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Revision as of 06:02, 2 November 2005 editRay Dassen (talk | contribs)407 editsm Reverted edits by User:Leyasu to last more extensive and inclusive version by User:Arm as these intrusive edits still have not been motivated on the ]← Previous edit Revision as of 00:03, 3 November 2005 edit undoLeyasu (talk | contribs)2,797 editsm I know the bands personally, work with them, helped evolve the damn genre, and this article conflicts with all the other metal articles - oh - and i have a petition of the bands who agree with meNext edit →
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'''Gothic metal''' (also called '''Goth metal''') is a crossover between ] and ] itself; although the term 'metal' is debated by those who say it is mainly gothic music. It developed in the early 1990s in ] and the ]. Gothic metal has proven somewhat difficult to categorise. Some fans and musicians have a firm concept of genre and subgenre, but others reject such categorisation as limiting or useless. There is often significant crossover from one category to another, and often the influence of non-metal music. '''Gothic metal''' (also called '''Goth metal''' much to the berevement of its fans) is a genre of music that is often mistaken for a crossover between ] and ] itself. It developed in the early 1990s in ]. Gothic metal is a prettylinear genre but due to much debate amongst non Gothic Metal fans, its actuall defination is not commonly known. The fans and musicians have a firm concept of the genre having been around through its growth and nuturing, but newer fans reject such categorisation as limiting or useless on the pretense it is not what they want it to be.


== Beginnings (1983-1990) == == History (1990-present) ==
<p>
The earliest stage of gothic metal could be traced to bands
in the 1980s who utilized ] aesthetics with metallic
songwriting. Although Glenn Danzig's ] made some attribution of this, ] are regarded as the most influential to the founding of the genre. The deep vocal baritones of ] and Valor Kand, the downtuned bass guitars and eerie synths made a strong impression on many bands that would form later, including those who experimented with other metal influences. ] - although considered by many as an early ] band - also played an early role for their "gothic-sounding" atmospherics.

== Forward (1990-present) ==
<p> <p>
In the 1990s, a group of young bands in Northern England borrowed In the 1990s, a group of young bands in Northern England borrowed
from the early gothic metal sound of the 1980s and incorporated it with the slow, downtuned guitar dirges of ]. Gothic Doom, or DoomDeath, as it was often called, would be regarded as a second stage of the subgenre. Bands most notable for this style included ], ], and ]. from the early gothic rock sound of the 1980s and incorporated it with the slow, downtuned guitar dirges of ]. Gothic Doom, as it is known, was the first stage of the genre. Bands most notable for this style included ], ], and ].
<p> <p>
Although the Scandinavian region was known more for its ] and ] fertility, many bands who started in either genre had progressed and conformed more to gothic metal styles - ], ], and ] being a few examples. Although ], ] used some female vocals in their music, Norway's ] was the first gothic metal band with a leading female singer, ] (later replaced by another female singer, named Nell). Although the Scandinavian region was known more for its ] and ] fertility, many bands who started in either genre had progressed and conformed more to gothic doom styles - ], and ], being two examples. Although ], ] used some female vocals in their music, Norway's ] was the first gothic doom band with a leading female singer, ] (later replaced by another female singer, named Nell).
<p> <p>
⚫ A softer genre known as Symphonic metal had evolved in the mid-late 1990s. These bands focused on female vocals as well, although not neccesserly operatic ones, with no ] elements and little use of male death vocals significantly. These bands include, ] (Netherlands), ] (Netherlands) and ] (]), focusing more on Opera and Classical music themes than those akin to Gothic Metal. Some of these bands also combined electronic sounds and mainstream ] with the traditional Symphonic metal sound to create a lighter and more accessible form of the genre.
Similarly, ]'s ] had some connections to ] and ] with lead singer/bassist's Peter Steele's earlier group, ]. Although the band has taken a more humorous, tonque-and-cheek approach to the genre, they have played a large role in the genre and its characteristics.
<p> <p>
⚫ The Gothic metal scene is currently very developed in ].
⚫ A softer version of Gothic metal had evolved in the mid-late 1990s. These bands focused on female vocals as well, although not neccesserly operatic ones, and reduced ] elements and male death vocals significantly. These bands include ] (]), ] (Netherlands), ] (]) and ] (]). Some of these bands also combined electronic sounds and mainstream ] with the traditional Gothic metal sound to create a lighter and more accessible form of the genre.
<p>
⚫ The Gothic metal scene is currently very developed in Northern ], especially ].
<p> <p>


== Misperceptions and Categorization == == Misperceptions and Categorization ==
Although the style has seen much less controversy than other metal subgenres - and remarkably, fewer instances of debate - some arguments have gone on in regards to bands that have sported a gothic "image" versus those with direct genetics to the gothic metal genre. 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 genetics to the gothic metal genre.

⚫ When widespread news events surrounded ], for instance, some media personalities and journalists categorized him as a "gothic rock" and "gothic heavy metal" musician, eventhough few elements in his music would be classifiable as such. The growing popularity of ] in the 1990s can be factored as a major source to this, considering several artists in the genre inspired a "gothic" styled dress amongst suburban youths which was similarly debated in authenticity by those who proclaimed themselves "true" members of gothic ].

⚫ Although gothic metal - like most metal subgenres - is difficult to classify, some main attributes have remained fairly consistent:


⚫ When widespread news events surrounded ], for instance, some media personalities and journalists categorized him as a "gothic rock" and "gothic metal" musician, eventhough few elements in his music would be classifiable as such. The growing popularity of ] in the 1990s can be factored as a major source to this, considering several artists in the genre inspired a "gothic" styled dress amongst suburban youths which was similarly debated in authenticity by those who proclaimed themselves "true" members of gothic ].
*''lyrics'' focus on a variety of subjects: ] and ], heaven and hell, romance, (gothic) horror, depression, bereavement, emptiness, and death. Typically, the subjects are set in a pre-20th century environment.
⚫ * ''vocals'' are either sung by a male vocalist, female vocalist, or both. The male vocals are either in a deep ], or ]. Female vocals tend to be high and operatic, but sometimes sung in a regular tone with reverb usage for effects.
⚫ *the ''guitar(s)'' and ''bass'' are often in minor key, but can also be slow and heavily distorted, as what would be heard in ]. Along with ''percussion'' (and sometimes ''synthesizers''), the pace and tone is sometimes dependent on the performance of the singer or the nature of the song.


⚫ Gothic metal - like most metal genres - as seen its far bit of evoloution, most all of its main attributes have remained consistent:
There are also (occasional) instances in which gothic metal crosses over into other genres, such as ] and ].


*''lyrics'' focus on a variety of subjects: ] and ], heaven and hell, romance, religion, fantasy. Typically, the subjects are set in a pre-20th century environment. The defining link between all these is that they are all Romanticide and Fantiscide themed, no matter the setting or characters. (Common Misonception: Newer Fans of the genre assume anything with reference to depression or suicide is Gothic Metal, when it isnt)
==List of Gothic metal bands==
⚫ * ''vocals'' are by both a male vocalist using death or black vocals, and a female vocalist. Female vocals tend to be high and operatic, but sometimes sung in a regular tone with reverb usage for effects. (Common Misonception: Many newer fans assume that Gothic Metal uses only one vocalist, which it doesnt, except on rare occasion)
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⚫ *the ''guitar(s)'' and ''bass'' are often in minor key, fast and heavily distorted, as what would be heard in ]. Along with ''percussion'' and ''synthesizers'', the pace and tone is the middle point between ] and ].
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== See also ==
* ]
⚫ * ]
* ]


]
==External links==
]
]


⚫ ]
Metal and Goth databases:
]
* - short bio and review of almost every metal band there is.
]
* - database of all metal bands (includes biographies, line-ups, reviews, etc.), updated by users.
]
]
]
]
]
]
]


Goth Metal magazines / portals / reviews:
* - band reviews, band database, radio, forums.


] ]

Revision as of 00:03, 3 November 2005

Heavy metal
Subgenres and
fusion genres
Musical elements
Notable scenes
and movements
Culture

Gothic metal (also called Goth metal much to the berevement of its fans) is a genre of music that is often mistaken for a crossover between heavy metal music and gothic music itself. It developed in the early 1990s in Europe. Gothic metal is a prettylinear genre but due to much debate amongst non Gothic Metal fans, its actuall defination is not commonly known. The fans and musicians have a firm concept of the genre having been around through its growth and nuturing, but newer fans reject such categorisation as limiting or useless on the pretense it is not what they want it to be.

History (1990-present)

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, downtuned guitar dirges of Black Sabbath. Gothic Doom, as it is known, was the first stage of the genre. Bands most notable for this style included Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, and Anathema.

Although the Scandinavian region was known more for its death metal and black metal fertility, many bands who started in either genre had progressed and conformed more to gothic doom styles - Tiamat, and Theatre of Tragedy, being two examples. Although Paradise Lost, Anathema used some female vocals in their music, Norway's Theatre of Tragedy was the first gothic doom band with a leading female singer, Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull (later replaced by another female singer, named Nell).

A softer genre known as Symphonic metal had evolved in the mid-late 1990s. These bands focused on female vocals as well, although not neccesserly operatic ones, with no doom metal elements and little use of male death vocals significantly. These bands include, Within Temptation (Netherlands), Epica (Netherlands) and Lacrimosa (Germany), focusing more on Opera and Classical music themes than those akin to Gothic Metal. Some of these bands also combined electronic sounds and mainstream rock music with the traditional Symphonic metal sound to create a lighter and more accessible form of the genre.

The Gothic metal scene is currently very developed in Europe.

Misperceptions and Categorization

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 genetics to the gothic metal genre.

When widespread news events surrounded Marilyn Manson, for instance, some media personalities and journalists categorized him as a "gothic rock" and "gothic metal" musician, eventhough few elements in his music would be classifiable as such. The growing popularity of industrial music in the 1990s can be factored as a major source to this, considering several artists in the genre inspired a "gothic" styled dress amongst suburban youths which was similarly debated in authenticity by those who proclaimed themselves "true" members of gothic subculture.

Gothic metal - like most metal genres - as seen its far bit of evoloution, most all of its main attributes have remained consistent:

  • lyrics focus on a variety of subjects: religion and God, heaven and hell, romance, religion, fantasy. Typically, the subjects are set in a pre-20th century environment. The defining link between all these is that they are all Romanticide and Fantiscide themed, no matter the setting or characters. (Common Misonception: Newer Fans of the genre assume anything with reference to depression or suicide is Gothic Metal, when it isnt)
  • vocals are by both a male vocalist using death or black vocals, and a female vocalist. Female vocals tend to be high and operatic, but sometimes sung in a regular tone with reverb usage for effects. (Common Misonception: Many newer fans assume that Gothic Metal uses only one vocalist, which it doesnt, except on rare occasion)
  • the guitar(s) and bass are often in minor key, fast and heavily distorted, as what would be heard in black metal. Along with percussion and synthesizers, the pace and tone is the middle point between doom metal and black metal.
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