ] have released hit singles or chart-topping albums. In the US, however, only a few bands such as Type O Negative and ] have found some degree of commercial success.
Gothic metal tends to take influence from the ], ], and ] subgenres of ] for its composition, heavily synthesizing the styles of their melody and rhythm ideas in its guitar ], often causing the music to be aggressive and fast paced. Acoustic guitars are sometimes present in gothic metal, with bands that feature two guitarists, one guitarist is often found playing a form of acoustic guitar. The acoustic guitar is used in the same way as its electronic counterpart, and is normally found playing melodies of equal technicality. The bass guitar in gothic metal is usually played using lower tones akin to doom metal, often combined with the aggressive playing of black and death metal. The bass guitar is often the main contributor to the atmosphere in songs, though has also been seen as performing a duet with the keyboarding in this regard.


== Etymology ==
Keyboards in gothic metal play a significant role in the music, often replacing the second guitarist in bands and taking on the role of either lead or rhythm. The keyboards are often used to imitate a variety of instruments, most often string and wind instruments, though this varies between artists.
{{See|Name of the Goths}}
]'s 1991 album '']'' inspired the name of the genre.]]
Some musicians have disputed the gothic label associated with their bands, including ] of ] and ] of ].<ref>], p. 248</ref> In the gothic metal subgenre, members from such groups as ]<ref>{{cite web |author=McCormack, John |title=Interview with Joost Van Den Broeck of After Forever |url=http://www.metalmonk.co.uk/bands/features/AfterForever_interview.html |publisher=Metalmonk.co.uk |access-date=7 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414235153/http://www.metalmonk.co.uk/bands/features/AfterForever_interview.html |archive-date=14 April 2008 }}</ref> and ]<ref>{{cite web|author=Hall of Metal |title=Interview with Tuomas Holopainen and Anette Olzon of Nightwish |url=http://hallofmetal.com/ver_entrevista.php?id=34&leng=en |publisher=Hallofmetal.com |access-date=16 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071231110506/http://www.hallofmetal.com/ver_entrevista.php?id=34&leng=en |archive-date=31 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> have similarly downplayed or dismissed the gothic label from their music.


== Characteristics ==
Gothic metal makes heavy use of atmospheres in its music, which are commonly tailored to fit the song; warm and energetic, empty and enclosing. The atmosphere rarely follows the deep morbidity of doom metal unlike its origin/offspring, doom-death/gothic-doom, or the upbeat nature of closely related genre, ]. The use of the atmospherics is often to draw the listener into the music, as if to give them a sense of being involved with what is happening in the song. <ref> </ref>


===Lyrical themes=== === Sonic traits ===
Lyrically, gothic metal is centered around romances and fantasy tales that end in tragedy for one or more parties involved. The setting for the lyrics are most often in the ] or the ], but can also be in ], ], ], or modern eras. The romantic- and fantasy-themed lyrics often used in gothic metal cover many broad subjects and are intended as being themes and guides to the lyricist, rather than a complete prerequisite of the genre. Gothic Metal bands typically do not write their albums in the form of separate songs; they rather write ]s in the form of books. This is so that each song acts as a part, or, chapter, inspiring people to listen to the whole album in order to hear the story, instead of just certain songs. ]'s ''Seclusion'' and ]'s ''Sufferion - Hamartia of Prudence'' are two gothic metal albums that prominently feature this style of lyrics.


]]]
Gothic metal bands normally have two vocalists, (also known as "]" vocals). One vocalist is typically male and uses vocals akin to black or death metal. The other vocalist is usually female, and often uses ] vocals, or harmonic singing. Sometimes bands will use other forms of vocals included with the two prior vocalists, including (but not limited to) female death/black vocals, ] and male singing, but this tends to be limited to backing vocals and their thematic use within the song.

The music of gothic metal is generally characterised by its dark atmospheres.<ref>{{cite web |author=Bowar, Chad |title=Gothic Metal Artists |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/heavymetalartists/u/heavymetalartistsandstyles.htm#s7 |publisher=] |access-date=6 May 2008 |archive-date=23 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823094100/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/heavymetalartists/u/heavymetalartistsandstyles.htm#s7 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The adjective "dark" is commonly used to describe gothic music in general while other terms that are less frequently used include deep, romantic, passionate and intense.<ref>], p. 44</ref> Gothic metal has also sometimes been viewed as "a combination of the darkness and melancholy of goth rock with heavy metal".<ref name="About GM">{{cite web |author=Bowar, Chad |title=What Is Heavy Metal? |publisher=] |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/heavymetal101/a/101_history.htm |access-date=6 May 2008 |archive-date=4 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204191926/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/heavymetal101/a/101_history.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> ] defines the genre as a fusion of "the bleak, icy atmospherics of goth rock with the loud guitars and aggression of heavy metal" and further notes that "true goth metal is always directly influenced by goth rock&nbsp;— ethereal synths and spooky textures are just as important as guitar riffs, if not more so".<ref name="AMG Goth">{{cite web |title=Goth metal |url=http://www.allmusic.com/style/goth-metal-ma0000011855 |website=] |access-date=30 April 2016}}</ref>

Gothic metal is a varied genre with bands pursuing many different directions, from "slow and crushing variations" to "orchestral and bombastic". The ] background of early pioneers like ],<ref>J. Purcell, Nathalie (May 2003). , pp. 23, 59. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-1585-4}}.</ref> ] and ] has been taken up by groups like ],<ref>{{cite web |author=Arancio, Dennis |title=''In the Flowers Shade'' Review |url=http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=35 |publisher=Soniccathedral.com |access-date=6 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225134611/http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=35 |archive-date=25 December 2008 }}</ref> ]<ref>{{cite web |author=van der Wal, Kim |title=''The Silhouette'' Review |url=http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showreview.php?id=10577&lang=en |publisher=Lordsofmetal.nl |access-date=6 May 2008}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web |author=Fox, Erin |title=Interview with Anders Jacobsson of Draconian |url=http://www.thegauntlet.com/interviews/1064/Draconian.html |publisher=Thegauntlet.com |access-date=6 May 2008}}</ref> The ] approach of ], ] and early ] can be found in such subsequent bands as ]<ref>{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |title=Graveworm |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/italy/brunico/graveworm |publisher=] |access-date=19 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204023557/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/italy/brunico/graveworm |archive-date=4 December 2008 }}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |title=Samsas Traum |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/germany/marburg/samsas+traum |publisher=] |access-date=9 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219073601/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/germany/marburg/samsas+traum |archive-date=19 February 2014 }}</ref>

=== Vocals ===
] of ], depicted above.]]

There is also a diverse range of vocal styles in gothic metal. Male singers in the genre range from the guttural growls and black metal shrieks of ]<ref name="Bad268">], p. 268</ref> and ]<ref name="AMG Tristania"/> to the clean baritone vocals of ]<ref name="AMG Tristania"/> and the bass range of ].<ref name="About TONDA"/> For the female singers, the different vocal styles includes the screams and growls of ], the "poppy" vocals of Tanja Lainio from ]<ref>{{cite web |author=Bowar, Chad |title=''Vol. 4'' Review |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/reviews/gr/lullacry.htm |publisher=] |access-date=7 May 2008 |archive-date=27 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327171832/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/reviews/gr/lullacry.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the operatic soprano style of ] from ].<ref name="AMG Tristania"/> There are more female singers in gothic metal than there are in any other heavy metal subgenre, but female vocals are neither necessary nor synonymous with the genre. Liv Kristine of ] and ] notes that the gothic tag is often misinterpreted and points out that "not every band with female vocals is a gothic band".<ref name="Reesman"/> The genre is also known to attract more female fans relative to other subgenres of heavy metal music.<ref>], p. 71</ref>

=== Lyrics ===
The lyrics of gothic metal are known to be melodramatic, fantasized, romantic, dark or sometimes gloomy.<ref name="AMG Goth" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Gothic Metal |url=http://radio.darkness.com/gothic-metal/ |publisher=Radio Darkness |access-date=30 April 2016 |archive-date=19 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219104009/http://radio.darkness.com/gothic-metal/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> For the three English bands that helped to pioneer the genre, their gloomy lyrics reflect their background in doom metal while their darker or melodramatic lyrics draw influence from ].<ref name="AMG Goth" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Doom Metal |url=http://www.allmusic.com/style/doom-metal-ma0000004496 |website=] |access-date=30 April 2016}}</ref> The music of ] has been noted as "dripping with treachery and pain" from a "lyrical fascination with deceit and transgressions of every variety".<ref>{{cite web |author=Jeffries, Vincent |title=''Turn Loose the Swans'' review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r203986|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref> Lyrics that focus on suicide and the meaninglessness of life can be found in ]<ref name="AMG Eternity"/> while ] too has "never lost their depressive edge".<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Blackie, Andrew |title=PopMatters |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/42122/paradise-lost-in-requiem/ |magazine=] |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref>

] manifests a deep interest in the ] myth, a common staple of gothic horror fiction.<ref>], p. xi</ref>]]

], a literary genre that blends ] and ], has been a source of inspiration for the lyrics of many gothic metal bands like ],<ref>{{cite web |author=Harper, Rick |url=http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=256&Itemid=36 |title=Interview with Cadaveria of Cadaveria |publisher=Soniccathedral.com |access-date=7 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608020013/http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=256&Itemid=36 |archive-date=8 June 2008 }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web |author=Lee, David |title=Interview with Dani Filth of Cradle of Filth |url=http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/COF.htm |publisher=Metal-rules.com |access-date=10 June 2008}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web |author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |title=''Memorial'' review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r828672|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=10 June 2008}}</ref> ]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Borgioli-Jones |first1=David |title=Out of the Light and into the Dark&nbsp;- Theatres des Vampires' Sonya Scarlet Escapes the Scorching Summer Sun to Answer RockDetector's Fearsome 40&nbsp;Questions. |type=Artist Interviews |date=21 July 2006 |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/interviews/artist,9240.sm |publisher=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070227220848/http://www.rockdetector.com/interviews/artist%2C9240.sm |archive-date=27 February 2007 |access-date=25 September 2013 }}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web |author=Wolff, John |title=Interview with Lisa Schaphaus of Xandria |publisher=Soniccathedral.com |url=http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=122&Itemid=36 |access-date=10 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804003210/http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=122&Itemid=36 |archive-date=4 August 2008 }}</ref> Critic Eduardo Rivadavia of ] identifies drama and mournful beauty as requisite elements of the genre.<ref name="AMGAshes"/> For ], the subjects of "death and misery and lost love and romance" have been approached repeatedly from different angles.<ref>{{cite web |author=Stefanis, John |title=Interview with Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride |url=http://www.getreadytorock.com/pure_metal/my_dying_bride_interview.htm |publisher=Getreadytorock.com |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref> The common gothic theme of lost love<ref>], p. 208</ref> is a subject that has been tackled by such gothic metal bands as ]<ref>{{cite web |author=Rozz |title=Interview with Lorentz Aspen of Theatre of Tragedy |url=http://www.metalstorm.ee/pub/interview.php?interview_id=168&page=&message_id= |publisher=Metalstorm.ee |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web |author=Seaver, Morley |title=Interview with Liv Kristine of Leaves' Eyes |publisher=Antimusic.com |url=http://www.antimusic.com/morley/05/LeavesEyes.shtml |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref>

Lyrics based on personal experiences are another common feature of many gothic metal bands such as ],<ref>{{cite web |author=Pedro Azevedo |title=Interview with Vincent Kavanagh of Anathema |url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles/chats/1-173_anathema.aspx |publisher=] |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web |author=Dunphy, John |title=Interview with Sabine Duenser of Elis |url=http://www.musictap.net/Interviews/SabineDuenserElisInterview060605.htm |publisher=Musictap.net |access-date=7 May 2008 |archive-date=18 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918100721/http://www.musictap.net/Interviews/SabineDuenserElisInterview060605.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> ], ],<ref>{{cite web |title=Interview with Johan Edlund, Anders Iwers and Fredrik Åkesson of Tiamat |url=http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/tiamat.html |publisher=Tartareandesire.com |access-date=7 May 2008 |archive-date=17 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617114404/http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/tiamat.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> ]<ref name="DiscMid">{{cite web |author=Fisher, Mark |title=Interview with Carmen Espanaes of Midnattsol |url=http://www.musicaldiscoveries.com/reviews/midnattsol.htm |publisher=Musicaldiscoveries.com |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web |author=Matthijssens, Vera |title=Interview with Manuel Mundoz of The Old Dead Tree |publisher=Lordsofmetal.nl |url=http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showinterview.php?id=1880&lang=en |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref> ] moved away from fantasy stories in favour of personal lyrics after finding them more suitable for their style of music.<ref>{{cite web |author=Van Berlo, Boris |title=Interview with Stefan Fiori of Graveworm |url=http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/graveworm2.html |publisher=Tartareandesire.com |access-date=7 May 2008 |archive-date=6 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081106130619/http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/graveworm2.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The lyrics of fellow Italians ] also do not feature any "fantasy stuff or something that you cannot find in reality" as their co-vocalist ] finds it desirable that people can relate themselves to her band's lyrics.<ref>{{cite web |author=Wolff, John |title=Interview with Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil |publisher=Soniccathedral.com |url=http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=115&Itemid=36 |access-date=7 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026010837/http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=115&Itemid=36 |archive-date=26 October 2007 }}</ref> Similarly, the band ] features lyrics on the subjects of "love, hate, passion and pain" because a person "can easily connect to a song" with lyrics "about human relationships".<ref>{{cite web |author=Elliot, R. W |title=Interview with Tanja Lainio of Lullacry |publisher=Musicaldiscoveries.com |url=http://www.musicaldiscoveries.com/reviews/lullacry.htm |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref> A few bands, such as ] and ], deal extensively with Christian religious themes and navigating personal religious faith.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prado |first=Michael |date=19 April 2022 |title=Review Clásico: SAVIOUR MACHINE – Saviour Machine 🇺🇸 (1993) - The Dark Melody |url=https://thedarkmelody.com/review-clasico-saviour-machine-saviour-machine-%f0%9f%87%ba%f0%9f%87%b8-1993/,%20https://thedarkmelody.com/review-clasico-saviour-machine-saviour-machine-%F0%9F%87%BA%F0%9F%87%B8-1993/ |access-date=7 November 2023 |language=es }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=Axl |date=27 February 2008 |title=Exclusive Interview With Virgin Black's Samantha Escarbe |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2008/02/27/exclusive-interview-with-virgin-blacks-samantha-escarbe/ |access-date=7 November 2023 |website=MetalSucks |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=mpo |date=20 September 2001 |title=An interview with... Virgin Black |url=http://www.artfortheears.nl/NL/r/i/virgin.htm |access-date=7 November 2023 |website=www.artfortheears.nl}}</ref>


== History == == History ==
=== Origins (1983-1993) ===
The earliest stage of gothic metal can be traced to bands in the ], who utilized the dark aesthetics of ] with aspects of composition akin to doom metal. Bands of this type are credited mainly for their later influence on the subgenres, doom-death and gothic-doom.


=== Precursors ===
Although ]'s ] made some attribution to this manner of composition, ] band ] are regarded by some as the most influential to the founding of the subgenre. Thought the influence seems to come from the later ] version of "]", who themselves are considered to play a style of Heavy Metal,<ref> </ref> unlike the original line up founded by ], who had a more punk influenced sound. <ref></ref> The current line up with Valor has featured members of ] bands such as ] guesting on albums.


==== Heavy metal ====
], although considered by many as an early black metal band, also played a semi-important role in the development of doom-death, due to their use of "gothic-sounding" atmospherics.
]'s ] (1970) with its gothic cover art]]


Heavy metal music is perceived by many members of the ] as the "crass, crude macho antithesis of everything that ] represents".<ref name="Badd2634">], pp. 263–4</ref> In contrast to the "softer" and "more feminine" character of gothic music, the heavy metal genre is typically associated with aggression and masculinity.<ref>], p. 61</ref> Despite this difference, "a few bold souls have identified ]'s eponymous 1970 ] as the first ever 'Goth-rock' record".<ref name="Badd2634"/> The author ] notes that the title track of the album "describes a satanic rite, complete with driving-rain and tolling bell sound effects, while the cover focuses on a black-cloaked, spectral-looking girl in a graveyard, shot through a sickly pale ochre filter".<ref name="Badd2634"/> Other commentators have described Black Sabbath as the "absolute prototype gothic heavies"<ref>], p. 69</ref> and observed that by separating the band's music "from their heavy metallic connotations", one "could cull a killer Goth album from their first five LP's, with every future reference point and requirement intact".<ref>]</ref>
In the 1990s, a group of young bands in Northern England borrowed from the early gothic rock sound of the 1980s and incorporated it with the slow, down-tuned guitar dirges of ] and similar ] bands. Doom-death, as it was known, was the first stage of the gothic-doom subgenre and the gothic-metal genre. Bands most notable for this style included ], ], and ].


The "vaguely medieval, minor-key sounds" of ], ] and ] have also been described as "gothic" prior to "the emergence of goth rock as a ] genre".<ref name="AMG Goth" /> The bands ] and ] have featured some gothic lyrics in their music on songs such as "]" and "]".<ref>], p. 264</ref> ]'s song "Stormbringer" has been called a "goth metal treasure".<ref>{{cite web |author=Henderson, Alex |title=''Stormbringer. Review'' |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r5337|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=28 July 2010 }}</ref> The ] metal band ] had also demonstrated "a Gothic obsession with evil and the occult".<ref>{{cite web| author=Huey, Steve |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p4901|pure_url=yes}} |title=Mercyful Fate |website=] |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref> Frontman ] continued exploring his interest in gothic storytelling after establishing a solo career under his own moniker,<ref>{{cite web| author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r10921|pure_url=yes}} |title=''Fatal Portrait'' review |website=] |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref> issuing "a series of concept albums which told Gothic horror tales with sound effects and song".<ref name="Badd266">], p. 265</ref> During the 1980s, the former ] frontman ] also "occupied the no man's land between Goth and heavy metal".<ref name="Badd266"/> With the dissolution of his second band ] in 1988 and the creation of his own ], Danzig went on to combine heavy metal riffs with "a heavily romanticized, brooding, gothic sensibility".<ref>{{cite web| author=Huey, Steve |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p4024|pure_url=yes}} |title=Danzig |website=] |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref>
Although death metal and black metal were two of the larger genres of metal at this time, especially in the Scandinavian region, many bands who started in either genre had progressed more toward doom-death styles; two of these bands were ] and ].


The ] group ] was another precursor to gothic metal, translating the influence they drew from ] acts ] and ] into their own albums.<ref>{{cite web| title=Metal-Rules| work=Tom Gabriel Fischer Interview| url=http://www.metal-rules.com/zine/content/view/561/0/| access-date=7 May 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413062921/http://www.metal-rules.com/zine/content/view/561/0/| archive-date=13 April 2008}}</ref> The band's "radical fusion of violent ] and elements of ]" was dubbed "]" and had a huge impact "on the evolution of European heavy metal".<ref>{{cite web| author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p3857|pure_url=yes}} |title=Celtic Frost |website=] |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref> ] of ] cites Celtic Frost's 1987 album '']'' in particular for playing a key role in the development of the "gothic and symphonic wave of bands" in the 1990s, noting further that neither his group Therion nor ] "would have sounded the way we did without Celtic Frost".<ref>{{cite web| author=Williams, Barbara |url=http://www.metalcrypt.com/pages/interviews.php?intid=55 |title=Interview with Christofer Johnsson of Therion|publisher=Metalcrypt.com |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref>
While early doom-death bands ] and ] used some female vocals in their music, the Netherland's ] was the first doom-death band with a leading female singer, ] on the album '']'' and then ] on '']'' (both later replaced by another female singer, ]). This set a pattern for gothic metal by adding the first implications of using two vocalists in the bands, which later became a signature of gothic metal as it was quickly imitated by bands including ] and ].


===Gothic Metal (1993-present) === ==== Gothic rock ====
] in Leipzig, Germany, in 2014]]
Gothic metal originated in the early 1990's with bands such as ] and ] taking the doom-death sound that had arisen and making romantically-themed music that borrowed from black metal's and death metal's guitar and vocal styles. These bands left behind some of the depressing nature and gothic rock elements of their origins to add more warm and classical elements into the music.
] had emerged as an offshoot of ] in the 1980s but by the end of that decade, the genre had splintered into different directions with bands such as ], ] and ] incorporating "more pop and alternative elements" while ], ] and ] took on a "heavier, sometimes metal-influenced approach".<ref>{{cite web |title=Goth Rock |url=http://www.allmusic.com/style/goth-rock-ma0000002623 |website=] |access-date=30 April 2016}}</ref> The Sisters of Mercy was one of the leading goth bands of the 1980s, playing "a slow, gloomy, ponderous hybrid of metal and psychedelia, often incorporating dance beats".<ref>{{cite web |author=Huey, Steve |title=Sisters of Mercy |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p5443|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref> The band only released three full-length albums with the debut '']'' released in 1985. Their last album '']'' arrived in 1990 as one of the earliest attempts to mix gothic music with heavy metal.<ref>], p. 211</ref> Fields of the Nephilim had also released only three studio albums before their initial dissolution in 1991.<ref>{{cite web |author=Bush, John |title=Fields of the Nephilim |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p12933|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref> They have since reformed, released more albums and been recognised for their influence on the "glut of metal bands" in the early 21st century "that incorporated obvious elements of goth into their sound&nbsp;— especially detected in their appreciation of symphonic and keyboard sounds (as well as their fashion sense)".<ref>{{cite web |author=Prato, Greg |title=''Mourning Sun'' review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r814532|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref>


According to ], "goth metal first emerged during the early to mid-'80s, centered around ]' so-called ']' scene headed by Christian Death".<ref name="AMG Goth"/> Acclaimed as the "founding fathers of American goth rock", Christian Death went through a major personnel change in 1985 with the departure of the band's leader and founder ].<ref name="AMGCD">{{cite web| author=Huey, Steve |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p3896|pure_url=yes}} |title=Christian Death |website=] |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref> Guitarist Valor Kand took over the reins and, under his leadership, Christian Death subsequently pursued a more metal-oriented direction.<ref name="AMGCD"/><ref>], p. 68.</ref> In particular, their 1988 album '']'' has been described by critic Steve Huey as "heavy goth-rock bordering on metal".<ref>{{cite web| author=Huey, Steve |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r3954|pure_url=yes}} |title=''Sex and Drugs and Jesus Christ'' review |website=] |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref>
A softer genre known as ] had evolved in the mid- to late- ] from gothic metal bearing strong similarities to its predecessor, with bands led by female singers. During this time the divide between gothic metal and the new born symphonic metal became apparent; symphonic metal maintained a simpler approach, with more operatic and classical themes, while gothic metal incorporated more aggressive elements of death metal and black metal directly into the music, adding more technically complex melodies and rhythms into its music. ] and ] heading this last known progression in the music.


=== Origins ===
The gothic metal scene is currently very developed in ] and ], most notably in ], ], ] and the Netherlands, and is growing rapidly in ]. Much of the scene's core fan base has developed itself in England and France, with many of the bands coming from the Scandinavian region. Several groups of smaller bands are also emerging in eastern Europe and ], struggling to gain a foothold where the scene is small.


=== Gothic Doom (1997-present) === ==== The Peaceville Three ====
] is the vocalist of the pioneering ]. The group is known to have influenced many subsequent bands in the genre.<ref>{{cite web| author=Bowar, Chad |title=''In Requeim'' review |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/paradiselostin.htm |publisher=] |access-date=6 April 2008}}</ref>]]
In the late 1990's-2000 bands within the gothic metal genre had become somewhat prominent, and the genre symphonic metal had begun to emerge from it. At this point, several bands started to go the opposite path to symphonic metal for their, adding highly morbid themes, slowing down to a more slow-paced aggression akin to gothic metal, and began to abandon the Beauty And The Beast vocals that had become part of the gothic metal genre.


As a musical style, gothic metal "truly began in the early 1990s in the north of England" with the three bands ], ] and ] representing "the core of the movement".<ref>], pp. 265–6<br />* See also ], pp. 246, 275</ref> They are also recognised as three of the major bands that pioneered the ] subgenre, showing why gothic metal originated from death/doom. All three bands were signed to ] during the early 1990s and have since been known as the "Peaceville Three".<ref name="Pop Requiem">{{cite magazine |author=Blackie, Andrew |title=''In Requiem'' review |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/42122/paradise-lost-in-requiem/ |magazine=] |access-date=6 April 2008}}</ref> They had roots in "frenetically abrasive death metal, but they were also influenced by what Paradise Lost vocalist, ], described as the 'really bleak, dark sound' of ]".<ref>], pp. 265–6</ref>
During this period, a boom of new bands occurred. These bands combined aspects directly from early 90s gothic metal with aspects of various forms of doom metal. Bands such as ], ], ], and ] all released albums or produced demo's at this time. These bands used various elements of gothic metal and doom metal in varied and undefined methods. This included the romantic lyrics and instrument usage with morbid atmospheres and slow, droning guitar work. These bands also often found inspiration from doom-death bands, often utilizing the same gothic rock mannerisms found in doom-death almost subconsciously. These new bands, with their morbid sound and nature, and noticeable gothic metal elements, were often debated as being gothic metal or doom metal, before finally being settled on as being 'gothic-doom'.


Paradise Lost were the first to form in 1988 in Halifax, England.<ref>{{cite web| author=Ankeny, Jason |title=Paradise Lost |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p13905|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=6 April 2008}}</ref> Their debut album '']'' was released in 1990 and "helped define the rules of ] metal: grinding, de-tuned anthems of woe topped with death metal-style guttural vocals" while demonstrating that the band was "already reaching for realms unknown to their then-amateurish abilities and latent promise".<ref name="AMG Lost Paradise">{{cite web| author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r59207|pure_url=yes}} |title=''Lost Paradise'' review |website=] |access-date=6 April 2008}}</ref> The band was "evolving at a fast clip" and in the following year, their second "aptly titled album" '']'' came as "something of a departure for the band's earliest fans".<ref name="AMG PLGothic">{{cite web| author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r180066|pure_url=yes}} |title=''Gothic'' review |website=] |access-date=6 April 2008}}</ref> With a "less deliberate, more energetic arrangements", the album featured a "slightly cleaner approach to guitar crunch" and "cautious use of keyboards and even female vocals, which together added atmospheric nuances to the group's ultra-depressive power chords".<ref name="AMG PLGothic"/> ''Gothic'' was a chart success across Europe, particularly in ],<ref name="RD Lost">{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |title=Paradise Lost |publisher=] |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/united+kingdom/west+yorkshire/halifax/paradise+lost |access-date=6 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008173713/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/united+kingdom/west+yorkshire/halifax/paradise+lost |archive-date=8 October 2008 }}</ref> and has since been acclaimed as "one of the most influential albums" in heavy metal music for creating the gothic metal genre. Their 1992 album '']'' continued the transition<ref>{{cite web| author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r178935|pure_url=yes}} |title=''Shades of God'' review |website=] |access-date=6 April 2008}}</ref> while the follow-up 1993 album '']'' represented "a turning point" for the band with the experimental use of synthesised strings, timpani, piano and angelic female vocals.<ref>{{cite web |author=Anderson, Christopher |title=''Icon'' review |website=] |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r189583|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=6 April 2008}}</ref> By the time of 1995's '']'' album, Paradise Lost's music firmly stood "between stark, oppressive goth rock and crunching heavy metal".<ref>{{cite web| author=Jehnzen, Daevid |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r220394|pure_url=yes}} |title=''Draconian Times'' review |website=] |access-date=6 April 2008}}</ref> With these five albums, the band had created "a bold collection of songs that sounded like '']''-era ] played by a group who loved the Sisters of Mercy".<ref name="Bansal">{{cite web |author=Bansal, Vik |title=''Paradise Lost'' review |publisher=Musicomh.com |url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/paradise-lost_1005.htm |access-date=6 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512023136/http://www.musicomh.com/albums/paradise-lost_1005.htm |archive-date=12 May 2008 }}</ref> They have since been recognised as the band that "originally laid the gothic seed that other bands have been nicking and reaping in recent years".
In the early 2000's another boom happened, many bands that were now considered gothic-doom released their first or second albums, with many more bands producing demo's. This second rush of bands and albums now emphasized parts of doom metal and gothic metal by melding aspects of the genres together. Lyrical themes of the genres were melded together, as were the guitaring, keyboarding, and atmoshperic styles of the genres.


] of ] credits ], ] and ] as inspirations.<ref>{{cite web |author=Malmstedt, Kalle |title=Interview with Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride |publisher=Releasemagazine.net |url=http://www.releasemagazine.net/Spotlight/spotlightmydyingbride.htm |access-date=6 April 2008}}</ref>]]
Currently, gothic-doom is a widespread scene, with no centralized fan base or origins of bands. Gothic-doom's fanbase mostly tends to be fans heavily into gothic metal and/or doom metal, and currently lacks any major recognition beyond its borrowed stardom.


From Bradford, ] were formed in 1990. An EP, '']'', "sparked a lot of interest" upon its release in 1991.<ref>{{cite web |author=Bromley, Adrian |title=Dying With Pride |publisher=] |url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles/chats/1-34_my_dying_bride.aspx |access-date=7 April 2008}}</ref> Their first full-length release, '']'', followed shortly after in the same year. The album was critically acclaimed by the press and "turned the Doom genre on its head".<ref name="RD MDB">{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |title=My Dying Bride |publisher=] |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/united+kingdom/west+yorkshire/halifax/my+dying+bride |access-date=9 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021173441/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/united+kingdom/west+yorkshire/halifax/my+dying+bride |archive-date=21 October 2012 }}</ref> They added a violinist to their line-up for their 1993 sophomore effort '']''. On this "groundbreaking" album,<ref name="RD MDB"/> the group introduced a "much greater element of dark romanticism to their doomy music".<ref name="CoC MDB">{{cite web| author=Serba, John |url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles/chats/1-194_my_dying_bride.aspx |title=The Bride No Longer Wears Black |publisher=] |access-date=7 April 2008}}</ref> Vocalist ] explains the band's pursuit of this direction:
== Gothic doom ==
Gothic-doom (also sometimes called '''Goth Metal''' due to its ] influence and '''Atmospheric Doom''' due to its keyboarding) is best described as a subgenre of both doom metal and gothic metal. Throughout its existence, gothic doom has combined aspects of both doom metal and gothic metal in varying methods and designs, with the often combining of two aspects together.


{{cquote|We knew that when Celtic Frost disappeared and turned into a glam rock band, we knew there was a market there for this sort of over-the-top avant-garde band, someone who were doing something a bit weird and unusual. Paradise Lost were doing similar-ish kind of things, but I don't think they had this more romantic edge. We definitely worked for that gothic appeal, and I'm not really sure why.<ref name="CoC MDB"/>}}
Early bands in the subgenre used varying characteristics and aspects of doom metal with aspects of gothic metal, taking heavily influence from doom-death bands. The music often used one element from gothic metal, with an element of doom metal, ie: The lyrical theme and instrumental usage of gothic metal, with doom metal atmospherics and vocal styles.


Their 1995 album '']'' "marked a shift in the band's strategy, for the first time dropping the ] of Stainthorpe in favour of a 'clean' vocal delivery".<ref name="RD MDB"/> The rest of the group "followed suit, setting aside any death metal influences, carefully using violins and keyboards to enhance the group's brooding excursions" into "fauna-wilting gothic doom metal".<ref>{{cite web| author=Serba, John |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r297037|pure_url=yes}} |title=''The Angel and the Dark River'' review |website=] |access-date=7 April 2008}}</ref> While the album was more experimental, the music was still dark and atmospheric.<ref name="CoC MDB"/>
The sound became more varied as it evolved to combine traits of gothic metal and doom metal directly with their counterparts. Later Gothic doom bands have tended towards writing music that is typical of either genre, then combining the characteristics of that genre directly with their counterparts from the second genre. Lyrics tend to meld the romantic and fantasy themes of gothic metal, with the morbid and depressive themes of doom metal, creating storys that focus heavily on romance induced misery. Bands have also tended to adapt the synthesising nature of gothic metal. Guitars synthesising aspects of death metal's chugging and techinal nature and gothic rock's minor chord usage, with the slow, heavily downtuned aspects of doom metal, similar to the guitaring styles found in early doom-death bands. The instrument usage of gothic metal has also met adaption into doom metal styles, the instruments roles remaining the same within the band, yet played with the same slow, downcast nature of most doom metal.


Also forming in 1990, the ]-based band ] released a "highly acclaimed" EP, '']'', in 1992.<ref name="RD Anathema">{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |publisher=] |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/united+kingdom/merseyside/liverpool/anathema |title=Anathema |access-date=7 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004232956/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/united+kingdom/merseyside/liverpool/anathema |archive-date=4 October 2012 }}</ref> The "crushing emotional doom/death" of this EP remained on their 1993 debut full-length '']'',<ref>{{cite web |author=Azevedo, Pedro |url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles/chats/1-173_anathema.aspx |title=Delusions of Silence |publisher=] |access-date=7 April 2008}}</ref> "the most traditional doom-styled album in their catalog".<ref name="AMG Anathema">{{cite web| author=Huey, Steve |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p45081|pure_url=yes}} |title=Anathema |website=] |access-date=7 April 2008}}</ref> Their juxtaposition of the fragile and ferocious "fostered a keen fan base".<ref name="RD Anathema"/> '']'' was recorded in 1994 as another EP "that nonetheless ended up long enough to have qualified as a full-length".<ref name="AMG Anathema"/> The year 1995 saw the release of this EP as well as the departure of Darren White. Guitarist ] took over vocal duties for their subsequent album '']'' released later in the same year. The album "marked an important turning point in the band's sound" with critics drawing upon comparisons to ], "bringing new appreciation from a more mainstream band of listeners but also causing a withdrawal of support from hardened Doom fanatics".<ref name="RD Anathema"/> Like My Dying Bride, this transition involved leaving behind their traditional death metal sound.<ref name="AMG Eternity">{{cite web| author=Taylor, Robert |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r246634|pure_url=yes}} |title=''Eternity'' review |website=] |access-date=6 April 2008}}</ref> They continued experimenting with their 1996 album '']'',<ref name="RD Anathema"/> "stretching its songs into sorrowful, orchestrated epics" that "quickly proved to be their most original work to date".<ref name="AMG Anathema"/> While Anathema's music has "changed a lot", their "main features remained a heart-rending melancholy and intensity".<ref>{{cite web |author=Matthijssens, Vera |title=''A Moment In Time'' review |publisher=Lordsofmetal.nl |url=http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showreview.php?id=8206&lang=en |access-date=7 April 2008}}</ref>
Some gothic doom bands such as ] and ] have more atoned to following the patterns of early gothic doom bands, placing heavy emphasis on each part of their music, making each individual aspect highly distinguished from another, rather than letting them all blend into one conjoined sound. These bands also take some influence directly from gothic rock, incorporating prevalent characteristics of the genre directly into their music, such as minor chord usage.


==== Other pioneers ====
Gothic doom bands are overall characterised by their often equal, but highly mixed use of elements of gothic metal, doom metal and gothic rock, whether they are imitated, combined, or emphasised individually. As such, bands are sometimes debated upon as to whether they are doom metal, gothic metal, or neither. Other instances of debate are over whether the original doom-death bands could be considered gothic-doom due to their similarities, or are a separate subform due to the time period they originated in. <ref> </ref>
], performing at the Columbiahalle in ], ], was one of the earliest gothic metal bands.]]
In North America, ] had formed ] in 1990 out of the remnants of his former ] band ].<ref name="AMG TON">{{cite web |author=Huey, Steve |title=Type O Negative |website=] |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p14583|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=10 April 2008}}</ref> With their debut album '']'' in 1991, the ] based outfit pursued a "melodramatic goth rock style" that "encompasses long songs built on simple riffs, theatrical shouting vocals, churchy-sounding organ and vocal-harmony passages, and the odd mechanical noise".<ref>{{cite web| author=Huey, Steve |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r20728|pure_url=yes}} |title=''Slow, Deep and Hard'' review |website=] |access-date=10 April 2008}}</ref> '']'' followed in 1992, but it was their third album '']'' in 1993 that became their breakthrough album.<ref name="Type o Maki">{{cite web |author=Maki, Jeff |title=''Dead Again'' review |url=http://www.live-metal.net/cdreviews_typeonegative_deadagain |publisher=Live-metal.net |access-date=10 April 2008}}</ref> AllMusic reviewer Steve Huey noted that the album had a "twistedly affectionate send-up of goth rock conventions" and lyrics that "gleefully wallow in goth clichés&nbsp;— sex, death, Christianity, vampires, more sex, and death".<ref>{{cite web| author=Huey, Steve |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r188919|pure_url=yes}} |title=''Bloody Kisses'' review |website=] |access-date=10 April 2008}}</ref> The album has since sold nearly a million copies in the ],<ref name="Type o Maki"/> a surprise success that "obliged Goths to take notice" of the group.<ref>], p. 270</ref> The trademarks of Type O Negative's music include the use of "downtuned, fuzzy guitars"<ref>{{cite web |author=Quentin Kalis |title=''Life Is Killing Me'' review |publisher=] |url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/reviews/albums/2-3182_type_o_negative_life_is_killing_me.aspx |access-date=10 April 2008}}</ref> and a "deep baritone croon"<ref name="About TONDA">{{cite web |author=Bowar, Chad |title=''Dead Again'' review |publisher=] |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/typeonegative.htm |access-date=10 April 2008 |archive-date=6 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206064736/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/typeonegative.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> from Peter Steele, an "intimidatingly large, sarcastically self-deprecating original, whose dry, dirty one-liners and morbid machismo challenge those who insist the archetypal Goth is a po-faced androgyne".<ref>], p. 269–70.</ref> Type O Negative has since been recognised as a pioneer of the genre. In a review of their 2007 album '']'', critic Greg Prato of Allmusic declared that "before Type O Negative, there was really no such thing as goth metal".<ref>{{cite web| author=Prato, Greg |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1021702|pure_url=yes}} |title=''Dead Again'' review |website=] |access-date=10 April 2008}}</ref>


Also in North America, the brothers Jeff and ] formed ] in 1989. Described as a Gothic and ] band as well as ],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Magliano |first=Fabio |date=1 December 2020 |title=Eric Clayton (Saviour Machine) – I miei 10 album fondamentali |url=http://www.metalhammer.it/rubriche/2020/12/01/eric-clayton-saviour-machine-i-miei-10-album-fondamentali/ |access-date=7 November 2023 |website=] Italy |language=it-IT}}; {{Cite web |last=Ariatti |first=Alessandro |title=Saviour Machine - Saviour Machine I |url=https://www.metal.it/album.aspx/45144/saviour-machine-saviour-machine-i/ |access-date=7 November 2023 |website=] Italy |language=Italian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rockstroh |first=Joe |date=1998 |title=Legend Part II review by The Phantom Tollbooth |url=https://tollbooth.org/reviews/sm2.html |access-date=7 November 2023 |website=The Phantom Tollbooth}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Prado |first=Michael |date=19 April 2022 |title=Review Clásico: Saviour Machine – Saviour Machine US (1993) |url=https://thedarkmelody.com/review-clasico-saviour-machine-saviour-machine-%f0%9f%87%ba%f0%9f%87%b8-1993/,%20https://thedarkmelody.com/review-clasico-saviour-machine-saviour-machine-%F0%9F%87%BA%F0%9F%87%B8-1993/ |access-date=7 November 2023 |language=es }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> the group released its ] in 1993.
== Other gothic metal fusions ==
Other fusions of gothic metal similar to gothic doom have also started to become more noticeable. This has often been noticed by bands within the black metal, death metal and symphonic metal genres that have started using elements of gothic metal in the bands music.


The year 1988 saw not only the formation of Paradise Lost but another early gothic metal pioneer, the ] band ]. Their debut album '']'' arrived in 1990 and featured "slightly above average death metal".<ref>{{cite web |author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |title=''Sumerian Cry'' review |website=] |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r396647|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=11 April 2008}}</ref> Their third album '']'' was released in 1993 as the band's first turning-point, "starkly reducing speed and heaviness for melody and atmosphere".<ref>{{cite web |author=Melzer, Alexander |title=''Clouds'' review |url=http://www.tartareandesire.com/reviews/Tiamat/Clouds/1237/ |publisher=Tartareandesire.com |access-date=13 April 2008 |archive-date=10 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091110110114/http://www.tartareandesire.com/reviews/Tiamat/Clouds/1237/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The album made an impact on the European metal community for its atmospheric doom metal approach "enhanced with keyboards which are never out of place or over-used".<ref>{{cite web |author=Eldefors, Vincent |title=''Clouds'' review |url=http://www.tartareandesire.com/reviews/Tiamat/Clouds/1237/ |publisher=Tartareandesire.com |access-date=13 April 2008 |archive-date=10 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091110110114/http://www.tartareandesire.com/reviews/Tiamat/Clouds/1237/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The next album '']'' was unveiled in 1994 as an "artistic and commercial breakthrough, fully realizing the sound hinted at on previous releases and eliciting effusive praise in metal circles for its brooding, Gothic atmospherics".<ref name="AMG Tiamat">{{cite web| author=Huey, Steve |title=Tiamat |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p14500|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=13 April 2008}}</ref> The album featured an interplay of contrasts between delicate acoustic guitar, gentle whispering vocals and angelic choruses on the one hand and massive riffs, industrial grind and death metal grunting on the other.<ref>{{cite web |author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |title=''Wildhoney'' review |website=] |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r207016|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=13 April 2008}}</ref> On subsequent releases, Tiamat moved further into gothic territory with Johan Edlund "dropping the metal growling in favor of an unearthly croon".<ref>{{cite web| author=Huey, Steve |title=''Deeper Kind of Slumber'' review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r304744|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=13 April 2008}}</ref> The result has seen critics comparing Edlund's vocals to the Sisters of Mercy's ], "alongside musical comparisons to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds".<ref name="Badd267"/> The band has been recognised for producing some of the most "overtly Gothic material" from Scandinavia.<ref name="Badd267">], p. 267</ref>
Within death metal and black metal this has included the non-defining use of dual vocalists, sub-romantic themes and the writing of concept albums mixed with the traditional sound of the genre. These genre fusions include bands such as ], ] (later albums), and ].


As far back as 1985, Celtic Frost had used female vocals for some songs on their '']'' album.<ref>{{cite web | author=Sharpe-Young, Garry | url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/switzerland/celtic+frost | title=Celtic Frost | publisher=] | access-date=14 April 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921133525/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/switzerland/celtic+frost | archive-date=21 September 2008 }}</ref> Paradise Lost began making similar use of female vocals from their very first album '']'' in 1990.<ref name="AMG Lost Paradise"/> Inspired by the use of female vocals on Paradise Lost's second album ''Gothic'', ] released their debut album '']'' in 1992 with growling vocalist ] supported by female singer ].<ref>{{cite web|author=Willems, Steven |title=Interview with Hans Rutten of The Gathering |url=http://www.gathering.nl/presse.php?id=200104_tgnl |publisher=Gathering.nl |access-date=14 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103040059/http://www.gathering.nl/presse.php?id=200104_tgnl |archive-date=3 January 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The music on the album was "firmly rooted in the dark, midtempo style of gothic and doom metal".<ref name="Mandy matters">{{cite magazine |author=Begrand, Adrien |title=''Mandylion'' review |magazine=] |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/381/the_gathering_mandylion/ |access-date=14 April 2008}}</ref> Their second album '']'' arrived in the following year with new vocalist ], "a strange choice for the band".<ref name="AMG Gath">{{cite web |author=Bickers, James |title=The Gathering |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p29848|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=14 April 2008}}</ref> Duffhues' "punk-ish" and "alt-rock" style of singing was widely seen as out of place with the music,<ref name="Mandy matters"/><ref name="AMG Gath"/> a perception that was shared by the band themselves,<ref>{{cite web |author=Schoenmakers, Remco |title=Interview with Anneke van Giersbergen of The Gathering |url=http://www.dprp.net/specials/gathering/index.html |publisher=Dprp.net |access-date=14 April 2008}}</ref> and the album was "largely written off as a result."<ref name="AMG Gath"/> The Gathering decided to drop the use of male vocals altogether and instead brought in a lead female vocalist ] for their third full length '']'', an album that "saw the band adventurously breaking away from the Gothic Doom fare of previous works".<ref name="Rockdetector Gathering">{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/netherlands/nijmegen/the+gathering |title=The Gathering |publisher=] |access-date=14 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114102216/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/netherlands/nijmegen/the+gathering |archive-date=14 November 2010 }}</ref> The result was considered a "groundbreaking achievement" upon its release in 1995<ref>{{cite web| author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |title=''Mandylion'' review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r227780|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=14 April 2008}}</ref> with critics lavishly describing it as "the perfect pinnacle of gothic metal".<ref>{{cite web |author=Grant, Sam |url=http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=41 |title=''Mandylion'' review |publisher=Soniccathedral.com |access-date=14 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225121405/http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=41 |archive-date=25 December 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Gathering's "introspective atmosphere owed a creative debt to Dead Can Dance, and established them as a leading band in their native Holland ".<ref name="Badd267"/>
Some symphonic metal bands have also started to use more gothic metal elements. This is mainly noticeable by the more downbeat, aggressive and complex structures to songs. Bands such as the ]' ] and ]'s ] are both notable for this.


== Common debates == === Development ===
Although the style has seen much more controversy than other metal genres - and remarkably, the most instances of debate - some arguments have gone on in regards to bands that have sported a gothic "image" in the eyes of the media versus those with direct musical connections to the gothic metal genre. This has included bands that have shown imagery akin to morbidity, religious themes, gothic fashion, vampirism, and satanism and bands that have played alongside gothic metal bands at concerts.


==== Beauty and the beast<!--'Gothic/doom' redirects here--> ====
Bands are also often mistaken for being gothic metal, as people considered ]s will attend the performance of a band, and the media takes to believing the band is part of the gothic metal genre due to the people who attend their concerts.
{{listen
| filename = Theatre of Tragedy - A Hamlet for a Slothful Vassal.ogg
| title = Theatre of Tragedy's "A Hamlet for a Slothful Vassal" (1995)
| description = A simultaneous duet between soprano and death vocals can be heard in this 24&nbsp;second sample from Theatre of Tragedy's self-titled ].
| format = ]
| filename2 = Tristania - Angina.ogg
| title2 = Tristania's "Angina" (1999)
| description2 = This 30 second sample from Tristania's second album '']'' feature three distinct vocal styles with a black metal shriek followed by soprano and baritone vocals.
| format2 = ]
}}
] helped to pioneer the beauty and the beast approach.]]


The term "'''beauty and the beast'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA-->" refers to an aesthetic contrasting "angelic" female vocals with male growls or aggressive singing.<ref name="Reesman">{{cite web |last1=Reesman |first1=Bryan |title=They Will Rise: Metal's female ranks on the move |date=1 November 2007 |work=] |url=http://grammys.com/Latin/News/Default.aspx?newsID=2653&newsCategoryID=3 |access-date=9 August 2013}}{{dead link|date=May 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Paradise Lost and the Gathering had already made use of this technique on some songs from their earlier albums, but it was the Norwegian ] that first released an entire album devoted to this approach with their self-titled ] in 1995. A second album, '']'', arrived in the following year.<ref name="RD TOT">{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/norway/stavanger/theatre+of+tragedy |title=Theatre of Tragedy |publisher=] |access-date=25 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927131438/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/norway/stavanger/theatre+of+tragedy |archive-date=27 September 2013 }}</ref> Theatre of Tragedy's third album '']'' in 1998 saw the band "venturing into fresh musical territory".<ref name="RD TOT"/> The piano was replaced by electronic keyboards while Raymond Rohonyi opted to discard his death growls in favour of a "soft, spoken, sometimes whispering voice".<ref name="TDAG">{{cite web |author=Eldefors, Vincent |title=''Aégis'' review |url=http://www.tartareandesire.com/reviews/Theatre_Of_Tragedy/A%E9gis/1247/ |publisher=Tartareandesire.com |access-date=18 April 2008 |archive-date=5 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305214501/http://www.tartareandesire.com/reviews/Theatre_Of_Tragedy/A%E9gis/1247/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The music was more clean and soft,<ref name="TDAG"/> "stripped of guitar harshness" but with a "near flawless execution" that "prompted many European critics to award ''Aégis'' perfect review scores".<ref name="RD TOT"/>
Many debates have gone on as to whether bands rooted in one genre that use gothic metal aspects within their music are themselves gothic metal, or are themselves creating fusion like subgenres such as gothic doom. Because of these debates, sometimes bands such as these are listed amongst gothic metal bands as well as bands in the genre they are rooted from, often causing more debate and more confusion on the issue.


Other bands that contrast aggressive male vocals and clean female vocals continued to emerge in the late 1990s. ] had formed in 1994<ref>{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/norway/kristiansand/trail+of+tears |title=Trail of Tears |publisher=] |access-date=18 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607060510/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/norway/kristiansand/trail+of+tears |archive-date=7 June 2011 }}</ref> while ] formed in 1995<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mortemia.no/ |title=Biography |work=mortemia.no |access-date=23 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005193222/http://www.mortemia.no/ |archive-date=5 October 2013 }}</ref> and ] were formed in 1996.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/norway/bryne/the+sins+of+thy+beloved |title=The Sins of Thy Beloved |publisher=] |access-date=18 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607060631/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/norway/bryne/the+sins+of+thy+beloved |archive-date=7 June 2011 }}</ref> All three Norwegian groups released their debut albums in 1998. Tristania stood apart from the others with their use of three distinct vocal styles in the "operatic soprano ], clean-singing counter-tenor ], and harsh, black metal-style shrieker ]".<ref name="AMG Tristania">{{cite web |author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |title=Tristania |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p406830|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=18 April 2008}}</ref> Their second album '']'' in 1999 made use of a ten members choir and featured violin passages from Pete Johansen of the Sins of Thy Beloved,<ref>{{cite web |author=Eldefors, Vincent |url=http://www.tartareandesire.com/reviews/Tristania/Beyond_The_Veil/1258/ |title=''Beyond the Veil'' review |publisher=Tartareandesire.com |access-date=11 May 2008 |archive-date=6 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606104607/http://www.tartareandesire.com/reviews/Tristania/Beyond_The_Veil/1258/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> earning "rave reviews" across Europe.<ref name="AMG Tristania"/> By then, the band had risen to "the top of the goth metal heap"<ref>{{cite web |author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |title=Sirenia |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p534188|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=18 April 2008}}</ref> with their "lush, symphonically enhanced" approach.<ref name="AMG Tristania"/> They were "dealt a potentially crippling blow" when singer, guitarist and principal composer Veland left the group to form ].<ref name="AMG Tristania"/> Tristania has continued to prosper with subsequent releases<ref name="AMGAshes">{{cite web |author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |title=''Ashes'' review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r726892|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=11 May 2008}}</ref> and has since been "regarded as one of the world's premiere goth metal bands".<ref name="AMG Tristania"/>
Many people assume that gothic metal's name implies that it is the same as ], but with metal based composition, and so misinterpret a wide range of bands as being gothic metal on that basis. This misconception is furthered by the use of the term 'goth metal', which implies the music has to do with ]s. The genre actually got its name from the imagery and themes within the lyrics, and the atmospherics it uses, which are quite different to those of the similarly named goth rock. While both use the term "gothic" in reference to the forboding sense of doom popularized by the ], gothic rock developed out of ] in the late ] and, aside from some heavier bands like Christian Death, has no connection to heavy metal.


For over a decade, this beauty and the beast aesthetic has flourished with many representatives across the European continent.<ref name="Reesman"/> Cradle of Filth has also been known to make use of this approach through guest female vocalists such as Liv Kristine and ].<ref name="RDCOF">{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |title=Cradle of Filth |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/united+kingdom/suffolk/ipswich/cradle+of+filth |publisher=] |access-date=25 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921133607/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/united+kingdom/suffolk/ipswich/cradle+of+filth |archive-date=21 September 2008 }}</ref> A few critics have since lamented that the approach has been "done to death by countless bands".<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Begrand, Adrien |title=Blood and Thunder: The Great Beast Resurrected |magazine=] |url=http://www.popmatters.com/columns/begrand/060518.shtml |access-date=18 April 2008}}</ref>
Derogatory usage of the term faggoth by some fans of other metal genres, especially those of black metal, has led to the term being associated with gothic metal. The term is actually used as an insult to the less extreme natures of gothic metal, symphonic metal and ]. Due to the word 'goth' being part of the term however, it is easily mistaken to mean that all music it is used derogatorily towards is goth music.


== Gothic metal bands == ==== Symphonic gothic metal ====
{{listen
*]
| filename = Within Temptation - Mother Earth.ogg
| title = Within Temptation's "Mother Earth" (2000)
| description = Rapid orchestral strings move to the forefront on the chorus of this title track from Within Temptation's second album '']''.
| format = ]
| filename2 = Epica - Facade of Reality.ogg
| title2 = Epica's "Façade of Reality" (2003)
| description2 = Orchestral strings underline this beauty and the beast exchange from Epica's debut album '']''.
| format2 = ]
}}
Tristania was not the only gothic metal band that brought a symphonic edge to their music. Influenced by the Peaceville trio of Paradise Lost, Anathema and My Dying Bride, the Dutch band ] was founded in 1996.<ref>{{cite web |author=Shyu, Jeffrey |url=http://www.ssmt-reviews.com/int/within.htm |title=Interview with Jeroen van Veen of Within Temptation |publisher=Ssmt-reviews.com |access-date=22 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215082933/http://www.ssmt-reviews.com/int/within.htm |archive-date=15 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A debut album '']'' was unveiled in the following year, followed shortly by an EP '']''.<ref name="RDWT">{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/netherlands/utrecht/within+temptation |title=Within Temptation |publisher=] |access-date=9 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715194216/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/netherlands/utrecht/within+temptation |archive-date=15 July 2011 }}</ref> Both releases made use of the beauty and beast approach delivered by vocalists ] and ]. Their second full length '']'' was released in 2000 and dispensed entirely with the death metal vocals, instead "relying solely on den Adel's majestic vocal ability".<ref name="RDWT"/> The album was a commercial success with their lead single "]" topping the charts in Belgium and their native Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web |author=Taylor, Robert |title=''Mother Earth'' review |website=] |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r548440|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=22 April 2008}}</ref> Their third album '']'' arrived in 2004 as an "ambitious project featuring a full orchestra and 80-voice choir accompanying the band".<ref name="AMGWT">{{cite web| author=Deming, Mark |title=Within Temptation |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p508773|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=22 April 2008}}</ref> The result was another commercial success across Europe<ref name="AMGWT"/> and introduced "the world of heavy guitars and female vocals" to "a mainstream audience".<ref>{{cite web |author=Tuinman, Ferdinand |title=''The Silent Force'' review |url=http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showreview.php?id=4842&lang=en |publisher=Lordsofmetal.nl |access-date=22 April 2008}}</ref>

] of ]]]
Within Temptation's brand of gothic metal combines "the guitar-driven force of hard rock with the sweep and grandeur of symphonic music".<ref name="AMGWT"/> The critic Chad Bowar of ] describes their style as "the optimum balance" between "the melody and hooks of mainstream rock, the depth and complexity of classical music and the dark edge of gothic metal".<ref>{{cite web |author=Bowar, Chad |title=''The Heart of Everything'' review |publisher=] |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/withintemptatio.htm |access-date=22 April 2008 |archive-date=11 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080111030105/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/withintemptatio.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The commercial success of Within Temptation has since resulted in the emergence of a large number of other female-fronted gothic metal bands, particularly in the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web |author=Tuinman, Ferdinand |title=''The Heart of Everything'' review |publisher=Lordsofmetal.nl |url=http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showreview.php?id=9370&lang=en |access-date=22 April 2008}}</ref>

Another Dutch band in the symphonic gothic metal strain is ]. Their debut album '']'' in 2000 was "a courageous, albeit flawed first study into an admittedly daunting undertaking: to wed heavy metal with progressive rock arrangements and classical music orchestration&nbsp;— then top it all off with equal parts gruesome cookie-monster vocals and a fully qualified opera singer".<ref>{{cite web |author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |title=''Prison of Desire'' review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r640587|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=22 April 2008}}</ref> A second album '']'' followed in 2001 with music that was described by guitarist ] as being in the style of Within Temptation.<ref>{{cite web |author=Vermeere, Ralph |title=Interview with Sander Gommans of After Forever |publisher=Rockezine.com |url=http://www.rockezine.com/asp/rez_ainterview.asp?ID=460&interview=After%20Forever%20with%20Sander%20Gommans|access-date=22 April 2008}}</ref> Founding member, guitarist and vocalist ] departed After Forever only a few months after the release of this album.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |title=After Forever |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/netherlands/after+forever |publisher=] |access-date=9 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927164117/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/netherlands/after+forever |archive-date=27 September 2013 }}</ref> Jansen would go on to form ], another band that performs a blend of gothic and symphonic metal. A debut album '']'' emerged in 2003 with music that combines Jansen's death grunts with the "angelic tones of a classically trained mezzo-soprano named ], over a lush foundation of symphonic ]".<ref>{{cite web |author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |title=''The Phantom Agony'' Review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r674057|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=22 April 2008}}</ref> The music of Epica has been described as combination of "a dark, haunting gothic atmosphere with bombastic and symphonic music".<ref>{{cite web |author=Bowar, Chad |title=''The Divine Conspiracy'' review |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/epicadivine.htm |publisher=] |access-date=22 April 2008 |archive-date=20 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120162249/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/epicadivine.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Like Within Temptation and After Forever,<ref>{{cite web |author=Matthijssens, Vera |title=''After Forever'' Review |url=http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showreview.php?id=9203&lang=en |publisher=Lordsofmetal.nl |access-date=22 April 2008}}</ref> Epica has been known to make use of an orchestra.<ref name="MOCTO">{{cite web |author=Smit, Bas |title=''Consign To Oblivion'' Review |publisher=Lordsofmetal.nl |url=http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showreview.php?id=5322&lang=en |access-date=22 April 2008}}</ref> Their 2007 album '']'' was a chart success in their home country.<ref>{{cite news |title=Epica: 'The Divine Conspiracy' Enters Dutch Chart At No. 9 |date=14 September 2007 |work=] |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/BLABBERMOUTH.NET/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=80811 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070502104536/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/BLABBERMOUTH.NET/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=80811 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 May 2007 |access-date=9 May 2008 }}</ref>

This blend of symphonic and gothic metal has also been arrived at from the opposite direction. The band ] from Finland began as a symphonic power metal act<ref>{{cite web |author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |title=''Century Child'' review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r641059|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=23 April 2008}}</ref> before introducing gothic elements on their 2004 album '']'',<ref>{{cite web |author=Grant, Sam |url=http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=85&Itemid=36 |title=''Once'' review |publisher=Soniccathedral.com |access-date=23 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804003751/http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=85&Itemid=36 |archive-date=4 August 2008 }}</ref> particularly on the single "]".<ref>{{cite web |author=Fulton, Katherine |title=''End of an Era'' review |website=] |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r842788|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=23 April 2008}}</ref> They continued to mix their style of "bombastic, symphonic and cinematic" metal with a gothic atmosphere on their next albums '']'' in 2007 and '']'' in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |author=Bowar, Chad |title=''Dark Passion Play'' Review |publisher=] |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/nightwishdark.htm |access-date=23 April 2008 |archive-date=21 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521064022/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/nightwishdark.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the book ], Essi Berelian describes Nightwish as "gothic film score metal".<ref>], p. 250</ref> The Swedish group ] also introduced gothic elements to their brand of symphonic metal on their 2007 album '']''.<ref>{{cite web |author=Bowar, Chad |title=''Gothic Kabbalah'' review |publisher=] |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/theriongothic.htm |access-date=23 April 2008 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303200239/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/theriongothic.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Maki, Jeff |url=http://www.live-metal.net/cdreviews_therion_gothickabbalah.html |title=''Gothic Kabbalah'' review |publisher=Live-metal.net |access-date=23 April 2008}}</ref>

=== Commercial success ===

==== Paradise Lost ====
With the release of their sixth album '']'' in 1997, Paradise Lost brought a more commercial and pop-oriented direction to the genre they had helped created but the success of '']'' has not been overcome.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paradiselost.co.uk/band-biography.html |title=''Band Biography'' (from Official site |publisher=www.paradiselost.co.uk |access-date=19 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610015835/http://www.paradiselost.co.uk/band-biography.html |archive-date=10 June 2010 }}</ref> Praised by Eduardo Rivadavia of ] as a "radical but impressive departure", the album drew comparisons to ] with nothing remaining "of their early death/doom metal origins".<ref>{{cite web| author=Rivadavia, Eduardo |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r308337|pure_url=yes}} |title=''One Second'' review |website=] |access-date=6 April 2008}}</ref> Subsequent albums "progressively experimented with electronics and pop elements, with the guitars gradually getting pushed further into the background".<ref name="Bansal"/> The result was "an accessible sound and a strong emphasis on catchy choruses".<ref>{{cite web |author=Azevedo, Pedro |url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/reviews/albums/2-3827_paradise_lost_paradise_lost.aspx# |title=''Paradise Lost'' review |publisher=] |access-date=6 April 2008}}</ref> Despite attaining "a huge reputation in Europe, where all of their albums have sold strongly",<ref name="RD Lost"/> the group's status as "the progenitors of gothic metal" has been "constantly overlooked, both in their homeland and the US, possibly because of their determination to never make the same record twice".<ref name="Pop Requiem"/>

==== Cradle of Filth ====
In contrast, ] has become "one of the very biggest names" in their black metal genre with impressive albums sales<ref name="RDCOF"/> and mainstream appearances on ],<ref>{{cite web |author=Jurek, Thom |title=''Thornography'' review |website=] |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r854743|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=25 April 2008}}</ref> a level of success that has attracted accusations of "selling out" by the "black metal faithful".<ref name="Bad268"/>

==== Moonspell and Within Temptation ====
] too has "lost a lot of fans who couldn't keep up with the changes" to their music.<ref name="LordsofMoonspell1">{{cite web |author=Tuinman, Ferdinand |title=Interview with Fernando Ribeiro of Moonspell |url=http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showinterview.php?id=393&lang=en |publisher=Lordsofmetal.nl |access-date=13 April 2008}}</ref> In the opinion of vocalist ], fans of the early 1990s were "less cynical and more open-minded in their hearts and minds" than they are in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |author=Matthijssens, Vera |title=Interview with Fernando Ribeiro of Moonspell |url=http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showinterview.php?id=1922&lang=en |publisher=Lordsofmetla.nl |access-date=25 April 2008}}</ref> Nonetheless, the band has continued to experience success with their 2006 album '']'' debuting at number&nbsp;1 on their native Portuguese charts.<ref name="RD MS">{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |title=Moonspell |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/portugal/brandoa/moonspell |publisher=] |access-date=9 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927133145/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/portugal/brandoa/moonspell |archive-date=27 September 2013 }}</ref> They were rewarded with the "Best Portuguese Act" award at the ],<ref>{{cite news |title=Moonspell Named Best Portuguese Act At MTV's Europe Music Awards |date=2 November 2006 |work=] |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=61480 |access-date=25 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310211305/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=61480 |archive-date=10 March 2007 }}</ref> a feat matched by Within Temptation in the ] with the "Best Dutch & Belgian Act" award.<ref>{{cite news |title=Within Temptation Wins Best Dutch & Belgian Act Award At MTV's European Music Awards |date=2 November 2007 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=84018 |work=] |access-date=25 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221194949/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=84018 |archive-date=21 February 2009 }}</ref> Within Temptation further received recognition as their country's best selling artist at the 2007 ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Within Temptation Honored At World Music Awards |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=84213 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526213538/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=84213 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2012 |date=5 November 2007 |work=] |access-date=25 April 2008 }}</ref>

==== Lacuna Coil ====
]

The Italian band ] has also become a "premiere act" of the gothic metal genre.<ref name="RDLC">{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |title=Lacuna Coil |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/italy/lombardy/milan/lacuna+coil |publisher=] |access-date=9 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201195842/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/italy/lombardy/milan/lacuna+coil |archive-date=1 February 2014 }}</ref> The group employs both a female vocalist ] and a male vocalist ], although the group uses less of a 'beauty and the beast' style, with Ferro primarily using clean vocals. Formed in ] in 1994, they released a demo tape in 1996 strongly influenced by Paradise Lost and Type O Negative.<ref>{{cite web| author=Karma E. Omowale| title=Interview with Andrea Ferro of Lacuna Coil| url=http://www.fourteeng.net/LacunaCoil.html| publisher=Fourteeng.net| access-date=23 April 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012050648/http://www.fourteeng.net/LacunaCoil.html| archive-date=12 October 2012| url-status=dead}}</ref> The band "turned a lot of heads in Italy's ambient/goth scene" with their ] in 1998.<ref name="AMGLC">{{cite web| author=DaRonco, Mike |title=Lacuna Coil |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p293279|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=23 April 2008}}</ref> Their debut album '']'' was released in 1999 with a style that bore "some similarities to contemporaries like the Gathering and Moonspell".<ref>{{cite web |author=Huey, Steve |title=''In a Reverie'' review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r417320|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=23 April 2008}}</ref> Lacuna Coil's music was also "more accessible than many of their peers".<ref>{{cite web |author=Hinds, Andy |title=''Unleashed Memories'' |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r524561|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=23 April 2008}}</ref> A second album, '']'', arrived in 2001, but it was their third full-length, '']'', that became their breakthrough album, "highly praised by the metal world after its release in October 2002".<ref name="AMGLC"/> On the strength of ''Comalies'', Lacuna Coil became the most successful artist in the history of their label ] as well as the highest selling rock act in their home country Italy.<ref name="RDLC"/> The band has also achieved the distinction of being the first and, as of late 2007, the only European gothic metal band to successfully break into the United States market with radio airplay<ref name="Reesman"/> and impressive album sales.<ref name="RDLC"/> Their highly anticipated<ref>{{cite web |author=Bowar, Chad |title=''Karmacode'' review |publisher=] |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/gr/lacunacoil.htm |access-date=23 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513023813/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/gr/lacunacoil.htm |archive-date=13 May 2008 }}</ref> fourth album '']'' was even more successful, debuting at number&nbsp;28 on the ], and also debuting on many European music charts.<ref name="RDLC"/> The ''Comalies'' and ''Karmacode'' albums "reportedly sold nearly 1&nbsp;million units combined worldwide, a good chunk of that in the States".<ref name="Reesman"/> The band has also performed on the main stage of the American heavy metal festival ].<ref>{{cite news |title=LACUNA COIL Singer Checks In From OZZFEST |date=14 July 2006 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=55099 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201100255/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=55099 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 February 2013 |work=] |access-date=6 July 2008 }}</ref> Their next two albums, '']'' and '']'', debuted at number 16<ref>. Billboard.com. Retrieved 7 May 2012.</ref> and number 15,<ref name="blabb2">{{cite news |url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=169055 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104214855/http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=169055 |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 January 2013 |title=Lacuna Coil's 'Dark Adrenaline' Cracks U.S. Top 15 |access-date=7 May 2012 |work=] }}</ref> respectively, on the Billboard charts.

==== Evanescence ====

]

In 2003, the rock group ] from ], United States also found commercial success with the release of their debut album '']'',<ref>{{cite news |title=Second Cup Cafe: Amy Lee Of Evanescence |work=] |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/second-cup-cafe-amy-lee-of-evanescence/ |date=10 November 2007 |access-date=27 April 2008}}</ref> which has been described as a blend of gothic and ]<ref>{{cite web |author=Smit, Bas |title=''Fallen'' review |url=http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showreview.php?id=2358&lang=en |publisher=Lordsofmetal.nl |access-date=27 April 2008}}</ref> and drawing comparisons to other alternative metal acts like ]<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Miller, Kirk |title=''Fallen'' review |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/evanescence/albums/album/319429/review/5947042/fallen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022202235/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/evanescence/albums/album/319429/review/5947042/fallen |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 October 2006 |magazine=] |access-date=27 April 2008}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web |author=Loftus, Johnny |title=''Fallen'' review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r627641|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=27 April 2008}}</ref> In October 2011, Evanescence's ] was released and represented a mix of ] and ].<ref name="Chad Grischow">{{cite news|url=http://music.ign.com/articles/119/1199958p1.html |title=Evanescence: Evanescence Review |first=Chad |last=Grischow |date=12 October 2011 |publisher=IGN. ] |access-date=14 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025234759/http://music.ign.com/articles/119/1199958p1.html |archive-date=25 October 2011 }}</ref> Further comparisons have since been drawn between Evanescence and gothic metal groups like Within Temptation and Lacuna Coil.<ref name="AMGKarma">{{cite web| author=Albertson, Cammila |title=''Karmacode'' Review |website=] |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r820428|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=27 April 2008}}</ref> Critic Adrien Begrand of PopMatters wryly notes that while Lacuna Coil "had been tirelessly building a fanbase in Europe since the late 1990s with their listener-friendly brand of goth metal", they had been overshadowed by "a bunch of corn-fed kids from Arkansas with a big publicity machine behind them the very sound the Italian sextet had helped pioneer, and present it to the American suburban goth kids in a much more pop-oriented, dumbed down variation".<ref>{{cite magazine| author=Begrand, Adrien |title=''Karmacode'' Review |magazine=] |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/lacuna_coil_karmacode/ |access-date=7 May 2008}}</ref> Cammila Albertson of Allmusic similarly locates Evanescence as one step further from gothic metal, offering the description of the band as "a pop version of an already diluted brand of metal".<ref name="AMGKarma"/> While Fernando Ribeiro of Moonspell contends that Evanescence is not a metal band,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ficklin |first1=Jeff |title=Moonspell — Interview With Vocalist Fernando Ribeiro |date=11 December 2006 |location=Houston TX |publisher=metal-realm.net |url=http://www.metal-realm.net/index.php?page=fernandoribeiro |access-date=27 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227003322/http://www.metal-realm.net/index.php?page=fernandoribeiro |archive-date=27 February 2009 }}</ref> publications such as the '']'', '']'', '']'' and '']'' have nonetheless identified Evanescence as a gothic metal act.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DEEDD103BF93BA35751C0A9629C8B63 |title=A NIGHT OUT WITH: Amy Lee; The Goth Candidate |newspaper=] |author=Chaplin, Julia |date=8 February 2008 |access-date=22 February 2009}}</ref><ref>], p. 114</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/11963302/review/11970630 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061023071508/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/11963302/review/11970630/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 October 2006 |title=Evanescence: The Open Door |magazine=] |author=Sheffield, Rob |date=5 October 2006 |access-date=20 August 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=1169 |title=Evanescence (live concert) |magazine=] |author=Catucci, Nick |date=7 August 2003 |access-date=20 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113092525/http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=1169 |archive-date=13 January 2009 }}</ref> Adrian Jackson, former bassist My Dying Bride feels the American group is doing something similar to My Dying Bride's music, only in a more accessible direction.<ref name="decibelmag">{{cite journal |url=http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features_detail.aspx?id=5875 |title=My Dying Bride |journal=] |author=Grow, Kory |issue=28 |date=February 2007 |access-date=11 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070115180642/http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features_detail.aspx?id=5875 |archive-date=15 January 2007}}</ref> ] of Paradise Lost notes a generation gap between his group and Evanescence, suggesting that Paradise Lost has only influenced Evanescence indirectly through other acts like Lacuna Coil.<ref>{{cite web|author=D., Chris |title=Interview with Gregor Mackintosh of Paradise Lost |url=http://www.metal-temple.com/interview.asp?id=239 |publisher=Metal-temple.com |access-date=27 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415105521/http://www.metal-temple.com/interview.asp?id=239 |archive-date=15 April 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The success of Evanescence has been recognised for opening "new grounds" for gothic metal bands to "explore and conquer".<ref>{{cite magazine |author=McGrath, Ken |title=Interview with Robert Westerholt of Within Temptation |magazine=] |url=http://www.blistering.com/fastpage/fpengine.php/link/1/templateid/10378/tempidx/5/menuid/3 |access-date=27 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005013334/http://www.blistering.com/fastpage/fpengine.php/link/1/templateid/10378/tempidx/5/menuid/3 |archive-date=5 October 2006 }}</ref>

==== HIM ====
] of ] cites Type O Negative and the Peaceville Three as some of his influences.<ref>{{cite news |title=HIM: New Video Interview With Ville Valo Available |date=27 September 2007 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=81635 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526213548/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=81635 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2012 |work=] |access-date=11 May 2008 }}</ref>]]
Another act that has attracted both commercial success and controversy is the band ]. The group has "not only dominated the charts in their native Finland but also across Europe and in particular Germany".<ref name="RDHIM">{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |title=HIM |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/finland/helsinki/h+i+m+ |publisher=] |access-date=9 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923015344/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/finland/helsinki/h+i+m+ |archive-date=23 September 2013 }}</ref> Their debut album arrived in 1997 as '']'' with music that "combines metal with '80s rock and some goth influences".<ref>{{cite web |author=Ravelin, Antti J |title=''Greatest Lovesongs, Vol. 666'' review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r497614|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=9 May 2008}}</ref> HIM began moving towards a more "polished pop" direction on their next album '']'' in 2000.<ref name="AMGDSABH">{{cite web |author=Ravelin, Antti J |title=''Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights'' review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r585810|pure_url=yes}} |website=] |access-date=9 May 2008}}</ref> The band describes their "Sabbath-meets-] sound" as love metal,<ref>{{cite web |author=Broadley, Erin |title=Interview with Ville Valo of HIM |url=http://suicidegirls.com/interviews/Ville+Valo+of+HIM/ |publisher=Suicidegirls.com |access-date=9 May 2008}}</ref> the title of their ] in 2003. Their subsequent release two years later '']'' was their breakthrough album in the United States with a debut at number&nbsp;18 on the Billboard charts,<ref>{{cite news |title=H.I.M.: 'Dark Light' Breaks U.S. Top&nbsp;20! |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=42530 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526213553/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=42530 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2012 |date=5 October 2005 |work=] |access-date=9 May 2008 }}</ref> a feat exceeded when their next album '']'' in 2007 made a debut at number&nbsp;12.<ref name="AMGDSABH"/><ref>{{cite news |title=HIM On MTV Germany's 'TRL'; Video Available |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=81895 |date=2 October 2007 |work=] |access-date=9 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002221057/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=81895 |archive-date=2 October 2007 }}</ref> Critic Lance Teegarden of PopMatters notes that HIM is "not the sort of act that conjures up a lukewarm response people either like them or discredit them outright".<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Teegarden, Lance |title=''Love Metal'' review |url=http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/h/him-lovemetal.shtml |magazine=] |access-date=9 May 2008}}</ref>

==== Finnish scene ====
In the 21st century, gothic metal has enjoyed a strong mainstream presence in Finland with many representatives enjoying commercial success. In addition to the aforementioned HIM,<ref>{{cite news |title=HIM: 'Venus Doom' Enters Finnish Chart At No. 2 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=81152 |date=20 September 2007 |work=] |access-date=9 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011110257/http://roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=81152 |archive-date=11 October 2007 }}</ref> the bands ],<ref>{{cite news |title=Charon: 'Colder' Single Enters Finnish Chart At No. 5 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=45797 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526213600/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=45797 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2012 |date=19 December 2005 |work=] |access-date=9 May 2008 }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news |title=Entwine Reach No. 3 On Finnish Singles Chart |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=19378 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526213558/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=19378 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2012 |date=19 February 2004 |work=] |access-date=9 May 2008 }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news |title=For My Pain... Climb To Position No. 7 On Finnish Single Chart |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=59119 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526213601/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=59119 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2012 |date=4 July 2004 |work=] |access-date=9 May 2008 }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news |title=Lullacry Debut At Finnish #5! |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=9214 |date=27 January 2003 |work=] |access-date=9 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031106194820/http://roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=9214 |archive-date=6 November 2003 }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news |title=Poisonblack: 'Lust Stained Despair' Enters Finnish Chart At No. 2 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=57912 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526213608/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=57912 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2012 |date=7 September 2006 |work=] |access-date=9 May 2008 }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news |title=Sentenced Top Finnish Single Chart |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=59119 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526213601/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=59119 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2012 |date=8 May 2005 |work=] |access-date=9 May 2008 }}</ref> ]<ref>{{Cite web |title=finnishcharts.com - Finnish charts portal |url=https://finnishcharts.com/search.asp?search=the+69+eyes&cat=a |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=finnishcharts.com}}</ref> and ]<ref>{{cite news |title=To/Die/For: New Single Is A Chart Success In Finland |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=59119 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526213601/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=59119 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2012 |date=24 September 2006 |work=] |access-date=9 May 2008 }}</ref> have all found their singles or albums hitting the top ten of the Finnish charts. Of these bands, Sentenced notably formed as far back as 1989<ref>{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |title=Sentenced |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/finland/oulu/sentenced |publisher=] |access-date=25 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927131418/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/finland/oulu/sentenced |archive-date=27 September 2013 }}</ref> with their early albums in the ] and ] vein. For My Pain... was formed as a ] with members from other prominent bands in Finland including ], Embraze, ] and Reflexion.<ref>{{cite news |title=For My Pain: A New Finnish "Supergroup" |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=2270 |date=22 March 2002 |work=] |access-date=9 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031102054150/http://roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=2270 |archive-date=2 November 2003 }}</ref>


== See also == == See also ==
*]
*]
*]
*]


== Notes ==
* ]
{{Reflist}}


== References == == References ==
* {{Cite book |last=Baddeley |first=Gavin |title=Gothic Chic: A Connoisseur's Guide to Dark Culture |publisher=Plexus Publishing Limited |year=2002 |location=London |isbn=0-85965-308-0}}
<references />
* {{Cite book |last=Berelian |first=Essi |title=The Rough Guide to Heavy Metal |publisher=Rough Guides |year=2005 |location=London |isbn=1-84353-415-0}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Buckley |first1=Peter |last2=Buckley |first2=Jonathan |title=The Rough Guide to Rock |publisher=Rough Guides |year=2003 |location=London |isbn=1-84353-105-4 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/roughguidetorock0003unse }}
* {{Cite book |last=Day |first=Peter |title=Vampires: Myths and Metaphors of Enduring Evil |publisher=Rodopi |year=2006 |location=New York |isbn=90-420-1669-8}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Gunn |first=Joshua |title=Dark Admissions: Gothic Subculture and the Ambivalence of Misogyny and Resistance |editor-last=Goodlad |editor-first=Lauren M. E. |editor2-last=Bibby |editor2-first=Michael |journal=Goth: Undead Subculture |year=2007 |pages=41–65 |publisher=Duke University Press |location=Durham |isbn=978-0-8223-3921-2}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Kavka |first=Misha |title=The Gothic on Screen |editor-last=Hogle |editor-first=Jerrold E |journal=The Cambridge Companion to Gothic Fiction |year=2007 |pages= |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge |isbn=978-0-521-79466-4 |url=https://archive.org/details/cambridgecompani0000unse_i5u1/page/209 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Kilpatrick |first=Nancy |title=The Goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined |publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |year=2004 |location=New York |isbn=0-312-30696-2 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780312306960 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Hoskyns |first=Barney |title=Into the Void: Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath |publisher=Omnibus Press |year=2004 |location=London |isbn=1-84449-150-1 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/intovoidozzyosbo0000unse }}
* {{Cite book |last=Kahn-Harris |first=Keith |title=Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge |publisher=Berg Publishers |location=Oxford |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-84520-399-3}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Leguay |first1=Stephane |last2=Glenadel |first2=Mario |title=Carnets noirs: musiques, attitudes, cultures gothiques, électroniques & industrielles Acte 1 La scène internationale |publisher=E-dite |year=2006 |location=Paris |isbn=2-84608-176-X}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Punter |first1=David |last2=Byron |first2=Glennis |title=The Gothic |publisher=Blackwell Publishing |year=2004 |location=Malden |isbn=0-631-22063-1}}
* {{Cite book |last=Sharpe-Young |first=Garry |title=Metal: The Definitive Guide |publisher=Jawbone Press |year=2007 |location=London |isbn= 978-1-906002-01-5}}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Thompson |first1=Dave |last2=Greene |first2=Jo-Ann |title=Undead Undead Undead |journal=Alternative Press |date=November 1994 |url=http://www.gothicsubculture.com/articles/undead.php}}

== External links ==
* at ]


{{Heavymetal}}{{Extreme metal}}{{Gothic}}
{{heavymetal}}


]
]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Gothic Metal}}
]
] ]
] ]
]
]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]
]
]
] ]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 16:09, 3 December 2024

Genre of heavy metal music

Gothic metal
Stylistic origins
Cultural originsEarly 1990s, United Kingdom
Subgenres
Symphonic gothic metal
Regional scenes
  • England
  • Finland
  • The Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Sweden
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Poland
  • United States
  • Greece
Other topics

Gothic metal (or goth metal) is a fusion genre combining the aggression of heavy metal with the dark atmospheres of gothic rock. The music of gothic metal is diverse with bands known to adopt the gothic approach to different styles of heavy metal music. The genre originated during the early 1990s in the United Kingdom originally as an outgrowth of death-doom, a fusion of death metal and doom metal. Lyrics are generally dark and introspective with inspiration from gothic fiction as well as personal experiences.

Pioneers of gothic metal include Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride and Anathema, all from the north of England. Other pioneers from the first half of the 1990s include Type O Negative from the United States, Lake of Tears, Tiamat and Katatonia from Sweden, and the Gathering from the Netherlands. Norwegian band Theatre of Tragedy developed the "beauty and the beast" aesthetic of combining aggressive male vocals with clean female vocals, a contrast that had been adopted by groups before them, but not as a regular trademark; several bands have employed the technique since. During the mid-1990s, Moonspell, Theatres des Vampires, Rotting Christ and Cradle of Filth brought the gothic approach to black metal. By the end of the decade, a symphonic metal variant of gothic metal had been developed by Tristania and Within Temptation. Nightwish also integrated elements of gothic metal into their well-known mix of symphonic metal and power metal.

In the 2000s, gothic metal has moved towards the mainstream in Europe, particularly in Finland where groups such as Entwine, HIM, Lullacry, the 69 Eyes, and Poisonblack have released hit singles or chart-topping albums. In the US, however, only a few bands such as Type O Negative and Evanescence have found some degree of commercial success.

Etymology

Further information: Name of the Goths
Paradise Lost's 1991 album Gothic inspired the name of the genre.

Some musicians have disputed the gothic label associated with their bands, including Rozz Williams of Christian Death and Andrew Eldritch of the Sisters of Mercy. In the gothic metal subgenre, members from such groups as After Forever and Nightwish have similarly downplayed or dismissed the gothic label from their music.

Characteristics

Sonic traits

Gothic metal band Tristania

The music of gothic metal is generally characterised by its dark atmospheres. The adjective "dark" is commonly used to describe gothic music in general while other terms that are less frequently used include deep, romantic, passionate and intense. Gothic metal has also sometimes been viewed as "a combination of the darkness and melancholy of goth rock with heavy metal". Allmusic defines the genre as a fusion of "the bleak, icy atmospherics of goth rock with the loud guitars and aggression of heavy metal" and further notes that "true goth metal is always directly influenced by goth rock — ethereal synths and spooky textures are just as important as guitar riffs, if not more so".

Gothic metal is a varied genre with bands pursuing many different directions, from "slow and crushing variations" to "orchestral and bombastic". The doom metal background of early pioneers like Anathema, Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride has been taken up by groups like Artrosis, Ava Inferi and Draconian. The black metal approach of Cradle of Filth, Theatres des Vampires and early Moonspell can be found in such subsequent bands as Graveworm and Samsas Traum.

Vocals

Lead female vocalists are a common presence in the gothic metal genre. One of the earliest was Anneke van Giersbergen of the Gathering, depicted above.

There is also a diverse range of vocal styles in gothic metal. Male singers in the genre range from the guttural growls and black metal shrieks of Dani Filth and Morten Veland to the clean baritone vocals of Østen Bergøy and the bass range of Peter Steele. For the female singers, the different vocal styles includes the screams and growls of Cadaveria, the "poppy" vocals of Tanja Lainio from Lullacry and the operatic soprano style of Vibeke Stene from Tristania. There are more female singers in gothic metal than there are in any other heavy metal subgenre, but female vocals are neither necessary nor synonymous with the genre. Liv Kristine of Theatre of Tragedy and Leaves' Eyes notes that the gothic tag is often misinterpreted and points out that "not every band with female vocals is a gothic band". The genre is also known to attract more female fans relative to other subgenres of heavy metal music.

Lyrics

The lyrics of gothic metal are known to be melodramatic, fantasized, romantic, dark or sometimes gloomy. For the three English bands that helped to pioneer the genre, their gloomy lyrics reflect their background in doom metal while their darker or melodramatic lyrics draw influence from gothic rock. The music of My Dying Bride has been noted as "dripping with treachery and pain" from a "lyrical fascination with deceit and transgressions of every variety". Lyrics that focus on suicide and the meaninglessness of life can be found in Anathema while Paradise Lost too has "never lost their depressive edge".

The Italian gothic, black metal band Theatres des Vampires manifests a deep interest in the vampire myth, a common staple of gothic horror fiction.

Gothic fiction, a literary genre that blends horror and romance, has been a source of inspiration for the lyrics of many gothic metal bands like Cadaveria, Cradle of Filth, Moonspell, Theatres des Vampires and Xandria. Critic Eduardo Rivadavia of Allmusic identifies drama and mournful beauty as requisite elements of the genre. For My Dying Bride, the subjects of "death and misery and lost love and romance" have been approached repeatedly from different angles. The common gothic theme of lost love is a subject that has been tackled by such gothic metal bands as Theatre of Tragedy and Leaves' Eyes.

Lyrics based on personal experiences are another common feature of many gothic metal bands such as Anathema, Elis, Evanescence, Tiamat, Midnattsol and the Old Dead Tree. Graveworm moved away from fantasy stories in favour of personal lyrics after finding them more suitable for their style of music. The lyrics of fellow Italians Lacuna Coil also do not feature any "fantasy stuff or something that you cannot find in reality" as their co-vocalist Cristina Scabbia finds it desirable that people can relate themselves to her band's lyrics. Similarly, the band Lullacry features lyrics on the subjects of "love, hate, passion and pain" because a person "can easily connect to a song" with lyrics "about human relationships". A few bands, such as Saviour Machine and Virgin Black, deal extensively with Christian religious themes and navigating personal religious faith.

History

Precursors

Heavy metal

Black Sabbath's self-titled debut album (1970) with its gothic cover art

Heavy metal music is perceived by many members of the goth subculture as the "crass, crude macho antithesis of everything that their music represents". In contrast to the "softer" and "more feminine" character of gothic music, the heavy metal genre is typically associated with aggression and masculinity. Despite this difference, "a few bold souls have identified Black Sabbath's eponymous 1970 debut album as the first ever 'Goth-rock' record". The author Gavin Baddeley notes that the title track of the album "describes a satanic rite, complete with driving-rain and tolling bell sound effects, while the cover focuses on a black-cloaked, spectral-looking girl in a graveyard, shot through a sickly pale ochre filter". Other commentators have described Black Sabbath as the "absolute prototype gothic heavies" and observed that by separating the band's music "from their heavy metallic connotations", one "could cull a killer Goth album from their first five LP's, with every future reference point and requirement intact".

The "vaguely medieval, minor-key sounds" of Rainbow, Dio and Judas Priest have also been described as "gothic" prior to "the emergence of goth rock as a post-punk genre". The bands Blue Öyster Cult and Iron Maiden have featured some gothic lyrics in their music on songs such as "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" and "Phantom of the Opera". Deep Purple's song "Stormbringer" has been called a "goth metal treasure". The Danish metal band Mercyful Fate had also demonstrated "a Gothic obsession with evil and the occult". Frontman King Diamond continued exploring his interest in gothic storytelling after establishing a solo career under his own moniker, issuing "a series of concept albums which told Gothic horror tales with sound effects and song". During the 1980s, the former Misfits frontman Glenn Danzig also "occupied the no man's land between Goth and heavy metal". With the dissolution of his second band Samhain in 1988 and the creation of his own eponymous act, Danzig went on to combine heavy metal riffs with "a heavily romanticized, brooding, gothic sensibility".

The Swiss group Celtic Frost was another precursor to gothic metal, translating the influence they drew from gothic rock acts Bauhaus and Siouxsie and the Banshees into their own albums. The band's "radical fusion of violent black metal and elements of classical music" was dubbed "avant-garde" and had a huge impact "on the evolution of European heavy metal". Christofer Johnsson of Therion cites Celtic Frost's 1987 album Into the Pandemonium in particular for playing a key role in the development of the "gothic and symphonic wave of bands" in the 1990s, noting further that neither his group Therion nor Paradise Lost "would have sounded the way we did without Celtic Frost".

Gothic rock

Gothic rock band Christian Death performing live at Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig, Germany, in 2014

Gothic rock had emerged as an offshoot of post-punk in the 1980s but by the end of that decade, the genre had splintered into different directions with bands such as the Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees and the Mission incorporating "more pop and alternative elements" while the Sisters of Mercy, Fields of the Nephilim and Christian Death took on a "heavier, sometimes metal-influenced approach". The Sisters of Mercy was one of the leading goth bands of the 1980s, playing "a slow, gloomy, ponderous hybrid of metal and psychedelia, often incorporating dance beats". The band only released three full-length albums with the debut First and Last and Always released in 1985. Their last album Vision Thing arrived in 1990 as one of the earliest attempts to mix gothic music with heavy metal. Fields of the Nephilim had also released only three studio albums before their initial dissolution in 1991. They have since reformed, released more albums and been recognised for their influence on the "glut of metal bands" in the early 21st century "that incorporated obvious elements of goth into their sound — especially detected in their appreciation of symphonic and keyboard sounds (as well as their fashion sense)".

According to AllMusic, "goth metal first emerged during the early to mid-'80s, centered around Los Angeles' so-called 'death-rock' scene headed by Christian Death". Acclaimed as the "founding fathers of American goth rock", Christian Death went through a major personnel change in 1985 with the departure of the band's leader and founder Rozz Williams. Guitarist Valor Kand took over the reins and, under his leadership, Christian Death subsequently pursued a more metal-oriented direction. In particular, their 1988 album Sex and Drugs and Jesus Christ has been described by critic Steve Huey as "heavy goth-rock bordering on metal".

Origins

The Peaceville Three

Nick Holmes is the vocalist of the pioneering Paradise Lost. The group is known to have influenced many subsequent bands in the genre.

As a musical style, gothic metal "truly began in the early 1990s in the north of England" with the three bands Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride and Anathema representing "the core of the movement". They are also recognised as three of the major bands that pioneered the death/doom subgenre, showing why gothic metal originated from death/doom. All three bands were signed to Peaceville Records during the early 1990s and have since been known as the "Peaceville Three". They had roots in "frenetically abrasive death metal, but they were also influenced by what Paradise Lost vocalist, Nick Holmes, described as the 'really bleak, dark sound' of Dead Can Dance".

Paradise Lost were the first to form in 1988 in Halifax, England. Their debut album Lost Paradise was released in 1990 and "helped define the rules of doom/death metal: grinding, de-tuned anthems of woe topped with death metal-style guttural vocals" while demonstrating that the band was "already reaching for realms unknown to their then-amateurish abilities and latent promise". The band was "evolving at a fast clip" and in the following year, their second "aptly titled album" Gothic came as "something of a departure for the band's earliest fans". With a "less deliberate, more energetic arrangements", the album featured a "slightly cleaner approach to guitar crunch" and "cautious use of keyboards and even female vocals, which together added atmospheric nuances to the group's ultra-depressive power chords". Gothic was a chart success across Europe, particularly in Germany, and has since been acclaimed as "one of the most influential albums" in heavy metal music for creating the gothic metal genre. Their 1992 album Shades of God continued the transition while the follow-up 1993 album Icon represented "a turning point" for the band with the experimental use of synthesised strings, timpani, piano and angelic female vocals. By the time of 1995's Draconian Times album, Paradise Lost's music firmly stood "between stark, oppressive goth rock and crunching heavy metal". With these five albums, the band had created "a bold collection of songs that sounded like Black-era Metallica played by a group who loved the Sisters of Mercy". They have since been recognised as the band that "originally laid the gothic seed that other bands have been nicking and reaping in recent years".

Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride credits Dead Can Dance, Swans and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds as inspirations.

From Bradford, My Dying Bride were formed in 1990. An EP, Symphonaire Infernus et Spera Empyrium, "sparked a lot of interest" upon its release in 1991. Their first full-length release, As the Flower Withers, followed shortly after in the same year. The album was critically acclaimed by the press and "turned the Doom genre on its head". They added a violinist to their line-up for their 1993 sophomore effort Turn Loose the Swans. On this "groundbreaking" album, the group introduced a "much greater element of dark romanticism to their doomy music". Vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe explains the band's pursuit of this direction:

We knew that when Celtic Frost disappeared and turned into a glam rock band, we knew there was a market there for this sort of over-the-top avant-garde band, someone who were doing something a bit weird and unusual. Paradise Lost were doing similar-ish kind of things, but I don't think they had this more romantic edge. We definitely worked for that gothic appeal, and I'm not really sure why.

Their 1995 album The Angel and the Dark River "marked a shift in the band's strategy, for the first time dropping the death growl of Stainthorpe in favour of a 'clean' vocal delivery". The rest of the group "followed suit, setting aside any death metal influences, carefully using violins and keyboards to enhance the group's brooding excursions" into "fauna-wilting gothic doom metal". While the album was more experimental, the music was still dark and atmospheric.

Also forming in 1990, the Liverpool-based band Anathema released a "highly acclaimed" EP, The Crestfallen, in 1992. The "crushing emotional doom/death" of this EP remained on their 1993 debut full-length Serenades, "the most traditional doom-styled album in their catalog". Their juxtaposition of the fragile and ferocious "fostered a keen fan base". Pentecost III was recorded in 1994 as another EP "that nonetheless ended up long enough to have qualified as a full-length". The year 1995 saw the release of this EP as well as the departure of Darren White. Guitarist Vincent Cavanagh took over vocal duties for their subsequent album The Silent Enigma released later in the same year. The album "marked an important turning point in the band's sound" with critics drawing upon comparisons to Pink Floyd, "bringing new appreciation from a more mainstream band of listeners but also causing a withdrawal of support from hardened Doom fanatics". Like My Dying Bride, this transition involved leaving behind their traditional death metal sound. They continued experimenting with their 1996 album Eternity, "stretching its songs into sorrowful, orchestrated epics" that "quickly proved to be their most original work to date". While Anathema's music has "changed a lot", their "main features remained a heart-rending melancholy and intensity".

Other pioneers

Type O Negative, performing at the Columbiahalle in Berlin, Germany, was one of the earliest gothic metal bands.

In North America, Peter Steele had formed Type O Negative in 1990 out of the remnants of his former thrash metal band Carnivore. With their debut album Slow, Deep and Hard in 1991, the New York based outfit pursued a "melodramatic goth rock style" that "encompasses long songs built on simple riffs, theatrical shouting vocals, churchy-sounding organ and vocal-harmony passages, and the odd mechanical noise". The Origin of the Feces followed in 1992, but it was their third album Bloody Kisses in 1993 that became their breakthrough album. AllMusic reviewer Steve Huey noted that the album had a "twistedly affectionate send-up of goth rock conventions" and lyrics that "gleefully wallow in goth clichés — sex, death, Christianity, vampires, more sex, and death". The album has since sold nearly a million copies in the United States, a surprise success that "obliged Goths to take notice" of the group. The trademarks of Type O Negative's music include the use of "downtuned, fuzzy guitars" and a "deep baritone croon" from Peter Steele, an "intimidatingly large, sarcastically self-deprecating original, whose dry, dirty one-liners and morbid machismo challenge those who insist the archetypal Goth is a po-faced androgyne". Type O Negative has since been recognised as a pioneer of the genre. In a review of their 2007 album Dead Again, critic Greg Prato of Allmusic declared that "before Type O Negative, there was really no such thing as goth metal".

Also in North America, the brothers Jeff and Eric Clayton formed Saviour Machine in 1989. Described as a Gothic and symphonic metal band as well as art rock, the group released its first self-titled album in 1993.

The year 1988 saw not only the formation of Paradise Lost but another early gothic metal pioneer, the Swedish band Tiamat. Their debut album Sumerian Cry arrived in 1990 and featured "slightly above average death metal". Their third album Clouds was released in 1993 as the band's first turning-point, "starkly reducing speed and heaviness for melody and atmosphere". The album made an impact on the European metal community for its atmospheric doom metal approach "enhanced with keyboards which are never out of place or over-used". The next album Wildhoney was unveiled in 1994 as an "artistic and commercial breakthrough, fully realizing the sound hinted at on previous releases and eliciting effusive praise in metal circles for its brooding, Gothic atmospherics". The album featured an interplay of contrasts between delicate acoustic guitar, gentle whispering vocals and angelic choruses on the one hand and massive riffs, industrial grind and death metal grunting on the other. On subsequent releases, Tiamat moved further into gothic territory with Johan Edlund "dropping the metal growling in favor of an unearthly croon". The result has seen critics comparing Edlund's vocals to the Sisters of Mercy's Andrew Eldritch, "alongside musical comparisons to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds". The band has been recognised for producing some of the most "overtly Gothic material" from Scandinavia.

As far back as 1985, Celtic Frost had used female vocals for some songs on their To Mega Therion album. Paradise Lost began making similar use of female vocals from their very first album Lost Paradise in 1990. Inspired by the use of female vocals on Paradise Lost's second album Gothic, the Gathering released their debut album Always... in 1992 with growling vocalist Bart Smits supported by female singer Marike Groot. The music on the album was "firmly rooted in the dark, midtempo style of gothic and doom metal". Their second album Almost a Dance arrived in the following year with new vocalist Niels Duffhues, "a strange choice for the band". Duffhues' "punk-ish" and "alt-rock" style of singing was widely seen as out of place with the music, a perception that was shared by the band themselves, and the album was "largely written off as a result." The Gathering decided to drop the use of male vocals altogether and instead brought in a lead female vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen for their third full length Mandylion, an album that "saw the band adventurously breaking away from the Gothic Doom fare of previous works". The result was considered a "groundbreaking achievement" upon its release in 1995 with critics lavishly describing it as "the perfect pinnacle of gothic metal". The Gathering's "introspective atmosphere owed a creative debt to Dead Can Dance, and established them as a leading band in their native Holland ".

Development

Beauty and the beast

Theatre of Tragedy's "A Hamlet for a Slothful Vassal" (1995) A simultaneous duet between soprano and death vocals can be heard in this 24 second sample from Theatre of Tragedy's self-titled debut album.
Tristania's "Angina" (1999) This 30 second sample from Tristania's second album Beyond the Veil feature three distinct vocal styles with a black metal shriek followed by soprano and baritone vocals.
Problems playing these files? See media help.
Liv Kristine helped to pioneer the beauty and the beast approach.

The term "beauty and the beast" refers to an aesthetic contrasting "angelic" female vocals with male growls or aggressive singing. Paradise Lost and the Gathering had already made use of this technique on some songs from their earlier albums, but it was the Norwegian Theatre of Tragedy that first released an entire album devoted to this approach with their self-titled debut in 1995. A second album, Velvet Darkness They Fear, arrived in the following year. Theatre of Tragedy's third album Aégis in 1998 saw the band "venturing into fresh musical territory". The piano was replaced by electronic keyboards while Raymond Rohonyi opted to discard his death growls in favour of a "soft, spoken, sometimes whispering voice". The music was more clean and soft, "stripped of guitar harshness" but with a "near flawless execution" that "prompted many European critics to award Aégis perfect review scores".

Other bands that contrast aggressive male vocals and clean female vocals continued to emerge in the late 1990s. Trail of Tears had formed in 1994 while Tristania formed in 1995 and the Sins of Thy Beloved were formed in 1996. All three Norwegian groups released their debut albums in 1998. Tristania stood apart from the others with their use of three distinct vocal styles in the "operatic soprano Vibeke Stene, clean-singing counter-tenor Østen Bergøy, and harsh, black metal-style shrieker Morten Veland". Their second album Beyond the Veil in 1999 made use of a ten members choir and featured violin passages from Pete Johansen of the Sins of Thy Beloved, earning "rave reviews" across Europe. By then, the band had risen to "the top of the goth metal heap" with their "lush, symphonically enhanced" approach. They were "dealt a potentially crippling blow" when singer, guitarist and principal composer Veland left the group to form Sirenia. Tristania has continued to prosper with subsequent releases and has since been "regarded as one of the world's premiere goth metal bands".

For over a decade, this beauty and the beast aesthetic has flourished with many representatives across the European continent. Cradle of Filth has also been known to make use of this approach through guest female vocalists such as Liv Kristine and Sarah Jezebel Deva. A few critics have since lamented that the approach has been "done to death by countless bands".

Symphonic gothic metal

Within Temptation's "Mother Earth" (2000) Rapid orchestral strings move to the forefront on the chorus of this title track from Within Temptation's second album Mother Earth.
Epica's "Façade of Reality" (2003) Orchestral strings underline this beauty and the beast exchange from Epica's debut album The Phantom Agony.
Problems playing these files? See media help.

Tristania was not the only gothic metal band that brought a symphonic edge to their music. Influenced by the Peaceville trio of Paradise Lost, Anathema and My Dying Bride, the Dutch band Within Temptation was founded in 1996. A debut album Enter was unveiled in the following year, followed shortly by an EP The Dance. Both releases made use of the beauty and beast approach delivered by vocalists Sharon den Adel and Robert Westerholt. Their second full length Mother Earth was released in 2000 and dispensed entirely with the death metal vocals, instead "relying solely on den Adel's majestic vocal ability". The album was a commercial success with their lead single "Ice Queen" topping the charts in Belgium and their native Netherlands. Their third album The Silent Force arrived in 2004 as an "ambitious project featuring a full orchestra and 80-voice choir accompanying the band". The result was another commercial success across Europe and introduced "the world of heavy guitars and female vocals" to "a mainstream audience".

Sharon den Adel of Within Temptation

Within Temptation's brand of gothic metal combines "the guitar-driven force of hard rock with the sweep and grandeur of symphonic music". The critic Chad Bowar of About.com describes their style as "the optimum balance" between "the melody and hooks of mainstream rock, the depth and complexity of classical music and the dark edge of gothic metal". The commercial success of Within Temptation has since resulted in the emergence of a large number of other female-fronted gothic metal bands, particularly in the Netherlands.

Another Dutch band in the symphonic gothic metal strain is After Forever. Their debut album Prison of Desire in 2000 was "a courageous, albeit flawed first study into an admittedly daunting undertaking: to wed heavy metal with progressive rock arrangements and classical music orchestration — then top it all off with equal parts gruesome cookie-monster vocals and a fully qualified opera singer". A second album Decipher followed in 2001 with music that was described by guitarist Sander Gommans as being in the style of Within Temptation. Founding member, guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen departed After Forever only a few months after the release of this album. Jansen would go on to form Epica, another band that performs a blend of gothic and symphonic metal. A debut album The Phantom Agony emerged in 2003 with music that combines Jansen's death grunts with the "angelic tones of a classically trained mezzo-soprano named Simone Simons, over a lush foundation of symphonic power metal". The music of Epica has been described as combination of "a dark, haunting gothic atmosphere with bombastic and symphonic music". Like Within Temptation and After Forever, Epica has been known to make use of an orchestra. Their 2007 album The Divine Conspiracy was a chart success in their home country.

This blend of symphonic and gothic metal has also been arrived at from the opposite direction. The band Nightwish from Finland began as a symphonic power metal act before introducing gothic elements on their 2004 album Once, particularly on the single "Wish I Had an Angel". They continued to mix their style of "bombastic, symphonic and cinematic" metal with a gothic atmosphere on their next albums Dark Passion Play in 2007 and Imaginaerum in 2011. In the book Rough Guide to Heavy Metal, Essi Berelian describes Nightwish as "gothic film score metal". The Swedish group Therion also introduced gothic elements to their brand of symphonic metal on their 2007 album Gothic Kabbalah.

Commercial success

Paradise Lost

With the release of their sixth album One Second in 1997, Paradise Lost brought a more commercial and pop-oriented direction to the genre they had helped created but the success of Draconian Times has not been overcome. Praised by Eduardo Rivadavia of Allmusic as a "radical but impressive departure", the album drew comparisons to Depeche Mode with nothing remaining "of their early death/doom metal origins". Subsequent albums "progressively experimented with electronics and pop elements, with the guitars gradually getting pushed further into the background". The result was "an accessible sound and a strong emphasis on catchy choruses". Despite attaining "a huge reputation in Europe, where all of their albums have sold strongly", the group's status as "the progenitors of gothic metal" has been "constantly overlooked, both in their homeland and the US, possibly because of their determination to never make the same record twice".

Cradle of Filth

In contrast, Cradle of Filth has become "one of the very biggest names" in their black metal genre with impressive albums sales and mainstream appearances on MTV, a level of success that has attracted accusations of "selling out" by the "black metal faithful".

Moonspell and Within Temptation

Moonspell too has "lost a lot of fans who couldn't keep up with the changes" to their music. In the opinion of vocalist Fernando Ribeiro, fans of the early 1990s were "less cynical and more open-minded in their hearts and minds" than they are in 2007. Nonetheless, the band has continued to experience success with their 2006 album Memorial debuting at number 1 on their native Portuguese charts. They were rewarded with the "Best Portuguese Act" award at the 2006 MTV European Music Awards, a feat matched by Within Temptation in the following year with the "Best Dutch & Belgian Act" award. Within Temptation further received recognition as their country's best selling artist at the 2007 World Music Awards.

Lacuna Coil

Lacuna Coil performing in Lima, Peru, in 2017

The Italian band Lacuna Coil has also become a "premiere act" of the gothic metal genre. The group employs both a female vocalist Cristina Scabbia and a male vocalist Andrea Ferro, although the group uses less of a 'beauty and the beast' style, with Ferro primarily using clean vocals. Formed in Milan in 1994, they released a demo tape in 1996 strongly influenced by Paradise Lost and Type O Negative. The band "turned a lot of heads in Italy's ambient/goth scene" with their self-titled EP in 1998. Their debut album In a Reverie was released in 1999 with a style that bore "some similarities to contemporaries like the Gathering and Moonspell". Lacuna Coil's music was also "more accessible than many of their peers". A second album, Unleashed Memories, arrived in 2001, but it was their third full-length, Comalies, that became their breakthrough album, "highly praised by the metal world after its release in October 2002". On the strength of Comalies, Lacuna Coil became the most successful artist in the history of their label Century Media Records as well as the highest selling rock act in their home country Italy. The band has also achieved the distinction of being the first and, as of late 2007, the only European gothic metal band to successfully break into the United States market with radio airplay and impressive album sales. Their highly anticipated fourth album Karmacode was even more successful, debuting at number 28 on the Billboard charts, and also debuting on many European music charts. The Comalies and Karmacode albums "reportedly sold nearly 1 million units combined worldwide, a good chunk of that in the States". The band has also performed on the main stage of the American heavy metal festival Ozzfest. Their next two albums, Shallow Life and Dark Adrenaline, debuted at number 16 and number 15, respectively, on the Billboard charts.

Evanescence

Evanescence performing live at The Wiltern theatre in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday 17 November 2015.

In 2003, the rock group Evanescence from Arkansas, United States also found commercial success with the release of their debut album Fallen, which has been described as a blend of gothic and alternative metal and drawing comparisons to other alternative metal acts like P.O.D. and Linkin Park. In October 2011, Evanescence's self-titled album was released and represented a mix of gothic nu metal and hard rock. Further comparisons have since been drawn between Evanescence and gothic metal groups like Within Temptation and Lacuna Coil. Critic Adrien Begrand of PopMatters wryly notes that while Lacuna Coil "had been tirelessly building a fanbase in Europe since the late 1990s with their listener-friendly brand of goth metal", they had been overshadowed by "a bunch of corn-fed kids from Arkansas with a big publicity machine behind them the very sound the Italian sextet had helped pioneer, and present it to the American suburban goth kids in a much more pop-oriented, dumbed down variation". Cammila Albertson of Allmusic similarly locates Evanescence as one step further from gothic metal, offering the description of the band as "a pop version of an already diluted brand of metal". While Fernando Ribeiro of Moonspell contends that Evanescence is not a metal band, publications such as the New York Times, Rough Guides, Rolling Stone and Blender have nonetheless identified Evanescence as a gothic metal act. Adrian Jackson, former bassist My Dying Bride feels the American group is doing something similar to My Dying Bride's music, only in a more accessible direction. Gregor Mackintosh of Paradise Lost notes a generation gap between his group and Evanescence, suggesting that Paradise Lost has only influenced Evanescence indirectly through other acts like Lacuna Coil. The success of Evanescence has been recognised for opening "new grounds" for gothic metal bands to "explore and conquer".

HIM

Ville Valo of HIM cites Type O Negative and the Peaceville Three as some of his influences.

Another act that has attracted both commercial success and controversy is the band HIM. The group has "not only dominated the charts in their native Finland but also across Europe and in particular Germany". Their debut album arrived in 1997 as Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 with music that "combines metal with '80s rock and some goth influences". HIM began moving towards a more "polished pop" direction on their next album Razorblade Romance in 2000. The band describes their "Sabbath-meets-Depeche Mode sound" as love metal, the title of their fourth album in 2003. Their subsequent release two years later Dark Light was their breakthrough album in the United States with a debut at number 18 on the Billboard charts, a feat exceeded when their next album Venus Doom in 2007 made a debut at number 12. Critic Lance Teegarden of PopMatters notes that HIM is "not the sort of act that conjures up a lukewarm response people either like them or discredit them outright".

Finnish scene

In the 21st century, gothic metal has enjoyed a strong mainstream presence in Finland with many representatives enjoying commercial success. In addition to the aforementioned HIM, the bands Charon, Entwine, For My Pain..., Lullacry, Poisonblack, Sentenced, The 69 Eyes and To/Die/For have all found their singles or albums hitting the top ten of the Finnish charts. Of these bands, Sentenced notably formed as far back as 1989 with their early albums in the melodic and blackened death metal vein. For My Pain... was formed as a supergroup with members from other prominent bands in Finland including Nightwish, Embraze, Eternal Tears of Sorrow and Reflexion.

See also

Notes

  1. "Heavy Metal Artists and Heavy Metal Styles". heavymetal.about.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  2. Baddeley 2002, p. 248
  3. McCormack, John. "Interview with Joost Van Den Broeck of After Forever". Metalmonk.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 April 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  4. Hall of Metal. "Interview with Tuomas Holopainen and Anette Olzon of Nightwish". Hallofmetal.com. Archived from the original on 31 December 2007. Retrieved 16 March 2008.
  5. Bowar, Chad. "Gothic Metal Artists". About.com. Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2008.
  6. Gunn 2007, p. 44
  7. Bowar, Chad. "What Is Heavy Metal?". About.com. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2008.
  8. ^ "Goth metal". Allmusic. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  9. J. Purcell, Nathalie (May 2003). Death Metal Music: The Passion and Politics of a Subculture, pp. 23, 59. ISBN 978-0-7864-1585-4.
  10. Arancio, Dennis. "In the Flowers Shade Review". Soniccathedral.com. Archived from the original on 25 December 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2008.
  11. van der Wal, Kim. "The Silhouette Review". Lordsofmetal.nl. Retrieved 6 May 2008.
  12. Fox, Erin. "Interview with Anders Jacobsson of Draconian". Thegauntlet.com. Retrieved 6 May 2008.
  13. Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Graveworm". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2008.
  14. Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Samsas Traum". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  15. ^ Baddeley 2002, p. 268
  16. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Tristania". Allmusic. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
  17. ^ Bowar, Chad. "Dead Again review". About.com. Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
  18. Bowar, Chad. "Vol. 4 Review". About.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  19. ^ Reesman, Bryan (1 November 2007). "They Will Rise: Metal's female ranks on the move". GRAMMY.com. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  20. Kahn Harris 2007, p. 71
  21. "Gothic Metal". Radio Darkness. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  22. "Doom Metal". Allmusic. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  23. Jeffries, Vincent. "Turn Loose the Swans review". Allmusic. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  24. ^ Taylor, Robert. "Eternity review". Allmusic. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  25. Blackie, Andrew. "PopMatters". PopMatters. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  26. Day 2006, p. xi
  27. Harper, Rick. "Interview with Cadaveria of Cadaveria". Soniccathedral.com. Archived from the original on 8 June 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  28. Lee, David. "Interview with Dani Filth of Cradle of Filth". Metal-rules.com. Retrieved 10 June 2008.
  29. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Memorial review". Allmusic. Retrieved 10 June 2008.
  30. Borgioli-Jones, David (21 July 2006). "Out of the Light and into the Dark - Theatres des Vampires' Sonya Scarlet Escapes the Scorching Summer Sun to Answer RockDetector's Fearsome 40 Questions" (Artist Interviews). MusicMight. Archived from the original on 27 February 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  31. Wolff, John. "Interview with Lisa Schaphaus of Xandria". Soniccathedral.com. Archived from the original on 4 August 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2008.
  32. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Ashes review". Allmusic. Retrieved 11 May 2008.
  33. Stefanis, John. "Interview with Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride". Getreadytorock.com. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  34. Kilpatrick 2004, p. 208
  35. Rozz. "Interview with Lorentz Aspen of Theatre of Tragedy". Metalstorm.ee. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  36. Seaver, Morley. "Interview with Liv Kristine of Leaves' Eyes". Antimusic.com. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  37. Pedro Azevedo. "Interview with Vincent Kavanagh of Anathema". Chronicles of Chaos. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  38. Dunphy, John. "Interview with Sabine Duenser of Elis". Musictap.net. Archived from the original on 18 September 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  39. "Interview with Johan Edlund, Anders Iwers and Fredrik Åkesson of Tiamat". Tartareandesire.com. Archived from the original on 17 June 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  40. Fisher, Mark. "Interview with Carmen Espanaes of Midnattsol". Musicaldiscoveries.com. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  41. Matthijssens, Vera. "Interview with Manuel Mundoz of The Old Dead Tree". Lordsofmetal.nl. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  42. Van Berlo, Boris. "Interview with Stefan Fiori of Graveworm". Tartareandesire.com. Archived from the original on 6 November 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  43. Wolff, John. "Interview with Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil". Soniccathedral.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  44. Elliot, R. W. "Interview with Tanja Lainio of Lullacry". Musicaldiscoveries.com. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  45. Prado, Michael (19 April 2022). "Review Clásico: SAVIOUR MACHINE – Saviour Machine 🇺🇸 (1993) - The Dark Melody" (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  46. Rosenberg, Axl (27 February 2008). "Exclusive Interview With Virgin Black's Samantha Escarbe". MetalSucks. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  47. mpo (20 September 2001). "An interview with... Virgin Black". www.artfortheears.nl. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  48. ^ Baddeley 2002, pp. 263–4
  49. Punter 2004, p. 61
  50. Hoskyns 2004, p. 69
  51. Thompson 1994
  52. Baddeley 2002, p. 264
  53. Henderson, Alex. "Stormbringer. Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  54. Huey, Steve. "Mercyful Fate". Allmusic. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  55. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Fatal Portrait review". Allmusic. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  56. ^ Baddeley 2002, p. 265
  57. Huey, Steve. "Danzig". Allmusic. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  58. "Metal-Rules". Tom Gabriel Fischer Interview. Archived from the original on 13 April 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  59. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Celtic Frost". Allmusic. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  60. Williams, Barbara. "Interview with Christofer Johnsson of Therion". Metalcrypt.com. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  61. "Goth Rock". Allmusic. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  62. Huey, Steve. "Sisters of Mercy". Allmusic. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  63. Leguay 2006, p. 211
  64. Bush, John. "Fields of the Nephilim". Allmusic. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  65. Prato, Greg. "Mourning Sun review". Allmusic. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  66. ^ Huey, Steve. "Christian Death". Allmusic. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  67. Leguay 2006, p. 68.
  68. Huey, Steve. "Sex and Drugs and Jesus Christ review". Allmusic. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  69. Bowar, Chad. "In Requeim review". About.com. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  70. Baddeley 2002, pp. 265–6
    * See also Sharpe-Young 2007, pp. 246, 275
  71. ^ Blackie, Andrew. "In Requiem review". PopMatters. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  72. Baddeley 2002, pp. 265–6
  73. Ankeny, Jason. "Paradise Lost". Allmusic. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  74. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Lost Paradise review". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  75. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Gothic review". Allmusic. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  76. ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Paradise Lost". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 8 October 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  77. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Shades of God review". Allmusic. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  78. Anderson, Christopher. "Icon review". Allmusic. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  79. Jehnzen, Daevid. "Draconian Times review". Allmusic. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  80. ^ Bansal, Vik. "Paradise Lost review". Musicomh.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  81. Malmstedt, Kalle. "Interview with Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride". Releasemagazine.net. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  82. Bromley, Adrian. "Dying With Pride". Chronicles of Chaos. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
  83. ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "My Dying Bride". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  84. ^ Serba, John. "The Bride No Longer Wears Black". Chronicles of Chaos. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
  85. Serba, John. "The Angel and the Dark River review". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
  86. ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Anathema". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
  87. Azevedo, Pedro. "Delusions of Silence". Chronicles of Chaos. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
  88. ^ Huey, Steve. "Anathema". Allmusic. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
  89. Matthijssens, Vera. "A Moment In Time review". Lordsofmetal.nl. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
  90. Huey, Steve. "Type O Negative". Allmusic. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
  91. Huey, Steve. "Slow, Deep and Hard review". Allmusic. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
  92. ^ Maki, Jeff. "Dead Again review". Live-metal.net. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
  93. Huey, Steve. "Bloody Kisses review". Allmusic. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
  94. Baddeley 2002, p. 270
  95. Quentin Kalis. "Life Is Killing Me review". Chronicles of Chaos. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
  96. Baddeley 2002, p. 269–70.
  97. Prato, Greg. "Dead Again review". Allmusic. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
  98. Magliano, Fabio (1 December 2020). "Eric Clayton (Saviour Machine) – I miei 10 album fondamentali". Metal Hammer Italy (in Italian). Retrieved 7 November 2023.; Ariatti, Alessandro. "Saviour Machine - Saviour Machine I". Metal Hammer Italy (in Italian). Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  99. Rockstroh, Joe (1998). "Legend Part II review by The Phantom Tollbooth". The Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  100. Prado, Michael (19 April 2022). "Review Clásico: Saviour Machine – Saviour Machine US (1993)" (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  101. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Sumerian Cry review". Allmusic. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
  102. Melzer, Alexander. "Clouds review". Tartareandesire.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2008.
  103. Eldefors, Vincent. "Clouds review". Tartareandesire.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2008.
  104. Huey, Steve. "Tiamat". Allmusic. Retrieved 13 April 2008.
  105. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Wildhoney review". Allmusic. Retrieved 13 April 2008.
  106. Huey, Steve. "Deeper Kind of Slumber review". Allmusic. Retrieved 13 April 2008.
  107. ^ Baddeley 2002, p. 267
  108. Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Celtic Frost". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 21 September 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2008.
  109. Willems, Steven. "Interview with Hans Rutten of The Gathering". Gathering.nl. Archived from the original on 3 January 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2008.
  110. ^ Begrand, Adrien. "Mandylion review". PopMatters. Retrieved 14 April 2008.
  111. ^ Bickers, James. "The Gathering". Allmusic. Retrieved 14 April 2008.
  112. Schoenmakers, Remco. "Interview with Anneke van Giersbergen of The Gathering". Dprp.net. Retrieved 14 April 2008.
  113. Sharpe-Young, Garry. "The Gathering". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 14 November 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2008.
  114. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Mandylion review". Allmusic. Retrieved 14 April 2008.
  115. Grant, Sam. "Mandylion review". Soniccathedral.com. Archived from the original on 25 December 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2008.
  116. ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Theatre of Tragedy". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  117. ^ Eldefors, Vincent. "Aégis review". Tartareandesire.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
  118. Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Trail of Tears". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
  119. "Biography". mortemia.no. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  120. Sharpe-Young, Garry. "The Sins of Thy Beloved". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
  121. Eldefors, Vincent. "Beyond the Veil review". Tartareandesire.com. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2008.
  122. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Sirenia". Allmusic. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
  123. ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Cradle of Filth". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 21 September 2008. Retrieved 25 April 2008.
  124. Begrand, Adrien. "Blood and Thunder: The Great Beast Resurrected". PopMatters. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
  125. Shyu, Jeffrey. "Interview with Jeroen van Veen of Within Temptation". Ssmt-reviews.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  126. ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Within Temptation". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  127. Taylor, Robert. "Mother Earth review". Allmusic. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  128. ^ Deming, Mark. "Within Temptation". Allmusic. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  129. Tuinman, Ferdinand. "The Silent Force review". Lordsofmetal.nl. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  130. Bowar, Chad. "The Heart of Everything review". About.com. Archived from the original on 11 January 2008. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  131. Tuinman, Ferdinand. "The Heart of Everything review". Lordsofmetal.nl. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  132. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Prison of Desire review". Allmusic. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  133. Vermeere, Ralph. "Interview with Sander Gommans of After Forever". Rockezine.com. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  134. Sharpe-Young, Garry. "After Forever". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  135. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "The Phantom Agony Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  136. Bowar, Chad. "The Divine Conspiracy review". About.com. Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  137. Matthijssens, Vera. "After Forever Review". Lordsofmetal.nl. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  138. Smit, Bas. "Consign To Oblivion Review". Lordsofmetal.nl. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  139. "Epica: 'The Divine Conspiracy' Enters Dutch Chart At No. 9". Blabbermouth.net. 14 September 2007. Archived from the original on 2 May 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  140. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Century Child review". Allmusic. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  141. Grant, Sam. "Once review". Soniccathedral.com. Archived from the original on 4 August 2008. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  142. Fulton, Katherine. "End of an Era review". Allmusic. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  143. Bowar, Chad. "Dark Passion Play Review". About.com. Archived from the original on 21 May 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  144. Berelian 2005, p. 250
  145. Bowar, Chad. "Gothic Kabbalah review". About.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  146. Maki, Jeff. "Gothic Kabbalah review". Live-metal.net. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  147. "Band Biography (from Official site". www.paradiselost.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 June 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
  148. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "One Second review". Allmusic. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  149. Azevedo, Pedro. "Paradise Lost review". Chronicles of Chaos. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  150. Jurek, Thom. "Thornography review". Allmusic. Retrieved 25 April 2008.
  151. Tuinman, Ferdinand. "Interview with Fernando Ribeiro of Moonspell". Lordsofmetal.nl. Retrieved 13 April 2008.
  152. Matthijssens, Vera. "Interview with Fernando Ribeiro of Moonspell". Lordsofmetla.nl. Retrieved 25 April 2008.
  153. Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Moonspell". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  154. "Moonspell Named Best Portuguese Act At MTV's Europe Music Awards". Blabbermouth.net. 2 November 2006. Archived from the original on 10 March 2007. Retrieved 25 April 2008.
  155. "Within Temptation Wins Best Dutch & Belgian Act Award At MTV's European Music Awards". Blabbermouth.net. 2 November 2007. Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2008.
  156. "Within Temptation Honored At World Music Awards". Blabbermouth.net. 5 November 2007. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2008.
  157. ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Lacuna Coil". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  158. Karma E. Omowale. "Interview with Andrea Ferro of Lacuna Coil". Fourteeng.net. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  159. ^ DaRonco, Mike. "Lacuna Coil". Allmusic. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  160. Huey, Steve. "In a Reverie review". Allmusic. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  161. Hinds, Andy. "Unleashed Memories". Allmusic. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  162. Bowar, Chad. "Karmacode review". About.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  163. "LACUNA COIL Singer Checks In From OZZFEST". Blabbermouth.net. 14 July 2006. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2008.
  164. "Lacuna Coil - Shallow Life". Billboard.com. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  165. "Lacuna Coil's 'Dark Adrenaline' Cracks U.S. Top 15". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  166. "Second Cup Cafe: Amy Lee Of Evanescence". CBS News. 10 November 2007. Retrieved 27 April 2008.
  167. Smit, Bas. "Fallen review". Lordsofmetal.nl. Retrieved 27 April 2008.
  168. Miller, Kirk. "Fallen review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 22 October 2006. Retrieved 27 April 2008.
  169. Loftus, Johnny. "Fallen review". Allmusic. Retrieved 27 April 2008.
  170. Grischow, Chad (12 October 2011). "Evanescence: Evanescence Review". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on 25 October 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  171. ^ Albertson, Cammila. "Karmacode Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 27 April 2008.
  172. Begrand, Adrien. "Karmacode Review". PopMatters. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  173. Ficklin, Jeff (11 December 2006). "Moonspell — Interview With Vocalist Fernando Ribeiro". Houston TX: metal-realm.net. Archived from the original on 27 February 2009. Retrieved 27 April 2008.
  174. Chaplin, Julia (8 February 2008). "A NIGHT OUT WITH: Amy Lee; The Goth Candidate". New York Times. Retrieved 22 February 2009.
  175. Berelian 2005, p. 114
  176. Sheffield, Rob (5 October 2006). "Evanescence: The Open Door". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 23 October 2006. Retrieved 20 August 2008.
  177. Catucci, Nick (7 August 2003). "Evanescence (live concert)". Blender. Archived from the original on 13 January 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2008.
  178. Grow, Kory (February 2007). "My Dying Bride". Decibel (28). Archived from the original on 15 January 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  179. D., Chris. "Interview with Gregor Mackintosh of Paradise Lost". Metal-temple.com. Archived from the original on 15 April 2008. Retrieved 27 April 2008.
  180. McGrath, Ken. "Interview with Robert Westerholt of Within Temptation". Blistering. Archived from the original on 5 October 2006. Retrieved 27 April 2008.
  181. "HIM: New Video Interview With Ville Valo Available". Blabbermouth.net. 27 September 2007. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2008.
  182. Sharpe-Young, Garry. "HIM". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 23 September 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  183. Ravelin, Antti J. "Greatest Lovesongs, Vol. 666 review". Allmusic. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  184. ^ Ravelin, Antti J. "Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights review". Allmusic. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  185. Broadley, Erin. "Interview with Ville Valo of HIM". Suicidegirls.com. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  186. "H.I.M.: 'Dark Light' Breaks U.S. Top 20!". Blabbermouth.net. 5 October 2005. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  187. "HIM On MTV Germany's 'TRL'; Video Available". Blabbermouth.net. 2 October 2007. Archived from the original on 2 October 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  188. Teegarden, Lance. "Love Metal review". PopMatters. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  189. "HIM: 'Venus Doom' Enters Finnish Chart At No. 2". Blabbermouth.net. 20 September 2007. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  190. "Charon: 'Colder' Single Enters Finnish Chart At No. 5". Blabbermouth.net. 19 December 2005. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  191. "Entwine Reach No. 3 On Finnish Singles Chart". Blabbermouth.net. 19 February 2004. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  192. "For My Pain... Climb To Position No. 7 On Finnish Single Chart". Blabbermouth.net. 4 July 2004. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  193. "Lullacry Debut At Finnish #5!". Blabbermouth.net. 27 January 2003. Archived from the original on 6 November 2003. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  194. "Poisonblack: 'Lust Stained Despair' Enters Finnish Chart At No. 2". Blabbermouth.net. 7 September 2006. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  195. "Sentenced Top Finnish Single Chart". Blabbermouth.net. 8 May 2005. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  196. "finnishcharts.com - Finnish charts portal". finnishcharts.com. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  197. "To/Die/For: New Single Is A Chart Success In Finland". Blabbermouth.net. 24 September 2006. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  198. Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Sentenced". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  199. "For My Pain: A New Finnish "Supergroup"". Blabbermouth.net. 22 March 2002. Archived from the original on 2 November 2003. Retrieved 9 May 2008.

References

External links

Heavy metal
Subgenres and
fusion genres
Musical elements
Notable scenes
and movements
Culture
Extreme metal
Genres
Fusion genres
Derivative forms
Notable scenes
Other topics
Gothic
Ancient
Late medieval
Romanticism
Modern literature
and art
Modern subculture,
music and film
See also
Categories: