Hard Trance

Hard Trance, as the title suggests, blends traditional trance sounds and structure with harder elements more reminiscent of Acid and Techno. The tempo is generally increased to between 145 and 155 and the kick drum and bass is usually a focus for a clubbing audience.It originated in Germany in the early to mid-90's and is one of the earliest forms of trance

Charecterstics

The Hard Trance sound varies from classic trance with its emphasis on harder, often acid sounds. The beat is very strong, and the lead synths or pads are simpler, but still retain their melodic, "trance-like" nature. The "hoover" sound, so named, due to its "vacuum-like" drone, made famous by Human Resource in the early techno classic "Dominator," is used infrequently as of late, giving way to harsher lead melodies through synths or pads. Recently, a difference in production styles between the two stables of hard trance has developed, splitting the genre into what is commonly known as European hard trance, which can contain darker elements, and shares common production techniques with hardstyle such as the familiar off beat bassline and snappy snarerolls, which sets its roots in trance's heyday, with wide, epic synths and rolling, often "bubbling" basslines. Tempo varies from 140 to 145 beats per minute. Jones & Stephenson's track, "The First Rebirth" was one of the first hard trance tracks ever made, even though its bpm speed is actually that of hardcore music.

Noted Artists

• Alphazone
• Dark by Design
• Phil York
• Jon the Dentist
• Jones & Stephenson
• Kai Tracid
• Mat Silver & Tony Burt
• Uberdruck
• Yoji Biomehanika
• Vandall
• D10
• Louk
• Hennes & Cold
• Cosmic Gate
• DJ Scot Project
• Mass In Orbit
• Dj The Crow
• Bas & Ram
• JTB & Dj Chuck-E
• Andrea Montorsi
• Dave Joy
• Chris & Matt Kidd
• Luca Antolini Dj
• M-Zone
• Steve Hill
• Megara vs. DJ Lee
• Dj Wag
• DJ Ben Eye & Log:One
• Dj Slideout
• Tommy Pulse
• Sa.Vee.Oh