Doomcore aka Darkcore

The speed of doomcore tracks (with few exceptions) ranges between 130 and 160 BPM, which makes it the slowest hardcore techno genre. The trademark TR-909 kickdrum is used differently than in other hardcore genres: it usually employs less distortion, and less decay. However, a reverb effect is added on it sometimes. Offbeat cymbals are usual. The atmosphere of the tracks is often similar to industrial music, doom metal and dark ambient.

Producers reach this impression by using spooky ambient pads, different scary or screaming samples, and industrial noises. While there are melodic tracks, melodies are not requirements of doomcore tracks. When used, repetition of the main melody is a common practice, often to the point of repetitiveness.

The first doomcore tracks (released in early '90s) continued the same style that first hardcore techno tracks like Mescalinum United's (Marc Trauner's) We Have Arrived had, keeping the dark industrial atmosphere, while newer elements (like Juno hoovers) added from the standard hardcore techno music. A lot of earlier doomcore tracks were produced by Marc Trauner (better known as Marc Acardipane) under different aliases. In the early 2000s a new wave of artists appeared whose music can be considered as doomcore. The trademark TR-909 kick is also changed to more recent variations. Some recent music such as Dr.Strange or Joshua is usually referred as doomcore, but it should be noted that their style is a lot different in sound than earlier doomcore, although still following the basic slow and dark hardcore image.

Some people use Darkcore as an umbrella term for darker hardcore tracks, however it actually has a history of its own. The term Darkcore started with DJ Ruffneck's label "Supreme Intelligence", which defined the sound. Supreme Intelligence is now defunct, but the sound continues on labels such as Enzyme X and Genosha. It is one form of Industrial Hardcore, typically 150-180 bpm, whereas Doomcore is generally slower.

Another difference between Doomcore and Darkcore is that Darkcore tracks of today usually have rougher and more distorted kicks. There is also a Dutch CD compilation series called "Darkcore", but the releases also contain some faster and some more mainstream tracks that have nothing to do with the genre itself. It should also be noted that there is another Darkcore term referring to a subgenre in Jungle music so these 2 shouldn't be confused with each other. Some known Darkcore artists (note that most of them are not only limited to Darkcore): Armageddon Project, Meagashira, Hamunaptra, Ophidian, The Outside Agency, Petrochemical, Chaosbringer.

Random Track: Marc Acardipane - One World No Future