Sounds beyond the frontal cortex: A deep dive into the world of Experimental Hardcore Techno

Hardcore Techno and Gabber were always considered to be a bit strange by the majority.
But in the 90s, there were folk, fans, artists, labels, projects, that took the whole thing to even more extreme levels.
Enter the world of Experimental Hardcore Techno.
Because HC and Gabber was not just the soundtrack for pilled-up ravers in the 90s.
It was a movement supported by squatters, punks, art students, indie rock fans, professors of linguistics (Peter, if you read this, drop me a mail!), and plenty of other people.
And they brought their own ideas into the Techno sound; concepts of avant-garde and experimental nature, taken from previous forms of music like industrial, minimalism, musique concrete - or wholly new ideas.

People who were into Deleuze, Varèse, Stockhausen and Euromasters at the same time. And yearned to express this in sound, too.
So the tropes of the avantgarde and the beats of the underground began their fusion...

And now we take a look at 11 examples of the Experimental Hardcore Sound of the 90s.

( Note: Yes, some of these tracks bleed into other genres like "Industrial Hardcore", Breakcore, Speedcore... )

1. Erase Head - Dome

Poka Michelson is the queen of extreme (and experimental) hardcore

2. Mouse - Organe

Stella is the other queen of extreme (and experimental) hardcore (and the sister to Poka)

3. Taciturne - Phenprocoumon

Released on Fischkopf, a leading label for hard experiments.

4. Headcleaner - All Right

Connected to the Spiral Tribe. Sadly there are only few releases.

5. Somatic Responses - Umbrella

The roots of the Healy brothers were quite Hardcore.

6. Cyberchrist - Information: Revolution Part 2

Martin Damm truly produced in all genres of electronic music, doing the work of a pioneer.

7. Society Of Unknowns - Dead By Dawn (The Endless Mix)

Praxis Records was another important label for experiments.

8. Metronome – Combustion

Anticore was one of the best (and most experimental) French labels.

9. E-De Cologne - We're Going To Eat You

Patric Catani was and is a true maestro of sounds.

10. Noface - Love Or Kill

From the dangerous South London underground.

11. Trash Enemy HQ - Pestilence

Sounds that emit sickness and disease.