# List of gothic metal bands

This is a list of notable gothic metal bands. Gothic metal is a genre of music characterized as a combination of the dark atmosphere of gothic rock with the aggression of heavy metal. The genre originated during the early 1990s in Europe as an outgrowth of death/doom, a fusion of death metal, doom metal, and gothic rock. The music of gothic metal is diverse with bands known to adopt the gothic approach to different styles of heavy metal music. Lyrics are generally melodramatic and dark with inspiration from gothic fiction as well as personal experiences.
Members of metal bands such as After Forever, HIM and Nightwish have downplayed or dismissed the gothic label from their music. The issue is obscured further by bands that have since moved away from gothic metal or even heavy metal music altogether, as is the case for Anathema and The Gathering.

## List of bands

| Band | Country | Formed |
| The 69 Eyes | Finland | 1989 |
| Ad Inferna | France / USA | 1998 |
| After Forever | Netherlands | 1995 |
| Agathodaimon | Germany | 1995 |
| Amorphis | Finland | 1990 |
| Anathema | UK | 1990 |
| April Weeps | Slovakia | 2010 |
| Artrosis | Poland | 1995 |
| ASP | Germany | 1999 |
| Asrai | Netherlands | 1988 |
| Atargatis | Germany | 1997 |
| Atrocity | Germany | 1985 |
| Autumn | Netherlands | 1995 |
| Ava Inferi | Portugal | 2005 |
| Awakening, The | South Africa/USA | 1995 |
| Beseech | Sweden | 1992 |
| Bloody Hammers | USA | 1999 |
| Cadaveria | Italy | 2001 |
| Cemetary | Sweden | 1989 |
| Chalice | Australia | 1997 |
| Charon | Finland | 1992 |
| Celtic Frost | Switzerland | 1984 |
| Coronatus | Germany | 1999 |
| Cradle of Filth | UK | 1991 |
| Creation's Tears | UK | 2002 |
| Crematory | Germany | 1991 |
| Cryptal Darkness | Australia | 1993 |
| Cult of Luna | Sweden | 1998 |
| Danzig | USA | 1987 |
| Dark Princess | Russia | 2004 |
| Darkseed | Germany | 1992 |
| Darkwell | Austria | 1999 |
| Deathstars | Sweden | 2001 |
| Delain | Netherlands | 2002 |
| Devilment | UK | 2011 |
| Diabulus in Musica | Spain | 2006 |
| Draconian | Sweden | 1994 |
| Drastique | Italy | 1995 |
| Elis | Liechtenstein | 2001 |
| Elysion | Greece | 2006 |
| Entwine | Finland | 1995 |
| Epica | Netherlands | 2003 |
| Erben der Schöpfung | Liechtenstein | 1998 |
| The Eternal | Australia | 2003 |
| Eternal Tears of Sorrow | Finland | 1994 |
| Evanescence | USA | 1995 |
| Eyes of Eden | Germany | 2005 |
| Fall of the Leafe | Finland | 1996 |
| Fatum Aeternum | Israel | 2006 |
| Flowing Tears | Germany | 1994 |
| Forever Slave | Spain | 2000 |
| For My Pain... | Finland | 1999 |
| Frown | Slovakia | 1997 |
| Graveworm | Italy | 1997 |
| HIM | Finland | 1991 |
| In Mourning | Sweden | 1997 |
| In This Moment | USA | 2005 |
| Katatonia | Sweden | 1991 |
| The Kovenant | Norway | 1999 |
| Krypteria | Germany | 2001 |
| Lacrimas Profundere | Germany | 1993 |
| Lacrimosa | Germany | 1990 |
| Lacuna Coil | Italy | 1994 |
| L'Âme Immortelle | Austria | 1996 |
| Leah | Canada | 2011 |
| Leaves' Eyes | Germany | 2003 |
| Letzte Instanz | Germany | 1996 |
| Lullacry | Finland | 1999 |
| Lyriel | Germany | 2003 |
| Macbeth | Italy | 1995 |
| Madder Mortem | Norway | 1993 |
| Mandragora Scream | Italy | 1997 |
| Marilyn Manson | USA | 1989 |
| Metalwings | Bulgaria | 2010 |
| Midnattsol | Germany | 2002 |
| Moi dix Mois | Japan | 2002 |
| Moonspell | Portugal | 1992 |
| Monumentum | Italy | 1987 |
| Mortal Love | Norway | 2001 |
| My Dying Bride | UK | 1990 |
| Nahemah | Spain | 1997 |
| Nemesea | Netherlands | 2002 |
| Nightwish | Finland | 1996 |
| Nocturna | Italy | 2021 |
| Notre Dame | Sweden | 1997 |
| Octavia Sperati | Norway | 2000 |
| Old Dead Tree, The | France | 1997 |
| Omega Lithium | Croatia | 2007 |
| Pale Horse Named Death, A | USA | 2011 |
| Paradise Lost | UK | 1988 |
| Poisonblack | Finland | 2000 |
| Rotting Christ | Greece | 1987 |
| Saviour Machine | United States | 1989 |
| Schaliach | Norway | 1995 |
| Sentenced | Finland | 1989 |
| Silentium | Finland | 1995 |
| Sinamore | Finland | 1998 |
| Sinnergod | UK | 2007 |
| Sins of Thy Beloved, The | Norway | 1996 |
| Sirenia | Norway | 2001 |
| Stravaganzza | Spain | 2004 |
| Stream of Passion | Netherlands | 2005 |
| Theatre of Tragedy | Norway | 1993 |
| Theatres des Vampires | Italy | 1994 |
| The Murder of My Sweet | Sweden | 2006 |
| Therion | Sweden | 1987 |
| Tiamat | Sweden | 1988 |
| To/Die/For | Finland | 1993 |
| Trail of Tears | Norway | 1994 |
| Tribulation | Sweden | 2005 |
| Tristania | Norway | 1996 |
| Type O Negative | USA | 1989 |
| Umbra et Imago | Germany | 1991 |
| Undish | Poland | 1991 |
| Unshine | Finland | 2000 |
| UnSun | Poland | 2006 |
| Unto Others | United States | 2017 |
| Urban Tales | Portugal | 2005 |
| Virgin Black | Australia | 1993 |
| Vision Bleak, The | Germany | 2000 |
| We Are the Fallen | USA | 2009 |
| Within Temptation | Netherlands | 1996 |
| Xandria | Germany | 1997 |
| Yōsei Teikoku | Japan | 1997 |