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.

Once again, these livesets are courtesy of the wonderful people over at Hardtraxx.nl.

Tracklist:
01. ID
02. ID
03. DJ Felix Project – On The Floor
04. Dustin Zahn – Stranger (Len Faki Podium Remix)
05. ID
06. Joyengergizer
07. Tuneboy – Housensation
08. Marcel Woods – De Bom 2001
09. A*S*Y*S – Acid Nightmare
10. Space Frog & The Grim Reaper – Follow Me (Derb Remix)
11. K-Traxx – Hardventure
12. Shithead – Shithead
13. Vortex & Arpa’s Dream – Incoming (Arome Remix)
14. ZX – Scream
15. Donkey Rollers – Motherf*ck (Zany Remix)
16. Razzle Dazzle Trax – Rattlebrain
17. Tuneboy – Demolition
18. The Real Booty Babes – Derb LK
19. DJ Isaac – Thriller
20. Julian DJ & Davide Sonar – Go Go Go (Tatanka & Peter Damir Remix)
21. Jimmy The Sound – Hasta La Vista Baby
22. DJ Isaac – On The Edge (How Long Edit)
23. Bison meets The Quakers – I Got Tonight
24. Hardheadz – Wreck The Remix (The Beholder & Max Enforcer Remix)
25. The Raiders – Salamandra
26. Taq 9 – Slavez

Download DJ Isaac from Qountdown 2009

Tracklist:
Dailucia:
01. Phase 3 – Fine Day
02. The Pitcher – Serenity
03. Brennan Heart feat. Shanokee – Feel U Here
04. Headhunterz – A New Day
05. Wildstylez – Pleasure
06. Project One – The Story Unfolds
07. Frontliner – Spacer (Original Mix)
08. Bass Modulators – NRGizer

Beat Providers
09. Dozer – Robin’s Revenge
10. Frontliner – Sunblast (Beat Providers Short edit)
11. Beat Providers – Stereo Providers
12. Noisecontrollers – Venom (Wildstylez Remix)
13. Headhunterz & Wildstylez vs. Noisecontrollers – Tonight (Beat Providers edit)
14. Beat Providers – Second Opinion
15. The Nasty Boyz – Angel (Hardstyle Masterz Cut)(Recut)
16. The Pitcher – I Just Can’t Stop
17. Beat Providers – Intensive Care
18. Beat Providers – Bleeding For The Decibel Fusion (mashup)

Download Dailucia & Beat Providers from Qountdown 2009

Tracklist:
01. TNT – Double Dutch Darkies
02. Technoboy – Rage (A Hardstyle Song)
03. Builder – Her Voice (Headhunterz Remix)
04. Noisecontollers – Crtl Alt Delete (In Qontrol Anthem 2009)
05. Headhunterz – Scrap Attack (Defqon.1 Festival Anthem 2009)
06. Wildstylez. K.Y.H.U. (Noisecontrollers Remix)
07. Mike NRG – Lost In Dreams (Tat & Zat Remix)
08. Zany – Maximum Force (Defqon.1 Festival Australia Anthem 2009)
09. Hardstyle Masterz meets Max Enforcer – Rambo Is A Pussy
10. D-Block & S-te-Fan – The Nature Of Our Mind (Qlimax 2009 Anthem)
11. JDX Ft. Sarah Maria – Live The Moment

Download Qountdown Newyearshow from Qountdown 2009

Tracklist:
01. Dutch Master – Pride
02. Dutch Master – Floorspin
03. Dutch Master – Taste Me (Slim Shore edit)
04. Slim Shore – King Of Stage
05. Slim Shore – Scars
06. Slim Shore – Siren
07. Dutch Master – Motion

Download Slim Shore from Qountdown 2009

Tracklist:
01. Ran-D – Better On The Otherside
02. Alpha Twins vs. Wildstylez – Atrocious
03. Ran-D – Fanatics
04. Psyko Punkz – After MF
05. Ran-D – Feel My Fire
06. Ran-D vs. Adaro – Under Attack

Download Ran-D from Qountdown 2009

Tracklist:
1. Zany & Showtek – 2 Devine 
2. Zany – Frequency 
3. Da Bootleggerz – Fresh Beats 
4. The Builder – Her Voice (Dub Mix)
5. Showtek ft. DV8 – Electronic Stereophonic 
6. Zany – Mr. Monster 
7. Brennan Heart – Face The Enemy 
8. Zany & The Beholder – Annihalating 
9. Noisecontrollers & Zany – Paranoid 
10. Zany – Angel of The Sun (Break –Set van Isaac) 
11. Showtek – Party Lover (Zany Edit) 
12.Titan – Nightmare 
13.Frontliner & B-Front – Godzz Powerr!!! 
14.Donkey Rollers – Innocent 
15. Zatox & Tatanka – Oxygen(Intro) 
16. Southstylers – Pounding Senses (Zany & Noisecontrollers Remix) 
17. Zany meets the Beholder – Do You Want Heavy?

Download Zany from Qountdown 2009

Tracklist:
01. Toneshifterz – Get Loaded
02. Brennan Heart – Van Halen Is A Rockstar (Qlimax DJ Tool)
03. Brennan Heart – One Blade (Noisecontrollers Remix)
04. Repesteeltje – Set U Free (DJ Tool)
05. Headhunterz – Subsonic (Late Night Edit)
06. Brennan Heart – Just As Easy (Wildstylez vs. SMD Remix)
07. Headhunterz & Wildstylez vs. Noisecontrollers – Tonight (Break Edit)
08. Noisecontrollers – Marlboro Man (Intro Cut)
09. Noisecontrolers – Attack Again (Intro Cut)
10. Showtek – We Live For The Music (Noisecontrollers Remix)
11. Noisecontrollers & Zany – Diavoli
12. Noisecontrollers – CTRL-ALT-DELETE (In Qontrol 2009 Anthem)
13. Noisecontrollers – Macabre 2010
14. Noisecontrollers – Surge Of Power
15. Wildstylez – K.Y.H.U (Noisecontrollers Remix)
16. Donkey Rollers – Innocent

Download Noisecontrollers from Qountdown 2009

Tracklist:
01. Donkey Rollers – Motherfuck (Zany Remix)
02. Frontliner vs. B-Front – Godz Powerrr!
03. Zatox – Creation
04. Frontliner – The First Cut
05. Dozer – Robin’s Revenge
06. B-Front & Frontliner – Become The Sky
07. Pavo – Communicate
08. Josh & Wesz Ft. Low-E – I’ve Lost You
09. Zatox – Ear Fucking
10. Alphaverb & Intractable One – Destination Nowhere
11. B-Front – ID
12. Ran D – Feel My Fire
13. Tat & Zat – Gangsta
14. Frontliner vs. B-Front – 1.000.000 Stars
15. Zany – Animated Audio
16. B-Front & Frontliner – Magic

Download B-Front from Qountdown 2009

Tracklist:
01. D-Block & S-te-fan ft MC Villain – Sound of Thunder
02. Tatanka pres J. Hiroshy – Showtime
03. D-Block & S-Te-Fan – Together
04. Frontliner – Warphole
05. The Killers – Human (Deepack Hardstyle Bootleg)
06. D-Block & S-te-Fan ft Deepack – In Other Wordz
07. Brennan Heart & Wildstylez – Reputation Game
08. Bad Elements – DJ Revolution (Kayem Remix)
09. Alphaverb & Intractable One – Low Frequenced Bass
10. D-Block & S-te-Fan – Alone
11. VA – Tat’s Mashup
12. D-Block & S-te-Fan – Supernova
13. D-Block & S-te-Fan ft. High Voltage – Shiverz
14. D-Block & S-te-Fan – Ride With Uz (Max Enforcer Remix)

Download D-Block & S-te-Fan from Qountdown 2009

Tracklist:
1. Chain Reaction – Lellebel
2. Dana vs. Crypsis – Transmission
3. Kevin Kaos – TBA
4. Ran-D – Innerchild
5. Showtek – Electronic Stereophonic
6. Crypsis – Tuatara
7. Luna vs. Crypsis – Torture
8. Crypsis – Jealousy
9. DJ Isaac – Tear The Club Up
10. ID
11. Chain Reaction – Out With A Bang! (Crypsis Remix)
12. DJ Thera – The Test 2.0 (Crypsis Remix)
13. Outblast – Masters Symphony (Evil Activities Refix)
14. Angerfist ft Crucifier – Broken Chain (Mad Dog Remix)
15. Diss Reaction – Jiiieeehaaaa (Angerfist Refix)

Download Luna & Crypsis from Qountdown 2009

Also on the Qountdown site, a way to vote for your favourite Q-Dance related things throughout the year, such as ‘best moment’, ‘best anthem’, and the incredibly shallow ‘hottest hardstyle chick’.

The lineup is below, which is pretty predictable, but also pretty decent. Nice to see Crypsis up there on the mainstage, and also Slim Shore’s first large event. Also playing, – not solo, what a surprise – Gostosa, the joke of the hardstyle scene.

Full lineup:

Blackbox:

• The Prophet pres. Gostosa
• Zany
• D-Block & S-Te-Fan
• Noisecontrollers
• Luna & Crypsis
• Isaac
• B-Front

The Q-Dance Showcase:

• Slim Shore
• Beat Providers
• Dailucia
• Ran-D

Hosted by MC Ruffian

Beatbox:

• Endymion
• Fausto
• Coone
• Bountyhunter
• Ruthless
• Gizmo

Hosted by MC Villain

Date: 31/12/2009
Location: Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam
Site: http://events.q-dance.nl/2009-12_31-december_qountdown/
Tickets sold out

Update: This has now sold out. View the X-Qlusive Headhunterz Lineup.

Fresh off the press, via a YouTube video posted by Headhunterz himself, we are presented with the next edition of the dutch X-Qlusive.

We all knew it was coming, we just didn’t know when, but here it is, X-Qlusive Headhunterz. Fresh off the heels of his Outlands event, coming to the HMH on the 30th of February, 2010, punters are in for what is bound to be the biggest XQ yet.

Take a look at the trailer below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

We’ve got Brennan Heart jumping around like a goof, feather covered D-Block & S-Te-Fan and our main man A-Lusion in an extremely trendy robe.

Check ‘em out below:

A-Lusion:

Click here to view the embedded video.

D-Block & S-Te-Fan:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Brennan Heart:

Click here to view the embedded video.

It goes through the thought process of Technbooy’s artist selection for his edition of X-Qlusive, his opinion of internet critics and what we can expect from him in Australia. He’s actually quite honest in his responses, which is great to see from one of the top names in the scene.

Looking at your new website I must say you are even busier than I already expected! Is this just an ordinary year in the life of Technoboy or is everything coming together after 10 years in the business?

Well… the past 10 years have been hectic all the time. That is one of the concerns I had before we started with the 10 Years of Technoboy project; can a summary of so many experiences do any justice to what I have actually done? For example: the ‘best-off’ album was just 34 tracks; I produced over 500 so it was very hard to pick the right ones. But with my X-Qlusive show in Holland earlier this year, I learned that sometimes one big climax is the best way to remember it all and leave people longing for what is yet to come. It was a perfect blend of past, present and future in just nine hours and had one clear message; the first 10 years were fantastic and the next decade will be too.

What do you think will be different with the Australian edition of X-Qlusive Technoboy?

Frankly I do not think there will be a big difference, especially music wise. I have always been one of the most internationally oriented artists in the harder styles and my music fits Australia as much as any other continent. I have just slightly different track lists when I perform there, mainly playing some hits that have been requested a lot. The show will of course be awesome again and the rest of the line-up will feature artists that I truly believe in and that will be able to represent my music from every angle. But I do not feel the need to do a different performance; Australia has always been ready for me.

Can you explain the line-up you chose for the event?

Headhunterz: apart from leading a new revolution of producers I admire this guy for his guts. And that’s serious; he has G.U.T.S. doing everything he feels he should be doing. He doesn’t care about the risks and just does what he wants to do. His style is energetic and powerful; gutsy move in an age where everybody just makes harder music to please the Internet critics. And the way he makes music is also the way he performs on stage. I hate it when an artist doesn’t move and that’s something you wouldn’t need to be afraid of with Headhunterz.

Stephanie: lot’s of female dj’s are just acts created by a team of producers while Stephanie is probably a better dj than all of us together. The chick has some serious skills; chooses records like they are nail polish and moves like nothing you have seen before. The girl is on top of the dj booth before you can say her name (which gives her some sort of a head start) and damn she is beautiful! But be careful; she does live p to her motto ‘Pink hard’, those black high heels are made for killing!

Tuneboy: what’s there to explain?

Isaac: we have a lot in common. Both of us have been trying to break new grounds and contributed a lot to the birth and revolution of hardstyle. And we travel the world like we are Jules Verne. The guy will be on an US tour just prior to landing in Oz and I can’t even guess where he will be flying next. We could play poker with our frequent flyer cards.

Hardstyle Masterz: when Antonio decided he wanted to perform a live act he went to prepare in the studio for months. And that’s exactly what makes my studio homey so special; if you ever hear a sound or kick from him that is not perfect I would certainly recommend a hearing aid.

Ruffian: my music speaks a language, and there is just one man who can translate that into a feeling everyone can understand. We have been on the biggest stages together and it wouldn’t be the same without him.  And apart from being professional he is funny as hell; better let him do all the other interviews, as you would be laughing your ass off! No but seriously; this scene starts and ends with him.

Do you listen a lot to requests and the opinion of people on Internet?

For me there is one opinion that counts; the reaction of the crowd. After every event, performance or release there are a lot of people that make comments, but in comparison this is always a minority of people. When a stadium filled with people is completely going to the roof on a record I don’t care what a few people say afterwards, let’s not forget how we do this for eventually. For me it is really important to perform everywhere in the world to see this reaction with my own eyes; you have to be a DJ in order to produce the right records.

German superstars Scooter just stole your complete album to make theirs; are you angry?

Who me? I gave a short statement on my website, I believe that ‘covers’ this issue. I get mad when people say I stole the ideas from my tracks from other artists! There is a really big difference between just sampling another track and rewriting a fantastic verse or idea to fit your specific style. I have used any form of music with respect to the original artist and I had every vocal sample rerecorded to be as I would like to have it. Don’t know a lot of artists who have been to that kind of trouble and that wanted that level of perfection. And sure; you will recognize some music, well that music took me three times as long as it needed to make the original, believe me on that!

What is your honest opinion about the Australian people? Are we cool?

Australian people have their own style, which is why you invented the laidback beach culture for instance. Same goes for the people that live in the Outback; they are copied everywhere! Any country that is such a huge export of lifestyles has cool people. And you know what you want to have from other countries; that is why it is great to get so many requests from you guys.

What do you think about Defqon.1 Festival in Australia?

I have to admit, I respect Q-dance’s choice a lot; instead of just exporting all their events to Australia they are really picky about what to do and where. I know they have been searching a lot for the best venues to make sure the whole picture was right. It is the same in Holland and Europe; I have never been to a Q-dance event that didn’t feel completely right in every detail.

Are you happy?

Good question. The life of an artist can be lonely; I certainly had my share of that. But yes, I am a happy man and not just because I have the best job in the world. I have had the chance to tell the world what I thought about music while I encounter so many people who did not have the same opportunity. I live from one height to another and it is important to enjoy the moments in between as well.

What will you not be doing in Australia?

Cultural things … I would like to but I am an Italian; as soon as I see shops I am done, can’t help it! Anyway, every time I ask people, they say I have to hug a koala, jump from a plane, eat sushi or climb the Harbor Bridge. Believe me; as soon as I jump from the plane I will probably discover I have brought a koala instead of a parachute, choke on my sushi and hit that bridge headfirst.

You have the name to be arrogant and it is rumoured you are a great cook. Is there anything else we need to know about you?

No, being arrogant in the kitchen is everything there is to know about me. You say one word about my pasta and you can be assured you end up in one of my coming tracks. I had an argument two months ago with Brad Pitt and George Clooney about the right type of blender and they are still apologizing and hoping I will never release Channel KGB’s. I did however but let’s keep them thinking they are save.

But yes, I love to cook and there are a lot of similarities with producing music; the right track can be made with just a few ingredients and these have to be of the highest quality. I have always spent a lot of attention to every sample, bassline or melody and I hope people can taste that. It is hard work and fortunately there are a lot of people that take the time to listen to it closely. And about me being arrogant; I hear this so often that it might be true, yes. Just imagine flying every weekend and giving everything you have on stage. When I wouldn’t be exhausted it wouldn’t feel right. So when I am done with a performance and there is not a lot of time for signatures just remember you and everybody else already got the best of me, every single second of the ride.

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

MC Ruffian

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

I was lucky enough to experience my first taste of Defqon.1 last saturday, in our glorious brown land that an increasing number of hard dance enthusiasts call home, Australia. At first the idea of a large scale hard dance festival, something almost unheard of in Australia, worried me. However, after Q-Dance’s efforts on Saturday, I can safely affirm that it’s execution was nothing short of flawless.

The effort put into the production was mind-blowing, from the immense – albeit reused – stages, loud, crystal clear sound, vast array of lasers, strobes and lights, to the huge pyrotechnics display in the final minutes of the day, were pulled off with absolute perfection. Coupled with an efficient bar system, a large – yet friendly – police presence, friendly and enthusiastic crowd, perfect weather and perfectly timed transport to and from the amazing venue meant that it was almost impossible to complain about anything other than the music. But even then, Defqon.1 had you covered, with the choice of five musically differing stages, each of which featuring world-class DJs from various locations around the world.

If you’re interested in reading a more in-depth review, take a look at loopi’s Defqon.1 impressions on inthemix.com.au.
For some great quality photos, mosey on over to Q-Dance’s photo gallery of the day.
Also, our mates at Fusion have uploaded a few videos of them doing their thing at Defqon, from Zany crowd surfing on an inflatable boat during Donkey Rollers, to the climactic, firework filled finale, which was truly a monumental moment for the entire crowd.

Walking out from Defqon, we were graced by a large projector confirming what we’d already been expecting for some time, X-Qlusive Technoboy.

Lineup is entirely speculation at this point, but from what we’ve been told by ‘someone in-the-know’, it’s not going to be the most obvious suspects. One would assume that joining Technoboy would be his technically-skilled production partner, Antonio Dona, aka Tuneboy. Doing this would enable the third act, Hardstyle Masterz, which seems a logical move. However, Antonio apparently has some apprehension towards flying, so take all of this with a grain of salt.

The event is being held toward the end of December, so there’s plenty of time for guessing, but on the 19th of October, the lineup will be announced and ticket sales will begin.