Industrial

Inspired by the dissonance and aggression of the 1970s synthesizer duo Suicide, the British bands Cabaret Voltaire and Throbbing Gristle (who released music on their Industrial Records label) created music that infused guitars and drums with harsh metallic noise, disjointed rhythms and tape loops. The presentation of these groups was as extreme as their music, playing with images of death, disease, war, and fascism. Industrial music continued through the '80s with Throbbing Gristle spin-offs Psychic TV, Coil, and Chris & Cosey. The style flourished with the disturbing sounds of Canada's Skinny Puppy, Germany's Test Dept., and Australia's Foetus. Industrial continues today, although it has incorporated elements of Goth culture and pop appeal with the commercial successes of Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson.