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Hardcore (electronic dance music genre)

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For the use of 'hardcore' in relation to other music genres, see hardcore music.
Hardcore techno
Stylistic originsTechno, Industrial
Cultural origins1990s, Frankfurt, Rotterdam, New York City and Newcastle, New South Wales
Typical instrumentsDrum machine – Sequencer – Sampler
Derivative formsGabber, Breakcore
Subgenres
Speedcore, Terrorcore
(complete list)
Fusion genres
Digital Hardcore
Regional scenes
Schranz, Swechno
Other topics
Electronic musical instrument – Computer music – Record labels – Notable artists and DJs

Hardcore techno, often referred to as hardcore, is a style of techno music that originated in the early-to-mid-1990s in multiple locations including Rotterdam, New York City and Newcastle, New South Wales. The style is typified by a fast tempo (160-300 bpm and up) and the rhythmic use of distorted and atonal industrial-like beats and samples.

History

Mescalinum United's "We Have Arrived" (1990) is considered by many to be one of the first hardcore techno tracks.

Production techniques

Hardcore techno is usually composed using music sequencers, and many earlier tracks were produced on home computers with module tracker software. The criticism that early Amiga and PC sound was "8-bit shit" became an article of pride amongst hardcore producers. The wide availability of computers, combined with the absence of financial remuneration, means that many hardcore techno musicians write for their own enjoyment and the pleasure of innovation.

Styles of hardcore techno

As Hardcore continues to grow each different type of hardcore (each subgenre) begins to attract a larger fanbase and more support from producers. As new sub-genres grow they can become extremely different than other subgenres that are also referred to as Hardcore.

Hardcore techno has also spawned several subgenres and derivative styles including:

  • Happy Hardcore is probably the best known, and best selling variant. Happy hardcore focuses on being positive and high energy.
  • Gabber - Most popular in The Netherlands, 150-160+ bpm.
  • Speedcore - With tracks can range from 250 bpm all the way up to 1000 bpm.
  • Terrorcore - Employs the use of 'scary' or 'evil' sounding samples and sounds to give the tunes a frantic "terror" feel. Popularized in Rotterdam, Holland in the mid to late 1990's.
  • Noisecore - Very noisy hardcore. This style is related to Speedcore and Terror
  • Breakcore - Combines hardcore with elements of breakbeat and glitch music. Often played at extremely high tempo.
  • New Style Hardcore - Also referred to as "Nu Style Hardcore"A somewhat slower variant of hardcore techno.
  • Schranz - A style based around massively bass-heavy kick drums, driving percussion and distorted, looping synth noises.
  • Old Skool - This term is usually reserved for tracks produced in the early 90's, a large period of growth for Hardcore. Lots of piano rolls, bouncy basslines and breakbeats and plenty of cheesy female vocals and classic "rave" sounds.
  • Trancecore - A style of hardcore based on speeding up Trance music. The first Trancecore tracks to be produced were literally timestreched trance songs. Later tracks have produced by utilizing riffs, melodies and other elements taken from trance with the bassline and high tempo of hardcore.
  • Freeform - Not so much an offshoot of Hardcore as much as an intersection of multiple genres of electronic music. Freeform is most frequently called hardcore due to it's similarities in tempo and rhythm but it also has elements that show influences from other genres such as acid house and drum and bass.

The Hardcore community is close-knit and there are many names and definitions that are used differently in different areas. Often certain substyles of hardcore are classified by the city or country in which they are produced, such as the Newcastle sound, the Frankfurt sound, the French sound, etc.

Notable producers

Notable record labels

Hardrive Records

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