darksynth
what it is
Synthwave artists began to fully incorporate atmospheric Horror Synth with a heavier style. Led by Perturbator, Carpenter Brut, and Mega Drive in 2012, this new style of music incorporated bass heavy electro and industrial music, faster tempos, embraced ultra-violent video games and action movies, and gained massive success within the fandom. Many in the Darksynth scene actually have Metal backgrounds and have transitioned that love of heaviness from the Metal scene to the synthwave one.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make darksynth a playlist
turn these 25 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is darksynth?
Synthwave artists began to fully incorporate atmospheric Horror Synth with a heavier style. Led by Perturbator, Carpenter Brut, and Mega Drive in 2012, this new style of music incorporated bass heavy electro and industrial music, faster tempos, embraced ultra-violent video games and action movies, and gained massive success within the fandom. Many in the Darksynth scene actually have Metal backgrounds and have transitioned that love of heaviness from the Metal scene to the synthwave one.
What are good darksynth albums to start with?
Try Revenger by F.O.O.L, Leather Teeth by Carpenter Brut, Invaders by Hollywood Burns, and City of Eternal Rain by Deadlife.
Who are some women making darksynth?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/darksynth/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making darksynth, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-19