Darkwave is a music genre that emerged in the late 1970s, deeply intertwined with the new wave and post-punk movements. The genre is characterized by its gloomy, melancholic tone, largely based on minor key tonality, and introspective, often bleak lyrics. With an undertone of sorrow and romance, darkwave music stands out for its emotional depth and atmospheric sound.
In the early days, bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Cocteau Twins, Soft Cell, and Depeche Mode were seen as pioneers of this style. These bands employed slower tempos, lower pitches, and a more melancholic tone compared to their new wave counterparts. Isabella van Elferen, a professor of Musicology at Kingston University, London, described darkwave as the “dark counterpart of new wave,” which emphasizes a sense of immersion in sorrowful yet poetic soundscapes.
Initially, darkwave was most prominent in Europe, where it became a broader term encompassing both gothic rock and synthesizer-based new wave music. As the goth subculture grew, so did the diversity of darkwave, with different strands emerging over the years.
Subgenres of Darkwave
Darkwave has several subgenres that reflect its wide-reaching influence and versatility:
- Cold Wave: This offshoot combines minimalist post-punk sounds with cold, detached atmospheres.
- Ethereal Wave: Characterized by dreamy, atmospheric sounds, ethereal wave bands like Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance incorporate haunting vocals and ambient instrumentals, often veering into the spiritual and transcendental.
- Neoclassical Darkwave: Incorporating elements of classical music, this subgenre often features orchestral arrangements and operatic, soprano vocals. Bands like Dead Can Dance and In the Nursery helped pioneer this subgenre.
- Neofolk: A fusion of darkwave with folk music, neofolk bands often mix acoustic instruments with electronic elements, creating a haunting, often historical or mythological sound.
The Emergence of the Subculture (1980s)
By the 1980s, darkwave had become more than just a music genre; it gave rise to a distinctive subculture, particularly in Europe. Followers of the movement, called wavers or dark wavers, embraced the melancholic yet romantic aesthetic that defined the music. In some countries, especially Germany, the darkwave movement included fans of both gothic rock and its synthesizer-based variants, often blending the two genres.
The German darkwave scene, in particular, was closely linked to the Neue Deutsche Welle (New German Wave), a musical movement that combined new wave sounds with German-language lyrics. Bands like Malaria! and Xmal Deutschland introduced elements of cabaret and chanson, which would later influence the dark cabaret genre—a theatrical, vaudeville-inspired offshoot of darkwave.
Second Generation and the 1990s Revival
After the decline of new wave and post-punk in the mid-1980s, darkwave continued as an underground movement. In the 1990s, a second wave of darkwave bands emerged, led by acts like Diary of Dreams, Deine Lakaien, and The Frozen Autumn. These artists continued to draw from the foundations of 1980s darkwave, while also incorporating more modern electronic elements.
German band Deine Lakaien in particular played a significant role in this revival, blending darkwave’s brooding atmosphere with synthesizer-heavy soundscapes influenced by Depeche Mode. Simultaneously, other darkwave artists combined the genre’s core aesthetics with elements of neofolk and neoclassical darkwave, expanding its scope and appeal.
In the U.S., the darkwave scene was championed by Projekt Records, founded by Sam Rosenthal in 1983. Inspired by European darkwave, Projekt popularized a distinctively American version of the genre, featuring bands like Black Tape for a Blue Girl, Lycia, and Love Spirals Downwards. These acts brought a more ethereal, atmospheric sound to darkwave, combining ambient textures with dreamlike female vocals, drawing from the influence of Cocteau Twins.
Notable Darkwave Artists and Albums
- Clan of Xymox: One of the most iconic bands within the genre, their self-titled debut album in 1985 and subsequent releases cemented their place in darkwave history.
- Dead Can Dance: Known for their pioneering work in neoclassical darkwave, blending ethereal melodies with classical influences.
- The Frozen Autumn: A staple of the 1990s darkwave revival, known for their melancholic, synth-driven soundscapes.
- Diary of Dreams: Led by Adrian Hates, this project gained a dedicated following with its dark, introspective lyrics and electronic instrumentation.
The 2010s Revival and the New Generation
The 2010s saw a resurgence of darkwave, with new bands bringing the genre to a younger audience. Among the most prominent of these acts is Boy Harsher, who have combined darkwave with elements of industrial and minimal wave. Other notable contemporary darkwave artists include Drab Majesty, Twin Tribes, and Pixel Grip.
This revival has also led to the establishment of darkwave-specific festivals, such as Substance in Los Angeles and Verboden in Vancouver. The Wave-Gotik-Treffen festival in Leipzig, Germany, continues to be one of the largest gatherings for goth and darkwave fans globally, showcasing both veteran and new bands in the genre.
Darkwave’s Cultural Impact
Darkwave’s influence has extended far beyond the goth subculture, impacting a variety of artistic fields. The genre’s introspective, atmospheric qualities have made it a popular choice for soundtracks in film, television, and video games, especially in works that explore darker, more melancholic themes.
Furthermore, darkwave’s aesthetic has influenced fashion, with its fusion of gothic and new wave styles inspiring designers and subcultural trends worldwide.