#Seattle Deathrock

[nugothrhythms]

"No Forgiveness" by Seattle, Washington-based deathrock act Nox Novacula off of their 2024 album Feed The Fire

[kckatie]

Bonus track: Nox Novacula - The Path

Seattle deathrock

[madamtrashbat]

I have a handful of recs, too, for the really small bands, if you please.

Altar de Fey - Bay area legends. Deathrock before deathrock had a name. Been kicking ass for 40 years and still make impeccable music.

Dancing Plague - Portland-based dark electronic. Connor has that deep, rich voice associated with goth acts. Think Peter Steele and go lower. Incredibly dancey and wonderful. Also just a great dude.

Nox Novacula - Seattle deathrock that cites Bauhaus and Christian Death as strong influences. Femme singer. Incredibly nice people.

Blu Anxxiety - An absolute powerhouse of NYC dark freestyle. Borders on parody but it's comedy in the best way. They have a song called Uninvited from the Funeral Home, and a lyric that says "I've got a black belt in gravedigging, hi-yah." Like, come on.

And, some local favorites because they're my friends:

Mercury's Butterfly - Dreamy, slow goth Etherealwave. Insanely influenced by early Christian Death. He even models his look after Roz Williams. Trad goth as hell. Look him up on Bandcamp, or on instagram at @feywer

Cryo - Muscle Car Deathrock. Heavily influenced by Crimson Scarlet, Kælan Mikla, and general 80s postpunk. Milo, their lead singer, is one of my best friends and deeply invested into music (any pictures you see of them with makeup on is my doing!) and their guitarist is just an absolute face melter. Just absolutely shreds on the strings. They have no official demo out yet but it'll be out soon. Follow them on Instagram at @cryo_lophosaurus and support my friends!

Dear Baby Bats - Goth Band Recommendations

As a middle sibling goth (I’ve been in the subculture for close to 10 years now, so not a baby bat but not an elder goth either), let me turn you on to some bands because we do not gatekeep in this house!! Also, if you want consistently good lesser-known & brand new goth band recs, go follow Awfully Sinister on TikTok and Instagram. He’s a DJ & has great recs. I've found so much music through him because it's really hard to keep up with all the new bands cropping up every year. You want to avoid the goth subreddit because they are extremely gatekeeper-y and argue over labels constantly. It’ll just confuse you, and they are not nice over there.

If you’re very new to the subculture, and you haven’t yet listened to all of Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, Christian Death, Cocteau Twins, Clan of Xymox, Joy Division, and Depeche Mode, go do so now. You'll want to know which of them you really enjoy the most because it will help you know which sub-subgenre(s) of goth you want to watch out for, and it'll tell you what to look for to find it. For example, Sisters of Mercy is the gothic rock subgenre, Christian Death is deathrock, Cocteau Twins is ethereal wave, Clan of Xymox is like the original darkwave, Joy Division is classic post-punk, etc.

I’ve bolded some of my absolute must-listen to goth bands, and I've put monthly Spotify listeners for each band so you know which ones deserve WAY more love. And in my pre-list ramblings for each OG band, I've given you some key terms to look up so you can more easily find music that's similar to what you enjoy. Okay, here we go:

If you like Bauhaus:

Bauhaus is a hard one because honestly, nobody really sounds like them, and they aren't really that closely associated with a specific sub-subgenre of goth. They have an extremely unique sound. They’re my favorite band of all time (I even have a tattoo for them, like I am devoted lol), but even I have a difficult time finding other bands that scratch their particular itch for me. These bands I’ve listed are as close as you’re gonna get imo.

Virgin Prunes (80’s band that has absolutely unhinged music in the way Bauhaus has unhinged music; one of my favorites; no one else does it like them and no one else ever will; I would actually give my left foot to see them live); 13.2k monthly listeners (this is actually physically painful to me, how is it this low!!! don't walk, RUN to go listen to them)

Alien Sex Fiend (80’s classic unhinged goth); 77k monthly listeners

Sextile (modern band that has some very Bauhaus-sounding guitar work at times); 147k listeners

The Danse Society (80’s unhinged goth; has similar experimental vibes to Bauhaus imo); 36k listeners

Sex Beat (80’s band); not even really on Spotify

Ritual Howls (modern band; I don’t know why it gives Bauhaus, but it does; one of the few modern bands that scratches that particular itch for me); 45k listeners

The Agnes Circle (modern band; one of my favorites; they have the right Bauhaus-like atmosphere for me); 52k listeners

Traitrs (I can’t explain why they remind me of Bauhaus, but they do; another one of my fave modern bands; they make me want to start levitating and doing the Ian Curtis dance in the same way Bauhaus does lol); 239k listeners

If you like Siouxsie and the Banshees:

Siouxsie is another one that's hard to pin down sound-wise because again, they don't really fit into one specific sub-subgenre, so all of these recs are just goth bands with female vocalists who have the same kind of powerful vocals that Siouxsie does.

Second Still (modern band; singer sounds a lot like Siouxsie to me at times); 69k listeners

Skeletal Family (80’s band; has the same “women in punk” vibes that Siouxsie has); 55k listeners

Xmal Deutschland (80’s band; has the same powerful vocals that Siouxsie has; makes you wanna go stupid go crazy the way the Banshees do); 73k listeners

Secret Shame (modern band w/ w woman singer; has the same rage that Siouxsie songs have to me, especially early Siouxsie); 6k listeners (let's get those numbers up, folks!!!)

Rosegarden Funeral Party (modern band w/ a woman vocalist); 57k listeners

If you like Depeche Mode:

For Depeche Mode enjoyers (which DM is kind of on the fringes of what’s considered “goth,” but they’re so entrenched in the subculture that I included them anyway), you’re gonna want to delve into modern goth playlists that have a lot of EBM (electronic body music) and modern goth that leans towards synthpop/synthwave. So those are the kinds of playlists you’ll want to search up for similar sounds to DM.

Nuovo Testamento (modern band; combines post-punk and pop elements in a way that’s very similar to Depeche Mode; lots of fun live, and they have a good sound); 25k listeners

Boy Harsher (modern band; relies heavily on synth; feels like it should be playing at every goth club); 558k listeners

ULTRA SUNN (modern band; singer sounds like Dave Gahan); 217k listeners (they just blew up on tiktok recently, which explains why this just skyrocketed since the last time I was on their Spotify page lol; good for them, good for them, they deserve it)

Ministry's first album, which was synthwave/synthpop before they went industrial (this is one of my all-time favorite albums)

French Police (modern band); 252k listeners

Closed Tear (modern band); 152k listeners

Night Sins (modern band); 33k listeners

If you like The Cure:

You'll be hard-pressed to find a goth band that wasn't influenced by The Cure, so I really can't give you any key terms for what to look up lol. They also changed their sound so frequently that it entirely depends on what era of The Cure's music you're looking to find similar music for.

Vision Video (modern band; combines post-punk and pop elements like The Cure does; one of my fave modern goth bands; they are INCREDIBLE live); 52k listeners (I'm gonna need y'all to get a song or two of theirs to blow up on tiktok expeditiously lol)

Urban Heat (modern band; great live); 36k listeners

The Chameleons (80’s band; very underrated; they are also very good live); 167k listeners

House of Harm (modern band, very new; also very good live; has pop elements); 44k listeners

Deceits (modern band, another very new one); 28k listeners (it's crazy how much this number has grown the past two months because it was in the single thousands not that long ago; everyone say thank you, tiktok)

Drab Majesty (modern band; their instrumentals remind me of The Cure); 172k listeners

Double Echo (modern band; their instrumentals also remind me of The Cure); 15k listeners (let's get these numbers up!!!)

The Bolshoi (underrated 80’s band that combines new wave and goth elements in a similar way to The Cure); 114k listeners

If you like Clan of Xymox:

Most of these bands will be modern ones because Clan of Xymox was honestly way ahead of their time. (They are also amazing live, so go see them before they eventually call it quits!) For playlists that are full of their vibe, you’re gonna want to look up “darkwave” playlists and also some EBM. Clan of Xymox pioneered darkwave, so any darkwave band you listen to is gonna be influenced by their sound in some way or another.

Harsh Symmetry (modern, very new; very heavily relies on synth); 29k listeners

Ssleeping Desiress (modern band; instrumentals similar to Xymox); 55k listeners

Twin Tribes (probably my favorite modern goth band; they are fucking incredible, and I’m dying to see them live); 276k listeners

ACTORS (modern band; heavily relies on synth); 86k listeners

Mareux (modern; heavily relies on synth); 4.8 million listeners (this is wild!!!! everyone say thank you, tiktok)

Sixth June (modern); 23k listeners

If you like Christian Death:

All of these recs will be deathrock recs or goth bands that heavily leaned on punk sounds. So if CD is the OG goth band you’re most fond of, you’re gonna want to delve into deathrock playlists for similar sounds.

Asylum Party (80’s band); not on spotify

45 Grave (80’s band); 47k listeners

Voodoo Church (80’s band; probably my favorite out of this bunch; I actually like them more than Christian Death); 7k listeners (let's get these numbers up immediately!!!!)

Ausgang (80’s band); 2k listeners (WHAT; they deserve so much more, damn)

Corpus Delicti (90’s band; they are very good; they sound the least like Christian Death on this list imo); 26k listeners

13th Chime (80’s band; very underrated); 6k listeners

The Birthday Party (80’s band; very unhinged sound); 54k listeners

UK Decay (you know, I actually don’t know what era they’re from; unhinged sound); 1k listeners (omg)

Super Heroines (underrated 80’s band); 2k listeners (you see what I meant about underrated?)

If you like Cocteau Twins:

Cocteau Twins’ early sound is usually categorized as “ethereal wave” goth, so those are the playlists you’ll want to look up if you enjoy their early sound. If you like their later sound, you’re gonna want to lean more towards shoegaze for similar vibes.

Dead Can Dance (80’s band; NO one, and I mean NO ONE, was doing it like Dead Can Dance; so fun to dance to in the goth club); 332k listeners

Lycia (90’s band; their music is very transcendent); 20k listeners

Linea Aspera (modern band; gorgeous woman vocals; honestly, their music is just very beautiful); 67k listeners

If you like Joy Division:

All of these bands will be ones that sound very classically post-punk, so those are the playlists to search out; emphasis on "classic" because post-punk is a very broad term that gets applied to a lot of music. I would argue that Joy Division has had the most influence out of all the OG goth bands on the current goth sound/goth renaissance we're going through right now, so there are a LOT of bands out there for you if you’re a JD fan.

Molchat Doma (modern band); 2.5 million listeners (wow lol, they've grown so much over the past two years, it's actually insane; good for them)

Soviet Soviet (modern band); 152k listeners

Fearing (modern band; very good live); 30k listeners

Ploho (modern band); 146k listeners

Pink Turns Blue (criminally underrated 80’s band; they are SO good live); 98k listeners (this is an actual travesty, this band is way too good to not even be in the hundred thousands)

The Sound (another incredibly underrated 80’s band); 119k listeners

This Cold Night (modern; has the deep vocals of Joy Division and the driving bass); 150k listeners

Bleib Modern (modern); has very similar vocals to Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, which is a band listed under the Sisters of Mercy section of this post, so if you end up liking this band, you should also listen to Red Lorry Yellow Lorry & vice versa; 36k listeners

Lebanon Hanover (modern; has the existential angst that Joy Division always ignites in me); 936k listeners (this is crazy, holy shit!!!!!! go, Lebanon Hanover, go!! now if only they would tour the damn US)

She Past Away (modern; deep vocals); 226k listeners

Belgrado (modern; woman vocals!); 18k listeners (they deserve better than this!!)

Leonora Post Punk (modern; Mexican goth band w/ Spanish vocals, so support them! They’re amazing! They have those deep vocals you want when you’re looking for a similar sound to Joy Division); 56k listeners

O. Children (modern; has the deep vocals & interesting bass lines that Joy Division was known for; great band); 29k listeners

If you like Sisters of Mercy:

This is one of my least favorite goth subcategories, which is odd because I actually love Sisters. But if you’re looking for a lot of music that sounds like SoM, I’d suggest delving into the 90’s and early 2000’s goth music scene. Search out those playlists.

Rosetta Stone (90’s band); 54k listeners

Miazma (modern); 10k listeners

Red Lorry Yellow Lorry (another criminally underrated 80’s band; one of my fave goth bands); 40k listeners (THEY!! DESERVE!! BETTER!!)

Dreamtime (modern); 65 listeners (ouch lol, please go show them some love)

Fields of the Nephilim (80’s, I think; if you’re a metalhead, you’ll probably appreciate this band); 95k listeners

The Merry Thoughts (80s); 19k listeners

Also, if you want a 1500-song, 105-hour goth playlist that’s constantly growing, here you go. The name of it is a dig at my ex lol: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6jCV530pMmOEmDHj4CLNka?si=cEVKiyAwQpaieGiV2pMyqw

[againstthegrainphoto]

Spellbound: One Year Anniversary!!! #spellbound #spellboundseattle #goth #deathrock #industrial #postpunk #seattlegoth #seattle #haunted #goth #darkmusic #djvoodoo #kells #kellsirishpub #againstthegrainphotography (at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2_dzN6J9pb/?igshid=c5varw9zb3dy

[deathrock]

Sorry for the #narcissism but the bathroom in this hotel is fucking adorable #goth #gothgoth #deathrock #bathroomselfies #red #seattle #hotelmax (at Hotel Max) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtH679dgfUg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ue1pgffacume

[pleaserusa]

Where the wild things are 🖤💀. @t_sanchez206 in 🚨New In Stock🚨6” platform #Demonia Wave-315 lace-up stretch strapped thigh high boot in black vinyl. Available in US women’s 6-12 for worldwide shipping w/ AfterPay in the US! If you’re in the Seattle and surrounding areas make sure to hit up @nyxchange for your Demonia fix!! Everywhere else can tap the link to shop! Make sure to sign up for text and email notifications for any future Demonia must have restocks. You’ll save yourself a lot of heartache 🫀. 🚨 FOR ALL RESTOCKS 🚨 search the item on our site select your size & sign up to be notified via email and/or text once they’re in stock, we’re restocking items weekly, DON’T MISS OUT! 📸: @nyxchange •••••• #DemoniaCult #ShowYourDemonia #ShoeGameStrong #Since1999 ⛓ ⛓ ⛓ ⛓ ⛓ ⛓ ⛓ ⛓ ⛓ ⛓ ⛓ ⛓ ⛓ #demoniashoes #demoniaboots#veganboots #veganshoes #veganleather #fauxleather #gothgoth #gothgirl#gothstyle #gothfashion #gothshoes #gothboots #fakeleather #goth #punk #deathrock #metal #grunge #90svibes #90sfashion #cybergoth #gothaf #platformboots #ankleboots #thighhighboots https://www.instagram.com/p/CNaeSToHq9a/?igshid=51w8gkp2a9u

[enolareven]

Happy to ditch the basic bitch makeup and be me today. Last night in Portland. Let's rock. #himitsu #goth #gothmakeup #visualkeifashion #visualkei #deathrock #grungegoth #dirtymakeup #enolareven #dancer #indiemusic #seattle #rock #unionjacks #portland #ftm #queerartist #artist #ftmdragqueen

[thegothicalice]

TheGothicAlice’s Music Library Alphabet: B’s

Video available to watch here

Bachman Turner Overdrive: rock, Canada, popular in the 70s

Bad Brains: punk from D.C., reggae and roots and political

Bad Company: hard rock, English, former Mott the Hoople and King Crimson

Bauhaus: post punk, English, “beginnings” of goth, ‘79-’83

Bella Morte: founded in Charlottesville, NC, mid 90s, gothic rock

Billy Idol: English, formerly of Gen X, pop/punk

Birthday Massacre: from Toronto, darkwave, formerly Imagica 

The Birthday Party: Australian post punk, active ‘78-’83

Bjork: Icelandic musician, DJ, experimental/noise/pop

Black Flag: hardcore punk, founded in LA, mid ‘70s

Blackmore’s Night: pagan folk duo, founded ‘97

Black Sabbath: one of the founders of metal, English, mid ‘60s

Black Veil Brides: rock, out of LA, formed in 2006

Blakk Glass: deathrock/darkwave, Seattle

Blaqk Audio: electronic duo side project from members of AFI, 2002 onward

Blitzkid: horror punk from WV, ‘97-2012

Blondie: new wave/pop/punk from NYC, founded in ‘76

Bloody Dead and Sexy: German deathrock, founded ‘97

Blue Oyster Cult: Long Island-based rock band, founded mid ‘60s

Blur: English rock band founded early ‘90s

Blutengel: German darkwave, founded ‘99

Brian Eno: rock/ambient/pop/electronic, formerly of Roxy Music, English

Bryan Ferry: rock/pop/electronic, formerly of Roxy Music, English

Burning Brides: American hard rock, founded ‘99

[nugothrhythms]

Music video to "Flood," a rather synthy piece by Seattle, Washington-based deathrock act Nox Novacula off of their upcoming 2024 album Feed The Fire, to be released next month

[screamingforyears]

MINI REVIEW:

ARCANE 

‘WHISPERS’

LAST HOUR

Inspired by many other Anarcho/Goth/Post Punk bands from the late 70's and early 80's comes ‘WHISPERS,’ the debut album from the dark peace punks ARCANE.

The Seattle based trio of Arcanes: Ben (Drums/Vocals), Craig (Guitar/Vocals) & Allen (Bass/Vocals) are gloom merchants who deal in scorched deathrock. Arcane take the raw basis of traditional So Cal goth rock and combine it with PNW anarcho peace punk, making it their own and doing it oh so well.

“Tears Of A Mother,” the blistering lead single & album opener, starts off raucously with tribal drums fills and shouted sprints, before quickly morphing into a scratchy & measured goth-rock ode, then once again turning the screw towards catharsis. “Parched,” along with album closer “Luna Leo” are a pair of frantic deathrockers that get plenty of mileage from purifying noise and breathy outbursts.

“Ashes” takes Craig’s creeping guitar line and turns it into a moody new wave number ran through a tribal filter. It benefits from a slowed down approach, deploying it’s vitriol with a nuanced attention for space rather than a manic burning. 

“Deathless Memento” works as nice fake out, taking a raw and rangy Billy Bragg-like opening and then stepping on the gas and driving headlong into a goth-rock howler, while “Sleepless Paralysis” brings more scratchy deathrock sheen and tribal fills courtesy of Ben. 

Allen’s bass intro on album highlight “Death Dance” draws you in alongside a wash of dreamy six-string that soon transitions into a jittery nerve-inducing pinch until the track opens up and flexes it’s raw magnetism. The 6 plus minute run-time finds Arcane really stretching out and offers what would be the closest thing to a ballad the group pull off, which is the long way of saying that it’s a refreshing twist. 

When all is said and done, the seven tracks that make up Arcane’s debut album work as a reminder that there’s plenty to be made of the past while working in a wide open present, so be sure to store ‘Whispers’ right next to your copy of ‘Only Theater of Pain’ et al........

[kckatie]

Tonight's Earworm: Nox Novacula - Last Will and Testament

Seattle Deathrock

[harshr]

I'm sad to report that Cavernous had to cancel this show, but thankfully we've got Seattle deathrockers Nox Novacula to fill their place. See you there on December 3rd.

[againstthegrainphoto]

Spellbound: Helloween!! #spellboundseattle #goth #deathrock #halloween #helloween #seattle #industrial #postpunk #seattlegoth #djvoodoo #postalley #kellsirishpub #darkmusic #againstthegrainphotography (at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4HjpIZpqMH/?igshid=dge7lf9rqj6c

[niceslicediy]

29. September. 18:00. Nox Novacula + Profit Prison + Hegemone + MOUND. Rote Flora

We prepared a really great dark mix for you this time, just after our summer break and we’re really exited about that.

Link zum Facebook Event.

Be on time!

Doors: 18:00 Bands: 19:00

Nox Novacula. Post-Punk/Deathrock. Seattle, WA, USA

Facebook, Bandcamp, Spotify, Youtube

we personally know the band since we saw the live video on kexp radio channel, which is also located in one of the coolest and rainiest cities in the world, as well as the band and since then we fell in love with Nox Novacula. Their music is just perfect to spend one dark Sunday evening.

Profit Prison. Post-Punk/Synth Pop. Seattle, WA, USA

Facebook, Bandcamp, Spotify, Youtube

another wonderful one man project straight outta Seattle will be on tour with Nox Novacula and if you wanna dance with the tears on your eyes, it’s the time, don’t miss it

Hegemone. Sludge/Post/Black. Poznan, PL

Facebook, Bandcamp, Spotify, Youtube

great dark sludge post metal straight outta Poznan, check out their releases, they just talk everything for themselves

MOUND. Balck Metal/Doom. Gdánsk, PL

Facebook, Bandcamp, Spotify, Youtube

instead of Also With Razors, there will be MOUND, check them out

[dullskin]