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.
Noize Suppressor Ft. Angerfist – Back with the Hard Street Sh*t
This is an absolute smasher!! What else can you expect from two of the biggest players in the Hardcore scene… This track is all of what good in hardcore. In my opinion this is the top track on the Legacy of Noize album CD 1, followed by Appetite for destruction and The Outside Agency remix of The return of Bikes drum. CD 2 is filled with all the classics including Pole postion, Nobody likes, and Bassdrum B*tch to name a few. SO TELL ME HOW THE F*CK DO WE FEEL… TO GET HIT WITH THE MUTHA F*CKING REAL!!
Linkin Park – One Step Closer (DJ Mad Dog Bootleg)
I thought this review would be fitting giving the recent death of Chester Charles Bennington. Despite your thoughts on the incident you should enjoy the musical legacy which Chester is leaving behind… One Step Closer is no exception and when you throw in DJ Mad Dog the combination is nothing short of magical. This has gone off every time I’ve dropped it and sadly will even more so now with Chester’s passing.
The newest EP titled Impact available now on the Masters of Hardcore label. My favorite of the two is Get Fu*ked. It’s a hard hitting track with a great melody and catchy samples… Simply what you come to expect from Javi Boss. The second track titled God of War features MC Diesel and is full of energy…. definitely worth checking out.
Dark melodies, female choir vocals, dark male voice overs, and hard hitting distorted kicks! All the good stuff we’ve come to expect from Thorax. This is Thorax’s first release on the Master’s of Hardcore label. His previous label Thorax Productions was barely on its third installment before getting picked up by MOH.,. That’s a massive accomplishment! I honestly cannot get enough of Thorax’s style. WELCOME TO HELL!!
Free release by yours truly! This song was inspired by what is being dubbed as the fight of the century. I was watching the press conference and thought to myself, wow! This would be great to sample and use for a Hardcore track! Doesn’t matter if you’re on Mayweather’s or McGregor’s team I think you will enjoy this track. Check it out!
The Stunned Guys and DJ Paul – Thrillseeka (Wild Motherfuckers remix)
Technically this is a Rawstyle remix of a classic Hardcore track, but if you like building up a Hardcore set as I do this will flow perfectly into the mix. There’s not much to say other than this is a wicked update of a classic. Get while it’s hot, you won’t regret it. Thrillseeka!… put your hands against the Godd*mned speaker!!!
I was so excited when I saw an email in my inbox from Mr. Julian, Thorax himself!! He had graced me with a copy of his latest and greatest! In true Thorax fashion this track is a hard hitting dark and aggressive track! A must for your collection and number four on Thorax Productions. ANYONE ELSE WANT SOME?
This was kindly shared with me by the homie CIK… Although this is an older track I feel it deserves the exposure. This is a killer rework of the 1993 classic by Jones & Stephenson. This track is truly ageless… I remember dropping the original on my debut mix tape release on Biohazard “Hyperdelic”. There has been other awesome renditions throughout the years and this is no exception. I got to say this the fastest one yet… but it works. Make sure to check out this 200 BPM monster!!
Download your free copy of The Hard Data issue 9 featuring Minus Militia, Angerfist, The Hard Data DJ Team and Deadly Buda Comix part 2!
Download your free copy of The Hard Data issue 9 featuring Minus Militia, Angerfist, The Hard Data DJ Team and Deadly Buda Comix part 2! Click the link below.
American artist Mrotek was born to bring a whole new level of madness to dark and extreme music. Throughout his earlier years, deathcore and progressive metal held his creative focus. In 2009, he redirected his sights to Hardstyle music, drawn by it’s powerful sound and high production value. Twenty years of experience in the creation of music came to fruition when he began producing his own tracks in late 2013. Working closely with widely known artist “MC Heretik”, he aimed to combine his knowledge of music theory with his passion for Raw Hardstyle into a new progressive sound.
He continued to refine his style into 2015 with the completion of a series of raw and sinister tracks, including Penance (with Arctus and MC Heretik), Voice of Fear (with Deimos and MC Heretik), a remix of Prime Suspects – Biblical (with Arctus, released on Spoontech records), and numerous others.
Mrotek, thanks for taking the time to interview with us! How did you first get into hard dance music? From a very young age I played guitar; mainly metal and classical. So I’ve always been into making music, but late in High school I started going to raves. At that point my focus switched to electronic music. I was actually really into Happy Hardcore and first. But then at one particular rave, I remember walking into the main stage and Samara by Noisecontrollers was playing. At that moment, the synth in the break was the sickest thing I’ve ever heard in my life. From then on I was obsessed!
Tell us a little bit about the hardstyle scene in Arizona. How has it been as far as opportunity for you to grow as an artist? The AZ scene has always had a really solid Hard Dance presence thanks to the Arizona Hardcore Junkies. Between them, SDK, and BPM Boost, there is a nice stream of hard dance parties here. All of the shows that helped me develop as a DJ were pretty much all either SDK shows or random desert parties; and yes, we have parties in the desert here 😛 But I have to say, BY FAR the biggest thing in Arizona that has helped me grow has been my krew: Paul (MC Heretik), Logan (Arctus/Sythys), and Jack (The Wicked). We all constantly push each other to get better, finish tracks, bounce ideas off each other, or just meet up and spin some tracks over some brews. Having a solid support system of people you trust completely does so incredibly much; it’s hard to describe all of the benefits from something like that.
How has the evolution of hardstyle influenced you as an artist, and particularly, how did you decide to produce rawstyle? I’ve always been into extreme and aggressive music. Maybe that’s why Hardstyle didn’t totally grab me until I heard Samara, which has a classic ‘Dark Hardstyle’ melody. Back then there wasn’t really “raw” Hardstyle, just edgier stuff. Artists like Chris One, Zany & The Beholder, The R3belz, they were huge for me. Then E-force hit the scene and I was sold on exactly what I wanted to do. But then things evolve and new artists push the boundaries of what is possible. Rawstyle is one of the fastest changing genres in the world in my opinion, so there is always something new to push it a little further. That idea is what keeps me up at night as an artist. It’s a very exciting time!
Lots of US artists booked for this edition for Basscon Wasteland, what is it like getting booked and receiving that kind of recognition as an artist? It’s really awesome to see so much U.S. talent on the biggest Hardstyle lineup he states have ever seen. I think this is a great sign for our country’s Hardstyle scene and the way we show up to the rest of the world as well. As far as recognition goes, I have never really cared much about getting recognized. I’m just stoked to rock the fuck out of that stage and blast some heavy shit! It’s going to be a fucking party!!!
Speaking of recognition, you were just signed to DirtyWorkz DWX Anarchy– that has to be a HUGE step for your career as an artist!
Mrotek signed to DWX Anarchy
I am INSANELY honored to be with DWX; it’s super humbling to be representing U.S.Raw on the #1 label of 2016. I’ve been a huge fan of the artists on Anarchy for years now. Working with some of my Hardstyle heros has been unreal. The ‘family’ vibe of Dirty Workz really makes it feel like my home. I love everything about the label, it’s a dream come true really!
Some things that stand out in my mind are your collabs with Digital Mindz and Riiho, and winning the Sub Sonik remix contest with To Hell (Mrotek and Deimos). Anything else you’ve accomplished that you’re super proud of, or any big goals on the horizon? The colab with Unresolved as also a fun one ☺ Things I’m proud of, hmm, I guess just the state of where things are at for me. Seeing my tracks being played at all of the big festivals never stops exciting me; all of the support from huge artists in unreal. Every track I finish is a new thing I’m proud of. I have this personal deal with myself that every track I finish has to be better than the last, and so far I feel like I’ve kept that deal with myself. I love how ‘Substance Abuse’ turned out, and the new track I’ve finished since then I am even happier with. Working this way makes writing new tracks REALLY exciting and fun.
What other big things can we look forward to from you in the future? More massive tracks and colabs; all dark and heavy AF of course! Definitely plan on pushing the fusion of metal and rawstyle as far as it can go. I have some exciting bookings lined up that will be announced soon as well. I’m working hard to bring you more tracks, new colabs, playing more shows, possibly doing a European tour later this year, and eventually moving to either The Netherland or Belgium would be the next huge goal. But that one is a few years away still 😛
Anything else you’d like to tell the readers of The Hard Data? To the readers of Hard Data – you are the ones who make this genre go. Without you, there would be no parties, no artists, and no music. Your dedication is what makes this all possible. Keep spreading the music; our country has the potential to be a Hard Dance power house of the world, and the only way that will happen is if more crazy fucks like you storm the country and burn the place to the ground. Thanks for your dedication and I’ll see you at Wasteland!
Mrotek’s sound is already making waves in the international Hardstyle scene, having received support from the likes of MC Villain, Regain, Riiho, Caine, and many more. Expect a lot more from Mrotek in the near future, as this powerful musician shows no signs of relenting in 2017. Catch him at Basscon Wasteland onApril 29, 2017.
