Release: Various Artists - Distorsion Times E​.​P. Compilation Vol​.​2

Early Hardcore is having a huge comeback lately; 90s Trance is having its comeback, too.
But what we rarely see is the combination of the two, that existed in the 90s as well: "Ravecore", or Hardcore mixed with Hardtrance. Now, Distorsion Times from Barcelona is just the right label for that; bringing us some awesome Ravecore releases that are just as sweet as in the good old days (or even better?). As well as a healthy dose of later Hardtrance, Acid, Makina now and then.
While Distorsion Times itself seems to be a vinyl-only label, this is a digital release on Bandcamp that features some of the tracks from the label.
And it's a real killer of a release! Sweat-inducing, pumping drums, baselines, rave-choirs, percussion, even some opera-style sequences...
If you're a fan of Oldschool Rave, go right here! But even fans of the new school should enjoy these well produced Techno hymns.

https://braintrance.bandcamp.com/album/distorsion-times-e-p-compilation-vol-2

Release: The Crew Comp - Start of a new Era

The first full-length compilation by The Hardcore Crew Records.
Some well-known names here, and many upcoming and new producers. Stylistically, this is the Early Hardcore and Terror revival all the way, Speedcore, Oldschool, Rave, even a bit of Uptempo (!).
If you're into frantic and brutal music, with noise and beats blasting all the way, and a heavy Oldstyle flavor, you might want to give this a try!

https://thehardcorecrewrecords.bandcamp.com/album/thc006-the-crew-comp-start-of-a-new-era

Release: Naos - Orb Weaver [EP​-​2]

New release by Naos. An EP of previously unreleased tracks from the years 2012-2022.

Nordic Doomcore, bordering on Techno, Industrial Hardcore and Experimental music.

If you're a fan of Naos' music, be sure to check this!

https://solarnight.bandcamp.com/album/orb-weaver-ep-2

Overdog of the Past: Current 909 - The Price Of Existence Is Eternal Warfare

Atmosfear was a label existing in the Experimental Hardcore milieu of the 90s, associated with other labels like Praxis, Zero Tolerance London, Loop... but the sound of the label was quite different from the sometimes very noizy and "rough" outings of its aforementioned peers.
Instead, it focused on atmospheric Techno releases - but, to be honest, these two terms do not give the label justice, as it would be much more exact to say that it has very own, unique sounds, outside of genre terms.
The bandcamp info says the two main inspirations were: 1. the industrial, cult, underground movie and music scene of the 80s with its dark, bleak, and perverted ideas and concepts, and 2. the ecstatic Techno and Rave scene of the 90s, with its blissful euphoria and endless dancing. Creating a very paradox mixture, but one that definitely works here.

The label only saw two regular 12” releases, both by Current 909 aka DJ Pure; and this CD release.
It contains all tracks that were on the vinyls, plus plenty of bonus material.
Stand-out tracks include "The Lockdown", a very special and interesting early Doomcore affair, with pounding, grinding drums, darkest synth pads, that is pushed forward by samples from the legendary John Hillcoat movie "Ghosts... of the Civil Dead" which create a claustrophobic and anxious atmosphere with its allusion to a permanent lock down.
"Hospitalism", which probably is the best-known and most played track from the original 90s releases; an early Industrial Hardcore and Doomcore track as well, with a Terminator-like monotonous steel brutality.
"Golden Dawn", which seems to channel Lory D or Lorenz Attractor a bit, and is a very fine hypnagogic Dark Ambient / Electronic piece (peace).
Among the bonus tracks, go to "Information War", which is built around 'that' Genesis P-Orridge sample from the Hamburg-based Decoder movie and another very psychedelic Dark Ambient / Techno piece (peace).
But, essentially, all tracks are killer here, and there is not really one weak or mediocre piece (peace) on this CD.
And a rare, 21 minute live-set by Current 909 is included on this CD, too.

So, if you're into very surreal, dark electronic "Dance" music, that has some added early Doomcore / Industrial HC significance, go for it!
The CD has been digitally re-released on bandcamp at https://musicwithmachines.bandcamp.com/album/the-price-for-existence-is-eternal-warfare-2022

Release: CatKing - Style Invader

Very interesting release by CatKing on 4 The Core Recordings.

Oldschool / 90s Hardcore style, but different from what you usually get: not the typical "Early Rave" Ruffneck / Omar Santana / Mid-Era-Thunderdome etc. type, rather mid-tempo bangers bangers with "dance-y" MC vocals, wicked hoovers, "groovy" percussion; channeling the early Parkzicht-Gabber era for sure, but mixed with UK Hardcore, later Gabber and maybe even "Newstyle" influences. A hot mixture, and I must say, the tracks are hard and funky at the same time indeed.

It's nice to see a release that goes more in the direction of 1990-1993 Gabber for once in the midst of all the new "90s Hardcore Revival" releases. Rock-on!

Release: Murmuur - Rise Of The Death Gods

New 12" on Nethercords by Murmurr!
Get it here: https://murmuurnethercords.bandcamp.com/album/rise-of-the-death-gods

Review:

Spanish artist Murmuur on Australian label Nethercords.

The tracks straddle the line between Doomcore and Industrial Hardcore here, with some definite inspiration by contemporary Techno. The backbone of these tracks are the pounding drums, which come across ultra-brutal, and are sure to get some people pumping on the dark dancefloor.

Supported by hellish, demoniac wailing, screeching sounds that set the right mood.

What I like is that while there is a lot of punch in the production, it's not so "overly" laden and distorted like a lot of Industrial Hardcore releases these days.

Two tracks are original tracks by Murmuur, while the two other tracks are remixes of tracks originally by Tyrant X, who is also the label owner.

This is a record that stands apart from most Dark/Doomcore outings, first by the excellent sonic production qualities, and second by bringing in new and different ideas to these forms of music.

Definitely one for the Doom and Industrial heads, and anyone else who likes creative, hard and dark music.

Release: Marc Acardipane - One Love, Hardcore

The PCP label ended in the 90s, and people moved on.

After a while of very little output, Marc Acardipane was very active in the last years again, and brought us many great releases, such as the “...from the Gloom Chamber” album using his The Mover alias.
Yet, of course, his new music was very different from his early days at PCP. Which is a natural and logical thing; art evolves, and nostalgia is a double-edged sword.
But, being double-edged, there is also a positive momentum to nostalgia; just as not everything was good in the past, not everything was *bad* in the past either.
So there were a lot of people still longing for the Oldschool PCP sound and wondered if we ever get a release like this again.
And now, the big surprise, it's the end of 2022 and Marc drops this killer album out of nowhere!
Eight tracks in total with a variety of collaborations on many of them, such as The Ultimate MC or DJ Rob.

These tracks are in Marc's signature style again, like one would have expected from a PCP or ACA release.
So this is Marc's return, and let me tell you, he has not lost one thing! It's as if 25 years never happened and we are listening to bangers in the vein of Slaves to the Rave, Atmos-Fear, etc. again. A whole set of future classics!
So for anyone who was yearning for the original PCP Early Rave sound, here is something that will make you happy.

Powerful basses that will shock the audience (or your neighbors). Melancholic, emotional, moving sawtooh-fueled melodies that eclipse most of the stuff that is around these days. A variety of Oldschool sounds, clanks, choir-hits. And that crazy, get-your-feet-on-the-dancefloor type of MC-ing that only PCP seems to pull off so well.
There's even an Alien Christ type track included again!

Okay, and now here is the big thing:
I talked about nostalgia being a double-edged sword. How, while things were undoubtedly great in the past, one should not be *stuck* in the past, right?
And this album provides a solution to this paradox. It takes the old PCP sound, but moves it into the present, or rather, into the future.
Yes, it's Oldschool, tried and true, but at the same time it's fresh, new, modern. An evolution. Marc's style for the 21th century.

It's the best of both words. And this makes it one of the most outstanding releases of 2022 to me.

So, anyone who is even slightly into Hardcore, Techno, or PCP - go get this release!

Release: Taciturne - The Last Vigil E​.​P.

New 12" by Taciturne!

Get it here: https://aneurysmrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/taciturne-the-last-vigil-e-p

Or the digital version: https://taciturne.bandcamp.com/album/the-last-vigil-e-p

Review by Low Entropy:

Taciturne – The Last Vigil (Aneurysm 02)

"This was the music I had in my Head in 1995-1997 but was not be able to produce at that time" says the producer himself about this record.

This is actually the first new musical output by Taciturne on vinyl since 24 years! And it definitely has been worth the wait.

What do we get here? This is some type of Hardcore and Speedcore with a very strong focus on atmosphere and emotion. It feels much more like a record for contemplation and introspection than a dance-y, Gabber type of record.

Which doesn't mean the tracks would not be ultra-heavy and brutal! For they are.

It can be compared to some earlier tracks by Taciturne - "Praxis Dr. Fischer" from the Otaku compilation comes in mind. But it is a much more advanced, improved version of it.

I think I can also hear plenty of influence from French Hardcore, especially Flashcore here. For the drums, in the 306-340 BPM range, are for the most part of the short and reduced variety, compared to the average full-on noize Speedcore tracks by other producers.

As hinted above, what is especially to praise is the mood of the record. Very somber, full of sorrow, with a certain nihilist feel, but not defeatist or "disturbing for the sake of being disturbing", more like a haunting and feverish dreams that leaves one feeling drained and hopeful at the same time.

If you're a Taciturne aficionado, getting this record is a no-brainer. If not, at least take a listen to it!

This is Taciturne at his maximum capabilities again.

What Are The Hardcore Overdogs? - Mission Statement

This E-zine was started for the following reason.
Lately, there have been many interesting and fascinating developements in the world of Hardcore and related genres. New styles and movements emerged, or older ones got a "new wind". There are many new producers who create fantastic stuff, or veterans who keep putting out gems.
But, most of that is complete ignored by or unknown to people; there are artists, who are complete masters of their art, that are constantly overlooked, etc.
People keep looking to the same few producers / DJs / labels and are not aware of most things beyond this.
Usually, these new artists are only known to a small group of people, small circles which are made up by people who often are producers of similar music themselves.

At the same time, people complain that "contemporary" Hardcore is boring compared to the good, old Hardcore of the past.
But that's not true. There is so much music around that is just as good, and often even better than the glorious Hardcore of the past.
It's just that these tracks and artists are virtually unknown to most people.

This E-Zine wants to change that. It aims to feature artist that make marvelous and groundbreaking stuff, but that are far away from the "mainstream spotlight".
To put those in the front spot that deserve it.
And to show that there have been many great releases and tracks in the world of Hardcore lately.
That a lot of good and bold Hardcore can be found even, or especially, in contemporary times. Which should not be overlooked.

But we will also feature artists and DJs that have a huge audience but whose output still sticks out from the mainstream.
After all, in the end, in times of the internet - being a "known" or "unknown" artist might be up to definition - some producer could be a legend to 1000s of people and still be totally unknown to the rest.
That's why we won't be strict or get into debates of "Underground Elitism".
We won't be too rigid with "stylistic" limitations, either. We will occasionally feature interesting music that might not be strictly considered "Hardcore", too. Especially if it's connected to the Hardcore scene in some way (side project, same label, etc.), but even when it's not.
And we want to showcase Hardcore releases and projects from the past that keep getting overlooked. In this realm, many treasures are still to be found, too.


The general idea is to feature music and artists that differs and stands out from the mainstream of Hardcore in one way or the other.

This is our mission statement.

Welcome to the Hardcore Overdogs!