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.

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.

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/

Like Toneshifterz, Krusaders seemingly bring nothing of real value to the label, as their tracks sound like extremely generic nustyle.

Their typical over-the-top biography tells us these two dutch brothers were competing with each other to become better producers or something.. I dunno, just take a look at it on their newly launched site, krusaders.nl.

They are due for a 3 track EP some time in March. Previews of these tracks are available on their site.

Meh.

Having earned their merits at the legendary Qlubtempo parties in the early 00s, slowly conquering the world from there on, Arjen and Anco Timmerman can be considered one of the most constant factors in the hardstyle scene ever since it was born. With performances all over Europe and, recently, even in Australia, their dark sound slowly conquers more and more souls worldwide: this is the story of the Alpha Twins.

Making their Q-Dance entry at the very first Qlimax event held in the Heineken Music Hall, these brothers have seen a small promoter evolve into the Netherlands’ biggest hardstyle event organizer. Playing almost every first edition of what are now world-famous festivals, they have always buffeted crowds with dark melodies and evil themes. “It’s a matter of taste,” Arjen says. “We both happen to like dark, raw hardstyle. It’s always been like that, really – there’s no particular philosophy to it, although it is a way of setting ourselves apart, in a sense. Of course, this doesn’t mean we don’t play the more accessible stuff; there’s really good tracks in that department too, and it can often be very useful during a 2 hour set.”

The twins, who aren’t actually twins at all, often team up with others for their releases. “Of course, solo releases are very important, but we do like to collaborate with other artists. Besides the social aspect, which is always a lot of fun, we also learn a lot from it. Other artists always tend to have a different approach to things. For instance, we recently did a new collab with Wildstylez, producing a new track we named ‘Atrocious’. A collaboration with Zatox is also in the pipeline.”

Gaining a steady crowd of followers over the years, Anco & Arjen never really had a home base. After releasing various records on labels such as Mythica and Sys-X, and even the Qlimax 2006 anthem on Q-Dance Records, they finally decided to set up their own label. With the April 2008 release of ‘Nowhere to Hide’, A² Records was born. “It’s something we had been planning to do for quite a while. Of course, it’s cool to have your own label as an artist, but we mainly see it as something that completes the picture,” Arjen comments. “The good thing about having your own label is that you can plan your own release schedule: no more waiting for those other two releases before it’s your turn. We’ve known the other artists on our label for a long time. 2-Sidez already were somewhat popular but didn’t have a home label yet, and we thought their sound fit ours. The same goes for Ran-D, although maybe he wasn’t as well known at the time.”

Even though the boys are running a label, producing, and performing every weekend, they still have time for other activities. “We both like to play tennis and you may find us at the golf course from time to time.” Whereas Anco lives off the music business, Arjen works from 9 to 1 four times a week. “Because I enjoy doing it, and because it helps me keep a healthy day/night rhythm.” He also confesses to be guilty of producers’ sin #1: “I regularly meet with friends at Friday night to play some games.”

Earlier this year, the guys decided to join up with what is probably the world’s famous hardstyle label: A² Records became a sublabel of Scantraxx. “They already had a bunch of sublabels, but none of those represented the harder sound. Of course, we did and Scantraxx asked us to team up with them. Things went rather fast and we quickly agreed on everything. The only thing really important for us was that we could keep our own identity, separate from the main label. Of course, joining Scantraxx has certain benefits. We’ve been getting quite a few extra bookings abroad lately.”

According to the Timmerman brothers, the future of hardstyle is looking bright. “At big events, you still see loaded hardstyle areas every time. And they’re often the biggest areas, too! We also notice hardstyle is on the rise abroad. As we said, we get quite a lot of bookings and so do our colleagues. The great thing about these booking is that in other countries, an event is still a ‘special’ experience.” Personally, they have achieved pretty much everything there is to achieve: bookings all around the globe, a Qlimax anthem, mainstage at all big events. Still, their work is not complete: “One of our goals was to play in Australia. We’ve recently accomplished that, and with great success: Defqon.1 Australia was unbelievable! Of course, an X-Qlusive Alpha² would also be great. It’s simply a party that’s all about you as an artist: you get to decide what the night looks like, you decide who gets to play. Besides that, we’d like to continue crossing the globe. We’ve already played in quite a lot of countries, but there’s a lot of other ones where we would like to go, to see if we can spread the hardstyle virus over there, too.”

Arjen also has some plans outside of the hardstyle world. “It’s nothing concrete yet, but recently I have been working on minimal, techno and tech-house and even performed with these style at the Q-BASE freestyle area,” he says. Don’t worry that he might leave the dark side, though: “I’m not sure yet if I’m actually going to do anything with this. Of course, Alpha Twins will always be more important.”

Of course, the British enthusiasm hasn’t go unnoticed with the brothers. “We’ve had the privilege to perform in England numerous times, and it has always been a blast. The crowd goes on and on and they’re extremely enthusiastic.”

As a parting message, they have one more thing to say:
Check alphatwins.nl , myspace.com/alphatwinsnl , facebook.com/alpha2 , twitter.com/alphatwins to follow the latest news!

And with that, these busy brothers return to their work: delivering some of the darkest sounds in the scene to us!

“It took Earth 20.000 times longer to create life than it takes humanity to destroy the planet.

Is this the scenario of our era?”

Announced a couple of days ago, Save Exit Planet will be the new theme of probably the coolest looking, and one of the more musically rewarding Q-Dance parties, In Qontrol. Keeping in line with Q-Dance’s ‘green’ party themes, Save Exit Planet will focus on the prevention and destruction of Earth. Featuring probably the best looking trailer for a dance party ever made, and a delicious looking poster image, this event looks like it’s going to be the goods.

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

Update: The In Qontrol 2010 lineup has finally landed!

In Qontrol 2010 – Save Exit Planet Trailer:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Unfortunately, due to whatever reason, Headhunterz’ set was not recorded.

These livesets are courtesy of our friends at Hardtraxx.nl.

Dr. Willis

01. Deadmau5 – Brasil 2nd Edit
02. David Forbes – Moniter
03. Parallel Fusion – Neverend (Valentino Kanzyani Remix)
04. Dr Willis – Spice (DJ Wag Remix)
05. Gordon Cuts – Offbeat
06. JOC – Marshmellow
07. Southsoniks – Transformer (Reaky Remix)
08. Gleave – Late Night Thing (Dr. Willis Remix)
09. Mark Sherry & James Allan vs Dr. Willis – Sectioned
10. Fred Baker & Greg Nash – Black Ninja
11. Mr Sam vs T99 – Anastashia
12. Joe-e – ReVamp

Download Dr. Willis liveset from X-Qlusive Technoboy

Stephanie

01. Mauro Picotto – Komodo
02. Mauro Picotto – Lizard
03. Mauro Picotto – Iguana
04. DJ Tiësto – Lethal Industry (Svenson & Gielen Remix Remix)
05. ID
06. Mauro Picotto – Proximus
07. DJ Isaac – Nobody Likes The Records That You Play
08. ID
09. DJ Scot Project – O (Overdrive)
10. DJ Scot Project – F (Future Is Now!)
11. Cosmic Gate – Fire Wire (DJ Scot Project Remix)
12. Hennes & Cold – The Second Trip (DJ Scot Project Remix)
13. Derb – Derb

Download Stephanie liveset from X-Qlusive Technoboy

Technoboy – Part 1

01. TNT – Double Dutch Darkies
02. Citizen – If I Say Stop (Original Mix)
03. Max Enforcer & Hardstyle Masterz – Rambo is a Pussy
04. KGBs – Channel KGBs
05. Bass Modulators – NRGizer
06. TBY – Put some Grace
07. Star Creatorz – Killzone (Hunter Remix)
08. Phil Ty – A Kay A
09. Ivan Carsten – Amazing Combination (Technoboy Remix)
10. Technoboy feat Shayla – Oh my God
11. Prophet & Wildstylez – Cold Rokking (Gostosa Remix)
12. Technoboy & Ruffian – The Undersound

Download Technoboy Part 1 liveset from X-Qlusive Technoboy

TnT

01. Tuneboy – Sexbusters (Scope DJ Remix)
02. A-lusion – Drummer Beat
03. Speedwave – Mescal
04. The Raiders – Miss Kidman On A Cruise
05. Tatanka Project – Floor Massacre
06. Technoboy – Warmachine
07. Dark Oscillators – Ethereal Sound Machine (TnT remix)
08. Tuneboy – Housensation
09. The KGB’s – Infinity
10. Tatanka – Let’s rock
11. Tuneboy – I Will Grow

Download TnT liveset from X-Qlusive Technoboy

Hardstyle Masterz Live

01. Hardstyle Masterz – Junior (Edit)
02. Dark Oscillators – Trapped (Scantinato Mix)
03. Zappaman – Sexual Healing (Back In The Days Edit)
04. Max Enforcer – Loudness (Hardstyle Masterz Remix)
05. Hardstyle Masterz feat. Max Enforcer – Light Of The Dark
06. Tuneboy – Just A Detail (2009 Mix)
07. Hardstyle Masterz feat. Max Enforcer – The Stage Is Our Home (Original Mix)
08. The Hose – My Little Stalker (Hardstyle Masterz 2009 Remix)
09. Hardstyle Masterz – Age Of Reverse Bass (Edit)
10. Hardstyle Masterz feat. Max Enforcer – Respect

Download Hardstyle Masterz Live from X-Qlusive Technoboy

Technoboy vs. Isaac

01. TBY – Next Dimensional World
02. DJ Isaac – Backstage
03. Klone – Dragons Liar (Builder RMX)
04. Zany – Thugz (Noisecontrollers RMX)
05. Phil Ty – Miami Belch
06. D-Block & S-Te-Fan – Together
07. Tatanka & J. Hiroshy – Showtime (Tatanka RMX)
08. DJ Isaac – Impressed
09. DBSTF vs. Isaac – Music is why
10. Zany – Maximum Force
11. Endymion & Viper – How Long (Isaac RMX)

Download Technoboy vs. Isaac from X-Qlusive Technoboy

Technoboy vs. Stephanie

01. DJ Stephanie – Black High Heels
02. Ezteq – Fuck you up!
03. Crypsis feat Sasha F. – Get Hit
04. Ivan Carsten – You tryin to play me?
05. Headhunterz – Subsonic
06. DJ Stephanie – Underneath
07. Showtek – World is mine
08. Technoboy – Rage
09. Dark Ocillators – Superstar DJ
10. Project One – Life beyond Earth
11. Technoboy – Ti Sento
12. Builder – Her Voice

Download Technoboy vs. Stephanie from X-Qlusive Technoboy

Technoboy – Part 2

01. Showtek – Electronic-Stereophonic
02. Tuneboy – Re-Generate-it
03. D-Block & S-Te-Fan – Letz Dance
04. Gostosa – Sutra

Download Technoboy Part 2 from X-Qlusive Technoboy

• Technoboy
• Headhunterz
• Isaac
• TNT
• Hardstyle Masterz
• Stephanie

MC Ruffian

Sourced from: http://www.q-dance.com.au/xqlusive_technoboy/