Now we take a closer look at the first eleven EPs in this label's vast catalogue.
You don't know DHR? How could you! Here is what it is:
"Before the "Genre Mainstream" set in, Hardcore, and also Techno, were not styles or categories that are as fixed as they are now.
Many labels (and artists) existed on a kind of liminal location, that sat in-between the various movements, styles, sub-cultures, and political claims...
One of these was Digital Hardcore Recordings, which enchanted Hardcore Heads, Punks, Indie Rockers, Hip Hop fans and lots of additional contingents in youth and other (older) movements.
And, paradoxically, while DHR was probably one of the most underground efforts, as these releases literally did not give a fuck about genre conventions, image, likability... they were also *the most known* hardcore-adjacent and extreme electronic label in the 90s.
every global music, culture, fashion magazine tried to get an interview or story with one of its artists... they toured all over the world and in the major cities... they were on big rotation on MTV and other music television.
It was a common thing to come home after a squat rave, turn on the TV in order to "chill", and suddenly see Atari Teenage Riot, Alec Empire, Hanin or Ec8or appear on the screen.
Even the mainstream press and media regularly covered the label."
And, going on with the program....
Alec Empire – Digital Hardcore E.P. (DHR 1)
The Digital Hardcore EP that kickstarted the eponymous label.
And it was a true kick-in-the-butt for its future audience.
Hyperfast breakbeats, bass sounds that seem to come out of voodoo possessed synths, and a general call for an audio uprising.
Pick: "Pleasure is our business" - because it's the hardest of 'em all!
https://www.discogs.com/master/128484-Alec-Empire-Digital-Hardcore-EP
DJ Bleed - Uzi Party EP (DHR 2)
Very interesting release, as all 3 tracks have a distinct sound to them.
"Deaf, Dumb and Blind" is weird early breakcore, that was also featured on the "Harder than the rest" compilation.
"In Bed With Marusha" is kind of "indie happy hardcore", also with elements of industrial and uk breakbeats.
And my pick on here is "Sexy Intelligence Council"; heavy breakcore with one of the unholiest basslines I ever heard!
https://www.discogs.com/master/554806-DJ-Bleed-Uzi-Party-EP
Sonic Subjunkies - Suburban Soundtracks Pt. 1 (DHR 3)
I feel this remains a bit "underrated" compared with other Digital Hardcore releases?
These tracks are part of the "first steps" of the emergent breakcore movement.
Beastly distorted amens, acid lines, anime samples... what's not to love about it?
My fav choice is "Central Industrial", which adds elements of melancholic electronica to the madness, and the entire track is built around vocal snippets taken from the classic cult movie "Ghosts... of the Civil Dead".
https://www.discogs.com/release/33620-Sonic-Subjunkies-Suburban-Soundtracks-Pt1
Alec Empire - Death EP (DHR 4)
One of the most legendary releases of the 90s. This is as bleakest and darkest as it gets.
As the title implies, all tracks are related to death in one way or the other.
Stands out from other "early breakcore" releases by heaving some of the heaviest amens, bass lines that sound as they really were emitted from the "world below", and being more complex and innovative. For example, "Su*cide" has a very movie soundtrack feel to it, while "We all die" ends in a several minute long beatless dark ambient outro.
https://www.discogs.com/release/65172-Alec-Empire-Death-EP
Sonic Subjunkies - Turntable Terrorist EP (DHR 5)
Their sophomore release on DHR.
Style is similar to the earlier release: darkside breakcore on a steady diet of trigger-happy anime samples and other media (twin peaks!).
Smart and well-done.
https://www.discogs.com/release/64999-Sonic-Subjunkies-Turntable-Terrorist-EP
Hanin Elias - Show EP (DHR 6)
The 2nd EP by Hanin - only preceded by a 12" on Force Inc. Music Works.
But this is Digital Hardcore Recordings, and hence the sound is much rougher now.
Out of the ordinary and exceptional Breakcore with Hanin's top notch screaming voice.
Fav track: the slower "Tie Me To The Wall" that almost ventures into trip hop, dub, or funk territory!
https://www.discogs.com/master/45111-Hanin-Elias-Show-EP
Christoph De Babalon – Destroy Berlin! (DHR 7)
One of the best records ever in any music genre. period.
I never heard anything like that again, even on other releases by De Babalon (the same can be said about his subsequent album, by the way).
This 12" had the most heinous breakbeats back in the day, yet at the same time there are lush, acerbic-saccharine drones, synths, and laments reverberating through these compositions... oscillating between heaven and hell, anyone?
https://www.discogs.com/release/213924-Christoph-De-Babalon-Destroy-Berlin
Ec8or - AK-78 (DHR 8)
Ec8or's first sign of life on DHR and, surprisingly, this one is vastly different to their other output!
Could it be that this was more of a solo-production, without much involvement by Gina?
The "Killer Side" sports aggressive hyper-gabber in the vein of patric's alternate productions as e-de cologne, test tube kid etc.
The "AK-78 Side" introduces us to low fi dirty amiga centered breakcore.
All 4 tracks are amongst my favorites. And every "early breakcore" DJ needs these.
The CD version sports a nice hidden bonus track.
https://www.discogs.com/master/13305-Ec8or-AK-78
Ec8or - Spex Is A Fat Bitch (DHR 9)
DHR had the habit that the EPs were often as good as the albums, and that those EP tracks were then not included on future albums! (Which is very rare in the world of music).
And because of this, some of these EPs feel more like complete-but-miniature, stand-alone albums, and this here is no exception.
The sound is an exception, though, because no other Ec8or release sounds like this.
I think they come the closest to the vision of a raw punk band that uses amiga gabber drums and distorted breakbeats as a backup with this release.
Gina is at her angriest here, the walls-of-guitar are at their loudest here, and the 8 bit sample fuzz drowns everything in ultra-violet (sic!) noise.
What's not to adore about this one?
https://www.discogs.com/master/13318-Ec8or-Spex-Is-A-Fat-Bitch
Atari Teenage Riot - Speed/Midijunkies (DHR 10)
"Live bootlegs" that get cut on vinyl have their special charm as this a thing which is almost never done anymore (in our world of super-digital post-physical music).
Most of the tracks that you can find on here have also been included on other releases as well.
But this one's worth getting for the brilliant artwork which just screams "DIY punk got gene spliced with the video kid generation", and... the live version of "Start The Riot".
Because this track is a feral dog that will gnaw on your bones until there is no flesh left.
https://www.discogs.com/master/41639-Atari-Teenage-Riot-Speed-Midijunkies
Atari Teenage Riot – Kids Are United E.P. (DHR 11)
Another release by DHR that feels more like an entire album to itself, rather than an EP - especially given the fact that the actual albums by DHR often barely pass the 30 minute mark.
Therefore you get lots of content for your cash here.
Apparently, this is a beefed-up re-release of the earliest ATR outing - on a label that later discontinued its contract with this crew; so ATR left with a major's advance, put the money to good use by starting their own indie... and the rest is history!
But now to the sound: Digital Hardcore at its earliest, and at its rawest.
I'm sure you are already acquainted with tracks like "Kid Are United", "Deutschland has gotta die" or "Not Your Business", and the semi-"bonus" tracks are special treats as well.
https://www.discogs.com/release/127121-Atari-Teenage-Riot-Kids-Are-United-EP
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