Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Looking back at a very Special track: OyEz - Doomsday

This time we are taking a look at a track that suits the everlasting gaze of The Hardcore Overdogs in manifold ways.
I am talking about the 90s Hardcore track called "Doomsday" by the German producer "OyEz".

Oyez! - Spacetime 6 
Another track by OyEz

But, first, let's move back in time.
Before the internet, there was already a digital world, an online world, that was vast, huge, global - maybe even bigger than today's internet in many aspects (without doubt, the current 'world of online' stores more "data" in sheer tera, peta and exa-byte size - yet most of this data consists of duplicates, or derivatives of duplicates.)
Part of this global online world was the BBS scene - and I already alluded to that in the past (here).

I was a teen - age 13-14 - and I was part of this thrilling scene of digital activity. I also just had discovered Techno music - Rave, Trance, Hardtrance... but not Gabber yet.
Yet almost every other user on the BBS was deeply into Hardcore, Gabber, and Speedcore. They partied at The Box in Hamburg, or at the Hardcore nights in regular Techno clubs. Most were a bit older than me, but, as usual, those who were not, found ways to sneak into these nighttime raves despite their young age and technically not being allowed to do that.

Starfox - Feel the Music 
Starfox was another producer on the BBS circuit around hamburg

Of course a lot of the folk were doing their own music too, mostly on tracker programs, then sharing their creation as ".mod files" on the BBS, or around Germany - and in some cases, a track might even reach New York, Tel Aviv, or Tokyo.
And some actually managed to share their music not merely online - but on a physical release, too.

There was a guy on the BBS who did just do that. His releases were more in the vein of Techno or Trance, actually, but there was harder stuff, too.
And one of those tracks was "Doomsday". It never got a proper release, though, in the sense of entering the club circuit.
It ended up on a "compilation CD-Rom", but not for music - for files, editors, tools, maps, add-ons related to a then popular FPS game that was created in the wake of the DOOM hype.
As a "bonus", the cd-rom had an audio track - the abovementioned one.

Hardsequencer - Magic Flight 
Hardy started in the tracker / mod scene, too.

Being bundled with such a CD meant it was not likely to be played on the dancefloors - but it assured it could be played at a lot of gamer parties, conventions, demo scene events (not entirely certain it became the hit I assume it was - but you can never know!)

So what's the fuss about? Reminiscing of early nerd / computer days, tied to a track?

Mindviper - Messiah 2000
Mindviper has their roots in mod / chiptune music as well.

No, no, not at all! Because here is the twist: it suits our gaze in manifold ways (as mentioned).

1. it is a completely obscure track that barely anyone knows, yet it existed in the 90s already
2. it is a hardcore techno track
3. yet it also crosses over in a lot of other genres, like "german rave" and hardtrance
4. it is, in my opinion, one of the best gabber tracks in the entire 90s (opinions might differ)
5. due to its release, it has almost become "lost media", but we can try to bring it back from the dead
6. it's not some "cheap tracker hack", even though we'd love that, too - it is professionally produced and sounding, better than most "top names" in the 90s
7. the contextual "halo" of the track is ambiguous, liminal, and strange: it was a hit, but not to the gabbers, to gamer nerds: it was played, not in clubs, but at computer parties and meetings; it's a huge "track" but stayed small, undeservingly; and more.

And therefore, it is a true Hardcore Overdog!

You can listen to the track here:

OyEZ! - Doomsday (Remix)

Oyez! on discogs: https://www.discogs.com/artist/131159-Oyez!

Monday, May 19, 2025

News From the Haunted Forest (The Doomcore Walk Continues)


Last year we walked into one of Hamburg's haunted forests, old, with quite the history. Read more about that here:

https://thehardcoreoverdogs.blogspot.com/2024/10/sonic-itinerancy-doomcore-techno-walk.html

Now it's time to get out of it again!

This is the teaser for the second part of this audio-visual journey. The part's called "Sanctum", and there is more to come!

Friday, May 16, 2025

1 1/2 Years of Sonic Itinerancy - A Project for Audio Travelers

Hello,
We announced the Sonic Itinerancy project around 1 1/2 years ago.
You can read the full context here: https://thehardcoreoverdogs.blogspot.com/2024/01/itinerant-audio-music-for-sonic.html

But to give a short recap: the idea was to no longer listen to music in a fixed location, while being static.
Not at home, not in your chair, not even at a club or a festival. Because all of these tie you down to a certain point in your local geography.


But to listen to music while moving, travelling, exploring the world.
To become a traveler - not only in the real world, but in the world of sound as well.
Embracing music while being in a state of motion.

So this is a kind of first sonic travelogue.

I spent many hours on this project. Apparently, there are two ways to do it: to plan a journey solely for the music. For example, finding a bus route that travels in circles, then get on there, and listen to sound as long as you want.
Or to incorporate it into destinations that you wanted to go anyway, like hiking to a beautiful lake while having your headphones on.
I ended up combining both most of the time, for example planning a sonic trip into a forest, but, when I was there, also enjoying the inspiring sight of nature. (i.e. without the Sonic Itinerancy project, I would not have traveled there).


BTW, when following the second path, it's important to not become a mere traveler who listens to music at the same time; but to keep the idea of Sonic Itinerancy in mind. To focus on the strange and peculiar sensation of listening to music while also changing location at the same time, "being on the move".

But now to my log.

The experiences were ecstatic, mesmerizing, enchanting, entrancing. The thing felt much "bigger" than I had expected.
I was doing my rounds on a sports field under the starry sky of night, while listening to the haunting doomcore of Miro and Marc Acardipane; and just as the most epic strings in Reign's "Hall" began to bloom, a cloud moved aside and the moon appeared in all its glory, illuminating the dark world, the sports field, and my heart, as the bittersweet track filled my mind.


I was getting into deep trance and deep meditation while riding the bus on a "circuit" route, and the monotonous and hypnotic motion of Acid and Acidcore pierced my ears.

I was walking through forests that felt like entering a world that time forgot, while ghostly Ambient swirled through my headphones.

In the end, it turned out that the main assumption and idea of the Sonic Itinerancy project was right.
That music really feels different, appears different, *is* different when you do not listen to it while being static, still, "fixed" in one location, but are actually *moving*, changing, on a journey.

There are aspects in music to be found that just can't be deciphered if you sit on your chair all the time.


As might have been expected, tracks most suitable for this seem to be those that are peculiar and "strange" in general, like Industrial, Ambient, Krautrock, Doom...
And which have a kind of hypnotic "motion", rhythm to them, that might mimic the rhythm of feats walking, pedaling, or engines setting wheels in motion.

All I can say is: try it yourself. If you have doubts about my report, why not check this thing on your own?
You won't regret it - there is a new world to be discovered. There are new journeys to be discovered.

P.S.

One of the off-shoots of this project was a haunted Slowcore movie, which kinda inverted this theme: a sonic journey, not for the traveler this time, but the watcher at home.

https://thehardcoreoverdogs.blogspot.com/2024/10/sonic-itinerancy-doomcore-techno-walk.html


Playlist:
  1. Zekt - Exp. Pt 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZrYyMim4Go
  2. Reign - Light And Dark (The Next Dimension) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JxZ_qc5O7Q
  3. The Mover - Comet's Swarm Rising https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dPw9Pq69G0
  4. Disintegrator - In The Sun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AyvjLrw1uc
  5. Six Mullahs - Persian Lover https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4su17U876_w
  6. Alien Factory - Alpha Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppW9eLVrwi0
  7. Trip Commando - Eastern Origins (Chorus Mix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njdxF1ej9UQ
  8. Christoph de Babalon - A Long Way Home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9kHXKYpS8I
  9. Tangerine Dream - Birth Of Liquid Pleiades https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WRDQmFJhFQ
  10. Reign - Hall (Maximum Mix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OfuTvL2bH4

Monday, May 12, 2025

How Speedcore Evolved out of the Techno Genre: A History and Timeline (With 120 Examples)


A timeline showing the transition of techno into hardcore and gabber; and then the transition of hardcore into speedcore

Speedcore didn't appear out of thin air. The genre, as we know it, slowly evolved out of Techno music. And it was a quite quick transition (fitting to the genre's name). Tracks like Moby's "Thousand" - released in 1993 - already went up to the 1000 BPM barrier.

So let's look at the evolution of Speedcore and the roots of this style, in this timeline spanning the years 1990-1999 - the formative period for the genre.

Pre-Techno Era

Of course, the ingredients that were later incorporated into the Speedcore genre existed long before; even before the rise of Techno music.
We can trace "industrial - noize" experiments to the beginning of the 20th century, or even much earlier.

A lot of this was never properly recorded (or even documented!), so we need to work with what we have here.

These are recordings of electronic music tracks that already use fast / distorted drum beats before the 90s.
  1. Suic*de - Frankie Teardrop (Live) 1978 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FauL1FZ7Rnk&t=888s
  2. Vice Versa - Artists at War 1980 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWaK-AOKj5o
  3. Skinny Puppy - Fascist Jock Itch (in the intro!) 1989 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1YaP_LNjcs
1990



Techno was still the new kid on the block this year, but already an unruly kid, a true rumble fish. As indicated by these tracks.
  1. Mescalinum United - We Have Arrived https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL5xh-wt3Vc
  2. Dilemma - Erase Your Mind https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqjhZewN_jA
  3. Joey Beltram - Energy Flash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDj73pGQ6pE
  4. The Suburban Knight - The Art Of Stalking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7N8tNuuGv8
  5. Bigod 20 - The Bog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xtORc7mJEA
  6. Cyborg Unknown - Year 2001 (Deep In Detroit U.S. Mix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2q4v8_YxbE
  7. O - Das Spiel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VcNTAXxCjo
  8. Moby - Go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLCHARjjrws
  9. Underground Resistance - Elimination https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dsyCOZLEXs
  10. The Justified Ancients Of Mu Mu - It's Grim Up North (Original Club Mix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEqepxHOLYA
1991



Still quite "tame" compared to the later era, but early hardcore / gabber sounds become more visible.
  1. Human Resource - Dominator https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2LQ5L9pUVo
  2. KAA - Emphasis (NRG Dub) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5kIKZvf05s
  3. 80 Aum - Mindcontroller https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3FwgWiYirA
  4. Space Trax - Deduction (Original 12" String Mix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE9tz-Uh1bw
  5. The Hypnotist - God Of The Universe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy3U5RfxkhE
  6. Underground Resistance - The Punisher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhLNawtC0bo
  7. Holy Noise - James Brown is Still Alive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zYN-K6aesE
  8. Second Phase - Mentasm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8VY5dxq5CU
  9. Phenomania - Who Is Elvis? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ufZhILAxNc
  10. Meng Syndicate - Luminary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9hAih4HFUM
1992



Things are getting "real" now. Gabber and "Hardcore" Industrial concepts are all around, and the first tracks begin to break the 200 bpm speed limit.
  1. Euromasters Alles Naar De Kl--te (250 BPM Oef!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxGBM0uSLu4
  2. Hocus Pocus - Hocus Pocus (The Gabberianic Verses) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOb--oMS_ac
  3. Defcon - Blob https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL964sZJgPc
  4. Distortion - Franthic Thigh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBLs5zCkEHk
  5. C Of E - Church Of Extacy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39KOaqBJmmc
  6. Disintegrator - Lock On Target https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8hTs_PfexY
  7. Kranz - Helmut Kohl Ist Tot (Sound Bite Mix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNM3E2O-Pns
  8. X-103 - Eruption https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIoGlNur-zg
  9. Lenny Dee - Hammer Head https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2_0EBc9F7s
  10. Holy Noise - The Nightmare (Power Mix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rNYrRRoTy0
1993



This escalated quickly! Very fast stuff was still rare in 1992, but this year already got a lot of tracks clocking at several hundred bpm.
No holes barred anymore.
  1. Sorcerer - Summer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrJi_2Ctzp4
  2. 303 Nation – Double Speed Mayhem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoAkzHCBSXk
  3. Lory D - Lochnar (The last minute!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3ogKTV2KZs
  4. The Speed Freak - Sine-P https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq8AJvR8WHk
  5. Spy - Bloodstrike https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqJ0NI-5SfE
  6. Moby - Thousand https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRJKOCmTXLo
  7. F*cking Hostile - F*cking Hostile (Remix By The 6th City Mob) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru7QCBOAKB4
  8. PCP - We Are from Frankfurt (towards the end) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUe5G9M0O5w
  9. Signs Of Chaos - Killout B https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dqiHmfZckA
  10. Igor - Talking about God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MwEm_FZ_3o
1994



94 continues the trend of super fast, super noisy hardcore techno.
  1. De Klootzakken - Dominee Dimitri https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNfZZ3ks1Sw
  2. Influid - The Destroyer (1.2 Million BPM Mix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_28IyDXZtsM
  3. Disciples Of Annihilation - Ya Mutha Part II https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODAVdcesmJg
  4. C-Tank - Kansas or Cansas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lxv8JuimVg
  5. DJ Skinhead - Extreme Terror (Strength Of Terror) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SZ1w7gA3GY
  6. Marusha - It Takes Me Away (Core Remix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FM5fAP6eyg
  7. Ilsa Gold - 4 Blond Nuns (Chicago Remix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4V6fLSThu4
  8. Sons of Aliens - Deeper https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkMzfVQD_CM
  9. Naomi Campbell - Spinball Attack https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJCbeZWYKwA
  10. Gangstar Toons Industry - Mistick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsYC5Pi1RA4
1995



Speedcore is an established genre by now. These are no longer "out of the ordinary" tracks, but it's a dedicated sub-genre of Techno just like Acidcore or Gabber itself.
  1. Seveso - ABC Alarm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HeBkJrNnIM
  2. Out Of Key - Drill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Loq0N7-dwYg
  3. Sl*t Burger – This Is F*cked!
  4. Leathernecks - C'mon Scum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7t3qEraC9w
  5. Ec8or - Speed Erection https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi5omMtiRo0
  6. Cybermouse - War Is Hell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvEboDBARZE
  7. Nasenbluten - C*nt Face https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGaEHspMbc4
  8. Temper Tantrum - Destroy The World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM8Ttg7tTsw
  9. Noize Creator - Untitled B3 - Out of Order Vol. 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw5ibYDDopQ
  10. Bold Bob - Bold Bass https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzrl2s13wII
1996



Speedcore is getting more brutal and domineering. Releases, labels and artists solely dedicated to this style begin to sprout.
  1. Quindoor - Full Energy Flash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arKTZ0UiOMY
  2. Amiga Shock Force - S*x, Mord Und Kunst https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL3U_lllneY
  3. Burning Lazy Persons - Hyperb*tch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o1VQbcf5ds
  4. Eradicator - Forkboy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q403RSQm1sk
  5. Bakalla - Short Controlled Bursts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRYiYP03a5w
  6. Stickhead & Don Demon - Conquer The World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqyFs-EbHYM
  7. Alec Empire - I Don't Care What Happens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqGwLjFYG74
  8. Doc Gringo - I Don't Need Freedom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-9K8DYVH4U
  9. No Name - 01100010 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKlggVKUPDk
  10. Elvis Jackson - Ahh Soul https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni_SutfcmkU
1997



It's now clearly visible (or audible) that the style is cutting off its ties to the Gabber sound, or "dance" music as a whole. Rave-stabs, groovy percussion, and the juno sound become replaced by white noize, death metal riffs and screams.
No longer a sub-genre - now a true genre by itself.
  1. The Berzerker - Evil Worlds Beyond https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U3au_gTLxs
  2. Bakalla - True Force https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-h3f5M15uM
  3. Bold Bob - Bold Bass 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdYyoJxnmUw
  4. Nasenbluten - Markt Frisch Terror https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw7x5FpCjrk
  5. Fast Identities - Untitled A2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daGDL_ybbVA
  6. Mescalinum United - Symphonies Of Steel Part 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpaEG7BFGro
  7. DJ Lancinhouse vs. DJ Jappo - Industrial Strength "The Outro" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAhq3wPE7vo
  8. Burning Lazy Persons - If The Truth Be Known https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgqOYGOhW2U
  9. Hasshelloff - Fit Of Anger https://youtu.be/0vXLf9P7oB4?si=HWbzzMVnpeiDQYWP&t=583
  10. Cannibal DJ - Dog Will Hunt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uieikx7v7Vc
1998



Especially in the French releases there is a visible influence by experimental, industrial and harsh noize music.
  1. Low Entropy - Adrenaline Junkie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFe66oUEH94
  2. Rage Reset - Terminated https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvvxqzpqKOI
  3. Choose - Tight Slip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgQj3Y59fi8
  4. Sonic Overkill - Realität Ist Gewalt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkNFFYG5Eqo
  5. Rage Against The Cuisine - Untitled A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPTSyOc0Fbk
  6. Senical - B3 (Dark Organized Incidents) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LViFxPE5cfI
  7. Violent Aggression - King Of The Kill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-UfBQlAyGA
  8. Absolute Terror Field - God Is In His Heaven, Alright With The World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOnKuW4wzv8
  9. Les Diaboliques - Just Another Victim https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amUkN_4q6Os
  10. DJ Freak - 4 to the floor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8_Imsn7UpQ
1999



The Millennium ends - and Speedcore seemingly joins the pre-apocalyptic hype. Plenty of releases that are just noise, beats, and nihilism.

We can already spot the seeds of later styles such as splittercore or extratone.
  1. Amiga Shock Force - Kik Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T7Qv2zFR34
  2. Pure - Katharsis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbUboXibYro
  3. Naughty Observers - Untitled A2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWjg8xcQnrQ
  4. S37 - Seeds Of Disgrace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSSgBEXQ7Bs
  5. Animal Intelligence - Desolation 310 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObRUiKslcnA
  6. DJ Freak - Dis Reaction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBxen5-uVh0
  7. Sonic Overkill - Föhntwiesau https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgTKSZJSu10
  8. Acid Enema - Entrails Remain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWAN2jQVMLg
  9. Dj Freak - A3 (Unknown Territories) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9d2_7wVxgU
  10. Popey You Know - Untitled A1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNsRXtj-FSE
Post 2000 era

Just like Techno split up into styles like Trance and Gabber, and Gabber did split up into styles like Happy Hardcore and Speedcore, Speedcore gave rise to a variety of other styles, sub-styles, and sub-sub styles.

No longer one coherent genre or culture, but host to various cultures and conceptions of sound.
The cycle begins a new.

Note: the list is not complete or comprehensive. this is just a showcase and a "taster" - there is more out there for those who are not afraid to dig deep.

And here is some further listening material for the true trainspotters right away:
  1. Mescalinum United - Lightbringer 1993
  2. Haardcore - 250 BPM 1993
  3. The Falcon – Speedbattle 1994
  4. Chosen Few - Hellfire 1995
  5. French Connection - F*ck You All 1995
  6. Ec8or - 666 1995
  7. Technohead - Heads*x (Nanotech Mix) 1995
  8. Netas - Sh*tbeater 1996
  9. Syndicate - Connect the Dots 1996
  10. Nasenbluten - Treadmill 1996
  11. DJ Tron - F*ck That Happy Shit 1996
  12. Outlaw - Afrik 125 1996
  13. Leathernecks - Speedf*ck 1997
  14. Tilt! - Hell-E-Copter 1997
  15. Bazooka - Bumm Bumm 1997
  16. Choose - Prezentationz 1997
  17. Hasshelloff - This Time Is War... 1997

Friday, May 9, 2025

Tracing the Bleep: The History of the "Rave Signal" in Techno music

The advent of Techno, and later, Hardcore, did lead to the evolution of a lot of novel sounds - in all the world of music.
But there is hardly any sound that was so completely new, and still wide-spread, as the "Rave Signal".

If you look at sounds like the Mentasm / Hoover: 80s Synth Pop or Industrial bands already used bendy synth sounds, and, before that, Jimi Hendrix or Duane Eddy did bend their guitars. It's an evolution, and the Mentasm was, of course, a very groundbreaking and novel part of this evolution.
The same could be said about the use of percussion, drum beats, or distortion in techno-hardcore.

But the rave signal came more or less "out of thin air". As far as i know, there was nothing comparable to it in all the major genres that existed before.

Sure, maybe some acts or bands used it partly, sparsely... but it took the emergence of Techno for the rave signal to appear in its final form.

So what is the rave signal?
It's a term, and there are others for it, like "bleep" or "beep", or "sonar sound", or rave alert...
It's a certain sound that, indeed, somewhat resembles that of a submerged sonar "ping" or a high tech alert system going off... but it's sometimes so mutated that it more sounds like a lunatic alien transmission from star system x.

And yes, if we look really rationally or sober at it, even if the sample source might be an actual sonar, the one thing in the history of sound, that *does* exist and sounds closest to it, are recordings of transmission by the Sputniks, Voyagers, Mariners, and Pioneers that sent their data from outer space, traversing the stratosphere, back to earth.

"I'm just raving to a satellite...".

It is almost always used in a complete non-melodic way, with a single note being repeated in a simple sequence of 1-4 bars.
This is what it sets apart from other sounds in early techno music which were used to enhance the rhythm as well, like acid-lines, orch-hits, rave-riffs, hoovers...
Often the sound itself is atonal.

Now let's get on with our little history lesson.

I will not even pretend to claim that i know who truly used it first, or all of the tracks that used it... so this is more like a "glimpse" into the trajectory of our interstellar rave signals.

1. Joey Beltram - Energy Flash (1990)


Simon Reynolds named a book after this track. This should show you how important it is in the history of rave music.

It's not *quite* the sound yet, imho - the filtering of the bleep gives it more a touch of acid. but the basics are here.

2. Meng Syndicate - Sonar System (1991)


Yes yes, now we are here. That's the good stuff. The real stuff.
The track title indicates a sonar sound. And combined with the deep drum beat, it's quite the hypnotic experience. Dance into trance.

3. Tellurians - The Navigator (1992)


Just like with "energy flash", the bleep sound is borderline acid/trance here. But it's still a whale of a track.
And the "navigator" vocal creates a thematic connection to submersibles / sonars, or spacecraft / interstellar transmissions.

4. Stomach Basher - Wowy Zowy (1992)


The formula for "bleepcore" tracks is set by now. Hypnotic, minimalistic, almost infinitely looped "Signal" sounds while deep pounding beats fill the lower registers.

5. Defcon - Blob (1992)


Sports a "blob" instead of a "bleep". but things are getting harder now. One of the first tracks ever with a "Gabber" kickdrum.

6. Hardsequencer - Brain Crash (1993)


yes, now we are talking! Central European Rave hit #1 of 1993.
It's almost too hectic for a "bleepcore" track. And the sound is far away from sonars, or any earthly machinery by now.

7. Neophyte - Level Creator (1993)


Neophyte also did "Communicate", which could qualify here, but this one fits better, imho. total signal-gabber-mayhem.

8. Sub Source - Sonic Distortion (1994)


Apart from Neophyte, Scott brown was a titan when it came to using "signals" in his tracks.
The sounds are almost too hectic here, but I guess it still counts.

9. Rave Creator - Bleep Blaster (1994)


Marc Acardipane having a stab at this "genre", and a good one at that. The title even references the sound.

10. Bodylotion - No Worries (1998)


After the early 90s, "rave signals" became more rare. This is one of the tracks that still champions them.
It's an alias of Neophyte again - but even a bit rougher and tougher this time.


Then, there came a big silence. Our beloved sublunar rave morse codes were very hard to find in the two decades to come. Jump or Newstyle tracks sometimes incorporate them.

But, earthlings, rejoice! They are now a common sight (or sound) in retro techno/rave/gabber productions.

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Looking back at "Braindead" - and a few other compilation series


The following were the main Hardcore+Gabber compilation series of the 90s.
And by this, we mean CDs that were sold globally in chain stores, super markets, gas stations, advertised on TV and in glossy magazines. I.e. we do not look at the pure underground for once - and neither at country specific stuff (like CDs that were only known in the Netherlands, or in Germany, etc ).
Also one-off stuff or limited series are not included - gotta be a long running strain of compilations.

1. Thunderdome


And various other CDs that were also done by ID&T or Arcade, had a similar style and often the same artists and tracks, such as Earthquake.

2. Terrordrome


The first few compilations were done by artists from the Netherlands and had a "Dutch Gabber" style, while the later ones were done by the Nordcore crew out of Hamburg, with their "German Hartcore" style

And Terrordrome IX had both.

3. Raver's Night + Ruffneck Collection + more


Ruffneck Records released a number of CDs that were incredibly popular.

4. Mokum compilations


Mokum had some well-known franchises too, like the "F**king Hardcore" series of CDs.

5. Braindead

Conceived by Shockwave Records and the "Street Trash Alliance".
The focal point of these CDs is the early speedcore, terror and industrial sound, and often these albums were harder than the rest.

The braindead editions have recently been made available digitally again. A good opportunity to look back at our 11 favorite tracks off these braindead CDs - from all seven official issues.


1. DJ Fistfuck - Brontofuck



Braindead 2 - The Lurking Fear
https://refusion.bandcamp.com/album/braindead-2

2. E-De Cologne - 5 Years On Gabba

Braindead 3 - Hardcore Cyberspace
https://refusion.bandcamp.com/album/braindead-3

3. Seveso - ABC-Alarm
4. Gringo - Kerosene in my Vene


Braindead 4
https://refusion.bandcamp.com/album/braindead-4

5. Sonic Overkill - I'll Be Watching You Die!
6. Amiga Shock Force - Fühlst Du Dich Wohl


Braindead 5
https://refusion.bandcamp.com/album/braindead-5

7. Napalm 10 - Napalm!!!
8. Bazooka - Bumm Bumm


Braindead 6
https://refusion.bandcamp.com/album/braindead-6

9. Sonic Overkill - Föhntwiesau


Braindead 2000
https://refusion.bandcamp.com/album/braindead-2000

10. Cromatic Destroyer - Cosm


Braindead 2003
https://refusion.bandcamp.com/album/braindead-2003

11. The Shapeshifter - Injected Part 2

Sunday, May 4, 2025

New Release: Distorted Waves Of Ohm - Grade A Toxicity

Distorted Waves of Ohm just released a new vinyl - after 29 years!
But we won't use our own words to review and describe this EP, because the following promo text by Eurk Records does a much better job at that.

You can listen to excerpts of the tracks at:


https://eurkrecords.com/en-eur/pages/distorted-waves-of-ohm-grade-a-toxicity

Distorted Waves Of Ohm - Grade A Toxicity
12" Limited to 130 copies

Vinyl Tracklist

Logo side
My 303 Atari Accident
Rabid Killer Acid Cow

This side
Distorted Brain
De Wallen

Written, produced and corroded by T. Clements
Mastered at Cause and Condition

Just when you thought you finally got that rancid acidic taste out of your mouth, it’s back to fill your cavities with undefinable squelch. Distorted Waves Of Ohm, hailing from the mysterious Planet Zyrcon, otherwise known as Dorset…what could it be like, indeed John… take their unique sonics to yet even further extremities than the 90’s could ever possibly allow.

‘Grade A Toxicity’ firmly penetrates the mind, and anywhere else you let it, hitting hard somewhat akin to the Strange Rotation E.P. from 1995. While A-side 12″ classics such as Pacified Machines firmly abused us in ways and areas that still remain distorted in our minds until this day, the opener ‘My 303 Atari Accident’, makes it clear that the Roland TB-303 has much more mileage should we be willing and creative enough to go there. ‘Rabid Killer Acid Cow’ continues on this acidic onslaught, all the while bring some buried disjointed groove, before flipping the vinyl, or your eyes if you’re still fucking streaming everything, ‘Distorted Brain’ takes that delightfully harsh distortion and moves it into heavy fuzz and bass for some gabba-esque drum sonic spillage all over your grandmas new rug. Closing out the record ‘De Wallen’ takes us into the tantalizing kinky back alley, allowing us to be washed with weighted compressed dirty noise and deeply buried squelches between those sheets.

Whether this music was recorded in the day of such classics as Strange Rotation E.P., the Zyrcon EP, or knocked up last week between odd jobs to pay the rent, it’s clear that when this impactful, good music is timeless. One thing is for sure, now is the time for this record.

12" Limited to 130 copies.

Digital Unlimited

10 great Hardcore and Gabber compilation CDs from the 90s that you might never have heard of

Everyone knows the famous compilation series of the 90s - the various domes and dromes, the nights in or of something, the quakes and collections... 
So how about some more rare and exclusive content for you, my dear reader?

Without further ado, here is a list of 11 compilations from the hardcore 90s.
Compilations that pack quite a punch and / or focus on more underground releases, are more experimental, centered on a substyle, or are faster and harder...

but shine in every way!

1. Traumatismo Y Terror Vol. 1


Don't you love that gorilla? Looks like he has come to give you cuddles... or to break your neck.
And the sound will break your neck, too.
"Dutch" style gabber stuff, and really obscure and extreme at that.


2. Razor Shock


Also termed "The Shockraving Hardcore Collection", so brace yourselves.
Tough, brutal, shocking early Gabber style with many well-known artists from the Netherlands, Germany, and elsewhere.


3. Techno Trash Car


Right at the beginning of their career, Somatic Responses appeared on a major label! And other underground veterans like Disciples of Belial, DJ Pure, and Christoph Fringeli, too.
Made possible by this very "Techno Trash Car" compilation CD.

And it sports a novel aspect in another way as well:
Almost all tracks on here are "oversize" tracks with a runtime of more than 10 minutes.
My fav pick on is Zekt's "Barracuda". Because acidcore has never been so dreamy!


4. Capital Noise (Chapter 1: Noise And Politics)


Associated with the early Berlin breakcore / hardcore underground.
Was supposed to be the first of a series of CDs, but as with many projects of the 90s - it did not happen.
The focus is on experimental / left wing hardcore techno and breaks, with tracks such as "realistic riot ritual routine" or "raver bashing". The compilation is notable for 2 things: it sports the very first track by the Somatic Responses. And the track "Berlin HC Nite" is one of the very few gabber things that the Spiral Tribe did in their own history.


5. Otaku - Slick But Not Streamlined


Fischkopf was one of the best labels in the 90s, and this is their own private compilation.
Has tracks by legends-to-become such as Taciturne, the Michelson sisters, Lasse Steen, EPC, and and and...
What is notable is that even though it is a label's compilation, almost all tracks on here are exclusive to this release, i.e. it's all new music.
After Fischkopf faltered, this label's person-in-control set up a new label, and it was called "Otaku" as well - isn't that ironic (don't you think?).


6. Mururoa Test 1


Only 90s kids will remember that the French blew up a few nukes on an archipelago of islands called "Moruroa". This led to quite the political and cultural fallout, and this plastic disc was part of it.
A showcase of the dangerous (and very radioactive) French hardcore and global underground, including Eradicator, Liza n Eliaz or Laurent hô.


7. Shocker - The Total Inferno (100% Hardcore Techno)


This little gem sports one of the best designs by Frank Miller as the cover art, taken from his "Hard Boiled" series of comics (long before he rose to total fame after Hollywood picked up "300" and "sin city").
The sound is mostly centered around that "liminal" style when acid, techno, hardcore, and gabber were not that far apart yet, and a lot of artists, most notably on German labels, did both (or more).


8. Wakin' Up A Dead Planet Vol. III


Mono Tone was one of the first labels for "pure" and extreme hardcore, a breeding ground for many debut projects by producers like The Speed Freak or Patric Catani.
This compilation is built upon the label's roster, with additional stuff by artists like Atom Heart or Walker.
Part in a series of multiple releases, and in many ways an "unofficial" precursor to the "Braindead" brand of compilations.


9. Explicit Bass Drum


Do you like the early French hardcore style? noizecore, industrial stuff?
Then get this one!
Has tracks by infernal maestros such as Test Tube Kid, Napalm, or XMF.


10. Bunker Beats One


Berlin's "bunker" termed itself to be "the hardest club" on earth, and it might have been true.
This compilation is centered on the German speedcore scene, and the tracklisting reads like a "who is who" of that era: Nordcore, Bakalla, Kotzaak, E-De Cologne...


11. Biomechanik


Okay, contrary to what I wrote in the intro, you probably know this one already.
but it needs to be included, because it is such a fabulous showcase of what the 90s underground was about.
True underground classics like before the breakdown, surfing on a sea of blood, home of the sick...
in a lovely mix by Manu le Malin.