Music Sound

Speedcore is a form of hardcore techno that is typically identified by its high rate of beats per minute and aggressive themes. Tracks can range from 235 BPM all the way up to 1000 BPM and above (there is some debate around a genre called extratone, in which the music must be 1000 BPM or above and is soaked in noise. Some say it doesn't exist while others feel it surpasses speedcore in intensity). Unlike other styles of aggressive dance music like gabber, the high rate of BPM makes Speedcore less accessible as a danceable genre, although most fans of the genre headbang and mosh to the music.

The typical speedcore track is characterized by a general anti-music and anti-establishment sentiment. The music is angry, aggressive and often attempts to foster an atmosphere of hostility for the listener. Speedcore DJs push the boundaries of electronic dance music and often use offensive themes in their music to create such extremes.

While most speedcore artists are content to attack the normal standards of music, or even the gabber music that spawned them, the extremism of speedcore has caused some to turn inwards and parody the standards of the genre. Much like how happy hardcore relates to gabber and hardcore techno, these songs utilize samples of lighter and more manic themes, like Bing Crosby and Futurama, to create their extreme sound.

Contents 1 Characteristics 2 Raves and the "Scene" 3 External links 3.1 References 3.2 Record labels 3.3 Artists 3.4 Miscellaneous

Characteristics

Aside from the very fast tempo of speedcore, which never drops below 235 BPM, speedcore can often be distinguished from other forms of hardcore techno by an aggressive and overridden electronic percussion track that is often punctuated with hyperactive snare or tom-tom fills. The Roland TR-909 is often the drum machine of choice for speedcore performers due to its ability to generate heavily distorted bass-drum kicks that anchor the percussion tracks.

As with many other forms of techno, synthesizers are also heavily used, often producing heavily distorted and/or disharmonic melodies to complement the underlying drums. Although any analog or hybrid synth can be used, the analog/digital hybrid Roland Juno-106 is a common favorite with speedcore artists. Pure digital synthesizers are comparatively rare in speedcore.

Samples are often used to further heighten the aggressive nature of speedcore, with many artists using audio samples of violent scenes from movies by directors such as Martin Scorsese and Stanley Kubrick. Samples of actors such as Joe Pesci and R. Lee Ermey are especially popular, especially in older speedcore works. Some artists are content to sample shouted obscenities and incorporate these samples into their music.

Phonograph turntables, usually specialized belt-drive and direct-drive models, are frequently used during the recording process to produce various "scratching" and speed distortion effects that are often difficult to produce with synthesizers. During live performances, most speedcore artists and DJs consider turntables indispensable.

Raves and the "Scene"

Taken by itself, listening to speedcore on vinyl or a CD can be an exhilarating experience. Within the context of a speedcore rave, however, external stimuli such as strobe lights, fog machines, and even costumes worn by some performers can heighten the adrenaline rush. Some choose to amplify the experience during raves by abusing alcohol and/or illicit drugs.

Speedcore raves often take place in "underground" dance clubs or industrial warehouses. While the average raver (including many gabbers) wear any kind of clothing that strikes their fancy, from campy "club kid" outfits to street clothes, speedcore aficionados often wear black or camouflage clothing, often imprinted with apolitical or anarchistic messages. Any outward expressions of political sentiment or actual calls for the use of violence to achieve social or political change are heavily discouraged, if not banned outright. Satirization of political themes is often common, with Nazism being a frequent target for abuse. The main reason for attending a speedcore rave, however, is similar to the reasons for slam-dancing at a punk rock concert or thrashing around in a mosh pit - it's an energy release where speedcore ravers gather to release their collective frustrations with the many facets of society with their friends, and lots of loud, fast, aggressive music.

External links

References

• Ishkur's Guide to Electronic Music
• Wikipedia NL Guide to Extratone

Record labels

• Braindestruction Recordz
• Canadian Speedcore Resistance
• Darkera Media
• Destruction
• Industrial Strength Records
• Mascha Records
• Milan Speedcore Project
• Noise Machine
• Anti Narcose

Artists

• Obseti hardcore label
• Aftermath
• Asylum
• Drillbit
• Komprex
• m1dy
• Passenger Of Shit
• Sharpnel Sound
• Pete Sic
• ScreamerClauz
• Willie K
• Sleepbug
• Annwn
• La Peste

Miscellaneous

• International speedcore forum

Hardcore
Basskore - Bouncy techno - Breakbeat - Breakcore - Darkcore - Freeform - Gabber - Happy - Industrial - Makina - Speedbass - Speedcore - Terrorcore - Trancecore - UK
Other electronic music genres
Ambient | Breakbeat | Drum and bass | Electronica | Electronic art music | Hard dance | Hardcore | House | Techno | Trance | Industrial | Synthpop