Breakcore
Chopped and distorted breakbeats played at hardcore speed with a wide range of samples.
History
Breakcore came from jungle, hardcore and drum and bass in the mid to late 1990s s1s2. It became its own scene around 1990 to 1994 s1. Early labels such as Addict, Peace Off, Sonic Belligeranza and Planet Mu released it s1. The music is built on chopped and rearranged breakbeats, often using the Amen break at high speed s1. Producers layer samples from many kinds of music s1. The Australian label Bloody Fist released hard, noisy records that helped define the sound s1. Digital Hardcore Recordings in Berlin also shaped it s1. Venetian Snares became the well-known breakcore artist in the mid-2000s s1. Other artists include Shitmat, Sickboy and Kid606 s1. The scene grew largely through the internet and file sharing s1. Breakcore can mix classical music, metal or rave sounds with fast drums s1. In the 2020s a new generation of producers made a softer, nostalgic form of breakcore s1.
Sound
- Fast, heavily chopped breakbeats
- Distorted drums and bass
- Samples from many genres
- Sudden changes and edits
- A chaotic, dense mix
Key figures
- Venetian Snares — Producer who popularised breakcore in the 2000s
- Shitmat — British producer known for a humorous, sample-heavy style
- DJ Scud — British producer and co-founder of Ambush Records
- Mark Newlands — Founder of the Australian label Bloody Fist
Labels
- Planet Mu — London , 1998
- Bloody Fist Records — Newcastle , 1994
- Peace Off — Rennes , 1997
- Digital Hardcore Recordings — Berlin , 1994
Defining tracks
Connections
Came from: Breakbeat Hardcore , Jungle , Hardcore Techno
Led to: J-Core
Sources
- Breakcore — Wikipedia
- Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture — Soft Skull Press (2013)