The thing one has to realize about riddim and dubstep is that the crowd loves to get wild and aggressive, but due to the hard, raw nature of sounds of the genres, who can blame them for being so intense? Its hard to contain one’s self when these styles are blaring through enormous speakers accompanied by trippy visuals, lasers, and masked DJs. It truly makes you want to throw your fists in the air.
I bought my ticket for Hostile Takeover months in advance, so it was definitely time for the anticipation to end and for the experience of what Hostile Takeover really was to begin. I grabbed my EDC 2016 shirt and my bandana and headed from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. Hostile Takeover took place at the Union Nightclub, a very enjoyable venue. The bathrooms were clean, they served free water, and blasted hard, loud music that made everyone go insane and rage. As crazy as the crowd was, the venue was able to keep things under control—no easy task with this kind of music. I give the the club respect for keeping everyone safe while also letting people let loose and express themselves. Apart from an altercation between two women outside while I waited in line, everything was chill.
When I first entered the venue, I was hit with a powerful energy… the energy of dubstep and riddim. As the night grew on, the energy got more and more intense until it peaked around 1:00 a.m.
This was my favorite DJ at the Loft stage, clowning the dubstep.
At one point, all of the DJs put on masks. Some were in costumes, everyone started going twice as hard. Mosh pits were rough, but no one was punching or throwing elbows at each other. One raver fell while in the mosh pit, but myself and others picked him back up to his feet before he got trampled.
These guys killed it on stage.
I was drawn to lights all night. I actually found the person who was controlling the visuals for the stage, which included the lasers and background screen. For a few moments I observed him control the visuals as a DJ would a deck. He changed the visuals with the music, keeping them in sync as it played. I watched him use technique and skills that looked like it took years of training to learn. I always had thought light shows were automated, and was surprised to discover that it actually took a person to control such amazing visuals.
This was the man behind the visuals
My favorite set of all night was Subtronics back-to-back with Svdden Death and Uber Dubstep. The skills of the DJs at Hostile Takeover rivaled some of the DJs that performed at Project Z! I went so hard I could barely stand the next day because my muscles were so sore from dancing. I entered the pit and came out a happier person after I did exaggerated body movements, fist pumps, and jumping up and down to get out my frustrations and aggression in a positive way.
Overall, I would say that Hostile Takeover was an incredible event, that will not long be forgotten. Quality riddim and dubstep, along with a good venue, is an experience that will not long be forgotten. I definitely had a great experience, and I plan on going to another Fresh event soon. I was impressed with the promoters because they know how to throw sick events. The music quality was phenomenal, the vibes were chill, and it allowed me to feel and explore the harder side of EDM. Thanks to everyone who went for making it an amazing time!
Just when you thought Hurricane Harvey was calming down, a torrential downpour of HARD ELECTRONIC is on its way to the USA’s major metropolitan areas, and the East and West Coasts now brace for impact. If you like your beats tough, distorted and relentless, then September 8, 2017 you need to be in Brooklyn, NY and September 9, 2017 you better fly, drive or swim to Los Angeles, CA because shows with this much sonic boom don’t happen very often in the USA. Here are the respective Facebook Event pages:
Noize Suppressor hits the coasts Sept. 8 & 9, 2017
Headlining both nights is Italy’s number 1 party animal, Noize Suppressor. You might remember him from his knockout performances at Trauma Live, Fresh’s Hardstyle Arena, or EDCLV. Well, he’s back to burn and score a few points for Dogfight Hardcore, so get some comfy sneakers because you’re going to be jumping and pumping. The other headliner is a new face to America, Malke, bringing his brand of Brazilian hard electronic audio skills to raise the East and West Coast’s respective water level of sonic appreciation to tidal wave levels. Another Industrial Strength score for forward-thinking audio dissemination and keeping them, as always, ahead of the future’s curve.
But that’s only the tip of the icebergs heading at breakneck speed to slam into the coasts. The New York show features Delta 9 aka Dave Delta, Lenny Dee, Satronica, Delirium, John Bas, MC Mastachief , Ontal (from Serbia) and Gxnnxr. The Los Angeles chaos will be co-hosted by Rave ‘til Dawn and will put the old and new guard of hardcore techno into a full-on crash collision of the generations as Lenny Dee, Satronica, Demigod, Fiend, Inyoung, Deadly Buda, Sonik and J’Sin are going to party like it’s 1999 and remind everyone why Los Angeles is the decades-long, number one spot for hardcore techno in the USA.
As the week goes on, we will be profiling many of the artists playing at both events at The Hard Data. But to start off, we are going to focus briefly on the main drivers of both parties, Industrial Strength Records and Kontaminated Recordings, and their head honchos, Lenny Dee, Satronica, and DJ Delirium.
Lenny Dee:
Lenny Dee appears at Hard Electronic Sept. 8 and 9, 2017
Producer / DJ / Label Owner Lenny Dee is one of NYC’s earliest techno and house pioneers. He attacked Europe with the then new sound of Techno and in 1991 launched Industrial Strength Records – the first electronic ‘Hardcore’ label in the world that’s included music from Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin, Laurent Garnier, Manu Le Malin, Angerfist, Corrosion of Conformity, Daft Punk, Neophyte, Unexist, DOA, The Sickest Squad, Nasenbluten, The Mover, Mescalinum United, Rob Gee, Deadly Buda, Delta 9, Satronica, Delirium, Demigod, Ron D Core, Inyoung and many more.
Lenny has also written and produced hundreds of tracks on labels such as 4th floor, Warner Bros, Strictly Rhythm, R&S, Music Man, Atlantic Records, Arista, XL Recordings, Gigilo, Rotterdam Records, ID &T and Stay Up Forever.
Lenny was the 1st Hardcore DJ to appear on the ‘DJ Mag – Top 100’ and was previously named Number 1 ‘Hard DJ’ by Mixmag, was twice awarded the accolade of Best Worldwide Techno DJ by the Scottish Dance Music Awards & Frontpage Magazine.
Satronica appears at Hard Electronic Sept. 8 and 9, 2017
Along with DJ Delirium, Satronica, aka Satroniq, is forging a new sound for the hard electronic masses via Kontaminated Recordings. He began producing music, playing live and DJ’ing in the mid 90’s as part of the Things to Come Crew in NYC. Soon he found his own style of aggressive and distorted industrial hardcore techno woven with rage-laden vocal elements. This sound found a home, of course, at Industiral Strength Records, most famously with his smash hit “F*ck the System.”
He has performed at some of the largest events in Canada, The United States, South America, and Europe spinning and performing a brutal mix of dark and deranged selections. These events include parties such as Dominator, Q-Base, Masters of Hardcore, Coloursfest, WestFest, Kinetik Festival, PRSPCT XL, and E-Mission.
His tracks have also appeared on many major hardcore and techno compilations from some of the best known and loved labels in the world such as Industrial Strength, Thunderdome, ACArdipane, Neophyte Records, Rotterdam Records, ID&T, Masters of Hardcore and Traxtorm.
His latest collaborations with Noize Suppressor, Unexist, Art of Fighters, and Crypsis show his commitment to the core and constant pursuit of innovation.
Kontaminated co-conspirator is none other than old school vet DJ Delirium. Ever since the early 90’s, DJ Delirium has been a forefront leader in the Hardcore Techno scene. He has appeared countless times at some of the worlds largest events like Thunderdome, Mysteryland, Defqon.1, Dominator, In Qontrol, Raving Nightmare, Ground Zero, EDC – Vegas, Earthquake and many more. Delirium has also had tracks featured on some of the worlds most legendary hardcore compilations CD’s including Thunderdome, Always Hardcore, Masters Of Hardcore and Resident E.
To date, DJ Delirium has released over 300 slammin’ tracks with some of the most recognized companies in Hardcore Techno including ID&T, Industrial Strength, Traxtorm, Masters of Hardcore, MegaRave, and many more. DJ Delirium’s got studio skills and has proven that with his top quality productions. Anyone who’s ever seen DJ Delirium perform knows about his smooth mixing and tight scratching.
Ok folks so this is your first warning shot about the big events coming in just days. Save your pennies, get some good night sleep and make sure you have enough quarters for your laundry come Sunday because you are going to sweat!
Growing up to the sounds of hardcore and hearing that one of your hardcore super heroes is dropping by your home town city to spin a set is simply early Christmas. Earlier in the week Dougal posted on social media that he was treated for what I believe was a kidney stone and I thought I would experience my first time in my years of raving, a Dj playing from a wheelchair. I know that’s not how I would love to see Dougal again but knowing he was actually going to make it and not miss the gig made me so proud and excited.
Working late night Friday and having to be up at 5am Saturday didn’t stop me from dropping by to see Dj Dougal. I arrived to the event at 11:00 pm and couldn’t believe that the legend himself, Dougal, was going to be playing only minutes from my home. I walked into a music store/studio and immediately got the happy vibes. The walls were shaking, the 4/4 beats and piano riffs made my ears wiggle. All of a sudden I heard the unique and talented scrubbing (scratching) and without looking at the time slots I knew it had to be Flap Jack on the decks. I made my way to the main room and there he was, Flap Jack dropping Set you free by N-Trance. The room had pictures of portal dimensions and there was a projector spitting images of Rick and Morty. There was an actual stage surrounded by speakers. It was hot, it was steamy, it was old school. The vibes in that room were those of the early 2000’s where everyone was dancing and chanting the lyrics.
Dj Flap Jack dropping Set you free by N-Trance Photo by Kari Shirai
I made my way to the lounge area of the venue where there were sofas and resting areas with a couple of game counsels for the party goers to enjoy. As I made my way to the outside patio to cool down, I noticed goers coming out from a room deep in the patio with thumping music and lasers. I started walking towards the room and I could hear a deep and dark kick, snares and hi-hats. The beats were banging, the crowd was grooving and on the decks was one of LA’s old school underground techno Dj’s, Alexander. Felt as if I was at an early underground techno party.
I started to make my way back to the “sweatbox”, as some of us call it, to catch the last of Flap Jack’s set and prepared for Dougal. Dj Dougal walked into the room and made his way to the back room to prepare himself. The room started to get more crowded, the goers screamed with excitement, everyone was smiling and greeting each other. Dj Dougal comes on the stage, opens up with You and I by Darren Styles and Gammer. The crowd goes bonkers! Dougal was pumped and Dougal was standing, he delivered us one heck of a set. The crowd was chanting every song and all of a sudden I lost my mind when one of my favorite tunes was dropped, Luv u more by Paul Elstak.
Dj Dougal Playing Luv u more by Paul Elstak, Photo by Kari Shirai
I sang, I danced and I felt loved. Happy Hardcore will always hold a special place in my heart. The party was epic and I am so thankful with everyone at Project Phantasy and SCC for putting such hard work and dedication to this event. Thank you guys for keeping hardcore alive and always having such epic events in the surrounding cities where I grew up listening to happy hardcore, promoting and preaching the same message as you, HTID!
Thousands of miles separate the concrete jungle from the sweltering west coast heat. Gathered under the high noon of the Las Vegas summer sun, delegates from all over the globe gathered to celebrate hard music as one. Representatives spanning many time zones, countries and genres delivered performances proving that the heart and soul of hardcore is alive in a powerful way. The diversity from style to style and coast to coast did not seem to interrupt the core message that hardcore has captured hearts around the globe. Disciples left their souls on the dance floor of American Gabberfest in the sizzling Las Vegas summer heat—under one love and one very blistering sun.
Despite the sizzling conditions the diverse assemblage delivered heart-stopping sets across the board. Day one included declarations from Australian representatives, DJ Phoenix, Epidemic, and Rohdan. American Gabber Legend Rob Gee also addressed the congress that afternoon on the outdoor main stage, followed by delegates from New York including the Pied Piper of Hard Core, How Hard. Outstanding performances from the Hard Data DJ Team of Deadly Buda, Lostboy and Mindcontroller, CAP, Arcid, Cik, KORE, Inspektor Gadget, Delusion, and so many others to rounded out scorching day one. It was also a proud experience to be invited to represent with some New York City Rawstyle!
Official Timetable American Gabberfest 2017: Congress of the Kickdrum
Day two also proved to be an intense declaration of hard bass including addresses from Flapjack, Acid Enema, System Malfunction, En3rgy, Seppuku, Nekrokick, and Drencrom—among many other dedicated artists.
Aside from the awesome performances, it was an amazing gathering of old school and new school— meeting of the minds from so many different styles, and walks of life. New friends and old friends intermingling and sharing their passions and talents was a testament to the music, empowering us to think, connect, share, and learn. This year’s American Gabberfest not only left all the hardcore warriors with memories of an amazing weekend, but was an amazing manifestation of our music as a unified heart beating at a very fast tempo.
Every time I listen to electronic music, the experience seems new to me. Perhaps maybe it is because electronic music is an ever- changing, ever-expanding entity, with each genre and style having its own sound, social groups, and individual cultures. Festivals like Project Z is where all these groups of people who love different kinds ofelectronic music unite together and celebrate not just the music, but the way it makes us feel.
Project Z 2017 was my first Project Z experience, and my girl’s first Insomniac event. It seems needless to say to those who attended, but we were both blown away.
Excitement and anticipation filled us with adrenaline as we got in line to enter, the music and bright lights shining over the fences making me nod my head and dance a little. Upon entering, I was hit with a wave of relief and euphoria. We had made it to Project Z! The scenery made me feel like i was in a dream. Colors of blue and green lit up the night and reflected upon a lake. A grassy field lay beside it, and there were many ravers just chilling and relaxing by the tranquil water. Security allowed people to relax and vibe out, while also making it feel very safe and calm when and where it needed to be. My girl and I came casually dressed and slightly unprepared in that sense, but we had comfortable shoes, a CamelBak, and an attitude to have fun.
Our main objective of the night was to find all stages and get a sense of where everything at the event was located, like exits and facilities, information booths, and other important locations. There was plenty of open space between the stages, bathrooms, and vendors, yet were also in close enough proximity of each other to navigate the event easily and comfortably considering the large attendance.
So many sights and interesting characters were there to be seen. Having just watched an entire of Rick and Morty a week prior to attending Project Z, it was fascinating to see how many totems and candies were dedicated to the show—it made us feel like we belonged. We happen to be glove enthusiasts, and so we had to sit down a few times to get some shows from a few different glovers. The interpretive dances of their hands illuminated by LED lights entranced us, making us feel a wide range of emotions. We spotted a gang of roving go-go dancers dressed as bunnies that looked like they were from Alice in Wonderland moving their way through the crowd and stages—their sole purpose to trip people out. They did an excellent job of doing that. Another area which always caught my attention as I passed through had a projection of ticking clocks that were scattered and moving over everything around it.
These characters danced like creatures throughout the night, moving from stage to stage.
Once we discovered all three of the stages and key locations, we were ready to enjoy ourselves. The first stage we experienced was Bassrush. The sounds of riddim and dubstep sent waves of happiness and aggression throughout the crowd. One of the main highlights ofthe night was JoyRyde, who murdered the stage as if the crowd had taken Liam Nieson’s daughter.The intensity of the music matched with the crowd’s ability to scream and move their bodies to the raw rhythms were enhanced by lasers and intense visuals, all contributing to a feeling of euphoria and loss of self to the moment that gripped and captivated parts of our souls that had not been there before. It was hard to leave that feeling behind, but we HAD to check out the next stage known as…. Basscon.
Basscon turned out to be my favorite stage at Project Z. The music caused a chaotic physical manifestation of the emotions I felt conveyed in my dancing that only need be described with two words, “going hard”. The DJs almostseemed as if they were controlling the crowd with their mixer. I felt like i was in a trance. The breaks and the drops flawlessly blended together into a musical roller coaster I could ride. Explosive bursts of energy that were followed by entrancing melodies gave pauses in perfect increments to where I could dance and get enough rest in between intense parts of the songs. I danced so hard, I felt like my heart was about to explode. We decided to stop before we both felt like we were going to collapse.
Screenshot of me dancing at the Basscon stage and a cameo of the candie my girl found.
When we started to get hot and thirsty, we found that Project Z provided a filling station where water wasdistributed for FREE! The fact that Project Z provides free water separates Project Z from most other events or venues, as water is usually very expensive.,
We went on to find a place to chill and before experiencing the third and final stage known as Area Z. On the way there, my girl found her first candie ever, a geometric pattern that wraps around your arm. Before “rescuing” it, we looked around to see if it belonged to anyone, because it looked as if it had taken hours of time to make. We pondered where it might have come from, and how many times it might have been traded from person to person. We questioned what kind of stories it has had, and how much it must have meant to someone. I hope whoever lost it reads this article, because the candie found a great home and is being loved and cherished!
This artist painted to dubstep.
At this point, we needed to rest, and Area Z was a perfect place to do just that. If i could describe the music at Area Z. It was mellow dubstep, a style you could go either go hard to or just relax and listen to. A nearby painter captured the creative energy of the night and sounds into an image on canvas.
At the end of the night, we were handed fliers to upcoming events and underground shows in the nearby area. Although I may not go to all the events that were promoted, it is cool to think that at the end of every event like this one, someone can find an underground party and perhaps discover new music, new friends, and new adventures.
See you next year, Project Z!
Dedicated to the harder sound of electronic dance music.
