Pieter Heijnen, known for the fans as DJ Thera, is a raw hardstyle DJ and producer. He is also the founder of the famous label Theracords. Son of a musician, he started playing several instruments at an early age, but as he said it himself, he was too stubborn to play in a band, and his musical taste always aimed towards electronic music, so it was only natural that he would become a DJ.
His tracks are known for being unique and positive, and his art has established a brand new sound design in the rawstyle world. It’s powerful, melodic, hard and energetic, a combination bound to be successful.
From Canada to Australia, and even Russia, DJ Thera has performed pretty much everywhere in the last few years, proving that a diverse set of sounds in raw hardstyle never hurts. His popularity has been growing since his first album release and it doesn’t look like it’s going to change anytime soon, given the huge fan-base he has created for himself all over the world.
Check out these thumpin’ DJ Thera tracks:
The Paranormal:
A mix between raw hardstyle and trance, this track is a perfect description of DJ Thera’s musical style. This combination of sounds has been called “the new era of hardstyle” by more than one specialist, and we can see why. It’s new, it’s fresh, but most of all, it’s perfect for raving!
It’s a Fine Day:
This collaboration with Yuna-X shows how open minded DJ Thera can be with his musical creations. The sounds here are at the same time fast and soft, creating a perfect harmony.
The Alliance:
Another collaboration that went extremely well for DJ Thera! Dark sounds and mysterious vibes, we can imagine this being played in a masked rave.
Desolation:
Be ready to headbang like a madman, because this is what this track will do to you! The storytelling in it is great, but what’s better is the crazy strong beat that is definitely not for the faint of heart!
Hate Society:
If you’re feeling rebellious, then this is the track for you! This song is for the freaks, the odd ones, the outsiders and the alien ones. It’s a cry of rebellion, a literal “F***you” to a society that doesn’t accept difference.
DJ Thera is a strong artist, with years and years of experience behind him. But more than that, he’s a visionary who knew that to be a good producer, you have to think outside the box and be unique.
To know more about DJ Thera, look up his Facebook page:
Born and raised in The Netherlands, Youri Claessens AKA Warface is a raw hardstyle DJ and producer. In just a few years, his popularity has grown and he became one of the biggest names the industry has seen.
He started his journey in 2010, hosting small parties with his friends in his hometown, simply for the love of music. It wasn’t until he met the hardcore artist Triax (Remco-Jan Prevoo) that he started to think more about making a career out of his passion for producing raw hardstyle. So when Triax asked him to collaborate on a new project named Warface, he said yes without giving it a second thought.
From a DJ on a small scale, Youri turned into a famous and well-respected rawstyle producer who garnered a big fan-base that went totally crazy over his music and his unique live-acts. Indeed, his presence on-scene is phenomenal. Always clad in a mask and suit, magnetic and charismatic, Youri knows how to turn a normal live show into a raging party. His style is aggressive, bold and pleases the crowd. His unique style is also an element we can’t ignore, and some of his latest tracks and collaborations quickly climbed the charts of hardstyle.com, which says a lot about Warface’s popularity, especially that he’s still considered a “rising” artist.
Warface’s production and DJ sets are different from what rawstyle fans usually hear, which contributed to his popularity and turned him into an “all weekends are booked” producer.
So, without further ado, here are Warface’s 5 most popular tracks. Enjoy them!
The Danger Zone:
What to start with… if not a collaboration with the mighty Luna? The “operatic” sends you directly in the mood of what becomes a dark and intense track. It starts slow but quickly turns into that sick beat that’s Warzone’s signature. If you close your eyes while listening to this, you’ll feel the rave surrounding you.
Throwback:
This collaboration between Warface and Crypsis is worth the detour. Hard and fast, you can recognize both producers’ signature in it. You can feel the rhythm in your bones, urging you to ignite the dance floor on fire.
Warzone:
All of Warface’s tracks have a reference to the battlefield, which is understandable. But you don’t have as much fun in a battlefield than in a rave –unless you’re a sociopath – and that’s where Warface truly shines!
Wakin’ Up:
This track is another masterpiece collaboration that has an extremely hip-hop vibe to it in the beginning, but soon switches to the rawstyle that Warface is famous for. The beat is sick and will make you dance as if no one is watching.
The Truth:
This track is truly on fire, and that’s normal, since it’s a flaming collab’ between Warface and Delete. As they say, “Get up!” and dance, because the present is all you’ve got.
Warface is now one of the most energetic, eclectic and appreciated name in the rawcore scene. His original live sets and fiery albums turned him into an important name in the industry and he’s now booking shows all over the world.
For more info about Warface, check out his Facebook page:
Working under the Minus is More label, Grzegorz Luzynski AKA Crypsis is a Dutch-Polish rawstyle DJ and producer. He was first discovered by the hardstyle legend Luna who took him under his wing and made him the raw hardstyle star he is today.
Fascinated by Crypsis’s unique take on hardstyle, Luna suggested a collaboration that ended up giving us the magnificent E.P. called “Choices”.
Crypsis is known for his progressive, raw and energetic musical style, and for his original live shows that set the roof on fire (metaphorically speaking, of course). And most importantly, he cares about his fans and what they like. He said once in an interview that he, as a DJ and producer, didn’t get to choose which music was “cool” or not, because in the end, it was all about his fans and whether they liked what he made or not. Him caring about his fans’ opinion that much is what helped him gain a huge fan-base, not only in Europe, but all over the world.
After his albums ‘Statement of Intent’ in 2009 and ‘Cryptology’ in 2012, Crypsis established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the rawstyle scene and as Minus is More’s front soldier and one of their most important producers.
Today, you will get to discover Crypsis’s 5 most popular tracks ever. Get ready, because you will be dancing A LOT!
Program Hostile:
We’re starting with a pretty dark collaboration here, with Crypsis and MC Nolz. This is a track that starts strong and end the same way, leaving you banging your head even after you’re done listening to it. The dark side of it adds a shade of mystery to an already noir track.
Bathe In Blood:
No, Crypsis is not trying to turn you into a psycho murderer who could bathe in their victims’ blood. This is metaphorical, y’all! This track is fast and you can truly feel the raw side in it. We imagine this being played in a party where everyone is wearing fantastically creepy Jason masks. It just gives off this kind of nicely disturbing vibes.
Lost In The Mist:
This track starts on the conventional side, and just when you’re getting used to it, it hits you with a mix of opera and Asian sounds, which is a testimony of how inventive Crypsis can be with his art.
Kill For The Thrill:
And once again, this is metaphorical y’all! Don’t go murdering people in the streets, even if you feel like this track is definitely killer!
Say My Name:
This feels like a Beaking Bad reference, but sadly, it isn’t. What is it though is a sick track that will make you mooove!
This last September, Crypsis released his latest album at Supremacy 2016, and as always, it didn’t disappoint! He has now more die-hard fans than ever, and he impresses with his original style and progressive tracks.
Check out Crypsis’s Facebook page and find out more about him here:
Ryan Biggs is a name few would recognize, and for a reason! Most know him as Delete, one of the biggest raw hardstyle artists out right now. DJ and producer, this Aussie has been involved in the rawstyle scene since its inception in the early 2000s. His unique signature, original sounds and inventive take on raw hardstyle has made Delete one of the biggest names in the industry!
Starting as an underground artist that flew under the radar for most of his career, he is now building a name for himself as one of the forces to reckon with. It’s in 2013, after moving to The Netherlands that he seriously gets hurled in the raw hardstyle industry. He releases three winner tracks: Ghetto, Dismissed and Level and rapidly gains an important fan-base, not only in The Netherlands, but in all Europe.
His popularity is mostly due to his critically-acclaimed rough and grinding beats that changed from the more conventional sounds of raw hardstyle and proved good enough to secure him a spot in the elite.
Without further ado, let’s discover 5 devastating Delete tracks. We promise you won’t be disappointed!
The World Is Yours:
If this track doesn’t inspire you to pursue your dreams, we don’t know what would. As soon as it starts, you heard the words “You could do anything. The world is yours!” But what’s more mesmerizing here is the melody, at the same time soft and raw. You’ll start dancing to this without even feeling it, like it just happened to us!
Dismissed Again:
This track has the signature move of Delete all over it. It doesn’t disappoint, and you know that once you hear it, the party will be on fire! Just imagine this being played live and start saving for Delete’s next show!
Funk:
The funk is alive and well! This track is true to its name and will make you dance like a madman (which isn’t bad at all, we encourage that!)
Just Do It:
Yes, this is definitely Shia LaBoeuf’s voice in this track. So, as he said, don’t let your dreams be dreams, just do it! DANCE!
Fatal:
This collaboration between Delete and Deetox truly is a killer (fatal, killer, see what we did here? Yeah, we like making puns too). Starting strong from the beginning, it just gets harder and faster as it goes. You can understand the true meaning of raw hardstyle after listening to this track.
Located now in The Netherlands, Delete is making a name for himself on the European rawstyle scene. His raw, unique sounds seduced more than one raw hardstyle fan, and since he moved to the country of raves and hardstyle, he has been busy with gigs every other day of the week.
For more info about Delete, check out his Facebook page:
It didn’t feel like it we attended Trauma Oldschool for the Headstrong just this time in August 2015. However just this past Saturday marked the one year anniversary for Trauma’s return (formally TR-99) and saying we celebrated accordingly would be an understatement. I started my night off early already knowing what to expect, well at least I thought I did….
The night began with a unique set from LA’s own Deadly Buda,whom played a hard electronic set for his first hour. This would be my first time hearing it live, but when guy’s like Lenny Dee are pushing this style, I guess I couldn’t ignore it. The best way I could explain it would be “Subground style with an industrial soul”. It wasn’t easy to get into at first, but the industrial heaviness paired with the clashing effects of modern electro is definitely up and coming. The doors opened and kids dressed in their handmade fur and kandi attire, to throw back T-shirts started to fill all the rooms at Union gradually. It seemed like the music only got louder as more people filled the floors. Deadly Buda had the chance to fill the second slot after him, in which he transitioned into a classic/mainstream hardcore set which set the pace for the whole night. (Well at least till Tim Shopp hit the decks but we’ll get to that later)
By the time he was done I had already been freely moving between the venue, sometimes getting lost, but it wasn’t hard to pick out who was playing in the different rooms. I found myself gravitating towards definitely the main stage and the smaller downstairs for separate reasons. The main stage was pumping out the best production and sound with the largest crowd, but there was something special to be attributed to the smaller room. I caught a good portion of Demigod early in the night. I was surprised when I was outside and I saw someone bust out “United States of Hardcore” cassette tape for him to sign. After that I knew it was going to be sweet classic satisfaction every time I curved that corner to hear the sound that caught me in the first place. It wasn’t long till almost all rooms were packed, bars were busy and there wasn’t a time when people weren’t busting out a fat hakkuh. (Including myself)
Tim Shop, Deadly Buda, Levenkhan at Trauma 1 Year Anniversary
Although I live for hardcore, I would occasionally have to side step to the sounds of Drum n Bass & Jungle as I moved between downstairs and main stage.I can’t recall a time where I would walk by and not have the urge to stop. Not being an expert on the subject matter, it didn’t take a jungulist to look to the small side stage to see the same dedicated fans dancing their hearts out.
I returned upstairs to prepare for the last half of The Pitcher but over the years my ear for Hardstyle has been getting worse. That didn’t stop myself from jumping to the absolute Rawstyle and Old-school he was throwing down. I’m even sure the crowd never missed a beat as he slipped in a couple Hard House hits from the origin days. I’ll have to admit I was itching for some faster pace at that point but I may have tried my luck a shuffling again, poorly.
I migrated downstairs for a while because I kept hearing rumors that Ron D Core and DJ Dan we’re still playing a tag vinyl set together. I did some quick thinking and realized that they were already almost playing for 2 hours, some say 3 but regardless I showed up that weekend to hear some classic Hardcore and I left only wanting to hear more. I simply couldn’t get over the attachment everyone had in that room to the music. Even to some of these native west coast hard heads, this music is blood to them. The sweat and tears was only reinforced my thoughts. I hope to experience that again soon.
Between the familiar faces from people traveling all around for different acts, and the nice weather, it was hard to prevent myself from going outside. Not once did I hear a shred complaints (Except the unplanned absence of Kevin Kaos, sorry Lisa). I wasn’t really sure why I didn’t buy a taco once while I was out there but, who knows? I got into a couple conversations and I was surprised that to some this was their first Hard Dance event. I assumed the line-up and anniversary title would bring out a specific older crowd. I guess the theme of the night was how much I could be proved wrong. Anyhow, the newcomers were stoked to say the least and in their reaction I only knew that wouldn’t be the first time I’d see them
Oh man, I haven’t even got to good part yet. I returned to my rightful place at upstairs main stage, some would call it entitlement but if you’re not causing damage, well you might be in the wrong place. Decipher took the decks and I could’ve swore the floor almost went down under. The tall shadowy Ozzy stepped up for his first time in LA and makes you wonder why only the first time? The ground was shaking, fists were pumping, and you would be wrong if you thought there wouldn’t be a pit for the angriest. It was a mix mash of some of the best hardcore mixing I’ve heard in awhile and I hope that people will notice what kind of unique talent he brings to the decks.
Jerome Hill looking out for Flapjack!
As Decipher ended his set you could already tell by looking around the room who was next to take the stage. The room went black, the strobe hit and before you knew it you we’re in Noize Suppressor’s world. The look on people’s face went from cheery to hard frowns and ugly grins. The madness had arrived. Being a fuge fan of Noize Suppressor for a long time I was more than excited to hear my favorite tracks and from the way the crowd was screaming the lyrics without a care for having a voice the next morning, I wasn’t the only one. For a good while there the solo strobe combined with a violent mosh made for a experience I thought only existed at concerts but the music had people feeling a certain way, and not in the typical loving way at most events. The highlight was easily the successful crowd surf which apparently is a once in while opportunity. He smashed out the ending with well preparation for was about to be in store…
Everything went silent, the room filled, and all you could hear people screaming for and calling one name, america’s own Tim Shopp. An abnormal BPM took over if you aren’t too familiar with the name but that was a good night to learn, and easily one of the best sets from the man in my opinion. Although we didn’t see him in his usual bomb vest, that had nothing to do with how he had the crowd to their knees. Well at least most of them, it almost as he felt he was challenging the crowd. How fast and hard could he go? Turns out this is the future and no one was missing a beat. Being the number one talked about hard dance upcoming producer in the US since his release of “Terror Squad” hitting top charts on Hardtunes it wasn’t difficult to see why. The ante kept climbing with the murderous kicks and faster tempo, the weak one’s feet began to slow down but not a soul went anywhere till the sound shut off. The party continued downstairs but by that time I had barely enough in me to go on but also wanted more at the same time.
The next morning the posts keep flooding my newsfeed and from everything I saw and heard the following night it was the first I actually got what I expected during that weekend. Ever since my interaction with Trauma Live and their staff it’s been nothing but good intentions and even sicker parties that aren’t just catered to the usual hard head, and for that reason I will always respect what’s to come next from the Trauma crew. The inside jokes and mixed memories will live on in the legacy of Trauma events. The mayor of Hardcore has my vote.
-Jarred M
Dedicated to the harder sound of electronic dance music.
