Type O Negative were an American gothic metal band formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1989, led by bassist-vocalist Peter Steele until his death in 2010. Bloody Kisses (1993) and October Rust (1996) are the essentials — doom-slow riffs, Steele's deep baritone, and gallows humor nobody has matched. Dig into Type O Negative vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
Type O Negative formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1989, led by the towering bassist and vocalist Peter Steele (1962-2010), a veteran of the band Carnivore. The lineup included Josh Silver (keyboards), Kenny Hickey (guitar), and Johnny Kelly (drums). The band cultivated a distinctive gothic identity and a devoted cult following. Peter Steele died of heart failure in 2010, bringing the band to an end.
Type O Negative blended gothic metal, doom metal, gothic rock, and dark, romantic atmospherics, marked by Steele's deep baritone, lush keyboard textures, slow heavy riffs, and a streak of self-aware gallows humor. Their sound, sometimes dubbed drab or gothic doom, influenced gothic and doom metal and earned them a singular place in 1990s heavy music.
Bloody Kisses and October Rust have been reissued in colored-vinyl and anniversary editions, prized by gothic metal collectors. Original Roadrunner pressings and green-vinyl variants (a nod to the band's aesthetic) are particularly sought after.
Listeners new to Type O Negative often start with Bloody Kisses (1993) or October Rust (1996). For related listening, see and .
