Speedcore
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| Speedcore | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | Hardcore techno Breakcore Gabber Digital hardcore Cybergrind |
| Cultural origins | 1990s |
| Typical instruments | Keyboard, synthesizer, drum machine, sequencer, sampler |
| Subgenres | |
| Extratone - Splittercore | |
Speedcore is a form of hardcore techno that is characterized by a high rate of beats per minute and aggressive themes. The name originates from the high BPM rate, which rarely drops below 300 BPM. Earlier Speedcore tracks averaged at about 250 BPM, whereas more recent tracks sometimes exceed 1000 BPM. Some people classify higher BPM tracks (around 600-800 BPM), as splittercore, and upon reaching 1000 BPM and beyond, the music becomes known as extratone. Whether these terms are necessary or widely used is debatable, partially because of the human ability to perceive differences in BPM at these speeds, not to mention the fact that once the speeds reach 1000-1500 BPM, it just becomes tones, and not beats.
Speedcore tracks often contain elements of the related genres gabber and breakcore.
Characteristics
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The music is angry and aggressive.[1] Speedcore DJs often use offensive themes in their music to push these boundaries even further. Speedcore could be considered as being related to gabber as metal is related to rock music; in terms of the fact that the earlier examples take influences of the later examples to a much more extreme level.
While most speedcore artists are content to attack the normal standards of music, or even the gabber music that spawned them, the extremism of speedcore has caused some to turn inwards and parody the standards of the genre. In a similar manner to which happy hardcore relates to gabber and hardcore techno, these songs use lighter, more manic samples.
Aside from the very fast tempo of speedcore, which rarely drops below 300 BPM, speedcore can often be distinguished from other forms of hardcore techno by an aggressive and overridden electronic percussion track that is often punctuated with hyperactive snare or tom-tom fills. The Roland TR-909 is often the drum machine of choice for speedcore producers due to its ability to generate heavily distorted bass-drum kicks that anchor the percussion tracks. Most producers will often overdrive their kicks so much that they become square waves, much like in gabber, giving Speedcore its distinctive pounding sound.
As with many other forms of techno, synthesizers are also heavily used, often producing heavily distorted and/or disharmonic melodies to complement the underlying drums. Although any analog or hybrid synth can be used, the analog/digital hybrid Roland Juno-106 is a common favorite with speedcore artists. Pure digital synthesizers are comparatively rare in speedcore.
Samples are often used to further heighten the aggressive nature of speedcore, with many artists using audio samples of violent scenes from movies by directors such as Martin Scorsese and Stanley Kubrick.[2] Samples of actors such as Joe Pesci and R. Lee Ermey are especially popular[citation needed], especially in older speedcore works. Some artists are content to sample shouted obscenities and incorporate these samples into their music.[3]
Notable artists
- m1dy
External links
- Wikipedia NL Guide to Extratone
- Industrial Strength
- Unlimited Speedcore Terror
- Canadian Speedcore Resistance