Our sister organization / label Doomcore Records has this to say:
Right in time for November's supermoon: Dave Doom with a music video to their track "The First Moon". Reminiscent of a walk through a forest during a doomed night in late Hamburg Autumn, this video easily accompanies the mood to this cold and freezing track. "Doombient" is a style in music that utilizes the synths, sounds, and sensations of Doomcore Techno - but without the drums and percussion! Doomed Ambient through and through - and that's what you gonna get!
Voila, here is a new video feature by us. As the title implies, this is all about Hard Acid, Acidcore, Acid Gabber... and related music from the 90s era. To give you a lil introduction to these styles, or to refresh your memories a bit. Either way: Enjoy!
Acidcore takes Acid music to a Hardcore level. 303-like bassline modulation and thundering bassdrums are the foundation for this genre. While actual acid music was already seen as somewhat atonal and abrasive upon its advent (todays listeners might perceive it differently), with Acidcore, the prominent basslines frequently get distorted, manipulated, EQd, and burnt beyond recognition. The tracks often have a hypnotic, monotonous, entrancing, repetitive quality; there are tracks that literally drone on for 10 minutes and more, with nothing but manipulation of the same loops of bass sounds, percussion, and a drum. This makes them ideal for long sets in festivals or underground settings. Despite the generally minimalistic setting of most tracks (303+drums+maybe one or two synths), there is a lot of variety in the genre. Ranging from ~150 BPM "Dancefloor" smashers to 200+ BPM aural assaults, or slow and calm tracks on the other side of the filtered spectrum. Indeed, together with Doomcore, Acidcore is one of the few Hardcore genres that often uses non-distorted, Techno-like drums. Some Acidcore artists push the distortion so hard that their tracks bleed into the genre of Noisecore; the results are then some of the most extreme and blood-thirsty Tracks of the whole Hardcore circuit.
Hard Acid
The more savage side of Acid
A bit softer than full-blown Acidcore, and more on a Techno tip. Connected to the wider underground Acid scene.
Another issue in our series on emotions and how they are used as tropes in hardcore music.
Sentiments, moods and sensation that are often considered "taboo" within mainstream society are very prominent and visible within the hardcore scene.
Amongst other "moods" such as anger and lust, one of these is fear - in all its varieties. Anxiety, nightmares, terror, panic, mortal fright... all these are expressed and can be felt within hardcore tracks.
This is further enhanced by the wide-spread use of samples taken from "scary" horror, sci-fi, war, or noir movies (hellraiser, taxi driver, full metal jacket...). So the hardened, head-strong gabber community seemingly is a frightful lot - at least partly.
But, as always, let us be aware that the healthy expression of such "sickened" emotions can be quite healing and beneficial.
And now, let's turn to some hardcore tracks that are related to "fear" in intent, track title, feel of the composition, or other and similar ways.
In the last years (or decades?) it felt as if no new groundbreaking innovation in (electronic) music was possible anymore; as if everything "had been done before". But now there is a wholly new genre on the block: Slowcore Techno. Usually defined as Hardcore, Doomcore, Techno, Acid etc. music that is slower than 130 bpm. And as much research as we did, it seems there really was no movement or genre that fit these criteria, until recently. There were maybe a handful of tracks (from 1990 until now!), but beyond this - nothing; the pure void.
It is astonishing (and unexplainable and irrational really) that techno and hardcore producers thoroughly explored the world of 130-230 bpm (and even much faster ventures - with genres like ultra-speedcore) but left the realm below this tempo almost completely unexplored.
And Slowcore Techno can get *really* slow - 60 bpm tracks are not unheard of, and some have a meager tempo of 30, 15, or even 1 bpm.
So, in terms of sheer tempo, Slowcore is the opposite of styles like Gabber or Speedcore.
The scene originally was mostly centered around the internet label Slowcore Records (and yeah, we admit that we have personal ties to this label) but eventually many other artists and labels started to pick up this sound and make it their own - and slowcore tracks can even be found on vinyl and other physical releases nowadays.
While this movement has its dedicated producers and fanfolk, it mostly stays invisible and underground, like other "obscure" genres such as lofi black metal or some strains of synthwave music.
But what better way to introduce this label than by its own special movie?
This is essentially a showcase of slowcore music with some intricate videos enhancing the audio/video experience. The whole thing sees itself in the tradition of similar 90s rave/techno audio-visual conglomerations, or even 80s experiments like the "state of the art" (later continued as the more well known "the mind's eye") VHS tapes. So don't expect too much narration or rational coherence - because "this was designed to open your mind" (sorry, oldschool hardcore quote ;-)
As a bonus, there are even some faster tracks at the end.
But now, enjoy this wholly new Slowcore Experience!
It's widely established that acid house gave rise to the techno explosion of the 90s, and all that followed - trance, breakbeat, gabber, jungle.... Yet, acid never really went away. Acid or Acid Techno were major subgenres of the whole techno thing throughout the 90s and had their loyal fanbase and dedicated "floors" on parties and raves.
It's interesting to see that there was always a crossover between acid and hardcore; acid gave rise to a lot of the first really rough techno tracks; many hardcore producers did acid on the side or vice versa. This was especially the case in Germany with mono tone records, the "hard noize from cologne" thing, Hamburg, Berlin, overdrive, and so on. but even a lot of the early "Dutch Gabber" releases are close to acid.
and when "the man" tried to get all traces of rebellion, rough- and dirtiness out of "techno" - the meager decades of minimalist techno or retro-disco influenced house - acid parties were often the only place where you could still get a grip on a good, distorted 909.
Thus, there is acid - there is harder acid - there is hardcore acidcore even (we talked about that in the past).
But, some of the artists within the acid / acidcore circus really took it to the extreme. there is little trace left of the funky acid house boom from the 80s in their productions. the drums get distorted to mere squarewaves - the 303s get manipulated until they sound closer to an exploding jet engine; the percussion and cymbals become walls of noise; and often an insane amount of reverberation "drowns" the whole track until you wonder whether this is still a techno production, or a secret supergroup composed of members of einstürzende neubauten, ken kesey, and albert hofmann.
now, let me not waste any more words. check these tunes yourself. and heed our disclaimer: these sounds might corrode your mind.
1. Agro - Bullen Raus
2. Agro - Undisputed Truth
3. Brandon Spivey - Acid 1998
4. Brandon Spivey - Reality Asylum
5. Tank Source - Freq. Out
6. Distorted Waves Of Ohm - Beneath The Subconcious Lies A Distorted Mind
What's the most aggressive type of music? I think noizecore techno is a contender, or some of the more deranged forms of acidcore. Yet there is another genre on the block that is definitely deserving of this title. A fusion of Black Metal and Extreme Techno, that runs by the term Industrial Black Metal or Blackened Speedcore.
Let's rewind a bit. Even the first outings of Hardcore Techno and Gabber House were eager to sample guitar riffs out of Metal songs - usually the thrash or speed metal variety of the 80s. When Speedcore emerged, these samples became an obligation. And soon, a fusion of Death Metal and Speedcore spawned, exemplified by bands like The Berzerker (which actually started as a solo Gabber / Speedcore producer project before they got signed to Earache).
In the world of metal, there were experiments with Techno drums and rhythm, too, usually filed under the "industrial metal" folder. And, of course, the first sightings of "Industrial Black Metal" were seen, but not quite as brutal yet.
In recent years, this evolution shifted around. Death Metal - Gabber fusions have become more rare. Instead, Hardcore producers have begun to fully embrace Black Metal - and Black Metal bands have begun to experiment with Hardcore, Gabber and Speedcore.
While the former often use the term "Blackened Speedcore" for their music, the latter usually run under "Industrial Black Metal". But sound-wise, these terms are more or less interchangeable.
This new genre is much more varied than the former "Deathcore" variety. We find bands that have the usual tinny, lofi sound quality of Black Metal - like it's recorded on a tape recorder in a band member's basement. or bands blasting away with huge production values and heavy basses. we got simplistic monotonous audio nasties. or complex, symphonic compositions. some add intricate synth and ambient parts to their songs / track. some screech, some growl, some keep silent. some sound like british prog rock on acid.
so, there is a lot to discover here!
similar to other subgenres of hardcore techno (and black metal), this strain remained niche and quite unknown to the masses. yet its producers, fans and supporters are dedicated to it none the less, and there is a steady flow of releases.
the themes, lyrics and titles are amongst the most nihilist, sickened and disturbing in the contemporary world of music. indeed, there are even some bands leaning towards nazi ideology - maybe for "shock effect", maybe for real - so its better to stay clear of these.
but, apart from these - it's all a truly ecstatic and wholly infernal experience, soothing and nurturing our dark minds and souls.
let's look at 10 tracks of the industrial black metal and blackened speedcore kind:
For this book, the author listed, rated, and short-reviewed all releases of all records published by PCP and their various sub-labels. This is interesting enough already - but now, that this "database of reviews" exists, it could also be interesting to look at it and ponder the question: which are the best-rated pcp releases?
This is of course, highly highly subjective, and we make no pretense to be correct in our very personal taste. *But* this listing could be boonful in the following regard: It does not look at the most popular or best known tracks for once, but at all releases on all labels equally. So for the future pcp explorer, this is a chance to learn about some very well-hidden gems in the vast back-catalogue of this label family.
But now, without further ado, let's go ahead!
Releases rated 100 out of 100 (perfect!)
PCP 961 - The Mover – Signs Of '96
The signs Of 96! Isn't this the most legendary Mover release ever? While most people go for "Over Land & Sea", I think the flip side, "Underwater Operations", is even a bit better. But, let's face it, both tracks blow all the competition out of the water (pun intended).
The Mover - Over Land & Sea
Kotz 7 - Stickhead & Don Demon - Once Upon A Time In Frankfurt
Another legendary release. Some of the most intricate, serpentine, monumental compositions in hardcore - with very high "production values". Should be the right thing for any terror-head's frightened heart.
DE 2057 E Man - XTC Express
should be in everyone's top ten of miro's (or pcp's) releases. going strong with the arpeggio-type tunes again, this composition almost reminds me a video game soundtrack gone dark. but the thundering drums make it clear you that you are at a rave. both mixes are great. i can't applaud this release enough.
DE 2007 - 303 Nation - 6 Tracker
This is it! The holy grail of techno music. Right here. Technically, it's an acid record - but the sounds are much more than that. With minimal instrumentation, the 303 nation manages to generate an ultra-immersive environment reminiscent of outer space colonies. I never heard something like that before, and I never heard it again.
303 Nation - Seis
Releases rated 99 out of 100 (near perfect!)
PCP 005 - The Mover – Frontal Sickness Part 1
Do I need to review this? One of the important releases of Techno ever, and if you have not dived into it yet, go for it! This is the very beginning of Doomcore. Hard hitting Techno beats and an almost minimalist use of some of the darkest synth lines you ever heard.
DE 2053 Evidence – Resist / Inspirit
this is actually miro again, using a new aka. and, in my opinion, "inspirit" has one of his best-composed melodies. apart from that, this release is a bit more on the "hardcore" side than the previous release (i.e. purple moon).
PCP 932 - The Mover – The Final Sickness
One of the most sought-after releases - at least until it's digital re-release. An album that could be seen as a follow-up to the "frontal sickness" releases (and a precursor to "frontal frustration"). It features Marc's The Mover aka at its hardest and dirtiest; Distorted drums, howling synth, shrieking percussion and noises; An onslaught of sounds, dismal and tenebrous.
The Mover - Changing Platforms
DE 2052 Miro – Purple Moon
one of the best releases, on all of pcp, ever. period. lifting off from the "blue sun", purple moon is driven by an almost hard-trancy, but much darker, arpeggiated melody and oldschool drumming. "understand" twists this pattern around a bit. a true miro classic.
Zone 1 - FFM Shadow Orchestra - D.N. Acid
Words fail me to describe this record. The chanting goes
"from here to there, from star to star, from atom to atom, i'm surfing..."
And i think that puts across the sentiment of this record very well. But if we were to use more technical terms, it's the trademark ffm shadow orchestra style blend of techno, doomcore, and hardcore. And one beatless dark ambient that is described as being the ritualized "terminator of death".
DE 2038 Inferno Bros. – Slaves To The Rave (The PCP & DE 2001 Mixes)
Ah, yes, now we can play! This is one of marc's most massive tracks ever. Intro, "female" vocals, hoovers, sub-bass, breakdowns, football stadium suitable chanting... one of the most technically complex and perfect "hardcore" productions of the 90s. The de 2001 mix induces an energetic rush with it's more "monotonous", hypnotic approach.
TF 103 - 3 From I.O. - F.F.M.-EP
Apparently members of the FFM shadow orchestra were involved in this EP. This is one of the most remarkable releases on all of PCP, imho. Not "Hardcore", but going more into the direction of "Trance" - but 'FFM Shadow' style Trance. Surreal, twisted, extraterrestrial... fulfilling a deep cosmic longing.
3 From I.O. - Fairlight
Tune 1 - New Balance - Up & Down / Kick The House
the story runs that marc produced the tracks for the releases on this label (Techno Tribe) in one long night session. twelve records. all of them. so, essentially he produced *a whole label* in only a few hours, in one go! kudos to that, mister acardipane!
of all the EPs on this label, this is my favorite.
ecstasy-inducing techno rave that makes you want to stomp you feel all night. and when the track is done, you instantly want to listen it again. "up & down" became a huge thing on the internet later, even leading to a successful remix contest led by marc.
Elastic 4 - Barracuda - Braineaters
I assume that even a lot of PCP die-hards more or less ignored Elastic records; it's a very obscure sub-label for PCP. yet this release alone would make it worth it; a mover style track in 4 mixes that are only in subtle ways different from each other. a drum, a chorus, some fx... what more do you need? this is the stuff of futuristic dreams. and you better take care... because "their brains go *pop*!"
Barracuda - Braineaters (The Mover Mix)
Lost 6 - Cold Crush City Cru – The 6th City Mob EP
yes yes, this is the one (sorry, Laura!). as it includes "stereo murder", maybe the most monumental track by PCP (and in techno history!) "t99" type samples, a thunderous, reverberated drum... guaranteed to send anyone in the huge space arena into madness. the flipside gives us another two mean and dirty tracks.
TF 105 - 69 Juice - System of love
Another alias of the FFM Shadow Orchestra on Tranceform. Even though both tracks are listed as being edits / mixes of each other, they sound quite distinct. one is filled with beautiful, sweet piano sounds, the other with celestial swirling of synth sounds. and both have a very exotic, almost oriental feel. Once more: "FFM Shadow Trance" at it's best!
NNR 02 - Destination - Nowhere
Preliminary names of the tracks of this 2 tracker release were 'the trip" and "the theme". So both are connected - yet both tracks are worlds apart. the trip is a very experimental, non sequitur electro-affair. And "the theme", now turned into "destination - nowhere", is one of the most fascinating compositions in the history of music. No beats, vocals, anything, just a movie-score like world of utter heartbreak and melancholy.
One thing we like to point out at The Hardcore Overdogs is that Hardcore, essentially, is "nothing new"; it has been around since ages; to be more specific, its sentiments, mentality, sounds, structures, existed and exist in other music and "things", too. And this should be no surprise as hardcore, more than any other techno-born genre, relies on using music that came before: by sampling old rap, metal, house songs / tracks, and more.
But not only samples, *elements* (like certain sequences, timbres, intervals...) of other genres can be found within hardcore tracks as well.
in the past we already mentioned that there are similarities between computer / video game music and hardcore techno. and that's what we will focus on again.
when people look at the history of music in the last decades of the 20th century, they often assume that "the 80s" were ruled by synth pop, new wave, disco-pop, that kind of stuff, and then suddenly, the 90s appeared, and brought techno, acid, gabber, hardtrance with them.
But it's not like that at all. there was a transitional, intermediary period, spanning from the mid 80s to the first years of the 90s, a kind of no man's land, secret zone, when music was neither here nor there, and this (quite lengthy!) metamorphosis took place.
interestingly, this was also a very fruitful and noteworthy time for computergame music. And, in my opinion, the first time computer game music evolved out of the arcades and simple bleeps and blops to creations that could be comparable to serious, deep, "professional", complex and complicated compositions.
Before we go ahead, sonic comparisons between genres can always be a bit hit and miss for the audience. there also seems to be a difference between actual musicians and general listeners. musicians often go "oh, metallica, they're doing these riffs by chuck berry" or "slayer, ah, that's howling wolf and all that 40s blues and jazz again"; while this might be technical correct, the fans often do not see it that way at all.
the following "connections" might not really be seen, heard, or felt, be everyone alike. we guess you are either there, or you are not.
so, let's look at some tracks now that use concepts, moods, or themes that feel similar to hardcore music in one way or the other.
We are not implying that these tracks *are* hardcore. from most points of view, they are not. yet it's very interesting that they possess elements that can easily be found in the world of hardcore as well.
okay this a happy tune; at least to me. but the use of arpeggios here is already very close to later rave and hardcore music, for example in raver's nature or miro tracks. (or maybe even happy hardcore, like the party animals).
2. Dragon's Lair Part II - Song 9
hey, these are like doomcore sounds already, right?
3. Perihelion: The Prophecy - Inside Tower - Song 2
darkest ambient that foreshadows doomcore and darkest industrial techno sounds.
4. The Sentinel - Start Up / Title Screen
pure psychedelic psycho waves, reminiscent of the acid- and psycore to come.
5. Speedball - Main Title
i dropped this, without any further fx, edit or ado, in the midst of a straight terror / speedcore set; everyone kept dancing, went into mania, and sweaty core ravers went up to my DJ booth and asked for a track ID. they did not even realize that this was not a regular gabber track! i guess this settles the score on this.
basslines and crazy "psycho" sounds reminiscent of later rave and techno stuff again.
7. Star Control 2 - Commander Hayes Theme
proto-acidcore. in an amiga-type mod, on a vintage science fiction game.
8. Zak Mckracken - Intro
listen to the sounds; do the tunes and melody, rhythm not at part sound very close to rave / hardcore stabs and riffs?
9. Another World - End Theme
a very sweet ambient outro to a very bittersweet game. but, upon further glance, this tune already anticipates happy hardcore / hardtrance / ravecore type arrangements.
10. Last Ninja 2 - Loading Music
very noisy: early video game music has seldomly been so rough!
11. Amiga 500 - Weird Dreams - Intro
this list would not be complete without these "weird" sounds.
further suggestions:
David Whittaker - Glider Rider Theme Song Paso - Lost Scrotum David Whittaker - Beyond The Ice Palace Turrican 3 - The Machine Star Control 2 - Druuge Theme Dreamweb - Intro Test Drive 2 - Intro Chris Hülsbeck - Rock'n'Roll - Magnetic Beats Chris Hülsbeck - Turrican 2 - Loader Bloody Money - Intro
It's that time of the year again... spooki scary skeltons come out of their coffins and join vampires and frankensteins for a hakke session in the raveyard... but they and all other monsters need music and sound for their dance party!
And like last year, we did a series of spooky Halloween features again. And this time, it was quite a lot of features! Articles, releases, videos, mixes... everything!
This is the accompanying soundtrack album to the new short movie "A Slowcore Techno Walk Through the Doomed Forests of Hamburg".
A conceptual movie showcasing a real life walk through a peculiar and strange spot of wild nature in the midst of this crypto-megalopolis called Hamburg, located in Northern Germany. With some extra twists, edits, and transformations, of course.
Short info:
"The Itinerant Audio project took me to one of those patches within the city limits of Hamburg. An idyllic forest, peaceful, calm, ideal for long walks, cycling... It also connects to a medium-sized lake that's sweet for swimming in the summer, and a few fields. Yet if you look beyond it's beautiful trees, leaves, flowers, this place is maybe not so untouched and silent at all. There is a lot of activity tied to this place, some euphoric, but also some very disturbing stuff."
and indeed, "mental illness", insanity, psychological derangement is one of the major recurring themes within hardcore music - and the hardcore community.
the relationship between art and, let's say, "mental conditions", has been documented for a long time in human history, and it is often concluded that this combination can be quite beneficial and healing - to everyone involved.
hardcore techno occupies a special location here, though:
this is not about sitting down and drinking herbal tea or doing yoga, while listen to relaxing "eastern-sounding" ambient recordings and an european-born "guru" telling you to chill the *** down with sour-sweet words.
these artists and tracks give mental health the hardcore treatment. it's an exacerbation of the highest degree and definitely should not be taken at face value, literally, or too "serious" (humor is a great form of therapy, too!).
it's like being shown a very distorted mirror (and the volume levels in these tracks are very distorted too, as i can assure you).
because many people who listen to gabber house tracks about some wicked psychopaths will probably think "hey, my own mental issues, like anxiety at the supermarket or being depressed about my body image, seem quite little compared to the issues *these* folk have".
and this can already be quite relieving to know.
so this stuff should not be taken too serious, this music should not be seen as encouraging or promoting wickedness.
there is a lot of humor involved - a healing form of humor - but yeah, mental health *is* a heavy and serious topic, so take these things with caution.
let's give a trigger warning. this is some *deep* stuff ahead that might feel traumatic or scary to some people.
go on at your own will, at your own cost, and treat this thing with care and in a responsible way.
Violent Agression - Shizoid Fukd Soul - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYhRwvNsxn0 german language, sorry... but... "i am not insane! you must listen to me before it's too late!"
FFM Shadow Orchestra - Killing Zoo (Cleaner Edit) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFxC8KLbi6I "you feel as though the rest of the world is in a bubble of glass and that you're rubbing up against it like a bad windshield wiper."
We are proud to announce that the one and only Hardsoundradio just broadcasted the first Doomcore Records Radio Show - right in time for Halloween!
And for this special occasion, we invited a variety of talented DJ destined to showcase the quite diverse sounds of Doomcore - and its adjacent styles and subgenres, like Doomtechno, Oldschool, Industrial Hardcore, Hard Acid, Gabber Body Music, Dark Ambient, Slowcore... and much more...
Some widely known names are amongst the roosters, and they literally span the globe - with Gabbergirl from the USA, Plinn 1518 from France, and DJ AI who lives in cyberspace!... to name some examples.
Soo... prepare yourself, your mind, your ears, for multiple hours of unrelenting Doomcore!
Anger, frustration, rage, hatred, scorn, are not emotions that should be locked up and kept inside - your agony will only grow and become unbearable. But, acting these out in non-social ways is not recommendable either, to say the least. So how about... blasting some angry music... kicking, screaming, shouting, banging, throwing a tantrum... releasing this pent up energy... let it all out?
So here are 11 tracks that just let you do this very thing.
1. Lockjaw - Reactor "You gotta take all of your emotions All your anger, all your love, all your hate And push it way down here in the pit of your stomach And then let it explode like a reactor!"
2. Atari Teenage Riot - Into The Death This one is so angry... you feel the power to destroy.
3. Lenny Dee - * Hostile Very hostile, indeed!
4. DJ Skinhead - Extreme Terror (N.Y. Hardcore Mix) the epitome of ultra-aggressive hardcore.
5. Scarface - Blow Your Head Off Yell at the top of your lungs!
6. Patric Catani - Still Wanna Win (I Can't Lose) yes yes yes.... furious breakcore chaos.
7. Noize Creator - World Wide Ooof! This one is *rough*.
8. DJ Tron - * that happy sh*t Don't worry, don't be happy - be angry!
9. Pressurehead - 16 Clips
Tough as nails!
10. Kotzaak Klan - Bang your * head yup - bang it, mosh around, let your rage flow!
11. Atari Teenage Riot - 1995 The most unusual entry on this list! Do you find it easy to confront your emotions... or do you run away? Always living in depression is not the answer.
"Looking back at the 90s" is a new series of features that we're doing.
Revisiting important, outstanding and possibly underrated Hardcore Techno related labels, artists and projects from the 90s era. We're using information from the Hardcore Primer ( https://hardcoretechnoprimer.blogspot.com/ ) and our other publications, and we will provide listening examples for you as well.
These features will be more like short introductions / overviews, less like "in-depth reports". To give you a quick taste of the specific project and let you dive right in. If you want to learn more and "dig deeper" - then the resources are out there!
Sounds Never Seen
Sounds Never Seen. What can be said about this label? The name is aptly chosen - you really won't find this kind of music elsewhere. Existing in the 90s, it stood out from all its peers - even in the Hardcore or Experimental Techno field.
Totally abrasive and hectic rhythms, but even more importantly, movie-like sounds, close to Dark Ambient - and all the tracks give off that crazy vibe of being recorded during live improvisation.
The sounds are a bit like a bastard child of Aphex Twin and PCP - if it is allowed to compare it this.
The label faltered too soon, but maybe one day we will hear sounds we have never seen again?
This has been alluded to in several features on here: The Hardcore revival is "in like Flynn" again; yet even though there are myriads of producers pouring out track and releases, most seem to focus on a very limited range of styles, or style, rather: that typical mid 90s Thunderdome / Ruffneck sound. I.e. distorted 909s ("Deng kicks"), very fast hoover riffs, samples from Horror and SciFi movies, or rap vocals. You know what I mean. But the 90s had a way more vast array of styles and genres; and it would be nice to see a revival of those, too!
And, indeed, things seem to be changing: there is definitely an "Early Terror" revival (dumb name - maybe call it 90s Speedcore or something like that) in full swing now. Carried by labels like Aneurysm and No New Style, and artists like Pardonax or James F.
Now the question: What else is out there?
Here are some things that I am aware of:
-"Happy" is making a comeback, and I noticed some Pengo, "Happy Rave" etc. type tracks being released lately.
-Probably related to this, 90s "novelty" Gabber is being produced again. With "Novelty Hardcore" i mean tracks based on odd, silly, bizarre samples and sounds, often with low production values and quite simple in structure. "Joke tracks" - but unlike Happy Hardcore! In the 90s, Euromasters or Ilsa Gold was known for that style. I was always very fond of this genre so it's nice to see it getting revived.
For both of the above, Rotjecore and Gabbaret are some labels to check out. But it's "hidden" in between tracks in a variety of other styles. So there might be some digging required.
-90s Acidcore seems to make a comeback. There are people doing stuff in direction of Lasse Steen, Drop Bass Network etc. again.
-90s Doomcore is coming back (yay!)
-I think Industrial type Hardcore from that era is slowly coming back again, too. Often in cross-over with that dreaded "Industrial Techno" trend.
-There seems to be more interest amongst producers in that Fischkopf / Anticore-style again, as I heard some new tracks going in that very direction.
So, what else? Who knows more? Questions, questions, questions.
And here are also some examples of stuff that The Hardcore Overdogs themselves are involved in through some corners (via the U.M.A.N. Group, to be exact):
It's hard to say what makes a track a good "introductory Hardcore track". One thing is the brutality of course, but other factors are also the dark mood, the outer space feel of Hardcore's Techno heritage, and the sheer experimentation and noize. But also the use and mixture of elements, such as the use of Thrash guitars and explicit rapping. And many other things. So I eventually had the idea to make a mix of all those tracks with these qualities.
The second idea was this: in the past I made tribute mixes to some of the legendary Hardcore producers. But why not make a mix with many of them, and for each one using a track that I consider to be among their best, but just one, so a large number of producers get featured?
Tracklisting:
01. Pressure Head - The Effects Of Pressure Pt. 2 02. Brandon Spivey - Reality Asylum 03. Zekt - The Last Dawn 04. DJ Skinhead - Take It Outside 05. The Speed Freak - We Shoot To Kill 06. The Kotzaak Klan - Powerstation Kotzaak 07. Disciples Of Annihilation - Brooklyn Mob 08. Nasenbluten - Machete 09. FFM Shadow Orchestra - Killing Zoo (Distortion Edit) 10. Somatic Responses - Freezing Point 11. Mouse - Oxyde 12. Nordcore GMBH - Robocop 13. Leathernecks - At War (Remix) 14. Delta 9 - Mortified 15. Ingler - Trek 16. DJ Freak - On The Edge 17. Rage Reset - Unknown Structure 18. E-De Cologne - No Dolphins Allowed 19. Burning Lazy Persons - If The Truth Be Known
There's growing interest in things like mindfulness, meditation, mantras, yoga, micro-dosing psychotropics, and similar practices in the west. Because it's becoming obvious there is more to experience and more to know than the ordinary state of things and ordinary state of mind have to offer - and there is no actual belief in the supernatural or magic needed for this realization.
E-De-Cologne - Dance Now
What is interesting, though, is that both the secular western meditative practices and the non-western, deeply spiritual techniques almost entirely center on the mind; on mental approaches. Mystic pondering, setting the mind to states of trance, "shutting off" the body; or all of these combined and more. Yet, human beings are not merely a head, brain, mind. They have bodies.
Rage Reset - Relax
And this is interesting, too, when you think about Hardcore Techno. We mentioned before that it is easy to get to states of ecstasy, euphoria, trance, serenity when dancing to Hardcore Techno beats. This is often associated with gaining deeper insights about life and the world as well (not necessarily on a religious level, mind you).
Alien Factory - All Night Until Daylight
So we have methods, practices, techniques here that run counter to almost all "mindful, meditative" traditions known to mankind.
Getting entranced and enlightened - by purely bodily means. Physical inspirations. Serenity and tranquility is not attained by your mind this time - but by the complicated, chaotic, intricate, energetic and powerful movements of your legs, arms, hands, feet, neck, butt; and the pumping and rhythm of your heart, lungs, and veins. To put it in poetry: the unfathomable mysteries of the flesh - become revealed to you.
Apple Juice - Raving Together
And this is also a good reason to not use drugs; because in my opinion they would diminish this experience.
Thus, we have discovered an interesting passageway there; a more interesting way to spend one's time than merely doing meditation & mindfulness. Who knows where this will lead us to?
Judging by track titles, album cover artworks, and similar content, there are some themes that Hardcoreheads are visibly fond of. One is activities associated with "banging your head" or "stomping your feet". Another is reaching for a state of euphoria / ecstasy. And a most definite one is Death. Including death on a (much) wider scale, like the end of civilization or the apocalypse.
Rage Reset - Endzeit
Now, I don't think it would do the Hardcore Community justice to take these things at face value. These are not depressive maniacs haunted by morbid fascinations (well, at least not all of them).
I think this focus on Death should be understood on a symbolic level - and not a literal one.
Syndicate - Grim Reaper
In art, culture, society, Death is often a metaphor and analogy for endings, finishing a matter, but also change, transformation, metamorphosis. We might say that Galileo "killed" the geocentric worldview, just like the research of einstein, darwin, freud, brought "death" to the ruling worldviews of their times. Yet no human or animal was harmed in the process.
The Mover - World Downfall
People might talk about the "death" of values, knowledge, culture... but again, this ain't literal death. These are just some examples of "death" symbolism. But when things end (including those we consider to be 'good things'), other things can start anew. So this symbolism can also illustrate the ever-changing nature of the world, the constant flow of things - or even sudden turn-arounds.
Society of Unknowns: Dead by Dawn (The Endless Mix)
Most people are deeply afraid of endings - and change, on any level. So it turned to the bold strongheads of the hardcore scene to take up and to embrace the powerful but scary symbolism of death. After all, if you are on the wild side of life (and music) you are generally less afraid of things.
The Undertaker - Flatliner (Graveyard Shift)
I think the whole apocalyptic messages and imagery of hardcore - death on a cosmic scale - can be understood in the same way. It's not literal death of society, civilization, mankind - but the desire for a strong and powerful transformation of the world. (Without any focus on physical harm).
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