Black Sabbath in 1970, photo by Warner Brothers Records

There’s a reason some of the world’s greatest metal bands are still coveted as reputable musicians even decades after their split. They’ve not only shaped the landscape of rock music with beautifully haunting sounds but also gave loyal followers a chance to escape reality with their iconically dark gothic fashion. Back when everyone else was wearing mustard yellow bell-bottoms, they were donning tight leather pants in the blackest of shades. From smudged guyliner to studded harnesses, these metal rock bands were masters at transferring their sounds into their styles. Concerts became their stage to show off avant-garde gothic outfits with a hint of demonic attitude. Here’s a look back at some of the greatest rock bands that shaped men’s gothic clothing styles as we know it today.  

Black Sabbath 

Band formed: 1968

Credited with pioneering heavy metal music, Black Sabbath was an English rock band that most people remember for Ozzy Osbourne’s vocals. Known for their horror-inspired lyrics, Black Sabbath wore goth rock clothes that mixed dark fashion with distinctive seventies influences. Middle-parted hair and thick moustaches were a part of their early signature looks that was donned with leather trench coats and metal cross necklaces. Among today’s mens gothic clothing styles sold on trendy stores like Differio, skulls and metal crosses have become goth clothing statements you can find across men’s jewelry to graphic prints to body tattoos. 

Kiss

Band formed: 1973

Kiss was (and still is) one of the most influential bands known for their insane metal rock clothes and black-and-white face makeup. Leaning more on the costumey spectrum of gothic fashion for men, it’s difficult to remember a time when Kiss wasn’t wearing tight futuristic clothing in black leather and silver spandex. Although their music isn’t necessarily part of the gothic subculture, chunky platform boots were part of their signature looks – a staple in goth grunge fashion.

Motörhead 

Band formed: 1975

An English-based band, Motörhead is best known for pioneering the way for speed metal and thrash metal along with the iconic “snaggletooth” war-pig logo. In their earlier years, some of their iconic alternative clothing looks were studded leather jackets covered in pins and bullet-embellished belts. Lemmy, Motörhead’s founding member, was known for mixing military pieces, like aviators and pilot hats, into his male gothic outfits which lends a heavy nod to mens gothic clothing with military steampunk influences. 

White Zombie

Band formed: 1985

White Zombie became popular for their heavy metal sounds in their later albums. Co-founded by Rob Zombie, their mens gothic clothing styles can be described as mixing grunge with goth punk clothes. Moreover, Rob Zombie is more heavily known for his macabre facade sporting long dreadlocks and dark face makeup. You could say White Zombie has some style influences that resonate with today’s trendier 90s grunge-gothic outfits, such as skinny plaid pants and oversized ripped jean jackets. 

Marilyn Manson (& the Spooky Kids)

Band formed: 1989

You have to give credit to Marilyn Manson as one of the most theatrically dark style icons that influenced gothic clothing for men. From mismatched contact lenses to ghostly face makeup, the band as a whole pioneered the way for men’s gothic fashion with that otherworldly, straight-from-hell shock factor. Aside from dark lipstick and pale skin, Manson created a sharp contrast with his chilling makeup by wearing tailored military jackets and tall top hats paying homage to goth Victorian mens fashion.