N.C. Raves: Hardcore trance music. This is a page in the North Carolina Rave Documentary website, a photo and audio essay about the rave scene in North Carolina.">
Guide to Electronica : Hardcore (5 of 9)

"Hardcore" describes electronica with a rawer, faster beat than normal. Hardcore techno, for instance, is a rawer, faster form of techno music. Hardcore trance (or "hardtrance") is a harder version of trance music.

Hardcore isn't just an adjective, though, and "hardcore" [Audio] by itself is used to denote a fusion of punk, heavy metal, and techno, and was responsible for bringing over many in the industrial and metal crowd to the rave scene. "Hardcore is designed to get your body moving by activating your adrenaline (like punk), rather than your endorphins (like house)," writes Brian Behlendorf in the alt.rave FAQ.

Happy hardcore [Audio] is a hybrid of hardcore and house music, in which piano riffs are juxtaposed with fast, pounding beats. The unusual contrast between 'happy' piano melodies and 'angry' beats may explain the name.

Gabber [Audio] is hardcore for hardcore-lovers. Originating in Rotterdam and most popular in Holland, it emphasizes a very fast beat, often topping 200 beats per minute.

Image from the photo story

Audio: Hardcore

Audio: Happy hardcore

Audio: Gabber

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