Type O Negative

Type O Negative

Type O Negative is a Brooklyn, United States group that operates in doom metal, gothic metal, heavy metal and metal. Formed in 1989, it is known for its slow, brooding sound, down-tuned guitar riffs, deep bass lines and bass-range vocals, alongside a dry, morbid and ironic sense of humour. The band calls itself “The Drab Four”, and its music combines melodic classic rock and roll elements with doom-metal heaviness and dark atmospherics.

Style and influences

The band’s sound draws on the Beatles and Black Sabbath, with keyboard player Josh Silver also citing Pink Floyd as an influence. That interest in atmosphere is reflected in the band’s production and keyboard textures. Peter Steele, the singer, bassist and main songwriter, describes the group’s music as “bad songs written on a Tuesday night”.

Career and releases

Type O Negative forms from the remains of Carnivore and builds a wider audience with songs from the album Bloody Kisses, especially “Black No. 1” and “Christian Woman”. Bloody Kisses becomes the first album in Roadrunner Records’ catalogue to go gold and platinum. The group’s catalogue also includes Slow, Deep and Hard, Origin of The Feces, October Rust, World Coming Down, Life Is Killing Me and Dead Again.

The band also issues VHS and DVD documentaries, contributes to film soundtracks and compilation releases, and tours with acts including Pantera and Life of Agony. It also appears at Ozzfest.

Members

The group includes Peter Steele on vocals, bass guitar and songwriting, Josh Silver on keyboards, Kenny Hickey on guitar and backing vocals, Johnny Kelly on drums, and Sal Abruscato on drums. Steele dies in 2010.

Selected songs

“Black No. 1”, “Christian Woman”, “Cinnamon Girl”, “Love You to Death”, “My Girlfriend’s Girlfriend”, “Everyone I Love Is Dead”, “Everything Dies”, “I Don’t Wanna Be Me”, “Profits of Doom”, “September Sun” and “Summer Breeze” are among the songs released as singles or featured in videos.