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Hardcore techno, often referred to as just "hardcore", is a style of electronic music
Electronic music

Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology....
 that originated in the early-to-mid-1990s in multiple locations including the Netherlands, Germany
Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea; to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic; to the south by Austria and Switzerland; and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands....
, Italy
Italy

Italy , officially the Italian Republic , is a country located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe and on the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia....
, Belgium
Belgium

* A small German-speaking Community of Belgium exists in eastern Wallonia. Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political and cultural conflicts are reflected in the history of Belgium and a complex Communities and regions of Belgium....
 and the UK. The style is typified by a fast tempo. and the rhythmic use of distorted and atonal
Atonality

Atonality in its broadest sense describes music that lacks a Tonality, or Key . Atonality in this sense usually describes compositions written from about 1908 to the present day where a hierarchy of pitches focusing on a single, central tone is not used and the notes of the chromatic scale function independently of one another ....
 industrial
Industrial music

Industrial music comprises many styles of experimental music, including many forms of electronic music. The term was coined in the mid-1970s to describe Industrial Records artists....
-like beats and samples.

core techno is usually composed using music sequencer
Music sequencer

A music sequencer is software or hardware designed to create and manage computer-generated music.Originally, music sequencers did not include the ability to record audio....
s, and many earlier tracks were produced on home computers with module
Module file

Module files are a family of music file formats related to the MOD file format on Amiga systems.Module files store several patterns or pages of music data in a form similar to that of a spreadsheet....
 tracker
Tracker

Tracker is the generic term for a class of software music sequencers which, in their purest form, allow the user to arrange sound samples stepwise on a timeline across several Monaural Channel ....
 software.






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Hardcore techno, often referred to as just "hardcore", is a style of electronic music
Electronic music

Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology....
 that originated in the early-to-mid-1990s in multiple locations including the Netherlands, Germany
Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea; to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic; to the south by Austria and Switzerland; and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands....
, Italy
Italy

Italy , officially the Italian Republic , is a country located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe and on the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia....
, Belgium
Belgium

* A small German-speaking Community of Belgium exists in eastern Wallonia. Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political and cultural conflicts are reflected in the history of Belgium and a complex Communities and regions of Belgium....
 and the UK. The style is typified by a fast tempo. and the rhythmic use of distorted and atonal
Atonality

Atonality in its broadest sense describes music that lacks a Tonality, or Key . Atonality in this sense usually describes compositions written from about 1908 to the present day where a hierarchy of pitches focusing on a single, central tone is not used and the notes of the chromatic scale function independently of one another ....
 industrial
Industrial music

Industrial music comprises many styles of experimental music, including many forms of electronic music. The term was coined in the mid-1970s to describe Industrial Records artists....
-like beats and samples.

Production techniques

Hardcore techno is usually composed using music sequencer
Music sequencer

A music sequencer is software or hardware designed to create and manage computer-generated music.Originally, music sequencers did not include the ability to record audio....
s, and many earlier tracks were produced on home computers with module
Module file

Module files are a family of music file formats related to the MOD file format on Amiga systems.Module files store several patterns or pages of music data in a form similar to that of a spreadsheet....
 tracker
Tracker

Tracker is the generic term for a class of software music sequencers which, in their purest form, allow the user to arrange sound samples stepwise on a timeline across several Monaural Channel ....
 software. Some examples of the software used are Fruity Loops Studio and Reason.The wide availability of computers, combined with the absence of financial remuneration, means that many hardcore techno musicians write for their own enjoyment and the pleasure of innovation.

Styles of hardcore

As Hardcore continues to grow each different type of hardcore (each subgenre) begins to attract a larger fan base and more support from producers. As new subgenres grow they can become extremely different than other subgenres that are also referred to as "Hardcore."

Hardcore has also spawned several subgenres and derivative styles including:
  • New Beat
    New Beat

    "New Beat" is a music term that was used twice during the 80s. It also refers to an underground 80s Belgian music style....
     - Unlike most of its hardcore brethren this music is generally slow (tracks range from 80 bpm
    Beats per minute

    Beats per minute is a unit typically used as either a measure of tempo in music, or a measure of one's heart rate. A rate of 60 bpm means that one beat will occur every second....
     to 120 bpm). This made the music sound harder and more sinister, essentially influencing electronic hardcore.
  • Old-Skool aka Breakbeat hardcore
    Breakbeat hardcore

    Breakbeat hardcore is a derivate of acid house that combines 4-to-the-floor rhythms with breakbeats, and is associated with UK Rave scene....
     - This retrospective
    Retrospective

    Retrospective generally means to take a look back at events that already have taken place. For example, the term is used in medicine, describing a look back at a patient's medical history or lifestyle....
     term is usually reserved for tracks produced in the early 90's, a large period of growth for Hardcore. Lots of piano rolls, bouncy basslines and breakbeats and plenty of female vocals and classic "rave" sounds.
  • Happy hardcore
    Happy hardcore

    Happy Hardcore is a form of dance music typified by a very fast tempo , often coupled with solo vocals, and sentimental lyrics. Its characteristically Time signature "happy" sound distinguishes it from most other forms of breakbeat hardcore, which tend to be "darker"....
     is a form of dance music typified by a very fast tempo (usually around 165-180 bpm), often coupled with male or female vocals, and sentimental lyrics. Popular in the UK, Australia and Spain, amongst other countries. Generally has a large cult following known as "Candy ravers".
  • Makina
    Makina

    M?kina, "Bakalao", and "Poky" are electronic music genres originated in Spain, similar in sound to UK Hardcore, but with certain elements of bouncy techno among other differences....
     - Fast electronic dance music from Spain, fairly similar to happy hardcore.
  • UK hardcore
    UK hardcore

    UK hardcore is a broad term to describe the evolved United Kingdom rave lineage 4/4-kick Bass drum and breakbeat fueled sound, which emerged around the start of the 1990s and grew in strength during the 21st century....
     - Modern form of happy hardcore, less childish feel with supersaw leads.
  • Freeform hardcore - Hardcore with strong influence of trance
    Trance

    Trance denotes a variety of processes, techniques, modalities and states of mind, awareness and consciousness. Trance states may occur involuntarily and unbidden....
    , mainly instrumental.
  • Hardcore Breaks
    Hardcore Breaks

    Hardcore breaks is a genre of electronic music written in the style of old skool rave music or breakbeat hardcore using modern technology. The music is composed of from looped, edited and processed breakbeat samples, intense bassline sounds, melodic piano lines, staccato synthesizer riffs, and various vocal samples ....
     - Written in the style of old-skool rave music or breakbeat hardcore using modern technology and production techniques.
  • Gabber - Most popular in The Netherlands
    Netherlands

    The Netherlands is a country that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is a parliamentary democratic constitutional monarchy. The Netherlands is located in North-West Europe, and bordered by the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east....
    , Germany
    Germany

    Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea; to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic; to the south by Austria and Switzerland; and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands....
    , Italy
    Italy

    Italy , officially the Italian Republic , is a country located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe and on the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia....
     and Belgium
    Belgium

    * A small German-speaking Community of Belgium exists in eastern Wallonia. Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political and cultural conflicts are reflected in the history of Belgium and a complex Communities and regions of Belgium....
    , characterized by heavy bass drum sound, usually created with distortion, generally 150-220 bpm.
  • Doomcore
    Doomcore

    Doomcore is a type of electronic music, and a less known subgenre of hardcore techno. The first doomcore tracks were released in early 1990s, and they continued the slower, and darker style of the first hardcore tracks....
     aka Darkcore - Down-Tempo, characterized by reverb on detuned semi-distorted kicks on eerie synth pads.
  • Noisecore aka Industrial hardcore - Hardcore influenced by industrial music
    Industrial music

    Industrial music comprises many styles of experimental music, including many forms of electronic music. The term was coined in the mid-1970s to describe Industrial Records artists....
    , characterized by harsh beats.
  • Digital Hardcore
    Digital hardcore

    Digital hardcore is a music genre fusing elements of hardcore punk and various forms of electronic music. It developed in Germany during the early 1990s....
     - Hardcore Punk influenced Hardcore techno.
  • Breakcore
    Breakcore

    Breakcore is an electronic music style that brings together elements of Industrial music, jungle music, hardcore techno and Intelligent dance music into a breakbeat-oriented sound that encourages speed, complexity, impact and maximum sonic density....
     - Uses distorted, fragmented breakbeats and sampling to create a hectic effect.
  • Speedcore
    Speedcore

    Speedcore is a type of techno that is typically identified by its high rate of beats per minute and aggressive themes. The range of bpm is quite vague, some people claim the minimum beats per minute start at 230bpm, but this is not clear....
     - With tracks that can range from 250 bpm up to 15000 bpm, often featuring heavy distortion. Not to be confused with Thrashcore
    Thrashcore

    Thrashcore is a fast tempo music genre of hardcore punk that emerged in the early 1980s. Thrashcore is essentially sped-up hardcore punk, with bands often using blast beats....
     or Speed metal
    Speed metal

    Speed metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music originating in the early 1980s, rooted in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and hardcore punk....
    . Also named splittercore (when it's around 700 bpm) and extratone (when it's more than 1000 bpm).
  • Terrorcore
    Terrorcore

    Terrorcore, terror is a music genre. It originated in Frankfurt in 1994 with the birth of the record label Kotzaak . For a short time, terrorcore artists began to appear in Europe, with Netherlands and Germany having the largest terror scenes....
     - refers to more extreme verison of 'regular gabber', with a highly aggressive theme, modern tracks using same bass drum sound as nu-style gabber.
  • Frenchcore - influenced by old school gabber, has a bouncy feel created by the bassdrum that is influenced by 909 kick, but is made with synths.
  • UK gabber - takes influence from number of styles (notabily breakcore) to produce a progessive high tempo style, with a unique reverb-like bass drum.


Often certain substyles of hardcore are classified by the city or country in which they are produced, such as the Frankfurt sound, the French sound, the Tokyo sound etc.

Notable producers

  • 3 Steps Ahead
  • Angerfist
    Angerfist

    Danny Masseling , best known as Angerfist, is a Hardcore techno musician and DJ....
  • Bang!
    Bang! (hardcore)

    Bang! are a British happy hardcore group from the late 1990s originally consisting of producer Nick Arnold, Tom Orton and female vocalist Donna Grassie....
  • Breeze
    Mark Breeze

    Mark Breeze, also known as DJ Breeze , is a happy hardcore producer based in the United Kingdom. He is most known for his songs "Let's Fly" and "Jump a Little Higher," and frequently contributes DJ mixes to hardcore compilation series, such as the Clubland X-Treme Hardcore series....
  • Charly Lownoise & Mental Theo
    Charly Lownoise & Mental Theo

    Charly Lownoise & Mental Theo is a DJ duo from the Netherlands. They are best known for their successful happy hardcore songs, but have also produced gabber records....
  • Darren Styles
    Darren Styles

    Darren Styles, born Darren James Mew is a British Hardcore DJ, Record Producer, song writer and occasional singer who achieved success touring at events such as Hardcore Heaven and Hardcore Paradise....
  • Delta 9
    Delta 9

    Dave Rodgers, better known as Delta 9, is a hardcore techno DJ/Record producer from Chicago.Delta 9 has been producing since 1994, starting with Deep 13 & The Hate Tank on Drop Bass Network Records....
  • DJ Mad Dog
    DJ Mad Dog

    Filippo Calcagni, also known as Dj Mad Dog, started his DJ career just as joke. In 1995 after 3 years of hard work with the tecnichs, he met two friends with whom he formed a team: HARDCORE TERRORISTS....
  • Endymion
    Endymion

    Endymion may refer to:Fictional characters:*Endymion , Greek shepherd*Prince Endymion, a form of Mamoru Chiba in the Sailor Moon series...
  • Euphoria
    Euphoria (music project)

    Euphoria is a Canada trance, techno, and electronica music project led by Ken Ramm, the latest album being Precious Time .Their 1999 self-titled effort featured guest appearances by Geddy Lee , Roy Babbington , Anne Dudley , and gospel singer Juliette Roberts....
  • Gammer
    Gammer

    Gammer is a Uk_hardcore DJ and Record producer.Gammer made his first appearance in the hardcore scene during 2002 and since he has gone on to be a very successful and prolific producer, being best known for his extensive discography on the revamped Essential Platinum label....
  • Liam Howlett
    Liam Howlett

    Liam Paris Howlett is a Disc Jockey and core member of the United Kingdom band The Prodigy....
     (The Prodigy
    The Prodigy

    The Prodigy are a British people electronic music group formed by Liam Howlett in 1990, in Braintree, Essex, England. Along with Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers and The Crystal Method, as well as other acts they are pioneers of the big beat electronic dance genre which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s, and are known for high-qua...
    )
  • Luna-C
    Luna-C

    Luna-C is a United Kingdom DJ and record producer, known for his work in breakbeat hardcore music. He made up a third of the Rave music group Smart E's in 1992, which had a number 2 hit in the UK with a remix of the Sesame Street Theme music ....
  • Mescalinum United
  • Milo
    Milo

    Milo may refer to:* Milo , a male name with a variety of unrelated and partly uncertain origins...
  • Nasenbluten
    Nasenbluten

    Nasenbluten were a Newcastle, NSW, Australia recording and performance group, who pioneered hardcore techno, gabber , amigacore and cheapcore music....
  • Neophyte
    Neophyte (band)

    Neophyte is an influential and well-known Hardcore techno, or gabber, group formed in 1992 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The three original members are Jeroen Streunding , Danny Greten and Robin van Roon....
  • Party Animals
    Party Animals (musical group)

    Party Animals are a pop-gabber group from The Netherlands. The band was created by producers Jeff Porter, Jeroen Flamman together with vocalists MCs Remsy, Evert van Buschbach, Patrick de Moor, Dennis Adam and Paul Gromm?....
  • Paul Elstak
  • Radium
    Radium 226.05

    Radium 226.05 originally started as an art gallery in Gothenburg, Sweden. It later expanded into a record label for experimental music and pop music, a magazine and an organizer of a filmfestival, screenings and exhibitions....
  • Rotterdam Terror Corps
    Rotterdam Terror Corps

    Rotterdam Terror Corps is a Dutch gabber group formed in 1993 that is known for its hard beats and is considered by many as a pioneer in the genre, for instance they created landmark songs such as, "God is a gabber", "Masters of Hardcore", "Unleash Hell" and "Rotterdam Hooligan"....
  • Scott Brown
    Scott Brown (DJ)

    Scott Alexander Brown is a Glasgow-based Scottish DJ and music producer. Brown produces and plays a variety of genres commonly called rave. Although he is most associated with bouncy techno, his music ranges from happy hardcore, through hard trance, to gabber....
  • Sharkey
    DJ Sharkey

    Sharkey is a popular United Kingdom DJ/Rapping/producer, and one of the key originators of the Freeform hardcore genre of hardcore dance music....
  • DJ Sharpnel
    DJ Sharpnel

    DJ Sharpnel is the collective alias for Japanese electronic artists Jea and Lemmy. Via their independent label SHARPNELSOUND, they release albums consisting of their own speedcore, gabber, happy hardcore and Trance music works as well as guest tracks from acquaintances of the group, such as DJ Chucky, m1dy, and M-Project....


See also

  • Digital hardcore
    Digital hardcore

    Digital hardcore is a music genre fusing elements of hardcore punk and various forms of electronic music. It developed in Germany during the early 1990s....
  • Four to the floor
    Four to the floor

    Four-to-the-floor or four-on-the-floor is a musical rhythm pattern used in dance music that is characterized by a steady, uniformly accented beat played on the bass drum in 4/4 time ....
  • Gabber
    Gabber

    Gabber , gabba or hardcore dance music, is a style of electronic music and a subgenre of hardcore techno. "Gabber" literally means "buddy" or "friend"....
  • Hard dance
    Hard dance

    Hard Dance is an umbrella term that refers to the grouping of modern electronic music dance music genres. The term usually includes genres such as UK Hard House, Hard NRG, Hard Trance, and Hardstyle....
  • List of electronic music genres
    List of electronic music genres

    This is a list of electronic music genres, sub-genres and styles, though for the latter, not all possess their own article .*Ambient music**Ambient house...