Gothic

Gothic music has its roots in post-punk and alternative rock, blending dark atmospheres, dramatic melodies, and a mysterious aesthetic. This subgenre captivates with its intense and melancholic universe, rich in emotions and depth.

Browse our exhaustive catalog of Gothic vinyl records to immerse yourself in this captivating world.

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Gothic Vinyl Records: Bauhaus, The Cure, Darkwave and Classic Goth on LP

Goth vinyl: what this collection covers

This page gathers the gothic vinyl records listed on Vinyles.com, each with offers from several partner stores. Gothic rock grew out of British post-punk in the late 70s: bass up front, effects-heavy guitars, drum machines and deep or theatrical vocals. The collection also stretches into cold wave, darkwave and industrial, with names like Bauhaus, Killing Joke, Cabaret Voltaire, Tuxedomoon, DAF, Chris & Cosey and Skeletal Family, plus current artists such as La Mverte and Nicole Sabouné. It is atmospheric music with a long tradition of striking sleeves and 12-inch singles.

Essential goth records

Bauhaus's "Bela Lugosi's Dead" (1979) is widely cited as the starting point of gothic rock; the band followed with "In the Flat Field" (1980) on 4AD. The same year as that single, Joy Division's "Unknown Pleasures" (1979) defined post-punk's cold aesthetic, while Siouxsie and the Banshees moved toward a darker sound, culminating in "Juju" (1981).

The Cure released "Pornography" (1982), often considered their bleakest album. In London, the Batcave club, opened in 1982, became the scene's meeting point. The Sisters of Mercy, with "First and Last and Always" (1985), and Fields of the Nephilim gave goth its most rock-driven form, while 4AD hosted the ethereal side with Dead Can Dance and Cocteau Twins.

Pressings and reissues: what to check

Albums by the major bands were pressed widely in the UK and Europe in the 80s, so used copies are around, with prices that vary by condition and country of pressing. Most have also been reissued recently. The 12-inch single matters a lot in this genre: extended versions, B-sides and remixes sometimes exist only on that format. Comparing offers side by side helps you see whether a pricier original is worth it over a reissue.

Identify the pressing: original, official reissue or unauthorized
Check for inserts and printed inner sleeves
For used copies, listen for surface noise on atmospheric passages
Compare prices across stores for the same edition

Post-punk, cold wave and today's darkwave scene

Gothic sits within the site's Alternative section. To trace its roots, post-punk and new wave are the closest neighbors; for raw energy, grunge and indie rock take over. The goth and darkwave scene is still active, with many bands releasing albums on vinyl in limited runs, so the new releases and pre-order pages are the best way to keep up.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best goth albums to own on vinyl?

Bauhaus's "In the Flat Field", The Cure's "Pornography" and The Sisters of Mercy's "First and Last and Always" are three solid foundations. Add Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Juju" and Joy Division's "Unknown Pleasures" for the post-punk side of the genre.

What was the first gothic rock song?

Bauhaus's "Bela Lugosi's Dead", released in 1979, is the song most often cited as the starting point of gothic rock. Its hypnotic bass, distant guitars and horror-film mood set several of the genre's codes, though other post-punk bands of the time helped shape the sound too.

What is the difference between goth and darkwave?

Gothic rock, mostly British, keeps a rock base of guitars and drums, often with a theatrical edge. Darkwave and cold wave lean on synthesizers and drum machines for a more minimal, colder sound; cold wave is a label that took hold mainly in French and Belgian scenes. The scenes overlap heavily.

Why do 12-inch singles matter in goth?

In the 80s, many goth and cold wave bands issued 12-inch singles with extended versions, remixes or B-sides that never appeared on albums. For some tracks, that is the only way to own them on vinyl. The wider grooves of a 12-inch also favor the bass, which sits at the center of this music.

Explore Gothic styles

Gothic 308 records