Thursday, May 8, 2025

Looking back at "Braindead" - and a few other compilation series


The following were the main Hardcore+Gabber compilation series of the 90s.
And by this, we mean CDs that were sold globally in chain stores, super markets, gas stations, advertised on TV and in glossy magazines. I.e. we do not look at the pure underground for once - and neither at country specific stuff (like CDs that were only known in the Netherlands, or in Germany, etc ).
Also one-off stuff or limited series are not included - gotta be a long running strain of compilations.

1. Thunderdome


And various other CDs that were also done by ID&T or Arcade, had a similar style and often the same artists and tracks, such as Earthquake.

2. Terrordrome


The first few compilations were done by artists from the Netherlands and had a "Dutch Gabber" style, while the later ones were done by the Nordcore crew out of Hamburg, with their "German Hartcore" style

And Terrordrome IX had both.

3. Raver's Night + Ruffneck Collection + more


Ruffneck Records released a number of CDs that were incredibly popular.

4. Mokum compilations


Mokum had some well-known franchises too, like the "F**king Hardcore" series of CDs.

5. Braindead

Conceived by Shockwave Records and the "Street Trash Alliance".
The focal point of these CDs is the early speedcore, terror and industrial sound, and often these albums were harder than the rest.

The braindead editions have recently been made available digitally again. A good opportunity to look back at our 11 favorite tracks off these braindead CDs - from all seven official issues.


1. DJ Fistfuck - Brontofuck



Braindead 2 - The Lurking Fear
https://refusion.bandcamp.com/album/braindead-2

2. E-De Cologne - 5 Years On Gabba

Braindead 3 - Hardcore Cyberspace
https://refusion.bandcamp.com/album/braindead-3

3. Seveso - ABC-Alarm
4. Gringo - Kerosene in my Vene


Braindead 4
https://refusion.bandcamp.com/album/braindead-4

5. Sonic Overkill - I'll Be Watching You Die!
6. Amiga Shock Force - Fühlst Du Dich Wohl


Braindead 5
https://refusion.bandcamp.com/album/braindead-5

7. Napalm 10 - Napalm!!!
8. Bazooka - Bumm Bumm


Braindead 6
https://refusion.bandcamp.com/album/braindead-6

9. Sonic Overkill - Föhntwiesau


Braindead 2000
https://refusion.bandcamp.com/album/braindead-2000

10. Cromatic Destroyer - Cosm


Braindead 2003
https://refusion.bandcamp.com/album/braindead-2003

11. The Shapeshifter - Injected Part 2