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Hardcore techno or Hardcore dance music, often referred to as just "hardcore" is a style of electronic music that originated in the early-to-mid-1990s in multiple locations including the Netherlands, Germany and the UK. The style is typified by a fast tempo.[citation needed] and the rhythmic use of distorted and atonal industrial-like beats and samples.
[edit] Production techniques
Hardcore techno is usually composed using music sequencers, and many earlier tracks were produced on home computers with module tracker software. Some examples of the software used are Fruity Loops Studio and Reason.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.
[edit] Styles of Hardcore
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 has also spawned several sub-genres and derivative styles including:
- Old Skool - This retrospective 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 female vocals and classic "rave" sounds.
- Hardcore Breaks - Written in the style of old skool rave music or breakbeat hardcore using modern technology and production techniques.
- Gabber - Most popular in The Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Belgium, characterized by heavy bass drum sound, usually created with distortion, generally 150-220 bpm.
- Hardstyle - Characterized by hard synth riffs and the 4 to the floor bass line. Usually has a sample that is played multiple times through the song, looped or chopped.
- Noisecore - Hardcore influenced by industrial music, characterized by harsh beats.
- Breakcore - Uses distored breakbeats and random sampling to create a hectic effect.
- Digital Hardcore - Hardcore Punk influenced Hardcore.
- New Beat - Unlike most of its hardcore brethren this music is generally slow. New Beat originated when a DJ accidentally played a record at 33 RPM (compared to the standard 45 RPM). This made the music sound harder and more sinister, essentially influencing electronic hardcore. Tracks range from 80 bpm to 120 bpm.
- Speedcore - With tracks that can range from 250 bpm up to 1000 bpm, often featuring heavy distortion.
- Happy hardcore is a form of dance music typified by a very fast tempo (usually around 165-180 BPM), often coupled with male or female vocals, and sentimental lyrics. Popular in the UK, Australia and Spain, amongst other countries.
- Freeform hardcore - Hardcore with strong influence of trance, as well as smaller acid, electro, ambient and breaks influence
- Terrorcore - Often has horror-related themes. Drum breaks and off-beat synths are common.
- Frenchcore - around 200- 250 bpm, with influence from breakcore, uses breaks over a bassy-reverb-like 4 to the floor
Often certain substyles of hardcore are classified by the city or country in which they are produced, such as the Frankfurt sound, the French sound, the Tokyo sound etc.
[edit] Producers
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
