Goth Music Bands
Below is a list of goth music bands and artists in this great music genre. I have tried to add links where it has been possible. Follow the links to find more great songs from these goth music bands.
By “goth music bands” I include everything that is done both pre and post Bauhaus, The Sisters of Mercy and other great artists. So, yes, there is absolutely a place here for anyone.
I’ll also try so sort thing alphabetically, that will make it easier to add new stuff.
Goth Music bands – the list
A Cloud Of Ravens
A Cloud of Ravens, a rising duo from Brooklyn, has quickly made a name for themselve. Vocalist and guitarist Matthew M. McIntosh, alongside bassist and vocalist Beth Narducci, craft a dynamic blend of slower, pulsating tracks and faster, guitar-driven rock.
Alien Sex Fiend
Alien Sex Fiend is a British gothic rock band formed in London in 1982 by vocalist Nik Fiend and his wife, Mrs. Fiend. Known for their eccentric blend of gothic rock, industrial, and electronic music, they became a staple of the Batcave scene, pioneering a chaotic, horror-infused sound. Their music often features dark humor, surreal lyrics, and experimental production, giving them a unique, boundary-pushing style.
Alien Sex Fiend – official website
All About Eve
All About Eve is a British rock band formed in the mid-1980s, known for their ethereal blend of gothic rock and folk influences. Fronted by vocalist Julianne Regan, their music features dreamy, atmospheric melodies and poetic lyrics. The band’s self-titled debut album, released in 1988, achieved commercial success with hits like “Martha’s Harbour.” All About Eve’s unique sound and Regan’s haunting vocals made them a key part of the late-1980s alternative and gothic rock scene.
And Also The Trees
And Also The Trees is a British post-punk band formed in 1979, known for their atmospheric, poetic sound that blends gothic rock with pastoral and folk influences. Their music is characterized by haunting melodies, evocative lyrics, and Simon Huw Jones’ deep, expressive vocals. Over the decades, And Also The Trees have cultivated a distinctive, cinematic style, earning a devoted following for their moody and introspective approach to alternative music.
And Also The Trees – official website
Andi Sex Gang
Andi Sex Gang is the frontman and founder of Sex Gang Children, a pioneering band in the early 1980s British gothic and post-punk scene. Known for his theatrical, dramatic vocal style and dark, avant-garde lyrics, Andi helped shape the sound of gothic rock with a blend of punk energy and haunting atmospheres.
Andi Sex Gang – Widipedia
Bauhaus
Bauhaus is an iconic British band formed in 1978, widely credited as one of the pioneers of gothic rock. Known for their dark, atmospheric sound, they blended post-punk with eerie, minimalist melodies and brooding lyrics. Their debut single, Bela Lugosi’s Dead, became a defining anthem of the goth subculture, drawing on horror imagery and themes of death.
Cerulean Veins
Cerulean Veins is a contemporary gothic rock band known for their atmospheric sound and introspective lyrics. Formed in the early 2010s, the band blends elements of post-punk and darkwave, creating a haunting yet melodic style. Their music often explores themes of love, loss, and existential reflection, resonating deeply with fans of the gothic aesthetic.
Christian Death
Christian Death, formed in 1981 by frontman Rozz Williams, is often regarded as one of the seminal bands in the deathrock and gothic scenes. Their music combined punk rock energy with haunting melodies, dark lyrics, and a theatrical stage presence that captivated audiences.
Christian Death – official website
Clan of Xymox
Clan of Xymox, formed in 1981 in Amsterdam, is known for their pioneering role in the darkwave and gothic rock scenes. The band’s atmospheric sound combines moody synths, haunting melodies, and ethereal vocals, creating an immersive listening experience. Their debut album, Clan of Xymox, released in 1985, features standout tracks like A Day and Stranger, which showcase their signature blend of melancholic and danceable music.
Clan of Xymox – official website
Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins, formed in 1979 in Edinburgh, Scotland, are celebrated for their ethereal sound and dreamy, atmospheric textures that helped define the genre of dream pop. Led by the haunting vocals of Elizabeth Fraser and the intricate guitar work of Robin Guthrie, their music is marked by lush, layered melodies and an otherworldly quality.
Creux Lies
Creux Lies, a self-described “party goth” band from Sacramento, California, knows how to bring the energy with their groove-driven, hook-filled tracks. Like many contemporary goth and darkwave artists (including others on this list), they rely on drum programming instead of live drums but demonstrate a knack for inventive rhythms.
Creux Lies – official website
Dead Can Dance
Dead Can Dance, formed in 1981 in Melbourne, Australia, is celebrated for their eclectic blend of world music, neoclassical, and gothic influences. The duo of Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry created a hauntingly atmospheric sound characterized by rich, layered vocals and a wide array of instruments, including traditional and exotic ones.
Dead Can Dance – official website
Drab Majesty
Drab Majesty is a Los Angeles-based darkwave duo blending ethereal synth melodies with post-punk and gothic influences. Founded by musician Deb Demure (Andrew Clinco) in 2011, later joined by Mona D (Alex Nicolaou), the band is known for their androgynous aesthetic and otherworldly stage presence.
Fields of The Nephilim
Fields of the Nephilim are a British gothic rock band formed in 1984, known for their distinctive blend of gothic, post-punk, and darkly atmospheric sounds. Led by frontman Carl McCoy, the band’s imagery and music draw heavily from occult themes, Western mysticism, and apocalyptic visions.
Fields of The Nephilim – official website
HIM
HIM, formed in 1991 in Helsinki, Finland, is renowned for their unique blend of gothic rock and love metal, characterized by lush melodies and dark romantic themes. Led by charismatic frontman Ville Valo, the band gained international fame with their hit album Love Metal, which features iconic tracks like Join Me in Death and Wings of a Butterfly.
Joy Division
Joy Division, formed in Manchester in 1976, is a pioneering band in the post-punk and gothic music genres. Their dark, atmospheric sound, driven by Peter Hook’s distinctive bass lines and Bernard Sumner’s sharp guitar work, created a sense of haunting intensity. Frontman Ian Curtis’s deep, melancholic vocals and lyrics often explored themes of alienation, depression, and existential despair, giving the band’s music a profound emotional depth.
Kælan Mikla
Kælan Mikla is an Icelandic darkwave trio known for their ethereal, haunting soundscapes and atmospheric blend of post-punk and synthwave. Formed in 2013 by Sólveig Matthildur, Margrét Rósa Dóru-Harrysdóttir, and Laufey Soffía, the band pairs cold, minimalistic synth melodies with melancholic vocals, often drawing on themes of mythology, dreams, and nature.
Kælan Mikla – official website
Kill Shelter
Kill Shelter is a UK-based darkwave and post-punk project created by producer and multi-instrumentalist Pete Burns. Known for blending brooding atmospheres, driving guitar riffs, and electronic elements, Kill Shelter crafts a sound that resonates with fans of goth, darkwave, and industrial music.
Lacuna Coil
Lacuna Coil, formed in 1994 in Milan, Italy, is known for their distinctive blend of gothic metal and alternative rock. Fronted by the haunting vocals of Cristina Scabbia and the deep growls of Andrea Ferro, the band creates a dynamic interplay between melodic and aggressive elements.
Lacuna Coil – official website
Lebanon Hanover
Lebanon Hanover is a British-German darkwave duo formed by Larissa Iceglass and William Maybelline in 2010. Known for their minimalist, melancholic sound, the band blends coldwave, post-punk, and goth influences, creating music that feels both nostalgic and hauntingly modern. Their deep, detached vocals, atmospheric guitars, and icy synths evoke themes of isolation, alienation, and romantic decay.
Lebanon Hanover – official website
London After Midnight
London After Midnight, formed in 1990 by singer-songwriter Sean Brennan, is known for their unique blend of gothic rock and darkwave. The band gained a cult following with their atmospheric sound, characterized by haunting melodies and poignant lyrics that often explore themes of love, loss, and existential despair.
London After Midnight – official website
Merciful Nuns
Merciful Nuns is a German gothic rock band formed in 2010 by Artaud Seth, formerly of Garden of Delight. Known for their deep, atmospheric sound that blends traditional goth rock with post-punk and darkwave influences, the band quickly gained recognition within the gothic music scene. With themes exploring mysticism, occultism, and existentialism, Merciful Nuns’ music is characterized by haunting vocals, brooding basslines, and ethereal guitars.
Merciful Nuns – official website
Night Club
Night Club is a Los Angeles-based electronic duo, formed by Emily Kavanaugh and Mark Brooks in 2012. Known for their catchy blend of dark synth-pop, electro, and industrial elements, the band pairs upbeat, infectious melodies with edgy, often sinister lyrics.
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost, formed in 1988 in Halifax, England, is often regarded as a pioneer of the gothic metal genre. Their early work combined elements of death metal with atmospheric, melancholic melodies, as showcased in their groundbreaking album Gothic.
Paradise Lost – official website
She Past Away
She Past Away is a Turkish goth band known for their dark, minimalist sound that blends post-punk and coldwave influences. Formed in 2006, the duo—consisting of vocalist and guitarist Volkan Caner and bassist/producer Doruk Öztürkcan—craft hauntingly atmospheric tracks characterized by deep, brooding vocals and hypnotic rhythms.
Their music draws inspiration from classic goth acts like The Sisters of Mercy and Bauhaus, while adding a modern, electronic edge. She Past Away has gained a global following with albums like Belirdi Gece and Narin Yalnızlık, becoming a prominent name in the darkwave and goth scene.
She Past Away – official website
Siouxsie and the Banshees
Siouxsie and the Banshees, formed in 1976 by lead singer Siouxsie Sioux and bassist Steven Severin, were a key force in the development of post-punk and gothic rock. Their music combined sharp, angular guitar lines, darkly atmospheric soundscapes, and Siouxsie’s powerful, distinctive voice.
Siouxsie and the Banshees – Wikipedia
Specimen
Specimen, formed in the early 1980s in London, is known for its flamboyant style and energetic blend of punk and gothic rock. The band’s sound was characterized by catchy melodies, driving rhythms, and the distinctive vocals of frontman Ollie Wisdom.
The Birthday Massacre
The Birthday Massacre, formed in 2000 in Toronto, Canada, is known for their distinctive blend of gothic rock, synthpop, and industrial elements. Fronted by the charismatic Chibi, the band creates a sound that combines catchy melodies with darker themes, often exploring topics like love, loss, and childhood fears.
The Birthday Massacre – official website
The Cult
The Cult, formed in 1983 in Bradford, England, is known for their fusion of gothic rock, post-punk, and hard rock influences. The band gained popularity with their albums Love and Sonic Temple, which featured anthemic tracks like She Sells Sanctuary and Fire Woman. Their sound is characterized by powerful guitar riffs, melodic hooks, and Astbury’s evocative vocals, often exploring themes of mysticism and spirituality.
The Cure
The Cure, fronted by Robert Smith, emerged in the late 1970s as one of the most influential bands in the gothic rock and post-punk scenes. Their early albums, like Seventeen Seconds and Faith, featured minimalist, melancholic soundscapes and introspective lyrics that became synonymous with the goth aesthetic.
The Damned
The Damned, formed in 1976 in London, are one of the pioneering bands of the punk rock movement, often credited with blending punk energy with gothic elements. Their early hits, such as New Rose and Eloise, showcased their raw sound and theatrical flair, paving the way for their later experimentation with darker themes.
The Mission
The Mission, formed in 1986 by former Sisters of Mercy members Wayne Hussey and Craig Adams, became one of the leading bands in the gothic rock scene. Known for their sweeping, atmospheric sound and anthemic melodies, the band blended gothic gloom with a more expansive, almost spiritual style.
The Mission – official website
The Sisters of Mercy
The Sisters of Mercy are an iconic English goth rock band, formed in 1980 by frontman Andrew Eldritch. Known for their dark, atmospheric sound blending post-punk, gothic rock, and a signature use of drum machines, the band became a defining act in the goth scene. Their deep, brooding vocals and haunting melodies can be heard in classics like “This Corrosion,” “Lucretia My Reflection,” and “Temple of Love.” Despite releasing only three studio albums, The Sisters of Mercy’s influence on gothic music remains enduring, and their live performances continue to draw devoted fans worldwide.
The Sisters of Mercy – official website
The 69 Eyes
The 69 Eyes is a Finnish gothic rock band formed in Helsinki in 1989. Known for their dark, brooding sound, they blend elements of gothic rock, hard rock, and metal, often referred to as “goth ‘n’ roll.” Their music is characterized by deep, melancholic vocals, driving guitar riffs, and an atmospheric, almost cinematic quality. The band gained international recognition in the late 1990s and early 2000s with albums like Blessed Be and Paris Kills, which helped establish their cult following.
The 69 Eyes – official website
Type O Negative
Type O Negative, formed in 1989 in Brooklyn, New York, is celebrated for their unique fusion of gothic rock, heavy metal, and doom metal. Fronted by the charismatic and enigmatic Peter Steele, the band’s music is marked by deep, resonant vocals and darkly romantic themes, often exploring love, loss, and mortality.
Type O Negative – official website
Twin Tribes
For nearly six years, guitarist and vocalist Luis Navarro, along with bassist, keyboardist, and vocalist Joel Niño, have been honing their brooding, ethereal darkwave sound from Brownsville, Texas. Their debut album, Shadows, delved into macabre and occult themes, while their follow-up, Ceremony, took a more personal turn in its storytelling.