Speedcore music: listen online, history of the genre and best artists | Minatrix.FM

Speedcore — extreme speed, energy and chaos

Speedcore is one of the most extreme subgenres of hardcore techno, born in the early 1990s from the gabber and hardcore techno scene. This style is known for its ultra-fast tempo, aggressive kick and uncompromising energy, turning music into a real challenge for the dancefloor.

Today Speedcore continues to exist in the underground scene and online communities, offering listeners pure adrenaline through dynamics and rhythm.

History of Speedcore

Speedcore emerged as a logical continuation of gabber and hardcore techno in Europe, particularly in Germany, the Netherlands and Italy. Main trends of early Speedcore included:

• extremely fast BPM (often 300–1000+ BPM in later branches),
• dense kick with distortion,
• minimalism in melody, focus on rhythm and textures.

From the 1990s to the mid-2000s the genre remained underground, actively developing at hardcore festivals and DIY labels.
Over time subgenres appeared: extratone, deathcore, terrorcore, pushing speed to incredible limits.

Sound and production of Speedcore

From a production standpoint Speedcore is a discipline of its own. Key features:

• Tempo: 300–1000+ BPM in extreme branches; classic Speedcore — 250–300 BPM.
• Kick: aggressive, distorted, sometimes “breaking” the low-frequency range.
• Synths: noise textures, arpeggios and industrial effects.
• Melody: minimal or absent; rhythm and energy are the main focus.
• Effects: distortion, reverb, glitch, pitch-shifting, extreme filtering.

The main goal of production is to create a sense of chaos, pressure and speed, which makes the genre recognizable within seconds.

Key artists and labels

• Noisekick — pioneer of the German Speedcore scene.
• The Speed Freak — master of extreme hardcore.
• DJ Sharpnel — Japanese school of high-speed hardcore.
• Lenny Dee — one of the veterans of the American hardcore scene.

Labels supporting the genre: Industrial Strength Records, Coretale, RoughCore Records.

These artists and labels have made Speedcore known worldwide while preserving the underground spirit and extreme energy.

Culture and scene

Speedcore is not just music but a movement closely linked with hardcore festivals, raves and underground parties.

Scene characteristics:

• DIY communities and internet forums,
• hardcore and terrorcore festivals,
• collectible vinyl and CD-R releases,
• visual aesthetics — aggressive, industrial and sometimes cyberpunk.

Important: this is music for fans of extreme speed, not for casual playlists.

Speedcore varieties

• Hardcore Speedcore — closer to gabber but faster.
• Terrorcore — maximum aggression and distortion, tempo above 300 BPM.
• Extratone — ultra-extreme style where the kick repeats above 1000 BPM.
• Deathcore — combination of Speedcore and industrial noise.

Each subgenre forms its own scene and fan base.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is Speedcore and how does it differ from gabber?

Speedcore is a faster and more extreme subgenre of gabber with emphasis on chaos and aggression.

What is the average BPM of Speedcore?

Classic Speedcore: 180–250 BPM. Extreme subgenres (Extratone, Terrorcore): 300–1000+ BPM.

Can I listen to Speedcore at a regular party?

Probably not. It is a genre for underground clubs, hardcore festivals and online communities of extreme sound fans.

Do I need preparation to listen to Speedcore?

Not necessarily, but perception comes after several tracks — the brain and body adapt to high speed and dense structure.

Which labels release Speedcore?

Industrial Strength Records, Coretale, RoughCore Records and independent underground labels.

Speedcore is music of speed, pressure and chaos. It challenges physical and auditory perception while remaining a cult genre for extreme hardcore fans.

Listen to Speedcore online on Minatrix.fm, discover tracks by legends and modern extremists, and dive into the world of ultra-fast chaos!