Gothic rock

Gothic rock is a Post-Punk offshoot distinguished by its dark, atmospheric character and dramatic flair. Common elements include prominent basslines, propulsive drumming with heavy tom drum usage, haunting vocals, and guitar effects like chorus, reverb, and delay, as well as occasional keyboards and drum machines. Thematically, it leans toward the morose, with introspective, existentialist, and pessimistic lyrics, yet romanticism and bittersweet moods are not uncommon. Gothic rock originated with early British post-punk acts like Siouxsie and The Banshees, The Cure, Joy Division, and Bauhaus. Bauhaus, in particular, are often credited with pioneering the genre on their debut single, "Bela Lugosi's Dead." These bands drew from the grandeur and innovation of Glam Rock and Art Rock acts like Roxy Music and David Bowie as well as the theatrical Psychedelic Rock of The Doors (the first group dubbed gothic rock in a 1967 concert review). Other influences included the early work of The Velvet Underground, the brooding mystique of Nico's solo music as well as her fashion sense, and themes drawn from gothic literature and horror fiction.