In 2017, paynomindtous from Italy asked me to supply information and a mixset about the history of the Hamburg Hardcore scene, which they turned into a nice article.
https://www.paynomindtous.it/low-entropy-history-hamburg-hardcore/
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
About The "Thy Kingdom Come" EP
Tracks:
Thy Will Be Done
When I adopt a melody, for example from a classical piece, I try to not change a single note, since I usually feel that it would falsify the melody - take its "magic" away. But for this track it was not quite the same...
I always liked the very popular composition "In The Hall Of The Mountain King" by Grieg. I especially enjoyed the chromatic part in the main motif; but the same motif also has diatonic elements, and, without taking anything from Grieg away, I always thought: what if the chromatic part was extended?
So this was my thought, and I pushed it away in the back of my brain.
Years passed...
Then one day I suddenly had a melody in my brain; and it was a purely chromatic variation of the motif! And I thought, this could sound interesting, and I should put it down in a track. But it was just a thought, and I didn't act on it immediately, but I kept returning to that thought.
Years passed...
I finally made the decision to use this melody variation in a track. I already had the plan to sit down in the studio and put it in action... but I didn't feel ready yet. Then, one night, I was watching TV, and one of the protagonists was whistling the original "In The Hall Of The Mountain King" melody! I knew I had to start working on that track the same night. And I did.
So, that's the story of the melody. As for the rest of the track... there is of course a huge Oldschool Hardcore influence, starting with the synth sound. It is especially inspired by classic Neophyte, Wavelan, Industrial Strength or Thunderdome tracks, and I'm sure fans of that music can feel the influence in my track.
Maybe more subtle, there is also a Hardtrance/Rave era influence, which can be seen in that classic Breakdown / Vocal Sample / Bass Drop element that is used in the climax(es) in the track.
After I had some "prototype" versions of this track ready, a friend suggested adding a more modern sound too, especially regarding the bassdrum, and I also add more main elements.
So I worked a lot on the bassdrum in this track and also gave it some live recorded tweaking, and I think it's one of the hardest bassdrums I ever did.
And of course, I tried to give that track also my typical "Doomcore" feel.
The track comes with two mixes on this EP; the "Full Force" mix has a much more extended build up in the middle parts.
The Doomsday Clock
What is the Doomsday Clock? The Doomsday Clock is a concept by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists that symbolically measures the proximity of a global catastrophe that could wipe out mankind. It is referenced in movies like "Watchmen" or songs like "Russians" by Sting.
The ticking sound you can hear at the beginning and the end of the track is a reference to the clock, and I tried to give the whole track an apocalyptic Doomcore feel.
So we have a multi layered melody here, and an acidic noisy melody in the middle part. This is set in force with a overly distorted bassdrum which provides a heavy rhythm to the track. Noise and harmony mingle with each other as the track goes on.
A Hardcore track for apocalyptic Doom Heads.
Sternenstaub
Sternenstaub means "Star Dust" in English, and this track has a more dreamy feel. The idea here was to use a more complex melody for a track, and the melody also maybe reminds one of the feel of early 90s Techno and Trance tracks a bit.
There is also some Ambient in the works here, trying to give the track a kind of "cinematic" feel.
As for the drums, I once again tried to use more modern, "tweaked" drums in this track - that are once again heavy.
Overall, I tried to bridge several concepts with this EP:
First, the tracks are in a style I call "Doomed Industrial": a mix of Industrial Hardcore and Doomcore styles.
Second, while they incorporate Oldschool elements, they also aspire to have a more modern Hardcore sound.
Third, while they're partly in my typical "Low Entropy" way of doing sounds, I went way out of my comfort zone with this one (especially after suggestions of a friend), and I think you can already hear a possible future direction of my sound in these tracks.
So these are the tracks of my new EP. If you're curious how they sound, head over to:
Thy Will Be Done
When I adopt a melody, for example from a classical piece, I try to not change a single note, since I usually feel that it would falsify the melody - take its "magic" away. But for this track it was not quite the same...
I always liked the very popular composition "In The Hall Of The Mountain King" by Grieg. I especially enjoyed the chromatic part in the main motif; but the same motif also has diatonic elements, and, without taking anything from Grieg away, I always thought: what if the chromatic part was extended?
So this was my thought, and I pushed it away in the back of my brain.
Years passed...
Then one day I suddenly had a melody in my brain; and it was a purely chromatic variation of the motif! And I thought, this could sound interesting, and I should put it down in a track. But it was just a thought, and I didn't act on it immediately, but I kept returning to that thought.
Years passed...
I finally made the decision to use this melody variation in a track. I already had the plan to sit down in the studio and put it in action... but I didn't feel ready yet. Then, one night, I was watching TV, and one of the protagonists was whistling the original "In The Hall Of The Mountain King" melody! I knew I had to start working on that track the same night. And I did.
So, that's the story of the melody. As for the rest of the track... there is of course a huge Oldschool Hardcore influence, starting with the synth sound. It is especially inspired by classic Neophyte, Wavelan, Industrial Strength or Thunderdome tracks, and I'm sure fans of that music can feel the influence in my track.
Maybe more subtle, there is also a Hardtrance/Rave era influence, which can be seen in that classic Breakdown / Vocal Sample / Bass Drop element that is used in the climax(es) in the track.
After I had some "prototype" versions of this track ready, a friend suggested adding a more modern sound too, especially regarding the bassdrum, and I also add more main elements.
So I worked a lot on the bassdrum in this track and also gave it some live recorded tweaking, and I think it's one of the hardest bassdrums I ever did.
And of course, I tried to give that track also my typical "Doomcore" feel.
The track comes with two mixes on this EP; the "Full Force" mix has a much more extended build up in the middle parts.
The Doomsday Clock
What is the Doomsday Clock? The Doomsday Clock is a concept by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists that symbolically measures the proximity of a global catastrophe that could wipe out mankind. It is referenced in movies like "Watchmen" or songs like "Russians" by Sting.
The ticking sound you can hear at the beginning and the end of the track is a reference to the clock, and I tried to give the whole track an apocalyptic Doomcore feel.
So we have a multi layered melody here, and an acidic noisy melody in the middle part. This is set in force with a overly distorted bassdrum which provides a heavy rhythm to the track. Noise and harmony mingle with each other as the track goes on.
A Hardcore track for apocalyptic Doom Heads.
Sternenstaub
Sternenstaub means "Star Dust" in English, and this track has a more dreamy feel. The idea here was to use a more complex melody for a track, and the melody also maybe reminds one of the feel of early 90s Techno and Trance tracks a bit.
There is also some Ambient in the works here, trying to give the track a kind of "cinematic" feel.
As for the drums, I once again tried to use more modern, "tweaked" drums in this track - that are once again heavy.
Overall, I tried to bridge several concepts with this EP:
First, the tracks are in a style I call "Doomed Industrial": a mix of Industrial Hardcore and Doomcore styles.
Second, while they incorporate Oldschool elements, they also aspire to have a more modern Hardcore sound.
Third, while they're partly in my typical "Low Entropy" way of doing sounds, I went way out of my comfort zone with this one (especially after suggestions of a friend), and I think you can already hear a possible future direction of my sound in these tracks.
So these are the tracks of my new EP. If you're curious how they sound, head over to:
Sunday, May 23, 2021
Psycore Mix
in the last years, a completely deranged genre took roots: Psycore. essentially the Hardcore version of Psytrance, it takes elements from Psy, Hardcore, Speedcore, Extratone, Dark Ambient and Noize and generally wicked experimentalism. The tracks in this mix clock between 200 and 1000 BPM (and more?). you find dark samples and sounds here but also videogame type sounds, melodic parts and general crazyness. everything thrown together and everything mental. what a combination! this genre is still not much known amongst outsiders, so it's time to bring Psycore to a different audience too. over 130 minutes of fun and kicks here. enjoy - if you can.
tracklisting:
01. Dravna inxtibhiothic - aokigaravna - 280BPM
02. Uvhash - Sacred Geometry - 240BPM
03. Dravna - Dimension at C - 137 (220-240 BPM)
04. Paranoise - We Are Freaks (210 BPM)
05. Black Phillip - Flor de Lótus -Salomé-
06. Black Phillip - Nilo -Itéru-
07. Black Phillip - ???????
08. Black Phillip - Triunfo de Venus
09. Infra - Sidonia {240bpm}
10. Infra - Series No. 1 {260bpm}
11. Arcek vs HyperActive 25 - Wicked 210bpm
12. Nstomp - Ubat Kuat 210bpm
13. Nayavarama - Enter Madness
14. Dope mind - Hey Dude
15. Manipadma - Perihelion (238)
16. Intraception - Occult Frequencies (250)
17. MEIBLIX - Life is better on 220bpm
18. Black Phillip - Mata Fechada Parte 2
19. OMNIPRESENT MISCREANTS - Man's Hope is Obsolete
20. OMNIPRESENT MISCREANTS - The Warped Quantum Holes
21. Onyxistance - Toxiklouds - RUN
22. Onyxistance - Toxiklouds - Kerberos
23. Chaostrophob - Ave sangria - 200BPM
24. Maga - Aporia - 237-272 BPM
tracklisting:
01. Dravna inxtibhiothic - aokigaravna - 280BPM
02. Uvhash - Sacred Geometry - 240BPM
03. Dravna - Dimension at C - 137 (220-240 BPM)
04. Paranoise - We Are Freaks (210 BPM)
05. Black Phillip - Flor de Lótus -Salomé-
06. Black Phillip - Nilo -Itéru-
07. Black Phillip - ???????
08. Black Phillip - Triunfo de Venus
09. Infra - Sidonia {240bpm}
10. Infra - Series No. 1 {260bpm}
11. Arcek vs HyperActive 25 - Wicked 210bpm
12. Nstomp - Ubat Kuat 210bpm
13. Nayavarama - Enter Madness
14. Dope mind - Hey Dude
15. Manipadma - Perihelion (238)
16. Intraception - Occult Frequencies (250)
17. MEIBLIX - Life is better on 220bpm
18. Black Phillip - Mata Fechada Parte 2
19. OMNIPRESENT MISCREANTS - Man's Hope is Obsolete
20. OMNIPRESENT MISCREANTS - The Warped Quantum Holes
21. Onyxistance - Toxiklouds - RUN
22. Onyxistance - Toxiklouds - Kerberos
23. Chaostrophob - Ave sangria - 200BPM
24. Maga - Aporia - 237-272 BPM
Extranation/PSD
I was asked to do a set for Extranation/PSD... it's online now!
Melodic, Acidic and Noizy Speedcore.
Melodic, Acidic and Noizy Speedcore.
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Thy Kingdom Come
Coming soon - my return to Noisj! And on this occasion, a very special release... as you know, usually I rather produce in the style of Doomcore than Industrial Hardcore... but this time I decided to create a mixture of these two... and, for a third part, added some Oldschool Hardcore influences... but check for yourself.
Also thanks for the nice text by the Noisj crew for this release."One of the most unusual figures in the hardcore circuit, Low Entropy is not only an avowed introvert, but also has produced hundreds of releases in an eclectic range of styles – and yielded some timeless classics along the way. Around ten years ago his main focus shifted towards doomcore and doomtechno, and that’s what he is still associated with mostly. For this NOISJ release, he has pushed himself over the edge we feel: The bassdrums heavier and more distorted than you can handle, the melodic twists and pads more complex and filmic than hardcore allows, this is EPIC, all capitalized. And yes, it shall be proclaimed, “Thy will be done”, available in two edits here, with the famous melody lifted from Grieg’s “In the hall of the mountain king”, it’s the successful attempt at orchestrating a classic/romantic theme with electronic means: This will make you a Low Entropy believer!"
SIDcore Mix
Another round in this series of Chiptune Hardcore mixes. This time the focus is only on true C64 SID chiptunes. For many the most important era of chiptunes music.
And it is pure chiptune; the capabilities of the C64 SID-chip were quite limited compared to today's DAWs. Very limited sampling, a few common waveforms. But at least the possibility of filters and modulation.These Sidcore artists set this chip to its limits; and the results are insane. Some is at least in someway recognizable as common Hardcore, some is just pure noise of chip sounds and it might be hard to find the drum.
Styles vary; we have Hardcore, Oldschool, Gabber, Happy Hardcore, and even Speedcore and some experiments. And even an Acidcore attempt.
So better get ready!
Tracklisting:
01. Warlock - Hardcore Killa
02. Lordnikon - Some Hardcore Tones
03. Wacek - Satanic Hardcore
04. Mephisto - Hardcore
05. Mark Dolman - More Hardcore
06. Mark Dolman - With Some Hardcore
07. Randy (not that one) - Gabba Rules!
08. Randy - Gabber Nation
09. Randy - Happy Hardcore 2
10. Randy - Happy Hardcore
11. Psycho - Hardcore
12. Echo - Hardcore
13. Remarque - Hardcore
14. Edwin van Santen - Hardcore Power
15. Ed - Core Of Acid
16. Ganja - Break The Core
17. Richard Bayliss - Flim Flam Level 7 Hardcore
18. Mob - Happy Hardcore
19. PRI - Ultra Hardcore
20. King Fisher - Strictly Core
21. A-Man - Hardcore Tekkno
22. Ass It - Hardcore Trackmo
23. Kristian Rostoen - High Core
24. Crack - Hardcore 2
25. Crack - Hardcore 3
Monday, May 10, 2021
The Slowcore Compilation
Doomcore Records is looking for YOUR Slowcore and Funeral Doomcore tracks for an upcoming digital compilation!
What is Slowcore? Slowcore is a genre of Hardcore and Doomcore determined by very slow speeds.
To get an idea of "Slowcore", check for example this release: https://lowentropy.bandcamp.com/album/the-ultimate-slowcore-collection
For this release, we define "Slowcore" as anything below 126 BPM. And the slower, the better! So we hope to see many 60, 30, or even 1 BPM tracks.
What is Slowcore? Slowcore is a genre of Hardcore and Doomcore determined by very slow speeds.
To get an idea of "Slowcore", check for example this release: https://lowentropy.bandcamp.com/album/the-ultimate-slowcore-collection
For this release, we define "Slowcore" as anything below 126 BPM. And the slower, the better! So we hope to see many 60, 30, or even 1 BPM tracks.
Deadline for submissions is Sunday, 18.07.2021
The compilation will be released on Bandcamp with the option "Free, but pay what you want" and all money will be donated to a charity.
PS: We don't do mastering, so if you want your tracks mastered, you have to do that yourself.
The compilation will be released on Bandcamp with the option "Free, but pay what you want" and all money will be donated to a charity.
PS: We don't do mastering, so if you want your tracks mastered, you have to do that yourself.
All tracks should be send to low.entropy.80@gmail.com with the topic "The Slowcore Compilation".
Further questions can also be directed to that address.
Further questions can also be directed to that address.
So, we're hoping to get many Slowcore tracks sent our way very soon!
Uptempo Is Shittempo Mix
Now online! A brand new set by me for Uptempo is Shittempo. Only Hardcore, Speedcore and Splitter!
Superpower - Dark Germany (Fire From The Underground Edit - Unofficial)
I always loved the track "Dark Germany" by Superpower on Things To Come... especially the segment towards the end, when the track changes... and I thought... what if that segment was a track to itself?
Then a while ago I had the idea to a do a remix... and use a technique that was still common in the 80s, when tracks were not recreated on workstations, but tapes spliced, looped and merged... so I cut the track in parts and put them together again without adding new sounds... and here it is.
It's an unofficial edit, but has the blessing of Oliver Chesler, I hope you enjoy it a bit.
Then a while ago I had the idea to a do a remix... and use a technique that was still common in the 80s, when tracks were not recreated on workstations, but tapes spliced, looped and merged... so I cut the track in parts and put them together again without adding new sounds... and here it is.
It's an unofficial edit, but has the blessing of Oliver Chesler, I hope you enjoy it a bit.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)