The Goth Rock movement has its roots in musical artists and bands from the 60's and 70's such as Velvet Underground, The Doors, Alice Cooper (who later became a Christian), and David Bowie. Though these were not actual Goth bands, they set the tone and the atmosphere that was needed for the Gothic Rock movement to take root. Bands like these heavily influenced young introspective teenagers that would later become the leaders of the Goth movement.
The Goth movement did not start on its own, however. It sprang up from the Punk Rock movement of the 70's and early 80's. While Punk died off, Goth began to take a life of its own, eventually becoming an entirely separate subculture. The term "goth" came to apply to the Goth Rock movement (originally called 'Post Punk' or 'Positive Punk') in the summer of 1978, when the manager of Joy Division, Anthony H. Wilson, referred to Joy Division's music as "Gothic" in comparison with pop mainstream. Then Siouxsie Sioux of the Banshees echoed that their music was heading in the direction of "gothic," and from then on, the name stuck. Then in '79, bands like Bauhaus (who released "Bela Lugosi's Dead") were labeled with the term. Eventually, fans of bands like "Andi Sex Gang" started to be called "goths," and from there, an entire subculture grew. The original Goth bands include musical groups such as: Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, Christian Death, Sisters of Mercy, UK Decay, Killing Joke, Dead Can Dance, and Alien Sex Fiend.
However, as the contemporary Christian music (CCM) movement became more well-known in the early 80's, it began to explore new territory, especially that of the Punk Rock scene.

The roots of the modern Christian Goth movement can be traced back to early Christian Punk bands like "Undercover," who came together to release their self-titled album in 1983. In 1982, Robert Sweet and Michael Sweet founded the band "Roxx Regieme"... in 1983, the members of this band became Christians and changed the name to "Stryper," which was ultimately one of the founding Christian Punk leaders. Stryper released their first album in 1984, entitled "Yellow and Black Attack."
At the same time during the early 80's, while the goth bands emerged from the midst of Punk Rock, the first Christian-Goths-to-be started to congregate. With Christian Punk bands like Stryper and Undercover opening the doors for all kinds of Christian alternative music, Christians began to become involved in Punk and Goth. The first concrete evidence of the Christian Goth movement came about in the late 80's with the formation of Saviour Machine, by Eric Clayton. They released their first demos in 1990, which is the year in which Christian Goth exploded and became visible in the stage of Christian contemporary music. Brian Healy, who is often referred to as the "father of Christian Goth," formed the band "Dead Artist Syndrome" the same year, and they released their album "Prints of Darkness" in 1990. The 90's were a time of growth and progression for the Christian Goth scene. Dead Artist Syndrome and Saviour Machine released numerous albums during this time, while new Christian Goth bands such as The Last Dance (mid 90's), Wedding Party (mid 90's), the Awakening (1995), Rackets and Drapes, and Eva O emerged.

It would be right to call Eva O one of the matriarchs of Christian Goth. She was married to the lead singer of Christian Death, Rozz Williams, prior to his suicide in 1998, and she had been involved in the Goth movement as well as Satanism and spirit-consulting. In her testimony, she recounts how she had come to a climax in her dealings with demons, and found herself tormented by them to the point where she couldn't take it anymore. While studying the topic of "angels" for an album called "Demons Fall for an Angel's Kiss," she was offered a book on angelic beings by Billy Graham. She had seriously considered Christianity after reading the book, but the notion soon grew dull in her mind. However, as the demonic torment and suicidal thoughts culminated, she remembered the things she had learned about God and cried out to Him. The demonic visions broke like "glass." Later on, in an interview, she stated, "Oh it makes me want to cry, he is real and no one can change my mind. He has cured me of anxiety attacks. I would have them three times a week. And also from demon possession."

Out of the backdrop of these Christian Goth revolutionaries, the movement spread to the Internet where Christian Goth havens were quickly formed, starting with Christiangoth.com in 1997. More soon followed in the early 21st century with ministries like Godscare, The Chalice, and Goths for Jesus. Evidence of the rapid growth of Christian Gothdom is seen by the saturation of the Web with information on Gothic Christianity. Where once it was a rare thing that had to be found amongst a search result of hundreds of pages, now people are finding out about it without even trying.
The fact is, we are in the Golden Age of the Christian Goth movement. Goths and Punks are coming to Christ in droves. The alternative subcultures are becoming the next stronghold of Christianity in our modern world. And as ministers of the gospel, we cannot pass up this opportunity while the window remains open.

How long will this age last? How long will the doors remain so open? How long will the Spirit stir through the underground alternative subcultures with such power? The answer: as long as we let it. This Christian revolution in the Goth and Punk communities is the result of thousands of individuals turning to Christ and even more individuals making a consolidated effort to provide hope and answers for the lost kids in the underground communities.
While the ball is still rolling, we, as Christians, have a duty, a commission, to take advantage of the openness and come to the aid of those who are searching and hurting for answers and for love. "Goths" are surprisingly open to the gospel in this day and age, but the fact is, many people are deterred or intimidated by a big kid covered in black, spikes, and chains. We must encourage people to look past appearances and to help minister to the tens of thousands of thirsting souls out there.

Already, God is establishing a firm stronghold of saints in the underground rock music communities, which is quickly putting to shame the old notions of the neat-pressed 50's era that rock and roll is of the devil, and all who listen to it are obviously not Christians. Some of the most sincere, the most hardcore, and the most passionate spiritual warriors for Christ are emerging from the ranks of the Goth Rock movement. Just as the mighty Visigoths who brought down Rome were swept by the gospel of Christ, so the Goths of this day are turning their lives over to Christ and in doing so, are bringing down the self-righteous, self-seeking, disunified "Rome" of today. The Christian Goths of today have an obligation to do everything with what the Spirit gives us to reach out to the lost, and to swing the scythe. Truly, today, the fields are ripe for harvest. Don't miss out.