Hardstyle

A genre of electronic dance music that emerged in the Netherlands and Belgium around 1999–2002 as a slower, more melodic successor to Dutch hardcore, also drawing on hard trance and techno. It typically runs at around 145–155 BPM and is defined by its distorted, punchy, pitched kick drum. In its most recognisable form, the reverse bass, the kick is followed by a booming, inverted bass sound that gives the music its pounding off-beat drive. Tracks usually alternate between heavy, kick-driven sections and euphoric, trance-like melodic breakdowns. Artists such as Headhunterz, Brennan Heart, Wildstylez, Showtek and The Prophet helped define it, and events like Defqon.1 and Qlimax became its showcases. Later offshoots include rawstyle, which is harder and more distorted, and euphoric hardstyle.