Type O Negative was an American gothic/doom metal band formed in Brooklyn, New York City in 1989 by Peter Steele, Kenny Hickey, Josh Silver, and Sal Abruscato, who was later replaced by Johnny Kelly. Their lyrical emphasis on themes of romance, depression, and death resulted in the nickname "the Drab Four". The band went platinum with 1993's Bloody Kisses, and gold with 1996's October Rust, and gained a fanbase through seven studio albums, two best-of compilations, and concert DVDs.
Type O Negative performing at Columbiahalle (Berlin, Germany, June 15, 2007)
Gothic metal is a fusion genre combining the aggression of heavy metal with the dark atmospheres of gothic rock. The music of gothic metal is diverse with bands known to adopt the gothic approach to different styles of heavy metal music. The genre originated during the early 1990s in the United Kingdom originally as an outgrowth of death-doom, a fusion of death metal and doom metal. Lyrics are generally dark and introspective with inspiration from gothic fiction as well as personal experiences.
Paradise Lost's 1991 album Gothic inspired the name of the genre.
Gothic metal band Tristania
Lead female vocalists are a common presence in the gothic metal genre. One of the earliest was Anneke van Giersbergen of the Gathering, depicted above.
The Italian gothic, black metal band Theatres des Vampires manifests a deep interest in the vampire myth, a common staple of gothic horror fiction.