Hard Trance
Hard, distorted trance with strong kicks and heavy reverb, popular at European raves.
History
Hard trance is a fast, hard form of trance music s1. It began in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands in the early 1990s s1. It grew out of the breakbeat hardcore scene as producers moved into new styles s1. It takes influence from hard house, new beat, happy hardcore and jungle s1. Hard trance has strong, hard kicks, loud resonant bass and heavy reverb s1. Melodies are usually played between 140 and 180 beats per minute s1. The German DJ Scot Project helped shape its sound s2. In Belgium, the label Bonzai released records such as 'The First Rebirth' and 'The House of House' s3. Hard trance was most popular in the late 1990s s1. It was played at large raves across mainland Europe s1. It later developed into hardstyle, jumpstyle and gabber s1. Its popularity fell in the mid-2000s s1. Some hard trance records cross over with hard house and hardstyle s1.
Sound
- Strong, hard kick drums
- Loud, resonant bass
- Heavy reverb on the beat
- A dark, driving mood
- Melodic leads over hard drums
Key figures
- DJ Scot Project — German producer who shaped the hard trance sound
- Jones & Stephenson — Belgian act behind 'The First Rebirth'
- Cherry Moon Trax — Belgian hard trance act
- Cosmic Gate — German hard trance duo
Labels
- Bonzai Records — Antwerp , 1992
- Overdose — Frankfurt , 1994
- Black Hole Recordings — Breda , 1997
Defining tracks
Connections
Came from: Trance , Hard House , New Beat
Led to: Hard Dance , Hard NRG , Hardstyle
Sources
- Hard trance — Wikipedia
- Trance Music History - From The Early 1990s Till Today — Beatportal (2023)
- Hardcore (electronic dance music genre) — Wikipedia