FireWire's Unofficial Guide To Hardcore Genres (samples included)

[FireWire]

Alright you primitive screwheads - listen up! I've been noticing a lot of confusion about this genre we call "hardcore", so I decided to enlighten everyone on this board what hardcore is all about. This shit took me a LONG time to put together (about 4 hours to get all the samples ready and 3 hours to write this post) - so you betta recognize and show respek!


DISCLAIMER:

THIS POST IS WRITEN OF THE TOP OF MY HEAD AND SOME INFORMATION MIGHT NOT BE COMPLETELY ACCURATE. I DID MY BEST TO GIVE THE MOST ACCURATE AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION FROM MY KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCES WITH HARDCORE MUSIC IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

*
THIS IS AN INFORMATIVE POST AND IS NOT INTENDED TO START A DISCUSSION WAR ON WHAT IS MUSIC AND WHAT ISN'T, WHICH GENRES SUCK AND WHICH DON'T, AND ALL THAT OTHER BULLSHIT.
*

Please keep it clean in here as my post is just informational and is intended to inform the general masses. It is not biased in any way and I'm not suggesting anything of that sort.


Thank you.

***


// FireWire's Unofficial Guide To Hardcore Genres //


Hardcore is typically one of the fastest genres of electronic music and is also known to be quite hard as well. Hardcore has originated in Europe, and particularly from Holland, UK, Finland, Spain, Russia and Italy.

A lot of hardcore is based on the slower electronica genres, so don't be surprised if a hardcore tune sounds similar to a slower tune that you heard before... but a lot faster. Typical hardcore speed range in beats per minute (BPM) is 170-180 BPM. That is what MOST professional hardcore producers produce at. Of course there are nutters that produce anywhere from 180 BPM to 1000 BPM and up. The world's fastest track is by a group out of the UK, known as Ephexis, whose hardcore track "Pig" tops 150,000.00+ BPM. OK that was way too off topic... so back on track.

The first actual hardcore came from Holland (I think... or at least from the Dutch) in the late 1980s. It all began in Amsterdam when some bored producers decided to see what it would sound like if they distorted a techno kick many times over. The resulted kick sounded very hard and distorted and the first 'almost'-hardcore genre formed: hard techno (aka. dark techno). As some producers kept on experimenting with distortion - a sub-genre formed, which was named "gabber". Gabber, (which means "friend" in Dutch), is the FIRST actual hardcore genre to be considered an actual genre. Out of gabber, some other genres derived, but I won't go through them all. I'll just list the sub-genres of gabber: rotterdam, happy gabber, nu-style gabber, gabber house, hardcore (gabber), breakcore, noisecore, speedcore, grindcore, metalcore, terrorcore, IDM and others.

About half a decade after gabber was created, other genres started forming. Those were freeform hardcore, happy hardcore, breakbeat hardcore, makina, japanese hardcore, finnish hardcore and trancecore (in that order).


========================================

I will now get into the main part of my guide which gives examples and audio samples of the most common sub-genres of hardcore.

I'm going to list the [common] genres (to date) in alphabetical order. They are:

• Breakbeat hardcore
• Breakcore
• Finnish hardcore
• Freeform hardcore
• Gabber
• Happy hardcore
• Japanese hardcore
• Makina
• Speedcore
• Trancecore

========================================

ALL SAMPLES ARE IN MP3 FORMAT, 128kb/s CBR, 1-7 MINS

>> BREAKBEAT HARDCORE:

• INFO: This genre is most closely related to breakbeats (aka. breaks) - which I assume originated from breaks and has been called hardcore breaks, or breakbeat hardcore.
  
• STYLE: Breakbeat patterns and sequences. A lot of piano and vocals are used as well. Sometimes hoovers and stabs are added for variety. Sometimes sounds like drum n' bass. Generally a very flexible and creative hardcore genre.
  
• BPM: 170-180 BPM (average)

1. SAMPLE: Breakbeat1
2. SAMPLE: Breakbeat2

---------------------------------

>> BREAKCORE:

• INFO: This genre is based on gabber and drum n' bass. This combination yields a VERY hard drum n' bass genre with a lot of broken up beats and hard kicks and basslines.
  
• STYLE: Lots of drum n' bass patterns, sequences, stabs, hoovers, glitches and digital noises. Reggae and hip-hop vocals are also commonly used in many tracks. Remixes are very common and most popular remixes include remakes of pop songs and classical pieces.
  
• BPM: 170-1000 BPM (average) [the fastest breakcore track I heard was 420 BPM but my friend claims that he heard a 1000 BPM track]

1. SAMPLE: Breakcore1
2. SAMPLE: Breakcore2
3. SAMPLE: Breakcore3
4. SAMPLE: Breakcore4
5. SAMPLE: Breakcore5

---------------------------------

>> FINNISH HARDCORE:

• INFO: This genre comes from Finland and is fairly new to the scene. It is fairly close hard trance but differentiates in the fact that it uses a LOT of 303 basslines (acid riffs). Most tracks sound very speedy and euphoric.
  
• STYLE: Hard trance style beats with LOTS of acid riffs, uplifting and dreamy synths, stabs and DEEP hoovers. Finnish hardcore uses minimal vocals, and in fact, almost no vocals at all but instead focuses on speed and melodical progression.
  
• BPM: 150-200 BPM (average)

1. SAMPLE: Finnish1
2. SAMPLE: Finnish2

---------------------------------

>> FREEFORM HARDCORE:

• INFO: This genre doesn't really sound like any other genre out there - I guess I can say it's like happy hardcore but without the 'happy'. Freeform is a pretty serious genre and might not appeal to a lot of people as it can get pretty random at times and just fuck with your head. It heavily relies on structure and each track is made to tell a story. It is considered to be a pretty 'aggressive' genre due to the hard kicks and basslines that it incorporates.
  
• STYLE: A fast and furious genre that is close to happy hardcore but doesn't involve happy and cheesy vocals. When vocals are used, they are mostly acapellas from popular songs. Lots of acid riffs and stabs are used in freeform hardcore. Breakdowns are always present and euphoric synths are common.
  
• BPM: 170-180 BPM (average)

1. SAMPLE: Freeform1
2. SAMPLE: Freeform2
3. SAMPLE: Freeform3
4. SAMPLE: Freeform4

---------------------------------

>> GABBER:

• INFO: Gabber is the hardest genre in hardcore mainly because of its SUPER distorted kicks and basslines and also because of most its lyrics that contain messages of anger and rebellion. Gabber is considered 'angry' music by most. Some say it sounds like 'marching' music.
  
• STYLE: Featuring kicks and basslines that are distorted to SHIT, gabber also has a LOT of synths. Vocals that are made by MCs are mostly used in this genre as well as vocals from popular hip-hop acapellas.
  
• BPM: 150-180 BPM (average)

1. SAMPLE: Gabber1
2. SAMPLE: Gabber2
3. SAMPLE: Gabber3
4. SAMPLE: Gabber4

---------------------------------

>> HAPPY HARDCORE:

• INFO: Happy hardcore (HHC) is the most popular hardcore genre in the world. I think that the reason for that is that happy hardcore has tunes that EVERYONE can like - I'm sure all of us have at least on happy hardcore track that we like (except Tayfoon, Toxxin Ephekt and Skitzo_Style). Happy hardcore sounds like pop music on crack - what I mean by that is that it uses a lot of the pop vocals but combined with a hardcore beat. It can also be called the reverse of freeform hardcore because it's LIKE freeform hardcore but instead of being serious - it's not serious. In fact - it's pretty silly (check Sample 5).
  
• STYLE: Beats and sounds are almost exactly like in freeform hardcore except the basslines that aren't as deep (not as many acid riffs). Vocals are ALWAYS happy. Drum n' bass breakdowns seem to be pretty common in HHC as well.
  
• BPM: 170-180 BPM (average)

1. SAMPLE: Happy1
2. SAMPLE: Happy2
3. SAMPLE: Happy3
4. SAMPLE: Happy4
5. SAMPLE: Happy5

---------------------------------

>> JAPANESE HARDCORE:

• INFO: This genre is exactly like happy hardcore but the vocals are in japanese. However, japanese producers also produce their own variations of gabber and freeform hardcore.
  
• STYLE: Beats and sounds are almost exactly like in happy hardcore except the basslines that aren't as deep (not as many acid riffs). Vocals are ALWAYS happy and in japanese. I haven't heard any male vocals in japanese hardcore yet - it seems that they only like to use female vocals in their tunes.
  
• BPM: 175-220 BPM (average)

1. SAMPLE: Japanese1 >> !!! FREE TRACK !!! DJ Sharpnel - Flower Forever (legit 320kb/s full mp3)
2. SAMPLE: Japanese2
3. SAMPLE: Japanese3

---------------------------------

>> MAKINA:

• INFO: This genre comes from Spain. It sometimes relates to freeform hardcore but at the same time it can also sound like happy hardcore. It is known for its 'bouncy' sound and a LOT of acid and synth riffs. It also has a 'screetching bee' sound which is a distorted synth with a wasp filter on it. It's the party genre of hardcore that can also get very fast, considering the slowest average makina track is 180 BPM.
  
• STYLE: Features beats that are very identical to freeform hardcore but doesn't sound anything like it due to a SHITLOAD of synths (lots of synth overlays). Stabs and hoovers are also common. Vocals are pretty common as well - they are usually in English but some are in Spanish as well. This genre has the most 'chipmonk' vocals you will hear in any hardcore genre.
  
• BPM: 180-220 BPM (average)

1. SAMPLE: Makina1
2. SAMPLE: Makina2
3. SAMPLE: Makina3

---------------------------------

>> SPEEDCORE:

• INFO: This genre is the fastest hardcore genre - and also the fastest genre on the planet! The name is self-explanatory... this shit's really fast. Thanks to this genre, a lot of people got the idea that hardcore is just noise. Well, at this speed beats become noise and you can't hear each seperate beat anymore because they are so closely placed by each other.
  
• STYLE: Beats are totally random but most of the time follow the freeform hardcore and gabber style beat patterns. Lots of tracks include turntablism and vocal samples.
  
• BPM: 180-1000+ BPM (average) [a lot speedcore starts at 180 BPM but speedcore DJs speed it up to at least 200 BPM when mixing live]

1. SAMPLE: Speedcore1
2. SAMPLE: Speedcore2

---------------------------------

>> TRANCECORE:

• INFO: What do you get when you combine trance and hardcore? ..."trancecore". It's a pretty clever mix between two completely different genres - it consists of hardcore beats, trance synths, original vocals, and a contrast between happy hardcore and freeform hardcore.
  
• STYLE: A genre of its own - consisting of massive buildups, usually two major breakdowns, euphoric synths, stabs and hoovers - it delivers its punch line through emotionally compelling lyrics. About 99% of trancecore tracks have vocals - most of them original. On a lot of of occassions, the lyrics can be very deep and emotional.
  
• BPM: 170-180+ BPM (average)

1. SAMPLE: Trancecore1
2. SAMPLE: Trancecore2
3. SAMPLE: Trancecore3
4. SAMPLE: Trancecore4

---------------------------------

I hope this helped!


Any questions? Email me at (or add on MSN):
dj_firewire [at] hotmail.com

My mixes can be found here:
mixes.djfez.com | dj profiles | DJ FireWire


PEACE!


- FireWire

[project.one]

http://www.ishkur.com/music/

[FireWire]

Yeh - I had to go there to get some info regarding the origination of gabber.

Ishkur didn't cover some of the genres I covered - so both are good resources.

[b0ld]

ahh yes breakcore <3

I'd seriously change the Speedcore tracks though dude
use "The Berzerker" or "C.S.R" as examples......

[b0ld]

I believe he will be adding some others that you cannot find on ishkur
plus ishkur has OLD OLD material...

[zarlon]

true, i have deleted the post since the guide isn't even up atm it's prepping for a new version.

but yeah he does include ones ishkur doesn thave.

[zarlon]

and i would give karma, but not allowed atm. :(

[wishbone]

ishkur's working on ver 3

[b0ld]

Originally Posted by wizzfish

ishkur's working on ver 3

lol ya for how many years now???

[Séguin]

Originally Posted by b0ld

lol ya for how many years now???

Ba-zing!

[mapleleaf4ever]

Good Post!

I myself learnedededed some new things about Hardcore.

[Jen-E-03]

firewire, i had no idea there were so many types of hardcore. Very interesting :)

[anewlife]

I still don't like those genres, but that's a sick post! Props!

[Séguin]

See. I have a different view on what Gabber is.

>> GABBER:
(Other Names: Dutch Gabber, Rotterdam)

- These tracks were put together with not much technical knowledge, and sound very raw. Their quick, always have bouncy kicks and basslines, chimpmunk vocals which were almost always from pop songs. And these are often mistaken for Happy Hardcore. This music was ment to be comical more than anything.
BPM: 180 - 220

SAMPLES:

Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3
Sample 4
Sample 5


So it really depends who you talk to...

[b0ld]

^ sounds like happy gabber.... like the stuff dj ogalla spins..

[NinjaBoy]

Wow, I haven't seen Manika refrenced for a long time.

[Séguin]

Originally Posted by NinjaBoy

Wow, I haven't seen Manika refrenced for a long time.

It showed up in a Pepsi commercial this year :D

[FireWire]

Originally Posted by b0ld

ahh yes breakcore <3

I'd seriously change the Speedcore tracks though dude
use "The Berzerker" or "C.S.R" as examples......

I'll add those, don't worry.

All other opinions welcome... cause, like I said - I wrote this of top of my head from what I heard from the "word on the street" - I didn't do any prior research to writing this... so my views might differentiate a bit.

[**TORMENT**]

I'd personally include some huuuge omissions in "hardcore" related sounds that u may have overlooked.

Like:

JUNGLE - from original hardcore breakbeat, techno, & hip-hop, ya know the rest. DnB? I still consider DnB as hardcore, once again included in the full spectrum of the music, from old to new. A pitched up break? Back in the old days, that WAS hardcore. Current tunes/productions via atmos DnB styles from peeps like ASC, Nucleus, Paradox - drumfunk, liquid or hard tech sounds, in the right delivery, you will ALWAYS be listening to hardcore breakbeat. Its forever in the energy of the music. Respect the root, the music will always progress.

GRIME & Dubstep - direct derivatives of the entire spectrum of hardcore breakbeat, rave culture in general, house, techno,even dub & industrial for some. You name it. Once again, I personally still consider these sounds as a branch of "current" hardcore electronic music. Not to mention that most producers & fans of these sounds have similar "hardcore roots", whether it be via jungle/dnb, hip-hop, dancehall, or any other influence, no matter what angle they come from. Its street music.


Word?

[project.one]

I think you missed some Genre's there!!!

[mapleleaf4ever]

Genre or Sub-Genre?

There's assloads of Sub-Genres and they keep multiplying. WHEN WILL THE MADNESS END?!

[Séguin]

Originally Posted by b0ld

^ sounds like happy gabber.... like the stuff dj ogalla spins..

See, newer people call it happy gabber. but its really just gabber.

[project.one]

Originally Posted by mapleleaf4ever

Genre or Sub-Genre?

There's assloads of Sub-Genres and they keep multiplying. WHEN WILL THE MADNESS END?!

Try, everyone can make their own sun genre these days, its stupid!

[project.one]

Im playing some Wistle Core right now, w00t its awsome!

[mapleleaf4ever]

^ Somehow my take Breakbeatfunkpsytechswingpolkastep wouldn't catch on too quickly.