Speedcore

multiple issues
unreferenced = January 2008
essay = September 2008
importance = September 2008
confusing = September 2008
POV = September 2008
weasel = September 2008

Speedcore is a form of hardcore techno that is typically identified by its high rate of beats per minute and aggressive themes. The range of bpm is quite vague, some people claim the minimum beats per minute start at 230bpm, but this is not clear. Also, the bpm limit is vague, while the earlier tracks were mostly based around 250bpm, it is not uncommon for more recent speedcore tracks to reach over the 1000bpm mark. However, people have started to apply different terms to certain speedcore, depending on the BPM. Opinions differ, but upon reaching around 500 - 600bpm, the music becomes known as "splittercore," and upon reaching 1000bpm and beyond, the music becomes known as "extra tone." There are YouTube videos describing this, and other videos showing different levels of extremity, some songs even reaching as high as 15,000bpm. How necessary these terms are is debatable however, as being able to tell if something has reached splittercore tempo is nearly impossible.

Speedcore tracks often contain elements of its musical brethren - gabber and breakcore.

Characteristics

The typical speedcore track is characterized by a general anti-music and anti-establishment sentiment. The music is angry, aggressive, and often attempts to foster an atmosphere of hostility for the listener. Speedcore DJs push the boundaries of electronic dance music and often use offensive themes in their music to create such extremes.

While most speedcore artists are content to attack the normal standards of music, or even the gabber music that spawned them, the extremism of speedcore has caused some to turn inwards and parody the standards of the genre. Much like how happy hardcore relates to gabber and hardcore techno, these songs use samples of lighter and more manic themes.

Aside from the very fast tempo of speedcore, which rarely drops below 240 BPM, speedcore can often be distinguished from other forms of hardcore techno by an aggressive and overridden electronic percussion track that is often punctuated with hyperactive snare or tom-tom fills. The Roland TR-909 is often the drum machine of choice for speedcore producers due to its ability to generate heavily distorted bass-drum kicks that anchor the percussion tracks. Most producers will often overdrive their kicks so much that they become square waves, much like in Gabber, giving Speedcore its distinctive pounding sound.

As with many other forms of techno, synthesizers are also heavily used, often producing heavily distorted and/or disharmonic melodies to complement the underlying drums. Although any analog or hybrid synth can be used, the analog/digital hybrid Roland Juno-106 is a common favorite with speedcore artists. Pure digital synthesizers are comparatively rare in speedcore.

Samples are often used to further heighten the aggressive nature of speedcore, with many artists using audio samples of violent scenes from movies by directors such as Martin Scorsese and Stanley Kubrick. Samples of actors such as Joe Pesci and R. Lee Ermey are especially popular, especially in older speedcore works. Some artists are content to sample shouted obscenities and incorporate these samples into their music.

History

One of the first authentic speedcore artist or ensemble appears to be Disciples of Annihilation (D.O.A.), which was formed in New York City in 1993 by Sal Mineo, Nick Marchetti and Carl Carinci. [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:aifuxq9hldje] ] One year later, the trio began releasing material on Industrial Strength Records, including the "Industrial Power 9D4" single. After playing several shows in Scotland, D.O.A. signed a deal with UK record label Earache. The group's debut album, "New York City Speedcore", appeared in early 1997. Marchetti died that same year, resulting in the demise of D.O.A. Carinci began work on his own Nukom project, while Mineo collaborated with other speedcore artists.

Notable artists

*Gabba Front Berlin
*m1dy
*K-Bal

External links

* [http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extratone Wikipedia NL Guide to Extratone]
* [http://www.braindestruction.com/ Braindestruction Recordz]
* [http://www.speedcore.ca/ Canadian Speedcore Resistance]
* [http://www.komprex.it/ Komprex]
* [http://www.psyclownrecords.com/ Psyclown Records]
* [http://www.milan-speedcore.com/ Milan Speedcore Project]
* [http://www.noisekick.nl/ Noisekick]
* [http://www.screamerclauz.com/ ScreamerClauz]
* [http://www.dirtyhardcore.co.uk/ Dirty Hardcore]
* [http://www.mindnepping.com/ MindNepping Records]
* [http://www.industrialstrengthrecords.com/ Industrial Strength Records]
* [http://www.artskorps.org/ Artskorps]