We’ve been graced by two new stages this year, one of which is replacing grey. There is now a hardstyle stage (blue) and a weird green stage that encompasses many genres, unlike it’s dutch counterpart that covers various kinds of techno.

In addition to the lineup, the anthem has been revealed to be a ridiculously cheesy hands-up number from none other than arguably the world’s biggest nustyle act, Headhunterz. Preview of the Headhunterz – Save Your Scrap For Victory (Official Defqon.1 AU Anthem 2010) [what does that even mean] at the end of the post.

Red – Nustyle:

Headhunterz
Tatanka
Wildstylez
Frontliner
Stephy
Dr Willis
B-Front
Bioweapon
Psyko Punkz
Nik Fish

Blue – Hardstyle:

Tatanka v Zatox
The Prophet
Suae & Pulsar
Pavo v Isaac
Max Enforcer
Alpha Twins
Toneshifterz

Black – Hardcore:

Promo
Evil Activities
Unexist
DJ Mad Dog
Korsakoff
Outblast
Spellbound

Orange – Hard Trance:

ASYS
Scot Project
Derb/Kan Cold
BRK3
Pee Wee Ferris v John Ferris
Kutski
Arbor v Cantosis
Hardforze v Micky D
Amber Savage v Steve Hill
Nathan Cryptic v Andre Jay
Matrix v Shadower

GREEN – Electro/Minimal/Psy/Techno:

Azza
Rob Zobec
MSG
Dylan Griffin
Substance
Keirra Jade
Alex Up
Macrotix
Ritchie Jay
Thao
Abuse

Purple -New Talent:

Soul-t v Karpe DM
Hektic v Arbee
HSB
Xdream v Keely
Sdee v Toxic
Nick Watts v Zac Slade
Audio Damage v Kid Finley
Scotty G v Bennett
Tempa v Nomad
Producer Comp Winner

Click here to view the embedded video.

Previously releasing mostly on Theracords, Stana says “I appreciate the time we had together. It was a lot of fun working with everybody, but we recently ended our collaboration a few weeks back and we are going in separate ways now. But the motivation for Tech Maniac Records was alive and kicking even before I joined so it’s a dream I’ve decided to finally do.”

Whilst tech obviously runs through Stana’s veins, expect a diversified sound from the new label, despite the name. “[The style will be] a lot of Tech obviously, but also a lot of other styles as well. I will be pushing out whatever that comes to mind, just as long as I love it. It can be everything from Hard Dance to Techno to Trance and even House oriented- it doesn’t really matter. My agenda will be to create as much music and show the world what I’ve got. My label will mostly be focusing on creating something unique and to release a lot with my friends so you can expect Ultraform, Jonas Stenberg, Dave Schiemann for the first release which is really banging!”

The last year has been stellar for the maniac from Sweden, pumping out a good number of releases on Theracords and being booked for the legendary Defqon 1 festival in June. “It’s absolutely fantastic! I appreciate the opportunity to show what I’ve got and it’s going to be really great to see everybody there… I will rock it as much as I can on the orange stage!”. He rates it as “definitely one of my biggest achievements, and I’m very happy to see what the future holds.”

Stana lists Swedish House Mafia as an inspiration, “for the reason that they brought something beautiful from nothing at all in Stockholm, which I can speak from my own experience is really hard to do in this city. They are really hard working and their music evolves the whole time without staying in one place. I’m also inspired by Adam Beyer and most of the Swedish legends of course.”

On the flip side, he sees potential Diablik as a rising star in the scene. “[He] has a lot of energy in his productions, and as a tech maniac I find craziness something for me! I also hope to see more stuff come out from BRK3 this year hopefully. “

Comforting news for vinyl junkies, the label will release in both vinyl and mp3, with the first release being pressed as we speak. “There are a lot of people that still respect vinyl, and it’s why vinyl is still pressing. It is no doubt a risky move to do, but I decided to do it anyway because it’s one of my dreams. No matter how big risks are dreams will always be bigger!”

For the Australian fans, Stana responds to whether he will be coming out again: “I sure hope so! I had a great time last time I was over playing in Melbourne surrounded by amazing people and surprised about the Australian enthusiasm with all the fans.”

The first release will be Stana – Circus this summer, with remixes from Ultraform, Dave Schiemann and Jonas Stenberg.

Have a listen of some of Stana’s productions on his MySpace.

Red stage

Thilo & Evanti (NL)
Coone (BE)
Charly Lownoise & Menthal Theo (NL)
D-Block & S-te-Fan (NL)
Wildstylez (NL)
Frontliner LIVE (NL)
Brennan Heart(NL)
Headhunterz (NL)
Noisecontrollers (NL)

Hosted by MC DV8

Blue stage

Deepack (NL)
Second Idendity aka A-Lusion & Scope DJ (NL)
Tatanka (IT)
Digital Punk (NL)
Slim Shore (NL)
B-Front (NL)
Nitrouz (AU)
Alpha Twins & Beat Providers (NL)
Psyko Punkz LIVE (NL)
Zany (NL)

Hosted by MC Villain

Orange stage

A*S*Y*S (DE)
Bootek aka Phil York (UK)
Nik Fish (AU)
Kutski (UK)
Stana (SE)
Dimavi (SE)
Kamui (DE)
Fausto (NL)

Hosted by J-B

Purple stage

Bioweapon (AU)
Hectik (AU)
The Yofridiz (UK)
Frequencerz (ML)
Waverider (NL)
Artic (NL)
Atmosfearz (NL/CAN)
Titan (NL)
DJ Ezteq (NL)
Soul-T (NL)
Intactable One (NL)

Hosted by MC V

Black stage

Nosferatu (NL)
The Playah (NL)
Endymion (NL)
Partyraiser (NL) & Unexist (IT)
E-Ruption (NL)
Traxtor (IT)
Outblast (NL)
Neophyte (NL)
Art Of Figters (IT)
MC Da Mouth Of Madness (NL)

Grey stage

The Prophet (NL)
Vince (NL)
Robin ‘Jaybee’ Albers (NL)
The Viper & Panic (NL)
Yves ‘Special Club X set) (NL)
Promo ‘Files set) (NL)
Pavo (NL)
Fierce Ruling Diva (NL)
Delirium (NL)

Hosted by MC Da Syndrome (NL)

White stage

Dov Elkabas (NL)
Dustin Zhan (USA)
Dock 45 (NL)
Arjen T (NL)
A*S*Y*S (DE)
Darren Mase (NL)
Night Stalkers (NL)
Isaac (NL)
Pavelow (NL)

Silver Stage

Stormtrooper
Bryan Fury
Mindustries
Mental Wreckage
Mez vs Torsion
Simon Underground
Drokz
Negative A
Tymon
Hosted by MC justice

Green Stage

Miss Djax
Boris S
Bold
Hilarious
Fernandia Martins
Mike Drama
Daniela Haverbeck
Virgel Enzinger
Audio Slayer
Hosted by MC TMC

Brown Stage

Demoniak
Transfarmers
Fenix
DarkE
Dr.Phunk
Playboyz
Davdddi
Jones
Ruthless & Coone
Hosted by MC Chucky

Q-Dance have really outdone themselves with the theme for this years In Qontrol, Save Exit Planet. I’m not going to even bother to try and explain it, but rather let you look at the network of sites they’ve set up for the organisations (areas) they’ve created. save-exit-planet.org will take you to the main site, wherein you’re able to visit the 4 seperate sites, each sharing their own view on the Earth’s situation. Each organisation has it’s own domain, and they’ve even taken the liberty of creating twitter accounts for them.

If you’ve got the time (and live in Europe, because the sites are mighty slow for international visitors), definitely check out the sites, otherwise, here’s the In Qontrol 2010 lineup:

The Third Millennium Society

Artento Divini vs Fausto
Coone vs Isaac
Frontliner
Technoboy
Wildstylez
Headhunterz
Noisecontrollers
Stephanie
MC: DV8

The Imperial Greenhouse Institute

Alpha²
Beat Providers
Crypsis
Dailucia
Slim Shore
B-Front vs Digital Punk
Deepack
Psyko Punkz
Titan
MC: Villain

The Chaos Theory Foundation

Korsakoff vs DaY-már
Mad Dog
Outblast
Partyraiser
D-Passion
E-Ruption
Evil Activities
Hellfish
Jeff
Nosferatu
Tha Playah

The Apocalypse Association

Buzz Fuzz
Franky Jones
Da Syndrome
Dana
Dune
Ghost
Norman
Panic
Stanton
Waxweazle

Date: 17th April 2010
Time: 21:30 – 07:00
Location: RAI, Amsterdam
Price: €47 / VIP €62

In a recent article in the Australian magazine 3D World, Showtek gave an interview publicizing their upcoming Australian tour, during which they mentioned “We’re not going to stay a hardstyle act.”

Woah, what?

So, maybe it isn’t as dramatic as it seems, they add: “We are really working on our own sound and I think we’ve already accomplished a lot. Tiesto, for example, is not a trance DJ – but his music sounds a bit trancy. He’s just a brand nowadays, and, with Showtek, it’s actually the same”. They follow it up with “We are not going to make house or trance. We are going to develop our sound even more – tracks like Electronic Stereophonic is really our stuff. You’ll see”.

So how did we get here? Firstly, it’s not surprising that Showtek are breaking away from hardstyle. Showtek have always been a strange brand, an outsider, a Dutch duo far more embraced worldwide than in their homeland. The most recognizable and arguably the most successful hardstyle act ever, yet they do not garner the respect amongst the hardstyle faithful that other legendary artists do. Their sound is one of the few to break free from the constraints of hardstyle, one of the few hardstyle brands recognizable in pop culture.

And their split from hardstyle has been further facilitated recently with Showtek deciding to split with the Platinum booking agency to form their own booking agency to handle them and other Dutch Master Works artists, after a rumored falling out with Platinum refusing to book them at a certain hardstyle festival (for those who don’t know: Platinum booking agency handles most big names in hardstyle, and Q-Dance almost exclusively books through Platinum, leading to allegations of corruption, shady dealing and anti-competitive practices).

Showtek are one of the few hardstyle acts who have the crowd pulling ability to do this (as they effectively waved goodbye to ever playing at a Q-Dance event again), and they have an unashamedly popular, worldwide sound. No massive name in hardstyle could afford to not be booked at Q-Dance parties; but Showtek are not trying to be a massive hardstyle name, they are trying to be a massive name full stop.

So what will this Showtek actually sound like, if it isn’t hardstyle? Obviously their recent album is a good indicator, especially the track “Electronic Stereophonic”, of which I have never seen a producer beat off to their own track as much as showtek have with this one, mentioning it in almost every interview since the album came out.

Ultimately, it seems like a more accessible sound, without as much of the “distorted and aggressive sounds” that accompany most hardstyle, to use Walt’s words. Think a softer “hard dance” sound that blends genres, coming from a hardstyle direction but containing elements from different genres like rock, trance, house and pop. It’s still undeniably Showtek, with their sound almost instantly recognizable from their productions. In fact, it’s really a sound that is just more Showtek, and less hardstyle, to sum it up.

And so, we see this positioning makes sense in a wider view of Showtek trying to really forge their own place, their own niche in the hard dance scene – not limited by any genre expectations, producing whatever they want, playing at what parties they like, globetrotting worldwide. Analogue players in a digital world, anyone?

Discuss this in its thread on our forum.

The Bassleader 2010 lineup:

Hardstyle:

• Noisecontrollers LIVE
• Psyko Punkz
• Coone
• Frontliner
• D-Block & S-te-Fan
• B-Front
• Crypsis LIVE
• The Vision
• Da Tweekaz
• Frequencerz
• Bioweapon
• Annagenetic

Hosted by MC Villain

Hardcore:

• Partyraiser
• Noize Suppressor presents Sonar LIVE
• Neophyte Live
• Outblast
• Angerfist LIVE
• Ophidian LIVE
• Korsakoff
• The Playah
• AniMe
• Mad Dog
• Nitrogenetics
• DJ D
• Re-Style
• Tomcat
• Rudeboy
• Evolver

Hosted by MC Tha Watcher

Jump/Tek:

• Fenix
• Demoniak
• Dr Rude
• Mark with a K LIVE
• Q-IC
• Davoodi
• Qatja S LIVE
• Playboyz
• Jones
• Ronald V
• Bestien LIVE
• Dr Phunk
• Dark-e
• DJ Ghost
• Royal S
• Teka B
• Sjoekoe

Hosted by MC Chucky

Future:

• Junior Waxx LIVE
• Loic D
• iTraxx
• Orpheuz
• Orson Keith
• Detektor
• Point Blanc LIVE
• DP
• Myfa LIVE
• Dave D
• Jacknoize
• Genetic
• Def Toys
• Mass
• Kid Rascal
• The Squadron

Hosted by MC Apster

Date: 15/05/10
Location: Flanders Expo, Gent
Price : 37,5€ + bf, 50€ + bf
Site: http://www.bassleader.be/

• Zany
• Donkey Rollers vs. Noisecontrollers
• The Pitcher
• Kamui
• Alex Kidd vs. Kidd Kaos
• Jowan vs. Dr Willis

And the local talent sharing the mainstage with them:

• Toneshifterz LIVE
• Nitrouz
• Amber Savage
• XDREAM
• Suae
• Pulsar
• Arbee
• Cantosis
• Arbor

Not to mention the four other stages with a slew of locals pumping out hardstyle, hard trance, uplifting trance and classic anthems.

As a side note, check out the trailer on the official Magic City site. It’s hilariously awesome.

Date: 29/05/10
Location: Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
Tickets: Ticket Direct
Price: $110, $210 VIP
Website: http://www.magiccity.net.au/

Discuss this event on our forum!

Thanks, as usual, to Hardtraxx.nl for the delicious livesets.

Balistic (Warm Up Set) Tracklist:

01. DJ Arabesque – Serendipity
02. ID
03. DJ Bismark & Philippe Rochard – Theme of sphere (Original Mix)
04. Mauro Picotto – Autumn (Megamind Mix)
05. Sombrero Bros – Pull the plug
06. Prezioso Feat. Marvin – Let Me Stay (Ce Pensa Giò Mix)
07. Warmduscher – Auf die fresse
08. Walt – Bring the pain (Original Mix)
09. Zero Vision – Right here
10. Angy Dee – Something Wonderfull (Original Mix)
11. Ferry Corsten – Punk (Cosmic Gate remix)
12. Zero Vision – Overdrive
13. Carambola – Blue horizons (Deepack remix)
14. The Beholder & Balistic Feat. Max Enforcer – Bigger, Better, Louder! (Decibel 2004 Anthem)

Download Balistic (Warm Up Set) at Hardbass 2010

Team Green (The Pitcher, Crypsis & Technoboy) Tracklist:

01. 2 Best Enemies – Unity
02. Hardstyle Masterz feat. Max Enforcer – Rambo Is A Pussy
03. The Pitcher – Strange Love
04. The Pitcher – Serenity
05. Crypsis – Tuatara
06. Chain Reaction – Lellebel
07. TNT – Tritolo
08. Technoboy meets Ruffian – The Undersound
09. Zany – Mr. Monster
10. The Pitcher – Pump It Loud (2010 Edit)
11. Crypsis vs. Dana – Transmission
12. Crypsis – Jealousy
13. The Hose – I Survived
14. Ivan Carsten – Freesound
15. The Pitcher – Here For The Future
16. Donkey Rollers – 2012
17. Chain Reaction – Answers
18. Crypsis vs. Luna – Torture
19. Technoboy – Next Dimensional World (Qlimax 2008 Anthem)
20. Toneshifterz – Angels & Demons

Download Team Green (The Pitcher, Crypsis & Technoboy) at Hardbass 2010

Second Identity LIVE Tracklist:

01. Second Identity – Distorted Device
02. Second Identity – Identify
03. Second Identity – Amplified
04. Second Identity – Karma Circle
05. Scope Dj – Househeads
06. Second Identity – Atlantiss
07. Second Identity – Moving Madness
08. Second Identity – Eternal Void

Download Second Identity LIVE at Hardbass 2010

Team Blue (Wildstylez, D-Block & S-te-Fan & Coone) Tracklist:

01. Headhunterz – Subsonic (Late Night Edit)
02. Wildstylez – A Complex Situation
03. D-Block & S-te-Fan – Music Made Addict
04. Coone – Throw Ya Handz
05. Headhunterz & Wildstylez – Blame It On The Music (D-Block & S-te-Fan Remix)
06. D-Block & S-te-Fan vs. Wildstylez – The Human Soul
07. Digital Punk – Warrior’s Redemption
08. Psyko Punkz – After MF
09. D-Block & S-te-Fan – Together
10. Headhunterz & Wildstylez feat. Villain – Stuck In Your Head
11. D-Block & S-te-Fan feat. Villain – Sound Of The Thunder
12. Coone – Dirty & Deluxe (Edit)
13. JDX feat. Sarah Maria – Live The Moment
14. The Prophet feat. Wildstylez – Cold Rocking (Gostosa Remix)
15. Headhunterz – Psychedelic
16. Psyko Punkz – ID
17. D-Block & S-te-Fan – Alone
18. Brennan Heart – Just As Easy (Wildstylez vs. SMD Remix)
19. Alpha Twins vs. Wildstylez – Atrocious
20. Coone & Deepack – Thunderdance
21. D-Block & S-te-Fan vs. High Voltage – Shiverz

Download Team Blue (Wildstylez, D-Block & S-te-Fan & Coone) at Hardbass 2010

Zany & The Beholder LIVE Tracklist:

01. The Beholder meets Zany – Midnight
02. Da Bootleggerz – Fresh Beats
03. The Beholder meets Zany – Euphoria
04. Zany & DV8 – Vision
05. Zany meets The Beholder – Who Wants This
06. Zany feat. The Beholder – The New God
07. The Beholder & Zany – Bleeding For The Harder Styles (Decibel 2008 Anthem)
08. Zany meets The Beholder – Annihilating
09. The Beholder & Zany – To Protect & Serve (Hardbass 2010 Anthem)
10. Zany meets The Beholder – Do You Want Heavy?
11. Bulldozer Project – Arise (The Beholder & Zany Remix)

Download Zany & The Beholder LIVE at Hardbass 2010

Team Yellow (Tatanka, Pavo & Frontliner) Tracklist:

01. Frontliner & Tatanka – Yellow (?)
02. Frontliner & B-Front – Godz Powerrr!
03. Pavo – Back In Time
04. Tatanka – TBA
05. Frontliner – Tuuduu (DJ Tool)
06. Nagoom – 4×4
07. Tatanka & Zatox – Gangsta
08. Frontliner – On The Rise
09. Pavo – Communicate
10. The R3bels – Straight To Da Beat
11. Frontliner – The First Cut
12. Bass Modulators – NRGizer
13. Davide Sonar – My World
14. B-Front & Frontliner – Magic
15. Pavo & Zany – Orgasmo
16. Blademasterz – In The End
17. Frontliner – Frozen
18. Pavo – Raven
19. Frontliner – TBA
20. Frontliner – Rollin’
21. Bass Modulators – Our World (Tats Q-Base Edit)
22. Tatanka – Dooms Day

Download Team Yellow (Tatanka, Pavo & Frontliner) at Hardbass 2010

Brennan Heart LIVE Tracklist:

01. Brennan Heart – City Of Intensity (Decibel 2009 Anthem)
02. Headhunterz – The Sacrifice (Brennan Heart Remix)
03. Brennan Heart – Musical Impressions
04. Brennan Heart – Till U Believe It
05. Brennan Heart & Headhunterz – The MF Point Of Perfection (Original Dubstyle Mix)
06. Brennan Heart & Wildstylez – Reputation Game
07. The Viper & G-Town Madness – Come As One (Brennan Heart Remix)
08. Brennan Heart – This Is Scantraxx
09. Brennan Heart feat. Shanokee – Feel U Here
10. Brennan Heart – Faith In Your DJ (Blademasterz DFQN RMX)
11. Brennan Heart – Just As Easy (Wildstylez vs. SMD Remix)
12. Blademasterz – Audiometric
13. Brennan Heart – Midify (?)

Download Brennan Heart LIVE at Hardbass 2010

Team Red (Noisecontrollers, The Prophet & Zatox) Tracklist:

01. Noisecontrollers – Shreek Again
02. Headhunterz – Forever Az One (Noisecontrollers Remix)
03. Zatox – Andromeda
04. Zatox feat. Nikkita – Poltergeist
05. Headhunterz & Noisecontrollers – The Space We Created
06. Proppy & Heady – The B-Side
07. Noisecontrollers – TBA
08. Zatox feat. Nikkita – Raw Style
09. Noisecontrollers & Zany – Paranoid
10. DJ Chuckie – Let The Bass Kick (Headhunterz Remix)
11. Zatox – Creation
12. Noisecontrollers – Samara
13. Digital Punk – Keep it Bouncing
14. Zatox – Drop The Track
15. The Prophet – TBA
16. Noisecontrollers – Surge Of Power
17. Zatox – Ear Fucking
18. Southstylers – Pounding Senses (Zany vs. Noisecontrollers Edit)
19. The Prophet – Counterfeit
20. Zatox – I Hate U
21. Donkey Rollers – Ruff Again (Noisecontrollers Mash-Up)
22. The Prophet vs. Zatox – Spin Me Up

Download Team Red (Noisecontrollers, The Prophet & Zatox) at Hardbass 2010

Deepack LIVE Tracklist:

01. Coone & Deepack – Thunderdance
02. Deepack feat. MC Lan – Fire In Tha Place
03. D-Block & S-te-Fan vs. Deepack – Rock Diz (Edit)
04. Deepack – The Prophecy (2009 Remix)
05. ID
06. The Killers – Human (Deepack Bootleg)
07. ID – Hardcore
08. ID – Hardcore

Download Deepack LIVE at Hardbass 2010

Update: ScuL has chucked in the towel and globalhardstyle.com is now closed.

In amongst all this, I’m proud to introduce that which has risen from the ashes of all of this event, The Harder Forum.

The Harder Forum, or THF, is here to meet some needs as a forum that some others seemingly cannot provide, such as unbiased management and free discussion of all topics.

If you’ve followed this site long enough, you’ll probably be aware that this is our second attempt at creating a sustained forum, however unlike last time, we have an enthusiastic management team and a lot of support behind it. All we need now is you, the members, to create a positive and interesting community based around the music we enjoy so much.

Sign up at The Harder Form.

All the cool kids are doing it. Don’t you wanna be cool?

Lineup:

• Zany
• D-Block & S-te-Fan
• Donkey Rollers & Noisecontrollers LIVE
• Zany & The Beholder LIVE
• Zatox
• Crypsis
• B-Front
• Slim Shore
• DJ Vince
• Neophyte

And all of this hosted by our mate, MC DV8.

Date: 10/04/2010
Location: Beursgebouw, Eindhoven
Tickets: Online Ticket Shop
Price:  €59
Website: http://www.thegreatzanyshow.nl/