Tag Archives: Hardcore

EDC 2016 Las Vegas – Basscon Wasteland Recap

By Brandon “CabZ” Caballero
Follow me on Twitter @BrandonCabZ

This year marked the 20-year anniversary of the Electric Daisy Carnival as Insomniac set out for their biggest event of the year in Las Vegas, NV. This was the 4th year that Insomniac’s hard dance label, Basscon would host a stage at EDC. Thus far, we have been treated to stages of the Gas Mask Man (that has now become synonymous with Basscon), a giant One Eyed Monster, last year an apocalyptic New York scene and this years stage was promised to be an Apocalyptic San Francisco. The stage displayed a Golden Gate Bridge surrounded with shipping containers and graffiti and wrecked cars, and was being attacked by a giant crab! The stage was equipped with fireworks, pyrotechnics, 50ft flames lights, lasers and even its own go-go dancers. A stacked lineup of worldclass Djs promised this year’s Basscon as one to be remembered.

Another exciting first for Basscon was the Basscon Anthem by TNT – “Wasteland”. I recently spoke with TNT at Project Z and asked for their comment on making the anthem, they told me “We have seen the US Hardstyle scene grow-up in the USA and get bigger and bigger over these past few years. We felt like it was finally time to give you an anthem of your own!” For years American fans of hard dance who follow overseas events have wanted an anthem to hype up their weekend. For those who are not familiar, an anthem is exactly what it sounds like- it is the theme that sets the spirit for the entire weekend ahead and rallies everyone together and builds excitement for the show! “Wasteland” perfectly captures this spirit with lyrics such as “Crawling on the barren soil underneath the blackened sun, we are the children of the desert, we rule this wasteland.”

As I walked through the gates at the entrance I immediately heard the baseline bouncing from Basscon. Kutski was opening up the weekend for hardstyle lovers and kept to his motto of Keeping the Rave Alive; he had sparked the party spirit of all the ravers who had assembled far and wide to be at that Basscon stage just to be apart of a weekend packed with their favorite hard dance artists.

Other notable performances on Night 1 include Leiel, Audiofreq, who is an absolute madman bursting with unstoppable energy every set I’ve seen him play, Adrenalize , some freestyle fun with LNY TNZ, the legendary Technoboy, EDC first-timer Code Black, , Isaac, the UK hardcore DJ’s Darren Styles and Gammer who played individual sets as well as a special b2b set, and the night ended with Ran-D, who dropped the RAW on EDC from his first track, raising a big middle finger to everyone else saying “F#CK EDM”, to his last at sunrise. Honorable mention to Padaro, DJ Adaro’s father, who was partying at the front of the stage with the rest of the crowd!

Night 2 – After attending Gabberfest all day it was right back to EDC on nothing more than a few hours of sleep, but I remained optimistic due to the stacked lineup for the day. Night 2 started off with US Hardstyle DJ Mekanikal, followed Max Enforcer, Stephanie, Bioweapon (the duo of Code black and Audiofreq), Da Tweekaz and a special set where Brennan Heart showcased many new tracks from his new album I Am Hardstyle, and he even brought Jonathan Mendelsohn out on stage to sing a few tracks live! Following Brennan Heart’s performance, all music stopped at the Basscon stage and the crowd was treated to the “Basscon Experience”, a 10min firework show ending with the Basscon anthem and TNT starting their set. Following TNT was the beginning of the RAW Hardstyle for the night; Gunz 4 Hire (Ran-D and Adaro) came out and treated EDC to a particularly brutal set showcasing music and even video clips for their No Mercy Tour. Digital Punk took the stage next, and almost had to open a can of whoopass on someone who thought it would be a good idea to climb the stage and mess with the CDJ’s during his set before finally being removed by security (watch over your friends people!). Night 2 closed down with the haunter or the dark himself, DJ Adaro.

Night 3 – you can look around and definitely tell the heat, partying and lack of sleep is beginning to take it’s toll on the crowd… BUT, they don’t call it Wasteland for nothing! Basscon kicked off with a bang with a special b2b set from Canadian Duo Crisis Era and US DJ Darksiderz. Next followed a block of euphoric Hardstyle with
Sylence, Audiotricz, Wasted Penguinz. Next, D-Block & S-te-Fan, Coone and Tuneboy, entertained the crowd and prepared them for the final push of the weekend. Lady Faith took to the stage next and differed from her normal style to instead play many more RAW tracks into her set, even showcasing some Notorious 2 tracks, to prepare everyone for Radical Redemption. The army of the Radical was strong throughout the audience, and Radical himself rewarded them by playing many of the tunes that brought him to notoriety, including Brutal 5.0 and Spell of Sin. As Radical left the stage he addressed the crowd to “get ready for the #1 hardcore act in the world” and DJ Angerfist took the stage! Now, I will say, there is a high expectation for the last DJ of the weekend at the end of 3 days, but Angerfist sparked energy in the people partying and the crowd was exploding with energy that was a truly remarkable achievement at the sunrise set. The hardcore reinvigorated the crowd like nothing I could have expected, people were shuffling, hakken and there were moshpits everywhere. This was a crowd was here for hardcore and they were loving every minute of it! Angerfist’s set built faster throughout and showcased many of his popular songs, and he even included some frenchcore, and ended clocking in at over 200bpm!

angerfist EDC

When it comes to Basscon Wasteland at EDC Las Vegas, it was a success in every aspect, and a great way to spend “20 years under the electric sky”. Whether you like euphoric, freestyle, hardcore, mainstream, RAW, UK hardcore, there was something to make you happy. With the new generation of ravers now receiving more exposure to hard dance than ever had before at American festivals, it is my hope that Basscon will inspire a new wave of American hard dance artists. This is good for growth of the scene and I hope Insomniac gives them the chance to play their events one day. I also hope Insomniac continues to grow and diversify their Basscon label, and hope for a standalone Basscon event in the future, maybe even including multiple stages so the euphoric fans, RAW, freestyle and hardcore fans can have a stage of their own. The hard dance scene in the US has limitless opportunity and can be anything we make it to be. I hope for many more events with an anthem, laser and firework show to mirror the European endshows, but most importantly, all of us should take pride in the collective being we become when we can come together for a common mentality to go hard!

Suomicore Online v1.0

..is an online web radio event in which we will channel Finnish electronic core music into your homes and ear canals!

Starting at 15:00 Finnish time (12:00 UTC/GMT).

LINEUP

LIVE:

AM/PM Programme
#hardcore
https://soundcloud.com/am-pm-programme

DoomsDay Sounds
#hardcore
https://soundcloud.com/doomsday-sounds

EOF
#flashcore #breakcore #experimental
https://hearthis.at/djeof

SatanoiD
#flashcore #experimental_core
https://soundcloud.com/satanoids

Shatterling
#industrial_hardcore #crossbreed
https://soundcloud.com/shatterling

Säckxsätüs
#breakcore
https://soundcloud.com/sackxsatus

Talman
#hardcore #industrial_hardcore
https://soundcloud.com/djtalman

Teknoaidi
#shamancore #psychedelic #speedcore
https://soundcloud.com/teknoaidi

Valovoima
#speedcore
http://valovoima.kovaydin.net/

DJ:

Avaruusveli
#suomicore
https://mixcloud.com/avaruusveli

Noison
#perseraiskaus #tribute
https://www.mixcloud.com/noison

TIMETABLE (EEST // UTC/GMT+3):
15:00-16:00 Avaruusveli
16:00-16:30 AM/PM Programme
16:30-17:30 Talman
17:30-18:30 Shatterling
18:30-19:00 Säckxsätüs
19:00-20:00 Noison
20:00-21:00 DoomsDay Sounds
21:00-21:45 Teknoaidi
21:45-22:30 EOF
22:30-23:30 Valovoima
23:30-00:30 SatanoiD

STREAM:
http://kaaosradio.fi/

ONLINE CHAT:
http://kovaydin.net/v3/?page_id=2057

ORGANIZING:
Suomicore Tube
Kovaydin.NET
Kaaosradio

The Raging Hard Roundtable

By Sean Hargrove & Tim Shopp

We’re here with the entire Warsong Presents: Raging Hard lineup, and we’re going to dig a little more into these guys minds to see what they’re really about!

HD: Zaki! Great to have you here man!  We’re wondering how did you get your DJ/Performance name, what does it mean?

Zaki: Well, funny question. The name actually means “Pure” in Arabic, but I found that out after I decided to use this name. Zaki was my nickname, so I just decided to use it as my artist name. It has kind of just stuck to me.

Zaki hails from Virginia Beach and will be playing the Hardstyle stage.
Zaki hails from Virginia Beach and will be playing the Hardstyle stage.

HD: Next up, mister Treachery!  How long have you been mixing/producing and how did you get started?

Treachery: I’ve been mixing Hardcore since 2007, though only seriously producing since 2011. Per my bio, I got started because I needed a music style loud and annoying enough to mask the screams of the victims tied up in my basement…

Treachery is signed to Industrial Strength and will be playing the Hardcore stage.
Treachery is signed to Industrial Strength and will be playing the Hardcore stage.

HD: Mekanikal in the house! Have you noticed changes in the scene since you started in your area or nationwide?

Mekanikal: Well certainly! The scene has grown a lot over the years since the beginning of my journey as a DJ. I actually didn’t come into the “local” scene until 2015, my first hardstyle show was DefQon.1 2013 in the Netherlands (I did the reverse of what DJs normally do haha). That being said, from what I’ve experienced, seeing local companies like Audio Havok, East Coast Hard Dance (ECHD), Fresh Entertainment, SDK, Denver Hard Dance, and countless more springing up across the country and getting into the hard dance market is really encouraging for the scene as a whole.

Two years ago, the United States wasn’t really seen as a strong player in the hard dance scene, but now we have become a force to be reckoned with!

There is a lot of positive things happening here in the states, and there are many negative things happening too. Like fans who shout out “defend the raw bruh!!” and others doing the same with euphoric hardstyle… Guys, grow up!

It’s all hardstyle and if someone doesn’t like the style you do, that’s okay! No one has to like what you do. Also, this is something I’m glad Warsong is doing…

The Hardstyle fans need to invest their support in the US hardstyle DJs. One of the reasons we don’t have a Defqon or a Qlimax in the states is mainly because you’re not investing enough in your local talent that’s getting signed to the same labels! Stop whining that “so-and-so shouldn’t be on this festival’s lineup because it’s taking the place of foreign DJs.”

We should be celebrating the USA DJs that get that opportunity, not saying they should be relegated to “local shows” to make room for the international DJs. We work just as hard and put together sets that don’t just highlight the “in” tracks. We make live edits, mashups, really try to make each set exclusive to the show. TL;DR, support your local DJs and get over the Raw vs. Euphoric debate.

Mekanikal is a Producer & DJ based in Washington, D.C. and will be playing the Hardstyle stage.
Mekanikal is a Producer & DJ based in Washington, D.C. and will be playing the Hardstyle stage.

HD: Levenkhan! What do you think about the current state of harder styles in America? (Both Hardstyle and or Hardcore)

Levenkhan: First and foremost thank you guys of the Hard Data for having us and spreading our sounds across the U.S. The current scene of the harder styles   has definitely grown a lot the past couple of years. From a very personal and underground rave scene it has evolved to a  bigger crowd and infected the masses. The hardstyle scene is at a steady climb, with a high end of quality producers and DJs from all over the U.S. I have faith it will grow to something much bigger.

As far as hardcore its been and will aways be a  bumpy ride. With a more dedicated underground fanbase hardcore is finally starting to get more attention with a much higher demand at most hard dance events. Its a complex  forgein sound for the average american mainstream ear but perhaps will reach a much bigger mainstream fanbase one day.

Overall in order for a successful growth of the harder styles in america we must set our differences (if any) aside and  all come in UNITY and a support  all national talent whether its an upcoming  local name or a bigger national name, GO SUPPORT  and watch the scene grow.

Levenkhan is a Hardcore DJ and Producer from New Jersey, playing the outdoor Hardcore stage.
Levenkhan is a Hardcore DJ and Producer from New Jersey, playing the outdoor Hardcore stage.

HD: Greetings Markove! What are you trying to convey through your music? Are there any themes or ideas that are important to you? Is there anything in particular you find yourself wanting to communicate to the audience?

Markove:   My personal experiences and how I’ve endured form the basic message behind my music.  In the past two years I’ve gone through a lot of firsts.  Many I hope won’t be repeated.  All things considered, however, I’m only one person in a world of many.  Everyone lives through events they don’t want to intentionally experience.  My message is a simple one – you’re not alone.

Inspiration.  Motivation.  Renewal.  I want the crowd to feel these emotions every time I perform.  For me, the medium doesn’t matter.  Whether it’s through my online podcast or a live set, I want every person to experience the same realization:  your potential is unlimited.

Markove is a Washington, D.C. based Producer and DJ playing the Hardstyle stage
Markove is a Washington, D.C. based Producer and DJ playing the Hardstyle stage

HD: Hello Problem-Unit! Have you played Baltimore or the East Coast before? How did it go?

Problem Unit: I mostly play the east coast area, NYC to DC, as far west as Pittsburgh. Probably the best time I had playing Baltimore was at a warehouse near the stadium / Paradox. It was a mult – gig night for myself and a friend of mine, and by the time I got to the venue it was time to play, I was wired, and threw down hard. It was a blast to say the least.

Problem Unit is based in Perkasie, PA and will be spinning on the UK Hardcore stage.
Problem Unit is based in Perkasie, PA and will be spinning on the UK Hardcore stage.

HD: How are you doing Dr Jer-Z? Do you have anything special planned for the party (btb set, all vinyl, live PA, guest performers/dancers etc)? Do you plan to play a specific genre? Oldschool throwbacks? Original productions? Rawstyle or euphoric?

Dr Jer-Z: What’s up Hard Data! Im really excited about this event. Definitely do have something prepared. I’m a reverse bass guy so there will definitely be that hard pounding bass involved in my set. Some Rawstyle and Euphoric will be present but I’m all about energy when it comes to my sets. I do have some new original tracks/remixes that I’m going finish for this event. Can’t wait to be a part of this event and to play with some of the best local artists.

Dr Jer-Z is a Hardstyle DJ from Palermo, Italy, playing the Hardstyle stage.
Dr Jer-Z is a Hardstyle DJ from Palermo, Italy, playing the Hardstyle stage.

HD: Mad Effort and Cheif! You both will be hosts of stages on this night! How does it feel and are you guys looking forward to specific acts?

Chief: It feels awesome to be witnessing the birth of yet another team on the east coast that has genuine passion and desire for the growth of our Hard Dance scene. I’m excited to be included in this event because as the culture spreads, it’s an honor to be able to say I was there with Warsong from the beginning. Being a part of something already established is fantastic but when you play a part in something from its birth, it’s special and the potential is endless. Truth be told, I’m not looking forward to any act in particular because every artist on here is known for throwing down well, so I expect nothing but the best from everyone as they always deliver. Looking forward to going back to back with Mad Effort because it’s a rare opportunity that there’s another individual rocking the mic alongside me with an equal amount of passion. It creates an atmosphere that isn’t mine and isn’t his but can be stronger than both. Not to mention, this is my first time officially hosting in Baltimore so that alone is keeping me amped up for this. I’m very proud to be a part of this culture.

MastaChief is a hardcore and hardstyle MC from New York, NY, hosting the Hardstyle stage.
MastaChief is a hardcore and hardstyle MC from New York, NY, hosting the Hardstyle stage.

Mad Effort: Im really looking forward to my first time hosting on my own  for a big event , and at an all hardcore stage no less! With three stages of pure hard dance, this show really will be something unique.

As far as the artists go, I can’t think of a better lineup as powerful as what we’ve got packed for June 11th. I’ve got something special in store for the show, but I’ll let you guys see for yourself when the time comes!

MCMADEFFORT
MC Mad Effort is a Hard Dance MC from New York, NY, hosting the outdoor Hardcore stage.

HD: Tim Shopp! Happy to have you here once again with Hard Data! Is there anything you want to say that we haven’t asked about yet? Do you have any upcoming projects or tours to promote, or anything special or shout outs you want to say?

Tim Shopp: Its always an honor to chat with you guys and catch up! I just have to first off thank Warsong for hosting this event. For anyone who knows me on a bit of a personal level will know my true feelings about how much i believe these American talent based shows are the key to the growth of everything here in the states! Its shows/lineups like these that people need to support most in order to gain for the future music/talent and big things! I will save that rant for another day haha!

Projects, I’ve lost count on! Im working with so many artists and close friends that i think i start a new project just about everyday! Plus i have huge things coming with labels and just recently got to announce ill be making an official anthem for my friends at SDK Events for their show this summer Phobia. Not to mention the amount of tracks I’m also working on as my trio Extreme Team (with Levenkhan and Mad Effort)! Still blown away on how amazing this year is for me!

As for tours, I have what I believe to be a mini world tour this summer! Warsong will be the kick-off, then ill be in Vegas for Gabberfest (both days). Taking some lovely time off in Holland for some studio dates with people and to experience Defqon once more. Then back to Holland in July for a show that is TBA, and finally Phobia in August! Thats all i can say…for now.

Tim Shopp is an Uptempo Hardcore & Terror DJ/Producer from Middletown, NJ, Playing the Hardcore Stage
Tim Shopp is an Uptempo Hardcore & Terror DJ/Producer from Middletown, NJ, Playing the Hardcore Stage

HD: Last but certainly not least the man behind it all! Patrick aka Warsong! First of all, what a lineup! How did this all come about, what does Warsong mean to you, and why an all American talent lineup?

Warsong:

Because this is America after all. The hardest nation on Earth. Seriously though, people tend to underestimate the American scene, and I feel like oftentimes due credit isn’t awarded to our DJs and producers when it otherwise would be.

We’re excited as anyone to go to Defqon1 this summer, and we felt like it would be cool to bring all the Americans together to get pumped before crossing the Atlantic.

As far as our name goes, we see Warsong representing music that’s fundamentally aggressive and energetic; it’s evocative of a battlefield. I like to think of a mosh pit as a war zone — except we’re all on the same side

Well thank you all for taking the time (and patience) for all of this! It’s our honor to have spent this time with you all, and hope to see you all very soon!

Raging Hard Brings Hardstyle to Baltimore

By Sean Hargrove

It’s no secret that the East Coast rave and warehouse scene has been lacking the harder styles lately. As club nights fill with bombastic trap and pretentious deep house, hardcore shows like this years TRAUMA  Tour have been far between and fans of hardcore have had fewer and fewer opportunities to throw on their UFOs and shuffle. Tim Shopp and Warsong Presents want to change this June 11 with Raging Hard  at Bambou in Baltimore, Maryland.

Featuring hard dance legends like Darksiderz, Raging Hard boasts an eclectic lineup of hardcore favorites from all over the country. Across 3 different stages, ravers from all along the east coast will gather at Bambou in Baltimore to get down to a diverse mix of  Hardstyle, Hardcore and UK Hardcore.

The main stage will be dedicated to hardstyle and hosted by New York native MC MastaChief. Headlining the hardstyle stage, Darksiderz will be playing his signature dark style with new favorites like Mekanikal from Rochester, NY and Markove from Washington, D.C.  Joining them on the hardstyle stage are Dr Jer-Z bringing Jumpstyle from Monreale, Palermo, Italy and Virginia Beach favorite Zaki.

The Outdoor Hardcore stage will have a mix of Terror, Uptempo and pure old Hardcore, hosted by MC Mad Effort from New York City. Featuring uptempo sets from hardcore heros like Treachery and Warsong’s resident terror producer Tim Shopp. Alongside them will be New Jersey hardcore favorite Levenkahn and Dj Bizarre.

Warsong also added a third bonus stage devoted to UK Hardcore. Bringing you euphoric synths and hard kicks all night will be Arcada alongside master of melody and cheese Happy Daze. Philly’s own DSM resident Problem Unit will be opening the stage with a mix of UK Hardcore and breaks.

Tickets are on sale now starting at only $15 for presales or $20 at the door. The event is 18 and over, starting Saturday, June 11 at 8:00 PM at Bambou, 229 N. Franklintown Rd, Baltimore MD. Click Here to RSVP to the Facebook event or find out more details.

FULL Line Up & Details Announced for AMERICAN GABBERFEST 2016!

Here comes the summer fun! The White Ape has announced the full line up and details for the third annual American Gabberfest that will take place EDC Weekend, June 18th-19th. From May up until the event itself The Hard Data will be posting interviews with the artists on the bill so you can know what’s to come this summer at hardcore’s biggest American gathering!

 

“For the third year, Delegates from all corners of our Great Nation will assemble to melt in a hellish inferno under the Las Vegas sun. Once again, fans of the sounds too extreme for any mainstream festival will find their sanctuary during 2 days of pure chaos.”

GABBERFEST 2016: AMERICA’S HARDEST
Hardcore, Raw Hardstyle, Industrial, Early Rave, Terror, and more.

21+ FREE EVENT WITH MINIMUM DRINK PURCHASE

Day 1 – Saturday
Outdoor Stage: Main Hardcore
Indoor Stage: Hosted by SDK Events


Day 2 – Sunday
Outdoor Stage: Main Hardcore
Indoor Stage: Hosted by Techno Belligerent

Sponsored in Part By: THE HARD DATA

LINE-UP ANNOUNCED!

***Special Guests, USA Debut of***
D-CEPTOR (Germany)
www.d-ceptor.com

DJ DJUKE (Germany)
www.djdjuke.com

**Exclusive World Premieres**
EXTREME TEAM (New Jersey)

GODSQUAD (Arizona)

*ALBUM SHOWCASE*
SYMTEK (Los Angeles)

*AMERICA’S HARDEST*
ACID ENEMA -Live- (Las Vegas)

ANGEL ENEMY (Los Angeles)

ANIMUS (Los Angeles)

ARCID (Los Angeles)

ASSASSIN (Los Angeles)

BRYAN BROWN (New York)

CAP (Arizona)

¡CHAVEZ! (San Ysidro)

CIK (Arizona)

DARK SHINOBI (New York)

DAYBREAKER (Utah)

DEADLY BUDA (Los Angeles)

DIGITEK (Seattle)

DISKORE (Los Angeles)

DONALD WHAN (Detroit)

DREDNOK (Los Angeles)

ELEKID (Wisconsin)

FLINX (Minnesota)

GABBER TWINZ (Los Angeles)

GENOCIDE (Las Vegas)

HAPPY HOUR: EN3RGY vs MEGAMAN (Los Angeles)

HELLNEGATIVE (Las Vegas)

INSPECTOR GADJET (Arizona)

IKARI WARRIORS -Debut- (Los Angeles)

INVISIBLE ROBOTS (San Diego)

JULIE DSTROY (Las Vegas)

KILLPOP (Tampa)

KINEKT (Las Vegas)

KOREHUNTER (Arizona)

LEVENKHAN (New Jersey)

LOSTBOY (Los Angeles)

NEKROKICK (Washington)

PHOX (Arizona)

RPM (Los Angeles)

SKRUFFEH (Los Angeles)

SYSTEM MALFUNCTION (Las Vegas)

THE COUNTERTERRORIST (Nomadic)

TIM SHOPP (New Jersey)

VIGOR (Los Angeles)

WARBIRD (Arizona)

Celebrity Guest Appearance by The White Ape.

21+ Daytime Event
Admission is FREE WITH MINIMUM DRINK PURCHASE.
Swimwear and Water-toys welcomed and encouraged.
Much more info TBA…

 

Vending inquiries please contact: americangabberfest@yahoo.com