Music Sound

Hardcore techno
Stylistic origins:	Techno, Industrial
Cultural origins:	1990s, Frankfurt, Rotterdam, New York City and Newcastle, New South Wales
Typical instruments:	Drum machine � Sequencer � Sampler
Mainstream popularity:	Moderate, largely in mid-late to 1990s.
Derivative forms:	Gabber, Breakcore
Subgenres
Speedcore, Terrorcore
Fusion genres
Digital Hardcore
Regional scenes
Schranz, Swechno
Other topics
Electronic musical instrument � Computer music � Record labels

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.

Contents 1 History 2 Production techniques 3 Styles of hardcore techno 4 Notable producers 5 Notable record labels 6 External links

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

Hardcore is distinguished from its close relative, gabber, a primarily a Dutch phenomenon that is generally slower in speed and which also incorporates synthesised melodies.

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

• Happy hardcore is probably the best known variant, which aims at invigorating and uplifting rapid dancing as opposed to the normally morbid focus.
• Speedcore - With tracks can range from 350 bpm all the way up to 1000 bpm.
• Terrorcore - Employs the use of 'scary' sounding samples and sounds to give the tunes a frantic "terror" feel.
• Breakcore - Combines hardcore with elements of breakbeat and glitch music.
• New style hardcore - A somewhat slower but darker variant of hardcore techno.
• Schranz - A style based around massively bass-heavy kick drums, driving percussion and distorted, looping synth noises.

Often certain substyles of hardcore are classified by the city or country in which it was produced, such as the Newcastle sound, the Frankfurt sound, the French sound.

Notable producers

• Mescalinum United

Notable record labels

Industrial Strength
Planet Core Productions
Things To Come Records
Black Monolith Records
Rotterdam Records
Bloody Fist Records
Enzyme Records
The Third Movement
Masters of Hardcore
ID&T
Hardrive Records

External links

• Happy Hardcore Dot Com
• German Hardcore Community: music database and community
• HardSound Gabber Portal: music database and community
• Gabber startpage on goedbegin.be
• Gabber Dot Org
• HardcoreHeadZ - Hardcore/Gabber Community
• Pounding Beats - The Ravers Guide!

Techno
Acid - Detroit - 4-beat - Gabber - Ghettotech - Hardcore - Happy hardcore - Minimal - Nortec - Rave - Schranz - Tech house
Other electronic music genres
Ambient | Breakbeat | Drum and bass | Electronica | Electronic art music | Hard dance | Hardcore | House | Techno | Trance | Industrial | Synthpop

Hardcore
Basskore - Bouncy techno - Breakbeat - Breakcore - Darkcore - Freeform - Gabber - Happy - Industrial - Makina - Speedbass - Speedcore - Terrorcore - Trancecore - UK