Top 5 Goth Bands to Watch in 2022
Let’s be honest. Aren’t we all drawn to the darkness? The rise of the goth genre starting in the 80’s indicates a desire for that darkness explored through music. Here is a list of essential goth bands to help you explore the genre.
1. The Birthday Massacre
The Birthday Massacre, formally known as Imagica in their earliest days, is a Canadian goth metal band hailing from Toronto. Their name was changed from the original to avoid conflict with a different band, and thus they named themselves after one of their earliest singles, “The Birthday Massacre.” Eventually that same song was remastered and re-released, with a new title: Happy Birthday. Formed in 1999, this band has been around for quite a while, but they show no signs of quitting anytime soon. From their first album, Nothing and Nowhere (July 3rd, 2002), to their most recent album, Fascination (February 18th, 2022), The Birthday Massacre has created a new world for their listeners, paving a unique path through the genre with an ethereal atmosphere that can take dark and heavy turns.
2. Motionless in White
In 2005, Motionless in White began their rise from Scranton, Pennsylvania to the ears of thousands of listeners. From their first album release on October 12th, 2010, of Creatures, to their 2019 album, Disguise, released on June 7th, the band has gathered an ever-increasing, dedicated fanbase. And with a new single, Cyberhex, released on March 11th, 2022, and a new album on the way, set for release on June 10th, Motionless in White is for sure a band you should be paying attention to. Dark, heavy, and with delicious gothic tones and imagery, this band is perfect for anyone trying to revamp their playlist. Need a song suggestion? You may recognize Another Life, off of Disguise, which went viral on TikTok recently and currently ranks at over 70 million streams.
3. 3Teeth
Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, comes 3TEETH, comprised of Alexis Mincolla on vocals, Chase Brawner on guitar, Xavier Swafford on keys and synth, Andrew Means on bass, and Nick Rossi on drums. Together they have formed a foreboding and rhythmic sound that I find unique. Check out this band for a fresh take on the goth and industrial metal genres! 3TEETH was formed in 2013, and since then they have released three full-length albums. On June 3rd, 2014 their self-titled debut album was released, with the vicious lead track Nihil receiving over 1 million streams. When May 19th, 2017 hit, 3TEETH dropped Shutdown.exe, which showed listeners an even darker and heavier side of the band. On July 5th, 2019, their most recent album, Metawar, was released, garnering thousands of streams. On August 6th, 2021, we were given a new single, Paralyze, featuring Ho99o9, which has garnered over 500k streams. This is for sure a band you will want to look out for, and we can’t wait to see what they do next!
4. Lord of the Lost
Lord of the Lost is a gothic metal band from Hamsburg, Germany. Fronted by Chris Harms, and joined by Class Grynade, Gared Dirge, Pi, and Niklas Kahl, Lord of the Lost has been around since 2007. While most of their songs are in English, the band stays true to their German roots with several tracks sung in Harms’ native tongue, including Dein Blick, a chilling and powerful track. Combining both of these German and English influences, they have established themselves to a wider audience as pioneers of the goth metal genre and have accumulated a dedicated fanbase. Their most recent album, Judas, was released on July 2nd, 2021, and contains 24 songs. Soon after, on December 31st, a deluxe version of the album was released which contains 56 songs. Lord of the Lost clearly hasn’t lost their touch, switching from fast paced and heavy to gentle and warm within the blink of an eye. If you haven’t already, you’ll want to dive headfirst into this band!
5. Strange Bones
We’ve showed you some pioneers of goth music; now let’s take a look at the rising stars: Strange Bones. Originating from Blackpool, England, Strange Bones first emerged into the scene in 2015, taking the world by storm with their multi-faceted music. While goth at their roots, the band shows they have no bounds, incorporating thrash and punk into their mix with ease. Their first album, England Screams, was released on May 14th, 2021, showcasing some of their most aggressive music to date. Why should you be listening to them? Strange Bones is such a dynamic band, there’s something for everyone! Check out songs like Menace (which features Bob Vylan) and Snakepit to get a taste of this talented band!
Liked what you read? You can stream any of these bands on Spotify or wherever you listen to music!