Goth

Like the creeping death, goth comes in waves, each variously tinged with shades of punk, ethereal, industrial, electronic, or rockabilly sounds. Make no mistake, the church of goth is broad, united under universally accepted colors: black, purple, and ghostly white. Start with Goth pioneers Bauhaus and Siouxsie & the Banshees.

The roots of goth can be traced to two incubators: the Batcavers of London and the Death Rockers of Los Angeles. Both sects were imaginative offshoots of punk, both nurtured a fascination with horror movie culture, and each encouraged the other. Vancouver's Skinny Puppy helped to straddle the Trans-Atlantic divide.

In the lesser-visited (and, naturally, cobweb-infested) corners of goth's expansive musical crypt, you'll find Dead Can Dance and Delerium — fine examples of ethereal goth. Canadian ex-pats Psyche bring the electro-fused "Brain Collapses"; meanwhile, Type O Negative gives the movement a smart, satirical edge.

Of all of rock's subcultures, goth is arguably the most distinctive. White face, black clothes, purple nails . . . you're a Goth — and although you probably share a liking for the supernatural with 19th century aesthetes, your taste in music is far more encompassing than most of the non-goth community assumes. Our goth playlist reflects the movement's variety — from indie rock legends the Cure to Dutch goth stalwarts Clan of Xymox. All in all, an eclectic type of darkness.