Breakcore

Breakcore is not a genre for the faint of heart. It's fast, chaotic, and extremely intense. This hardcore electronic music genre got its start in the late 1990s and has since gained a dedicated following of fans and producers. To understand the roots of breakcore, it's important to look at the history of electronic music in general. In the 1980s, several groundbreaking styles like hip-hop, techno, and house emerged from cities like New York, Detroit, and Chicago. These genres laid the foundation for the rise of electronic dance music (EDM) in the following decades. Breakcore emerged as a subgenre of IDM (intelligent dance music) and hardcore techno. A core element of breakcore is a rapid-fire, fractured beat that samples old-school hip-hop and jungle music. This style of music takes the tempo of drum and bass and combines it with the distorted and heavy bass sounds of hardcore. Artists like DJ Scud, Bong-Ra, and Venetian Snares are often credited as pioneers of the genre and its early evolution. They produced music that was aggressive, exhilarating, and hyperkinetic. Breakcore is a combination of different genres, including drum and bass, techno, punk rock, and classical music. One of the noticeable features of breakcore is its use of the "breakbeat." The breakbeat is a drum sample that was often used by early hip-hop DJs to create new beats from old records. Breakcore, created by fusing different breakbeats together, often features complex rhythms that can be difficult for the untrained ear to follow. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw the rise of breakcore parties and festivals across Europe. The scene thrived on the energy of live performances, with artists utilizing samples, laptops, and drum machines to create intense and wild beats that kept the crowd moving. Breakcore has also had an impact on other genres of electronic music. Dubstep, for example, took note of the breakcore sound and incorporated some of its elements into its style. Dubstep's characteristic "wobble" bass owes a lot to the distorted bass sound of breakcore. Despite being a relatively niche genre, breakcore has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years. Artists like Igorrr, Ruby My Dear, and FFF have kept the genre alive and brought it to new audiences. The popularity of breakcore remixes on SoundCloud and YouTube has also helped spread the genre's influence.

Venetian Snares: Canadian musician Aaron Funk, also known as Venetian Snares, is known for his frenetic take on breakcore. With over 20 albums to his name, Venetian Snares has gained a reputation as one of the most innovative and challenging artists in the genre. His music blends complex rhythms and glitchy soundscapes with a punk sensibility, making for an exhilarating listening experience. Bong-Ra: Dutch producer Bong-Ra (aka Jason Köhnen) is a prolific artist who has released a vast amount of music since the late 1990s. He is known for his aggressive, noisy take on breakcore, which incorporates elements of metal, dub and hip hop. Bong-Ra's music often features distorted basslines, screeching synths and thunderous drums, making for an intense and uncompromising sound. FFF: Dutch musician Tommy de Roos, otherwise known as FFF, has been releasing music since the early 2000s. His take on breakcore is defined by its relentless energy and ferocious rhythms. FFF's music combines elements of jungle, gabber and hardcore, resulting in a thrilling and sometimes terrifying sonic assault. Enduser: American producer Lynn Standafer, aka Enduser, is known for his dark, menacing take on breakcore. His music often incorporates elements of industrial and noise music, creating a dystopian soundscape that can be both unsettling and exhilarating. Enduser's music is characterized by its intricate drum programming and ominous atmospheres. Drumcorps: New York-based musician Aaron Spectre, aka Drumcorps, is known for his hybrid approach to breakcore, which incorporates elements of metal and electronic music. Drumcorps' music is characterized by its thundering drums and distorted guitars, making for an intense and exhilarating listening experience. Shitmat: English musician Henry Collins, aka Shitmat, is known for his irreverent and humorous take on breakcore. His music often features samples from pop culture and obscure sources, blended with breakbeats and gabber-style kicks. Shitmat's music is defined by its anarchic and joyful energy. Datach'i: American musician Joseph Fraioli, aka Datach'i, has been releasing music since the late 1990s. His take on breakcore is characterized by its intricate programming and glitchy soundscapes. Datach'i's music often incorporates elements of IDM, resulting in a cerebral and complex listening experience. Ruby My Dear: French musician Julien Chastagnol, aka Ruby My Dear, is known for his playful and virtuosic approach to breakcore. His music often features intricate melodies and lush harmonies, alongside breakbeats and complex rhythms. Ruby My Dear's music combines a sense of childlike wonder with an impressive technical skill. Igorrr: French musician Gautier Serre, aka Igorrr, is known for his genre-defying music that blends elements of breakcore, metal, classical music and more. Igorrr's music is defined by its whimsy and unpredictability, with seemingly disparate genres and moods colliding to create something entirely unique. DJ Floorclearer: British producer Jamie Ball, aka DJ Floorclearer, is known for his fast and furious take on breakcore, which incorporates elements of gabber and hardcore. DJ Floorclearer's music is characterized by its relentless energy and unapologetic aggression, making for an intense and cathartic listening experience.

1. Venetian Snares - "Rossz Csillag Alatt Született" 2. Aphex Twin - "Drukqs" 3. Squarepusher - "Go Plastic" 4. Hecate - "Brew Hideous Remixes" 5. Igorrr - "Savage Sinusoid" 6. Enduser - "Form Without Function" 7. Shitmat - "Full English Breakfest" 8. Bong-Ra - "Bikini Bandits, Kill! Kill! Kill!" 9. Datach'i - "Bones" 10. Ruby My Dear - "Form" 11. Drumcorps - "Grist" 12. DJ Scotch Egg - "KFC Core" 13. Bogdan Raczynski - "Samurai Math Beats" 14. Stazma The Junglechrist - "Shapeshifter" 15. Knifehandchop - "How I Left You" 16. Cardopusher - "Unity Means Power" 17. Otto von Schirach - "Maxipad Detention" 18. Ebola - "Chopped Up Corpse for Dinnertime" 19. Xanopticon - "Liminal Space" 20. Bong-Ra - "Soldaat van Oranje" 21. Doormouse - "Broken (and Remade)" 22. Igorrr - "Nostril" 23. Bogdan Raczynski - "Myloveilove" 24. Drumcorps - "Botch Up and Die" 25. Cardopusher - "Mutant Dubstep Vol. 1"

One book that has contributed to the discussion surrounding Breakcore is "The Sound of the Crowd: A History of Industrial Music" by Steve Redhead. In this book, Redhead argues that Breakcore represents a "new radicalism" in electronic music that is "less about beats per minute and more about pushing the boundaries of what music can do." He also describes Breakcore as a "weaponized form of music," capable of challenging the status quo and inspiring new forms of resistance. Another author who has written about Breakcore is Keith Kahn-Harris, whose book "Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge" includes a chapter on the genre. In this chapter, Kahn-Harris describes Breakcore as a "radical fusion" of various genres, including jungle, hardcore techno, and noise. He notes that the genre's extreme sound can be appealing to listeners who are looking for something that "pushes the boundaries of what they're used to." Notable musicians and critics have also weighed in on Breakcore. Venetian Snares, one of the most well-known Breakcore artists, once described the genre as a "pure expression of a subconscious energy," noting that it is "an attempt to find beauty in chaos." Similarly, musician and author Simon Reynolds has praised Breakcore for its ability to "shatter expectations and change the rules of the game" in electronic music. Despite its growing popularity, Breakcore remains a polarizing genre. Some critics have argued that the genre's extreme sound is inaccessible to many listeners and that it can be difficult to distinguish between different artists and tracks. Others have criticized Breakcore for its association with political extremism and violence.

One of the primary cultural influences on the creation of Breakcore was punk rock, which fostered a DIY ethos that emphasized self-expression and radical politics. Early practitioners of the style, such as Alec Empire and Venetian Snares, were heavily influenced by the anarchist punk scene, and saw Breakcore as a way of bringing these ideas to electronic music. Another important social factor was the proliferation of digital technology, which made it easier for musicians to create, distribute, and collaborate on music. This led to the rise of netlabels - independent record labels that distribute their music for free or for a small fee on the internet. Labels such as Peace Off, Ad Noiseam, and Cock Rock Disco were crucial in shaping the sound of Breakcore and promoting the genre to a wider audience. The emergence of Breakcore was also facilitated by a growing interest in noise and experimental music among younger generations. This was partly due to the rise of electronic music and the democratization of music-making technology, which made it possible for non-musicians to create their own music. The increased interest in DJ culture was also a crucial component in the rise of Breakcore. Indeed, many early Breakcore producers, such as DJ Scud and Christoph Fringeli, were originally DJs who experimented with hardcore techno and jungle, before branching out into more experimental territories. Journalism also played a significant role in the development and promotion of Breakcore. Zine culture provided a platform for artists to publish their own reviews, interviews, and writings, while print magazines such as The Wire, Muzik, and Mixmag helped to introduce the sound to a wider audience. Online music blogs and forums also played a significant role in promoting the genre in the early 2000s. Notable figures within the genre include artists such as Shitmat, Bong-Ra, and Cardopusher, who have all put out influential releases on labels such as Planet Mu, Tigerbeat6, and Murder Channel. Venetian Snares is also frequently mentioned as a key figure in the development of Breakcore, thanks in part to his early affiliation with the Canadian label and netlabel Isolate Records.