New tutorial for using AI in Techno music production

We at The Hardcore Overdogs have been covering topics related to Artificial Intelligence and music right from the beginning!

So here is a link to a new feature at our partners at lAibyrinth:

How to write music using ChatGPT: Part 2 - Making an Oldschool Acid Techno track

https://laibyrinth.blogspot.com/2023/08/how-to-write-music-using-chatgpt-part-2.html

Rare live footage from 90s Hardcore Techno parties

Before the rise of smartphones and cheap camera recorders for everyone, it was not usual that videos of hardcore techno raves were made. Sure, the "big organisations" released a "live" vhs now and then - but these usually featured videos from the parties, with the audio removed and replaced by a random track of a CD! I never understood that concept. Would you like to watch a "live performance" by a rock band, but without  audio, and instead you hear one of their songs from a CD, and not even the one they perform?

Doesn't make sense.

Anyway, real, actual recordings from 90s Hardcore Raves, together with the true sound of that party are rare.

And we think the live sound is the most important thing. It shows the true vibe and power of the party, and how brutal, frantic and energetic these parties really were.

So here is some actual live footage from genuine hardcore techno raves of the 90s.

Sound (and video) quality varies between clips, so take care should you listen to them on loud headphones.

These clips have been taken from various sources; if you are one of the original recorders, and object that your clip is here, let us know, and we will remove it.

Woof!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhsFaJcpU2c

Mental Hardcore Health Newsletter #2

Mental Hardcore Health Newsletter #2

Today's topic: "There is no sex in Hardcore, or: Hardcore on the streets, zero action in the sheets"

Part 1

It's time to tackle one of the biggest taboos in the "Hardcore scene".

Which is: there is no sex in Hardcore. Or rather: there is very little sex in Hardcore. Or rather:

Many, many people in the Hardcore scene only rarely have sex, or no sex at all.

There might be various reasons for this:

1. Many people in the "scene" live socially isolated lives, alone, or "in their parents' basement", or in a similar situation, with few or zero friends, don't go out, don't go to parties, so it's hard to meet someone.

2. Many people in the scene have heavy mental health problems such as agoraphobia or social phobias, which makes it difficult, too, or they might even have mental health issues that makes it 100% impossible for them to be in a relationship, or to have sex.

3. When you listen to extreme Hardcore Techno, "normal society" usually assumes you're a evil twisted psychopath, sick and deranged. Which does not really "attract" people. If you live in a big urban modern metropolis, maybe you can get by, but if you are outside "western civilization" or in a rural area, being a hardcore head might make you a social outcast (and loner) forever.

4. Asexuality. I don't really like these terms, but obviously a lot of people in the scene are on the so-called asexual spectrum.

Asexuality is a bit more complicated than other "identities". For example, there are asexuals who are crazy for pornography and *fantasize* about 'sexual intercourse' but would never be interested to do 'the act' in reality.

These terms and "sex theories" aside, there are simply lots of people in the scene that are just "not that interested" in sex.

5. Which brings us to this part. Some people just have different or higher priorities than sex.

They might be interested in sex, and would do it, but it's just not very high on their priority list.

Just as some inventors or business-people in the past refrained from having sex in order to be able to fully focus on their tasks and goals, people might want to focus on hardcore and music first - instead of romancing, dating etc.

6. Hardcore appears to incorporate some anti-sex elements. I know some people that are into a promiscuous, fetish, kink lifestyle, with "lots of sex", who told me they rarely had "encounters" or "opportunities" within the hardcore scene or with hardcore people.

It seems that hardcore itself is blocking out sex.

7. And this leads to the final point. Hardcore music itself can be a kind of orgasmic experience that releases sexual energy. And that can be enough for some people.

At least that's been hinted at by a few individuals.

There are of course many more possible explanations, or a combination of these. I just wanted to list some of them.

Part 2

Now let's get more into the "mental health aspect".

Society is kind of torn right now, between some people who are very sex crazy on the one hand (no problem with that) and "incels" and other type of people who "lack" sex, are full of hate, blame women, "minorities", and so on (lots of problems with that!).

This often generates very heated debates (pun intended) and blots out a meaningful discourse.

So let's sober up a bit and talk more sensible about it.

Part 3

And here is the good message (and the message is clear).

It's okay if you don't have a lot of sex. It's okay if you're asexual. It's okay if you are not very much interested in having sex. It's also okay if you would like to have sex but are prevented from it for whatever reason (for example by mental health issues).

You are not a loser because of this, and should not feel like one.

"Sex is nice" but it doesn't define a complete person.

You are just like you are, and this is okay, and you should live like you want to, regardless of what other people think.

All these things mentioned here are still very big societal taboos, and it's time people talk about it more openly.

---End of newsletter

Archive:

Mental Hardcore Health Newsletter #1

The Short Bios: Hellcreator

We started a new feature series called "The Short Bios" in which we ask DJs and producers of Hardcore spectrum 16 questions so that they can showcase themselves, their music, their activities and so on.

So it's like a short bio / interview.

This time we asked Hellcreator

1. Tell us a little about yourself, who you are, where you a from, etc. a little introduction.

Hi,I am Ritchie i am from Arnhem the Netherlands 

i am Busy as a Producer & Artist for nearly 13 years now

2. How did you get involved in Hardcore and its subgenres?

i got involved into hardcore music at a very young age 

when i was 5 i got into contact with it to my School Driver

which first started as a Experiment to get me more quiet 

in the Taxi but instead i began liking the music very much

and become more restless at school until i got back into 

the Taxi again to listen the CD's further

3. What inspires you as a producer?

what inspires me as a producer is the way how music flows 

i have a lot of influences that are both from Hardcore as well 

as Synthesizer music Metal and other genres 

usually what inspires me is story telling 

4. What DAW or equipment are you using for your music?

i use FL Studio for 13 years now 

but since a while ago i began investing into hardware 

as well because i like to experiment and expand the 

possibilities

5. Is there something particular you want to express with your music? Emotions, an idea, something political?

Yes, for most of the times i express my own emotions and 

feelings or philosophical ideas i noticed that my sadness 

or pain or crazy positivity helps people too who are at their 

bottom line points in life and it gives them hope not to give up 

6. What are some tracks or releases you did that you are especially proud of? Let us know.

oof good question i think for me to name a few 

would be Heart of a Dragon/Future Destiny/Once in a Lifetime

and Timeless but also Untold Prophecy with Dr Peacock 

in fact all tracks are in story line with each other 

but all on a different part in the timeline 

7. Any good / bad experiences that you had with gigs and want to mention?

hmmm i had some performances that want waaay of the 1/10 scale 

and gave me the best moments i ever had and i also had some gigs 

in which the organisation was not so respectful towards the artists

but all in all usually the parties are good and i always enjoy myself 

8. Any other interesting / funny / emotional story that you had in your "Hardcore history" that you want to share?

hmmm i think i have too much stories but this one means a lot to me as well

a while ago my younger brother was in the hospital after he had a mental breakdown 

and i began writing the track a Heart of a Dragon in the end this track was well 

received by a lot of audiences and it gave him the power to get through a lot 

since he produces music too i believe he is busy with either film or game music 

these days 

9. What other artists do you admire?

if you ask me i admire a lot of artists but i think its more Respect in my opinion

the ones im looking after too are the new talents in the scene because they also 

hold the key to the Future after us and what i like to see these days is that the 

generation gap is closing more and more transforming co-operations between the 

new generation and older generations 

10. What are some of your favorite records or tracks?

hmm 

Creatures of the Occult The Antidote for the War Starting Religions

Sadisk & Cynomoth - Pact one LP

Kotzaak Records 

these 2 Records got me into Terror Music next the music from 

CSR & GGM 

11. What are you aiming for in your music? Any goals, visions, things that you want to achieve?

my visions or goals 

well to make a lot of fun wherever i go 

making new stories and music along the way 

and enjoy my life as much as i can 

12. What are your plans for the near future? Upcoming releases, gigs, and such.

my plans for the near future is 

working on a new CD Album & Vinyl Release 

kicking ass at performances 

13. What do you think of the "Hardcore scene" right now? Anything you'd like to change?

hmmmm with the hardcore scene... i see a stable growth

in diversity i m not sure if i would want to change something

i see people getting fair chances and besides there's never been

so much parties in shorter times with good line-ups as far as i can remember

14. What other music besides Hardcore do you like, or are involved in?

Synthwave / Synthesizer Music / Atmospheric Blackmetal 

these 3 i listen the music occasionally some hiphop too 

everything that goes deep actually 

15. What other interests or activities besides strictly music do you want to mention? Like painting art, movies or political activism...

well i am a big fan movies especially Science Fiction & Horror 

as for the rest i like to walk in forests or go urban exploring 

16. Anything else you want to tell our readers? Whatever it is, feel free to tell our readers!

Yeah, Never give up and do what you believe in 

not what others say that you must do 

believe in yourself and know that you have the power

to change your life or the world around it

Social Media:

https://soundcloud.com/hellcreator-official

https://www.facebook.com/hellcreator.official

lAibyrinth - new project regarding AI, music, techno, and more

Announcing the start of a new project.

https://laibyrinth.blogspot.com/

Researching and exploring the world of AI, and it's limitless possibilities, especially relating to music, fiction, poetry, and other forms of media.

For example, you can find AI-generated Cyberpunk short stories here, Hardcore Techno poetry, prompts to run a Twin Peaks inspired interactive fiction game, and much, much more.

Associated with the The Hardcore Overdogs e-zine and Omnicore Records.

Interesting Hardcore Cover Artworks (Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_F0LbtXD7o

Starting the series of the The Hardcore Overdogs features.

Hardcore has always been more than just a "subgenre" of Techno or Electronic music. A world of its own, special, crazy, wild, wonderful, unique.

With its own concepts, its own heros, its own myths, its own fans, its own culture, and its own - art!

This video showcases some of the artwork that can be found on Hardcore Techno vinyl records. We find these works of art outstanding, interesting, and not to be forgotten!

There is a special focus on releases of the 90s era here.

Taking graphics from both covers, inlays, and everything else.

So enjoy this slide, and maybe you feel intrigued by this art, too.

Uses art of:

Somatic Responses - Sub Space Distorters

FFM Shadow Orchestra - Killing Zoo

Industria - Tome 1

Atari Teenage Riot - 1995

Brandon Spivey - The Atomic Clock!

Mouse – Halloween EP

Disintegrator - Target Terminated

Subtopia - The Mob Rules

Leathernecks - Test Attack

Industrial Terror Squad – Da Basdardz Are Back

S37 - En Ordentlig Omgang Røvsutning. Uden Ost - Tak!

Society Of Unknowns - Society Of Unknowns

Christoph De babalon - Destroy Berlin

Atari teenage riot - Speed / Midijunkies

Taciturne - Ebizieme

Terrorists - Error by terror

Fields of Defacement - Desorientatet E.P.

No name - Les Loups Des Trois Lunes

Eradicator - Agit Prop LP

SuperPower – The Future Crusade

The Horrorist – One Night In N.Y.C.

Smash? – Korreckte Atmosphaere

Senical - Dark Domestic Temper

Auto-Psy - Necrophage

Christoph De Babalon - Love under will

Cyberchrist – First Mission

 Deadly Buda – Playing Echoes In Your Head!

Somatics Responses - Passages EP

Choose* – Sufficient Relativities E.P.

Nasenbluten - Cheapcore EP

Burning lazy persons - Leave Me Alone

Hardcore, my Religion - Tracks that deal with the topic of religion and spirituality

Hardcore music can be about a lot of things: partying, drugs, sex; but also about more serious topics like politics, culture - and religion.

Religion and spirituality are actually two very common themes in Hardcore tracks. Likely due to the dark and twisted nature of Hardcore, they usually venture into occultism, spiritism, and such matters - but there are also those who walk on a quite different path, and in the end, there is actually a lot of variety.

Note: unless otherwise mentioned, we don't want to imply these producers actually "believe" in these concepts, or are faithful zealots to the cause. In many times, it might just be use of samples to create a certain mood, or "for kicks". We do not know it.

It's about tracks that address or reference religion in one way or the other. Just like, for example, a movie director might address themes related to the catholic church, without being a catholic himself.

This list is far from being complete!

But for now, go ahead, and let these tracks raise your consciousness and soul - or lower it.

Christianity

Sounds of doom - Strings of him

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdFvdJtYXKg

Christian Gabber is very rare indeed, but here is a track. The angelic choirs and strings make the message clear.

Taciturne - Mourning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8oQYVpWpDg

The backbone of this track is a loop of sacred, christian chanting, that permeates the whole track and establishes a contemplative, meditative sentiment.

George Vagas Meets Mike D - Hyperdome (Heavens Version)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYqHgbnqGYc

Uses part of the Lord's Prayer, before getting into angelic sounds mixed with tough hardcore beats.

Mescalinum United - Vs. Evil (A New Level)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq7gMStSVDg

Samples Father Merrin from the movie The Exorcist:

"Save your servant who trusts in you, my God. Let her find in you, Lord, a fortified tower."

Which references Proverbs in the bible.

Nasenbluten - Concrete Compressor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8R9oesBDAo

Samples infamous televangelist Billy Graham telling us: "I believe you are here by divine appointment. I believe this is your night with Almighty God."

We doubt Nasenbluten are faithful Christian souls, though.

Buddhism

FFM Shadow Orchestra - Yamantaka 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9HgomQYw2o

Embodying sounds that resemble Tibetan throat chanting. Apparently based on a Buddhist ritual called Yamantaka "the terminator of death".

(A dark ambient track on a Hardcore EP).

Deadly Buda - This Style Is Terrific 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lUJrwmyK2k

The reference is in the artist name (obviously).

Hinduism

Arjuna & Beyonder - Shoot that Motherfuck 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpkQijwX8sQ

"Arjuna (Sanskrit: अर्जुन, IAST: Arjuna), also known as Partha and Dhananjaya, is the central protagonist of the Hindu epic Mahabharata."

Satanism

Disciples of Belial: Lucifer We Praise Thee 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vFrzJnmx_g

Track by the theistic satanist band Disciples of Belial. The musicians involved also started some Black / Death Metal projects.

Jack Lucifer - After all Wars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzsyDFiDup8

Lucifer again!

Atheistic

Brandon Spivey - Reality Asylum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaN8JOAb73A

Based on the 70s punk epic of the same name by Anarchist band crass.

One of the most consequential and all-out attacks on Christianity and religion ever.

"I am no feeble christ".

Occultism

Dr. Macabre - Poltergeist

https://hauntedhouserecords.bandcamp.com/track/poltergeist

Based on the movie of the same name. A true Hardcore classic.

Stickhead & Don Demon - Demonhead

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SkIMq-OzOk

One example of a track (out of many, for we are legion!) that topically deals with demons.

Judaism

Party Animals - Hava Naquila

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2CGC1ifB0w

This well-known Jewish song gets a cheerful hardcore treatment.

Islam

The Possessed - The Lord Is My Avenger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S60vudmks6A

The title seems to imply a christian connection, but the track itself is made up of muslim chanting.

A very interesting creation!

Trip Commando - Eastern Origin (Chorus Mix)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njdxF1ej9UQ

Another track that draws heavily on an oriental / middle eastern feel.

Nordic Religion

Zultan - De Dondergod

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUaizEH58cg

Track referencing the god of thunder, Thor.

Neuwerk - Instructions From Walhalla

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqEiLHHq6jU

Another Nordic reference.

Rastafarian

Alec Empire - Burn Babylon Burn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLlnPHZ-2Xc

Countless of tracks use ragga samples, but often there is no clear Rastafarian connection.

Here the connection is clear, but there are no samples.

Thelema

Christoph de Babalon - Love Under Will EP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbKKJoEfHRs

Referencing Aleister Crowley's famous slogan "I am the love - love under will".

Egypt

R-Zac - Horus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct8f3Fttagg

Early teknival hardcore with a sacred Egypt feel.

Congolese Religion

Nkisi - Lament (The World Is Ending)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXipFn-ASWk

Nkisi is influenced and inspired by the Bantu-Kongo Cosmology.

Gnosticism

Astrid Gnosis - Drop Dead

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbdBftaiJZI

A powerful Gnostic hardcore project. Check out her other tracks as well!

Greek

Nosferatu - No God To Us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2BhMiu3mr8

"If you want to play god and call yourself Apollo, that's your business, but you're no god to us, Mister."

Folk religion

Dominion - Unicorn Evils

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSsRLLpzCuc

Arktis & Liquidator - Das Einhorn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDC7p5bpjKI

Two tracks referencing the belief in unicorns.

Kaballah

Hecate - Ascension Chamber

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMSUbjSvjng

A concept LP based on the Jewish Kabbalah.

Yoga

Masters Of Torture - Power Of Yoga

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ua-ZFcRTyQ

"Concentration... magnified by the power of yoga". Played by Laurent Hô in his legendary Mayday '94 set.

Native American

Deadly Buda - Ghostdance 95

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXxH4tRW-aY

The Ghost Dance was a Native American ceremony, employed to strengthen their spirituality and to stop the conquest and colonization of northern america by the settlers.

Terrorists - A : Merica

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvMsvNu4HrY

"America is not a young land. It is old and dirty and evil. Before the settlers, before the [natives]. The evil was there... waiting"

Witchcraft

The Horrorist - Into The Moonbeam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1PEJk3PmGo

"Up in the moonbeam, the witch flies by."

Esoteric

Nexus - Kozmik

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-7NUpXKKLU

Track with a transcendental and mystical feel. Very kozmik indeed!

Shitness & The Jackal- The Fire Is The Centre

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVLfcXKGv9M

"The fire is the centre and the centre is god" (and you are way off course, buddy!)

And with these insightful words, we conclude this sermon.

History of Hamburg Hardcore - Fischkopf, Cross Fade Enter Tainment, Nordcore and Blut

Originally published in The Hard Data magazine in 2017 (!) https://www.theharddata.com/

Hamburg is a more than 800 year old harbor town in the north of Germany. As such, it was always also a hotspot for a wide range of subcultures, cranks and crooks, rowdy sailors, prostitutes, pirates that found their place in shady pubs, back alleys and similar dark places.

I entered Hamburg in 1980 by birth, so I can't tell you much about the 60s or 70s of Hamburg, but in the 80s, it was a place for anarchists, punks, rioters and similar people - creating the current for places of alternate music and political views to be set up. This is a bit of a back story for what happened in the 90s in Hamburg, regarding the then emerging hardcore techno scene.

Fischkopf

Container Records was a record store in the red light zone of Hamburg - the Reeperbahn - one story above a store for alternate clothing. It was focused on techno music only and one of the largest (or the largest?) of such stores in Hamburg. They also were involved in other things, such as running a record label also named Container. And this Container Records had a sublabel called Fischkopf.

The first generation of Fischkopf was a group of people around Martin, the owner of Container Records; I don't know exactly who was directly involved in running the label, but Cybermouse, DJ Raid and Christoph De Babalon are names I heard over the years (please correct me).


Cybermouse got to Fischkopf because it was noted that he bought only the most extreme and obscure records at the store; something that made the crew think he'd fit right in, apparently. So the first Fischkopf record was released, "Surprise Attack" by Cybermouse. They were all done on an Amiga computer using tracker software and a special FX software; actually, the tracks were first released on a diskette magazine called "Neurowaver" (if you don't know what a diskette magazine is, ask Google).

Cybermouse's debut was followed by Christoph De Babalon's debut, the "Love Under Will" EP, named after Aleister Crowley obviously. On it we find some of the most haunting music with "jungle beats" made in this era.


After a few more EPs, the management changed, and Hardy Storz took over. He steered Fischkopf into the direction that brought worldwide acclaim to it. Releasing experimental, intellectual music that at the same time is hardcore techno. In one of the rare interviews with him, he states that he was annoyed by the turn gabber had taken at that time; becoming more dumb, simplistic, macho. And Fischkopf for sure was the opposite of that.

Fischkopf had most of the major players in the more refined hardcore scene in those days on it's rooster: Patric C as Eradicator, Lasse Steen with a variety of aliases, Nawoto Suzuki as Burning Lazy Persons, Taciturne, Amiga Shock Force and EPC, and the Michelson sisters Auto-Psy and No Name. Especially these two female fighters brought some of the most interesting music to this label; tracks that are so complex and structured and finetuned, that the word "hardcore" is almost too brutish for them.

Although the pressing for "Fisch" releases were limited to 500, they quickly got known worldwide in the more underground scenes. After a while also parties were set up by the Fisch crew, again in the red light district of Hamburg. These parties attracted a wide range of performers such as Rage Reset, DJ Entox, La Peste, and many many more. Without going too much into this, let's just repeat Taciturne's summary that the amount of fog issued in these nights in these dark, strobe filled rooms would've clouded a soccer arena.

Even though opposing the "commercial" "Dutch" "gabber" scene, Fischkopf spawned one big hit in exactly that scene; Taciturne's totem which is still sought after, after all these years.

Fischkopf faltered in 1997; the exact reasons are not known, but talk is about disagreement on the direction to take Fischkopf between Hardy and Container; or that Fisch just did not generate enough "dough".

One more release appeared in 1998 (and a test pressing of a "Fisch 26" by Cybermouse), only for Fischkopf to disappear completely after that.


Interesting fact: at one point, Alec Empire and Somatic Responses were planned for a Fischkopf release too.

Listening suggestion: Taciturne - 6 Fragmente In Der Chronologie Des Wahnsinns

Cross Fade Entertainment

DJ Raid, who was also involved in Fischkopf, set up this label with Paul Snowden and Christoph De Babalon. The word "hardcore" only vaguely fits here; this is just brilliant, brilliant subcultural music.

The first release was the premier release of Somatic Responses, who took the world by storm in the years (or rather, even decades) that followed. This was still a lot different to their later style: heavy, heavy distorted drums (or noises) in a 4/4 style, with experimental sounds in a vain of early synth experimental music. As fierce as fierce gets.


The second release was done by Christoph De Babalon and Paul Snowden, aptly named "We Declare War". Paul Snowden's site has some of the most distorted acid, and CDB brings us assault troop breakbeat tracks here, going on from his Fischkopf release.

In a rare German TV interview, CDB stated CFET to him is "auteur music", in the sense that the artist take their music in their own individualist direction, regardless of trends. And the releases give proof of that.


Later, we find some fine breakcore releases on CFET.

I can't find much info on this, but according to defunct websites, the CFET personnel was once involved in the "Repulsion Parties", taking place inside the "Rote Flora", the most infamous squat in Hamburg. Line ups included artists like E-De Cologne, Alec Empire and Somatic Responses.

CFET left Hamburg with Jan (CDB) and Paul moving to Berlin.

Listening suggestion: Christoph De Babalon & Paul Snowden - We Declare War

Nordcore

No Hamburg hardcore history text is complete without Nordcore. Nordcore started as "Die Tekknokraten" organizing small techno and hardcore parties, changing the name later. As Nordcore they run a weekly hardcore club called "The Box", in the midst of Hamburg. I think this was one of the only regular hardcore clubs worldwide that existed in the 90s outside of Netherlands and Belgium; the Bunker in Berlin being another important location.

Almost all the big names in hardcore, gabber and speedcore scene played in the box; Speedfreak, the PCP crew including Smash? (sic), BSE DJ team, Laurent Hô, E-De Cologne... And also a lot of the Dutch DJs.


It were speedy times, but The Box had to close in 1996; much too soon!

The parties got bigger though, and Nordcore moved to the Markthalle, usually a location for rock and pop bands, with their "Operation Nordcore" parties, again attracting all the "big name" performers to play.


Nordcore continued their hardcore journey way long into the 2000s in Hamburg; and maybe we will see them resurface?

They also ran a record label, called Nordcore Records; and, beginning with issue 5, compiled the "Terrordrome" CDs, the biggest name in hardcore CDs in the 90s, only eclipsed by Thunderdome.

Listening suggestion: Nordcore GMBH - Hartcore Will Never Die

Blut

After Hardy left Container, he set up his own record store, called Otaku Records, again with a "Hardcore" label, called Blut Records; and in many way a spiritual successor to Fischkopf Records.

The rooster was similar too: Taciturne, Nawoto, Amiga Shock Force and EPC. We also find a record that was originally planned as Fischkopf 25 here, Taciturne with Ebizieme.


The sound was taken a step farther in extremism with this label, so be prepared for a noise assault on your ears; but, again, a sensible one.

The record store itself was also a good destination to shop for obscure and not so obscure hardcore, speedcore and breakcore records in Hamburg, with it's own special charme.

Blut never officially ended, but there was no release after Blut 6; a shame!

Listening Suggestion: Taciturne & EPC - Vendetta Vol.1 EP

Hardcore didn't end in the 90s in Hamburg, but that, my child, is written in another tome...

The Short Bios: Murmuur

We started a new feature series called "The Short Bios" in which we ask DJs and producers of the Hardcore spectrum 16 questions so that they can showcase themselves, their music, their activities and so on.

So it's like a short bio / interview.

This time we asked Murmuur.

1. Tell us a little about yourself, who you are, where you a from, etc. a little introduction.

I'm Fran Perez aka Murmuur, 39 y/o and i live in Barcelona. 

2. How did you get involved in Hardcore and its subgenres?

I have always been passionate about music, here in Barcelona when I was a teenager, makina music predominated in the discos, thanks to internet and audiogalaxy I discovered hardcore, with many of its subgenres.

3. What inspires you as a producer?

Any aspect of life can inspire you to produce, from stress, anxiety, anger, melancholy to happiness. I try to listen to a lot of tracks from other producers, whatever the style, to get inspired too.

4. What DAW or equipment are you using for your music?

I use Ableton Live and a Midi Keyboard.

5. Is there something particular you want to express with your music? Emotions, an idea, something political?

Each track has been influenced by my state of mind so I would like to know what listeners feel when listening to my tracks!

6. What are some tracks or releases you did that you are especially proud of? Let us know.

I am proud of all my tracks, It doesn't matter if are better or worse produced. That's a part of me, and as in every aspect of life, there are always moments when things turn out better but you always have to try to give everything you have.

7. Any good / bad experiences that you had with gigs and want to mention?

I've only had the chance to play a few of my tracks at raves with friends at the beginning of my "producer life". It was special to do a set with my tracks, but I feel more proud when other djs send me videos playing my tracks.

8. Any other interesting / funny / emotional story that you had in your "Hardcore history" that you want to share?

I've always been a fan of artcore and Ruffneck Records. In 2004 I went to my first party in the Netherlands (Decibel Outdoor), just to see Patrick on stage... I didn't know anyone from my city who wanted to go so I met two friends via Soulseek from cities quite far away with whom I went on a trip. An unforgettable experience.

9. What other artists do you admire?

It would be impossible to name them all...Ophidian, Lenny Dee, Hellfish, Rexanthony, The Dj Producer, Manu le Malin, Leviathan, Buzz Fuzz, Traffik,  Acardipane, Zenith, Zekt, Predator, Promo, Armageddon Project, Fifth Era, Embrionyc, Nosferatu, Celsius, Low Entropy, Dr.Strange, Mad Dog, Fracture 4, Peaky Pounder, N-Vitral, Mute, Satronika, Dj Niel, The Outside Agency, The Relic, Mindustries, Moleculez,  Neophyte, Catscan, Endymion, Hibou, Neurocore, Rexanthony,Strange Arrival, Antraxid, Starving Insect,Hypoxic, Void Settler, Ferox, Somniac One, Ki-Real, Densha Crisis, Miro, The Horrorist...I'm sure I'll leave many...but I want to highlight the new generation too...Machinist, Creature, Is:End, Tyrant-X, Silent Humanity, Braintune, Hardez, Desolation, Xkri, Havocknoize, Life Runs Dark,  Rabbeat, CRPTC, Nimravid, Demanufacturer, Mindwalker, Formek, Der Cherep, 6ejou, FLUCC...

10. What are some of your favorite records or tracks?

Knightvision - Knight of Visions

Mikan Enikki - Spatial Airstream

Miro - The Shining

Ferox - Fear(ox)

Endorphin - The Great Strife

Zekt - External

Zenith - A tear in Heart

Enzyme X - Phaseshift

Armageddon Project - Phase 2

RMB -The Place to Be

Cubic Nomad & Embrionyc - Aural Waves

11. What are you aiming for in your music? Any goals, visions, things that you want to achieve?

I just want to continue enjoying making music

12. What are your plans for the near future? Upcoming releases, gigs, and such.

Many eps and remixes for labels from all over the world. Stay tuned...

13. What do you think of the "Hardcore scene" right now? Anything you'd like to change?

Hardcore is not a fashion style.The scene is always changing... there are things that I like and things that I don't... but I always believe that there has to be respect.

14. What other music besides Hardcore do you like, or are involved in?

I love spanish Hip-Hop(Violadores del Verso, Tote King, Rapsusklei, ZPU, Nach,SFDK, Falsa Alarma...), hard trance from before 2000 (Nostrum, Gary D, Gollum, Cocooma, Dj Manga, DJ Hitch-Hiker & DJ Jacques Dumont, Datura...), makina music from the same time. and when I want to escape I listen to Linkin Park, Metallica or the soundtracks of Hans Zimmer.

15. What other interests or activities besides strictly music do you want to mention? Like painting art, movies or political activism...

Apart from music and my work I only have time for my daughters and my wife, I try to travel with them as much as I can.

16. Anything else you want to tell our readers? Whatever it is, feel free to tell our readers!

Perseverance and effort in anything you want to do in your life.

https://soundcloud.com/murmuurofficial