Where to start if not with Bauhaus? The band, formed in 1978 under the name "Bauhaus 1919" is today regarded as the creator of the goth movement (although the debate exists with Joy Division and Siouxsie and the Banshees). The band is influenced by many artists (David Bowie, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Velvet Underground, Elvis Presley...) and genres (funk, punk, dub, psychedelic rock, glam rock...) but exceeds them to reach a darker atmosphere, with sometimes minimalist sounds, rather mysterious lyrics, and always that sound that haunts and hypnotizes you.

Among their tracks to know: Bela Lugosi’s Dead, Dark Entries, She’s In Parties

The Sisters of Mercy is a gothic rock band whose singer is the famous non-goth Andrew Eldritch. The band only released 3 albums but continue to produce songs without releasing them officially (because of an argument with their label in the 90s): you will therefore have to go see them live if you want to hear them. 

Among their tracks to know: Marian, Lucretia My Reflection, Walk Away

Another pioneering band! Siouxsie and the Banshees was formed in 1976. The band started out in punk, but quickly turned to post-punk and experimental sounds. They have influenced many artists: Joy Division, Bauhaus, The Cure, U2, Radiohead… In short, an essential group!

Among their tracks to know: Dear Prudence, Spellbound, Happy House

Depeche Mode is not what you might call a goth band, but the band has been so successful that they are listened to by many goths as well. The band formed in 1979. Most of the songs are composed by Martin Gore, and although some are more "dark", they remain mostly in the field of synth pop.

Among their tracks to know: Just Can't Get Enough, People Are People, Black Celebration

Cocteau Twins is an ethereal wave band created in 1979. They are influenced by Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, The Birthday Party, but adds to post-punk influences the special voice of Elizabeth Fraser, who was so often praised (even if we do not often understand what she says). The atmosphere is melancholy, often abstract, quite mysterious.

Among their tracks to know: Heaven Or Las Vegas, Pandora, Lorelei

Xmal Deutschland is an all-female band created in 1980. Their song Incubus Succubus has become a staple of gothic music.

Among their tracks to know: Incubus Succubus II, Mondlicht, Geheimnis

The Damned is a goth rock band, which like many other bands started out in punk. Singer Dave Vanian is known for his vampire look, and has become an icon today.

Among their tracks to know: Eloise, The Shadow Of Love, New Rose

Echo and the Bunnymen is a post-punk band founded in 1978.

Among their tracks to know: The Killing Moon, Lips Like Sugar, Nocturnal Me

London After Midnight is a goth rock band formed in 1990. The band, composed entirely of Sean Brennan, is considered to be one of the bands that breathed new life into the gothic movement in the 90s.

Among their tracks to know: Sacrifice, Kiss, The Black Cat

Skeletal Family is a goth rock band formed in 1982. The name of the band comes from the Bowie's song "Chant of the Ever Circling 'Skeletal Family'".

Among their tracks to know: Promised Land, She Cries Alone, So Sure

She Past Away is a band which, despite its novelty, has managed to make itself essential on the gothic scene. From their first LP, Berlidi Gece released in 2012, the band stood out: taking inspiration from darkwave of the 80s, they added a bass with the typical basslines of post-punk and Turkish lyrics.

Among their tracks to know: Kasvetli Kutlama, Durdu Dunya, Rituel

Although controversial because of Morrisey, The Smiths remains one of the major rock bands of the 80s. The band didn't adopt completely post-punk tones, which is why many people define it as an indie rock band. All of their albums were critically acclaimed, but the band quickly split up (in 1987 after 5 years of activity) due to internal disagreements.

Among their tracks to know: This Charming Man, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, How Soon Is Now?

Nine Inch Nails is an industrial group formed in 1988.
Among their tracks to know: Closer, Head Like A Hole, Hurt

Molchat Doma is a Belarusian post-punk and synthpop band. Formed in 2017, the band achieved worldwide success in 2020 after their song Sudno was used in numerous Tik Toks.
Among their tracks to know: Sudno, Kletka, Otveta Net

Rosetta Stone is a gothic rock band formed in 1988, whose musical style represents well the gothic rock of the 80s.

Among their tracks to know: The Witch, Darkside, Adrenaline

The Birthday Party is a band formed in 1978. They mix blues, punk, rockabilly, and have very dark lyrics (which is why they have often been called a goth rock band). The band quickly separated: Nick Cave and Rowland S. Howard continued their careers on their side.

Among their tracks to know: Mr Clarinet, Nick The Stripper, Release The Bats

The Danse Society is a gothic rock band formed in 1980.

Among their tracks to know: Heaven Is Waiting, Somewhere, Angel

Switchblade Symphony was formed in 1989 by Susan Wallace and Tina Root who mix elements of classical music and gothic rock in their musical universe.
Among their tracks to know: Invisible, Clown, Wicked

Pink Turns Blue are a post-punk band formed in 1985. The atmosphere they've created is usually recognizable from the first notes. The band is still touring today but with new members.

Among their tracks to know: Your Master is calling, Walking on both side, I coldly stare out

Mephisto Walz is a gothic rock band formed in 1985.

Among their tracks to know: Painted Black, Mephisto Waltz, I Wanna Be Your Dog

Red Lorry Yellow Lorry is a gothic rock band formed in 1982. The lyrics of the group speak a lot of angst and terror.

Among their tracks to know: Talk About The Weather, Hollow Eyes, Heaven

Inkubus Sukkubus is a British gothic rock and ethereal wave band formed in 1989.

Among their tracks to know: Vampyre Erotica, Wytches, Heart Of Lilith

The Frozen Autumn is an Italian darkwave band formed in 1993.

Among their tracks to know: Is Everything Real?, Wait For Nothing, This Time

Selofan is a Greek darkwave and minimal wave group formed in 2012.

Among their tracks to know: Give Me A Reason, Auf Deiner Haut, Ist Die Liebe Tot?

Ministry is an industrial metal band, and is sometimes even considered the first. Their first album, however, has more synthpop influences.

Among their tracks to know: Effigy (I'm Not An), I Wanted To Tell Her, Revenge

Everyone's heard of The Cure: the iconic band has dabbled in all genres. After a first album with very audible punk roots, the group gradually evolved and tried post-punk, until reaching goth rock with the cult albums Pornography and Disintegration. If these two albums are the two that are talked about the most in the goth community, their new wave and pop rock albums (especially after the mid 90s) are also worth a listen, at least to understand the evolution of the band.

Among their tracks to know: Friday I’m In Love, Pictures Of You, One Hundred Years

Like The Cure, Joy Division is one of the bands that have become legendary beyond gothic culture. And this is not without reason! Joy Division is a precursor band, one of the godfathers of goth rock. Their tracks are influenced by The Velvet Underground, The Doors, David Bowie, but with a cold sound and their own way of using their instruments: the drummer did not give the rhythm but followed it, the bassist carried the melody, and the guitar wasn't playing heavy riffs like you'd expect. Ian Curtis, in charge of the lyrics, tackled dark themes such as death, depersonalization, depression… The band split after the latter's death.

Among their tracks to know: Disorder, Love Will Tear Us Apart, Transmission

Christian Death is a deathrock band formed in 1979, probably the best known. However the band is a little more "controversial" than the others: their first album Only Theater Of Pain is a classic, Catastrophe Ballet and Ashes too, but after the departure of Rozz Williams in 1985, the band began to suffer from a bad reputation (even if some fans end up admitting that the album Atrocities and the track We Fall Like Love in particular were not so unpleasant).

Among their tracks to know: Romeo’s Distress, Spiritual Cramp, Church Of No Return

Alien Sex Fiend is a goth rock and deathrock band formed in 1982, and current members are married couple Nik Fiend and Mrs Fiend. The band enjoyed some success from their first album. The band has created a particular sound: without taking the dark gothic atmosphere too seriously, they push it to its maximum, as if in self-mockery, and add theatrical elements to it.

Among their tracks to know: I Walk The Line, Now I’m Feeling Zombified, Ignore The Machine

Clan of Xymox is a Dutch band, formed in 1983, pioneer of darkwave. During their careers, they sometimes used the name Xymox. The band continues to be productive and to receive critical acclaim.

Among their tracks to know: Medusa, A Day, She

Killing Joke is a band formed in 1979. Beginning to explore post-punk, new wave and goth rock sounds, they ended up becoming a major band on the industrial metal scene in the latter part of the 1990s.

Among their tracks to know: Eighties, Love Like Blood, The Wait

Lebanon Hanover is a group mixing post-punk, darkwave, minimal wave, always with elegance. Their first album released in 2011 (Split with La Fete Triste), they have since established themselves as an essential group on the goth scene, and even beyond.

Among their tracks to know: Gallowdance, Kiss Me Until My Lips Fall Off, Alien

Type O Negative is a gothic metal band formed in 1989.

Among their tracks to know: Love You To Death, Black No. 1, I Don’t Wanna Be Me

Specimen: THE batcave band. Created in 1981, the group mixes all kinds of genres: glam rock, post-punk, goth rock, deathrock… They are also known to be the pioneers of the tradgoth and deathrock style. An essential band!

Among their tracks to know: Hex, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Sharp Teeth Pretty Teeth

Sex Gang Children is a cult goth rock band. They released their first album in 1982.

Among their tracks to know: Sebastiane, Deiche, The Crack Up

Death Cult was formed in 1983, and changed its name to The Cult in 1984. The band was formed by Ian Astbury, after The Southern Death Cult broke up. After exploring post-punk and goth rock, The Cult quickly turned to hard rock.

Among their tracks to know: God's Zoo, Horse Nation, Rain

Skinny Puppy is an industrial Canadian band, formed in 1982, which has today become an essential reference in the genre.
Among their tracks to know: Assimilate, Worlock, Smothered Hope

Fields of the Nephilim is a British gothic rock band formed in 1984. The group is considered a founder of the genre, sometimes cited with The Sisters of Mercy and Bauhaus.
Among their tracks to know: Moonchild, For Her Light, Preacher Man

Dead Can Dance was formed in 1981. Their musical universe varies a lot depending on their albums, but revolves a lot around mystic subjects (cold wave, neo-classical darkwave, world music...)

Among their tracks to know: Summoning of the Muse, Flowers of the Sea, Children of the Sun

The Mission is an English goth rock band, formed by two former members of The Sisters of Mercy in 1986. The band planned to be called The Sisterhood, but couldn't keep the name.
Among their tracks to know: Wasteland, Deliverance, Tyranny of Secrets

She Wants Revenge is a post-punk and goth rock band formed in 2004. The band has managed to make a name for itself outside of the goth scene.

Among their tracks to know: Rachael, Out Of Control, Tear You Apart

The Chameleons are an English post-punk band, formed in 1981. The band split up in 1987, before resuming touring in 2000 for 3 years. The band released an album under the name ChameleonsVox in 2013 in 2015.

Among their tracks to know: Swamp Things, Second Skin, Don’t Fall

Nosferatu is a gothic rock band formed in 1988 which is very successful. Its name comes from the well-known movie "Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens".
Among their tracks to know: Rise, The Haunting, The Witching Hour

The Jesus and Mary Chain are a rock band formed in 1984, who have explored different genres like postpunk and shoegaze. Their albums have influenced shoegaze groups (My Bloody Valentine, The Stone Roses) as well as other rock bands like Pixies, The Raveonettes, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

Among their tracks to know: Just Like Honey, April Skies, Head On

Corpus Delicti is a French gothic rock band formed in 1991.

Among their tracks to know: Saraband, Twilight, Broken

Virgin Prunes is a post-punk band formed in 1977 and disbanded in 1986.

Among their tracks to know: Love Lasts Forever, Pagan Lovesong, Decline and Fall

Horror Vacui is an Italian deathrock and goth rock band formed in 2010.

Among their tracks to know: Corvus Corax, In Darkness You Will  Feel Alright, 5000

Boy Harsher is an American duo founded in 2013 by Jae Matthews and Augustus Muller. 
Boy Harsher's sound is one of a kind, almost unclassifiable. Their songs, very different from each other, mix elements of synthwave, darkwave, EBM, while remaining in a hypnotic, sometimes disturbing atmosphere.

Among their tracks to know: Pain, LA, Motion

Death in June is a British experimental band formed in 1981.

Among their tracks to know: The Calling (Mk II), Fall Apart, Little Black Angel

Cinema Strange is a death rock band founded in 1994.

Among their tracks to know: Moundshroud, Aboriginal Anemia, Catacombs Kittens