While schooling a young friend recently on his "Gothic" roots, musically speaking, something occurred to me. He listens now to everything from Lacuna Coil and Reliquary, to more industrial bands like Angelspit and Skinny Puppy.
I turned my friend on to a whole new world of music he'd never heard before. From post punk/early goth bands like Souixie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, and New Order, to glam rock such as Adam Ant, he loved it all! In so doing; however, I came to a realization of my own.
It's an incite into my own "dark roots", really. It involves just how far back those roots can be said to go. Perhaps these dark elements can be found in all times, and all music...wherever there are dark souls to create them.
Most people know me only as a metal head, and, yes, from the first hearing of Black Sabbath in 1970, I certainly was. Think of it, though. How quintessentially Gothic are bands like Sabbath? This little notion lead me to look at other influences from that time period as well.
True, there is an element of mystery and deep romanticism present in Goth Rock, that is simply lacking in much of the more modern metal. Perhaps that is why I like Goth Rock as well. These elements can be found in many of my earlier influences, as well.
I invite you now to listen to a few that are, in my opinion, decidedly Gothic :
Wondering What Everyone Knows by Budgie.
I Can't See My Feelings by Budgie
Lady in Black by Uriah Heep
Look at Yourself by Uriah Heep
While it is widely known that both of these bands had a large influence on Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, and heavy metal, I am not the only one to notice the Gothic overtones. A review by Donald A. Guarisco on allmusic.com says blatantly of the Uriah Heep album Demon's and Wizards that, "This is the album that solidified Uriah Heep's reputation as a master of gothic-inflected heavy metal. "
These are but two examples from two bands. I could go on forever with Sabbath, Rainbow, etc. I hear these elements in all music and in all ages. Perhaps it is just My perception. Perhaps it is the emotions that are present. The best thing to do is listen for yourself and see what you think.
Let me know what you decide!
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