Hard NRG
A darker, harder form of UK hard house with aggressive, gritty sounds.
History
Hard NRG is a darker, harder form of UK hard house s1s2. It is also called nu-NRG, filthy hard house or simply filth s1. The music is built like hard house but takes influence from German hard trance s1. Where hard house is playful and uplifting, hard NRG is dark, aggressive and relentless s1. It uses distressed and gritty sounds s1. Its tempo is usually a little faster than hard house, at about 155 to 165 beats per minute s1. The style grew from the British hard house scene in the late 1990s s1. Producers such as Captain Tinrib, Lab 4 and Dave Joy became known for it s1. Labels such as Vicious Circle, Tinrib Digital and Tidy Trax released the music s1. Many releases moved from vinyl to CD and digital downloads s1. Hard NRG is often played at hard house and hard trance events s1. It is a small scene, but it has a loyal following s1.
Sound
- Tempos around 155 to 165 beats per minute
- Dark, aggressive mood
- Gritty, distorted sounds
- Hard kick drums
- Fewer happy melodies than hard house
Key figures
- Captain Tinrib — British hard NRG producer
- Lab 4 — British hard dance act
- Dave Joy — Producer behind a well-known hard NRG track
- Ian M — British hard house and hard NRG producer
Labels
- Vicious Circle — London , 1996
- Tinrib Digital — London , 2000
- Tidy Trax — London , 1995
Defining tracks
Connections
Came from: Hard House , Hard Trance , Hi-NRG
Led to: Bounce