Digital hardcore is a music genre fusing elements of hardcore punk and various forms of electronic music. It developed in Germany during the early 1990s.^[1]

[edit] Characteristics

Digital hardcore music is typically high-tempo and abrasive, combining the speed, heaviness and attitude of hardcore punk and riot grrrl^[1][2] with electronic music such as hardcore techno,^[1] drum and bass,^[1] and industrial rock.^[1]

The use of the electric guitar is retained and it is played in conjunction with samplers, synthesizers and drum machines. While the use of guitar and electronic instruments is a requirement, traditional bass guitars and drum kits are optional. Vocals are more often shouted than sung by more than one member of the group. Typically, the lyrics are highly politicised and espouse left-wing or anarchist ideals.^[1]

[edit] History

[edit] 1990s

The music was first defined by the band Atari Teenage Riot, who formed in Berlin, Germany in 1992.^[1] The band's frontman, Alec Empire, coined the term "digital hardcore", setting up the independent record label Digital Hardcore Recordings in 1994.^[3][1]. German bands with a similar style began signing to the label and its underground popularity grew, with small digital hardcore festivals being held in several German cities.^[1] By the mid-1990s, a number of new record labels specializing in the genre were formed around the world. These included Gangster Toons Industries (Paris), Praxis (London), Cross Fade Enter Tainment (Hamburg), Drop Bass Network (U.S.), and Bloody Fist (Australia).^[1] DHR also had some kinship with the Frankfurt labels Mille Plateaux and Riot Beats.^[1] Alec Empire's work subsequently set the template for breakcore.^[4][5]
Other prominent digital hardcore musicians of this period include Christoph De Babalon, Cobra Killer, EC8OR, Hanin Elias, Lolita Storm, Nic Endo, The Panacea, and The Mad Capsule Markets.

[edit] 2000s

In Alec Empire's words, "Digital Hardcore went from a local, Berlin based scene to an international underground movement." ^[6] The soundtrack to the film Threat included contributions from digital hardcore musicians, along with metalcore bands.^[7] James Plotkin, Dave Witte and Speedranch's project Phantomsmasher combined digital hardcore with grindcore.^[8] 21st century digital hardcore groups include Ambassador 21, Left Spine Down, Motormark, Phallus Über Alles, Rabbit Junk, Schizoid, The Shizit, Moshpit and Tuareg Geeks.

[edit] References

[edit] Bibliography

Reynolds, Simon (1999). Generation Ecstasy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture. Routledge. ISBN 0415923735

[edit] See also

• Digital Hardcore Recordings
• D-Trash Records
• List of electronic music genres
• Anarcho-punk
• Synthpunk
• Industrial metal
• Industrial hip-hop