Gothic is a lifestyle, it is a way of listening to music also. Whenever you like dark music, there are a hell of different music sub genres within the Gothic Scene. It is impossible to cover all these sub genres and their names, but what we can try to do is to make some groups and collect comparable genres together. Please do not send us mails about I find this band or that band is to be considered as a this or that style band. We do not read these mails. Use the radio panel as a member and you can request a genre change on each track individually. Whenever there are other people who think the same, our server will change the genre (more information about how to request a genre change, click here...).

But hey, below you'll find the genre blocks we've created on our Radio....

The Gothic Music Sub Genres

• Gothic Rock
  

  We have to begin with the beginning. We all know Gothic is hard to define when or where it started. We even had an articles about the first use of the term "Gothic" in relation with music during the late 60ies where music of The Doors was mentioned as "Gothic Rock". (The original article is no longer on-line, but we've read it on this page).  At GothVille we use the term "Gothic Rock" for several bands. Some call it also "Darkwave" and many "New Wave" bands are also a kind of Gothic Rock. When you have more rock, a dark sound, mostly deep male voices or highly female voices and lyrics which has to be considered as dark.
  

• Goth Metal
  

  When this term was first used is not clear for us, but Metal also has many different sub genres. One of them is "Goth Metal" which can be considered as Gothic Rock, only with much more guitar sounds. Goth Metal is more independent then all other sub genres within the dark scene. Some call it also more commercial, but hey it is dark enough for GothVille! Please don't shoot, but you could say that "Death Metal" is also a kind of Gothic Rock.

• Electro-Goth
  

  When we started in 2005, and where making up our collection, we came up with the term "Electro-Goth". We're not sure if the term was already in use, but we kind of liked it. Consider "Electro-Goth" also more Rock then Electro, but these bands use also a lot of electro cross-over techniques on their voices, samples, etc. Bands like Marlyn Manson, Rammstein and some tracks of Blutengel are here listed.
  

• New Wave
  

  During the early 80ies some punks started with more electronic instruments. And the term "New Wave" was born. But there are many misunderstandings about it. I would even say, sometimes we ourselves don't know what to think about it. Anyway, we have listed New Wave here as a separated genre, you'll find some darkwave as well, but also minimal and dark sounding electro.

• Industrial
  

  Electro you say? Well, "Industrial Music" is a genre with many different influences. A term also known; "EBM" aka Electronic Body Music is still used as well. Some say "Industrial Music" is more noise, some say that Industrial music is for pussies. Others claim the term "Power Noise", and we can go on for a few lines more. Let's keep it simple please, it is hard electro, with an up tempo beat that has a higher BPM (Beats Per Minute) then average electro.

• Noise
  

  You like it or not. We know, most of you don't. But we do. Good noise is trashy music, made on trash, but with the art of making dance able music. When you are in the mood, the music will bring you where ever you wanna be. We have put this category under the major block Electro...

• Futurepop
  

  One of the most popular genres in Germany we think. It is mostly the more soft electro, more commercial then Industrial or EBM, but still with dark sounds. It is in some cases also near to define the New Wave. When you are going to Germany, you must visit a club, or even better a fest. Then you will know what we mean. Of course, the Germans know...

• Punk
  

  A collection of old school punk, psycho billy, horror punk, bat cave and other nice protest and party rocks. The last few years a whole new revival of the punks has been noticed by our crew. We keep an eye on this genre and will have more time scheduled as well in 2009 ! 
  

• Dark Folk
  

  When you are on a Goth Fest, these bands bring you to the drinking part. Well, they do for the GothVille Crew. Nice historical instruments, and still dark enough to be an alternative asshole. And when the power shuts down, don't worry, they will still be heard miles away.

• Dark Ambient
  

  It is hard to stay relaxed after previously mentioned genres. But some times you'll need a rest. With "Dark Ambient" you can relax in your darkness. It is a mix of electronic smoothly sounds and samples, mostly without lyrics and almost always with a kind of peaceful feeling afterwards.

• Ethereal
  

  Perhaps we will combine the "Ethereal" category with the Dark Ambient. It is mostly compare able music but then with heavenly voices in the background and one in the front. These voices bring you back in a kind of Medieval period. Put on your ball dress, and fly over the dance floor.

• ElectroClash

  A little bit of "Electroclash" is also related to the Goth scene. There are some bands well know in the mainstream music world, but surely also in the dark scene. It is hard to explain why. Mostly the lyrics are completely insaine. But with a message. ElectroClash is one the themes we like to startup a party or a nice weekend evening. Don't know what we mean? Search for Vivè la Fête, and you'll know what we mean. But once again, there are other examples enough, and not every Goth will agree what we say here ! Well let's hope not every Goth will agree, it would make us worried about the future of the darkness !