Batcave

Deathrock emerged at the intersection of punk rock and gothic aesthetics in the late 1970s. It is most prominent in the underground scene of the United States, where it formed as an offshoot of punk. The genre became a kind of bridge between the aggressive energy of street protest and the aesthetics of decadence, mysticism and horror culture.

The origins of the genre date back to Los Angeles in the late 1970s, where the punk scene had already begun to split into different directions. In the early 1980s, the term ‘deathrock’ began to be applied to bands such as Christian Death, 45 Grave and Kommunity FK. Their performances combined sharp guitar riffs with gothic imagery. Soon, similar scenes appeared in San Francisco and New York, and then in Europe.

Musically, deathrock emphasises atmosphere and emotional tension. Guitars often use flanger and chorus to create a ‘liquid’ or ghostly sound. The tempo varies from moderate to fast, but the feeling of dark dynamics is maintained. Vocals are most often performed with reverb and echo.

Despite modest commercial success, death rock has gained significant recognition in underground circles and the music press. Major festivals such as Drop Dead Festival and Wave-Gotik-Treffen regularly included artists of the genre in their programmes, and themed radio shows in the 2000s contributed to its globalisation. The influence of death rock can also be felt in the visual arts, from fashion lines inspired by goth punk to contemporary horror performances.