what is hardstyle

Hardstyle is an electronic dance genre that emerged in the late 1990s, with origins in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy. It is characterized by its use of synthesizer melodies and distorted sounds, coupled with hardstyles signature combination of percussion and bass. Hardstyles signature sound is its use of a sustained kickdrum, which producers can use to play basslines by using only the kick itself, which becomes a distinct bass tone through a series of distortion, equalization, and layering. Hardstyle is usually 150-160 BPM and mostly has very unique complexly distorted kicks and screeches, which are distorted leads. Hardstyle started with the invention of the distorted reverse bass that first appeared in 1999, and later the kick became the signature sound of Hardstyle. Hardstyle has grown worldwide and has become a vast and versatile genre that can be enjoyed in the comfort of one’s bedroom, as well as in the open air with flashing lights and joyous crowds.