Gothic Metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that combines elements of gothic rock and doom metal. It often features dark, atmospheric soundscapes, melancholic melodies, and themes of love, loss, and the supernatural. The genre typically includes both male and female vocals, with operatic singing styles being common. The instrumentation in Gothic Metal usually includes electric guitars, keyboards, and orchestral elements, creating a rich and layered sound. Bands like Paradise Lost, Type O Negative, and Within Temptation are notable examples, each contributing to the genre's evolution and popularity since its emergence in the late 1980s.