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
Christian Gabber is very rare indeed, but here is a track. The angelic choirs and strings make the message clear.
Taciturne - Mourning
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)
Uses part of the Lord's Prayer, before getting into angelic sounds mixed with tough hardcore beats.
Mescalinum United - Vs. Evil (A New Level)
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
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
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
The reference is in the artist name (obviously).
Hinduism
Arjuna & Beyonder - Shoot that Motherfuck
"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
Track by the theistic satanist band Disciples of Belial. The musicians involved also started some Black / Death Metal projects.
Jack Lucifer - After all Wars
Lucifer again!
Atheistic
Brandon Spivey - Reality Asylum
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
Based on the movie of the same name. A true Hardcore classic.
Stickhead & Don Demon - Demonhead
One example of a track (out of many, for we are legion!) that topically deals with demons.
Judaism
Party Animals - Hava Naquila
This well-known Jewish song gets a cheerful hardcore treatment.
Islam
The Possessed - The Lord Is My Avenger
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)
Another track that draws heavily on an oriental / middle eastern feel.
Nordic Religion
Zultan - De Dondergod
Track referencing the god of thunder, Thor.
Neuwerk - Instructions From Walhalla
Another Nordic reference.
Rastafarian
Alec Empire - Burn Babylon Burn
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
Referencing Aleister Crowley's famous slogan "I am the love - love under will".
Egypt
R-Zac - Horus
Early teknival hardcore with a sacred Egypt feel.
Congolese Religion
Nkisi - Lament (The World Is Ending)
Nkisi is influenced and inspired by the Bantu-Kongo Cosmology.
Gnosticism
Astrid Gnosis - Drop Dead
A powerful Gnostic hardcore project. Check out her other tracks as well!
Greek
Nosferatu - No God To Us
"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
Arktis & Liquidator - Das Einhorn
Two tracks referencing the belief in unicorns.
Kaballah
Hecate - Ascension Chamber
A concept LP based on the Jewish Kabbalah.
Yoga
Masters Of Torture - Power Of Yoga
"Concentration... magnified by the power of yoga". Played by Laurent Hô in his legendary Mayday '94 set.
Native American
Deadly Buda - Ghostdance 95
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
"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
"Up in the moonbeam, the witch flies by."
Esoteric
Nexus - Kozmik
Track with a transcendental and mystical feel. Very kozmik indeed!
Shitness & The Jackal- The Fire Is The Centre
"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.
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