The First Element: Darkcore Edition

Part 1 of a 2-part, all-vinyl series I recorded back in 2003 (the other being a trancecore mix). This one is essentially my take on the so-called darkcore sound, when hardcore producers rediscovered their darker and heavier techno influences and were putting their tracks together with mad abandon.

For me, the sound circa 2001-2003 was much better encapsulated by the likes of French duo Double Face, Promo's early success with his techno/hardcore crossover sound, and the master of dark, Manu Le Malin. Marc Acardipane and Miro, of course, were always releasing all sorts of awesome (though not featured here). Sadly, the post-Supreme Intelligence sound championed with the first Enzyme X releases wouldn't last and would eventually become a parody of itself.

Manu Le Malin's "Fighting Spirit" album epitomised everything I loved about hardcore at the time, with its heavy churning synths, deep growling bass drums, and odd, unsettling arrangements. This mix touches on some of that feeling.