Gothic rock, also known as goth rock, emerged as a subgenre of rock music from the UK's post-punk scene in the late 1970s, drawing heavily from gothic literature, dark romanticism, and nihilism. Early influential bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, Bauhaus, and The Cure shaped its distinctive sound, characterized by minor chords, reverb, melancholic melodies, and often deep, droning vocals.

Musically, the genre is known for "scything guitar patterns," high-pitched basslines, and hypnotic beats, creating foreboding and sorrowful atmospheres. Lyrically, it delves into themes of morbidity, existentialism, and religious symbolism, often exhibiting a literary romanticism. While the term "gothic rock" was first used in 1967 to describe The Doors, and artists like Nico (with her 1968 album The Marble Index) and Alice Cooper are considered significant forerunners, the genre later gave rise to related styles like deathrock and a broader goth subculture encompassing fashion and clubs.