The term "darkwave" came from back in the 1980s, and was one of the terms used to describe the Golden Age bands, as well as dark electronica acts like Gary Numan and Depeche Mode. Their stylistic descendants constitute one of the most active sub-genres of goth in the modern age. Particularly in Houston.
The term remained in use for many underground bands in Europe, and became associated with Projekt Records in the early '90s. Projekt specialized in a new brand of goth that centered on ethereal female vocals, a trend that is still followed by mainstream labels utilizing goth acts. Black Tape for a Blue Girl released This Lush Garden Within on Projekt in 1993
Another label that followed this trend was Tess, who added Faith and the Muse to their roster, as well as the reformed Clan of Xymox (now just Xymox).
As one path of goth music moved further into synth and EBM, and another continued to worship pale angelic beauties with haunting voices, the rest of the '90s was heavily influenced by the harsh sound Trent Reznor pioneered with Nine Inch Nails. Enter his protégé, and the first real protestable monster of goth since Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson.
Under Reznor's tutelage, Manson released Portrait of an American Family in 1994, and the hugely successful Antichrist Superstar in 1996. Both albums are distinctly metal in flavor, though very much beholden to the goth traditions that influenced Manson. In the wake of his success, came other acts such as Slipknot, White Zombie and Korn, all of whom would achieve similar success with their debut albums.
During this period, goth comes greatly under mainstream music labels' sway, having now been proven that their was a lot of money to be made in marketing music to Hot Topic crowd. The template lines were fully drawn, and for most new acts they are still there. For male Goths, you are now to be loud, angry, aggressive, and frightening. You are not to be delicate or sensitive, 'cause that's queer and scares people in Idaho.
As for the women...
One thing is certain, new goth acts who have achieved commercial success since the beginning of the millennium are fronted by women. The goth girl singer has become just as stereotypical an image as her howling male counterpart. Evanescence became one of the biggest acts in the world with their 2003's Fallen, and their path has since been followed by The Birthday Massacre.
Though it's an arguable point whether such music should be included under the goth label, it's undeniable that you can chalk up the spookiness of Poe's 2000 album Haunted and many of the more disturbing moments of Lady Gaga's career up to this trend as well.
And now we await the next age. What will be spooky in 2011?
Jef With One F is the author of The Bible Spelled Backwards Does Not Change the Fact That You Cannot Kill David Arquette and Other Things I Learned In the Black Math Experiment, available now.
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