| Belgian hardcore techno | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | Early 1990s, Belgium |
| Typical instruments | |
| Derivative forms | |
Belgian hardcore techno (also referred to as Belgian techno or rave techno[citation needed]) is an early style of hardcore techno that emerged from new beat as EBM and techno influences became more prevalent in this genre.[2] This particular style has been described as an "apocalyptic, almost Wagnerian, bombastic techno",[3] due to its use of dramatic orchestral stabs and menacing synth tones that set it apart from earlier forms of electronic dance music. It flourished in Belgium and influenced the sound of early hardcore from Netherlands, Germany, Italy, UK and North America during the early-1990s, as a part of the rave movement during that period.[4]
Belgian hardcore is related to both European techno and hardcore techno, being generally considered an early form of the latter.[4] The genre is referred to by several other names, such as "Belgian rave"[5] and "bretter tekkno".
The immediate predecessors of Belgian hardcore were two short-lived new beat subgenres[6] called "hard beat"[7][8] and "skizzo".[9]
Belgian and German hardcore was heavily influenced by the late eighties school of Euro Body Music (EBM), with its stiff, regimented rhythms and aerobic triumphalism.
The sound of New Beat evolved and splintered as its increasingly manic offshoots contributed to the emerging styles of hardcore and rave.
The popularity of raves stimulated the production of new forms of 'rave' music, initially from the UK, and then from other northern European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands and most significantly Belgium, where the R&S label was based, which distilled the parameters of rave music down to the base elements of abrasive, punishing machine rhythms (dubbed 'Belgian hardbeat') (...).