Hardstyle: A Guide to the Hardest, Most Euphoric Sound in EDM
Hardstyle is one of electronic music's most intense and devoted scenes. This guide explains its signature sound, its culture, and where it came from.
The Sound of Raw Energy
Hardstyle is defined by its powerful, distorted kick drums, fast tempos around 150 BPM, and an emotional intensity that blends aggression with euphoria. Few genres inspire such fierce loyalty from their fans, who treat hardstyle as a way of life rather than just a music style.
The genre's hallmark is the reverse bass and the screeching, pitched kick, which together create a sound unlike anything else in electronic music.
A Culture of Its Own
Hardstyle emerged from the Netherlands in the early 2000s and built a dedicated global community around massive events like Defqon.1 and Qlimax. These festivals are known for their spectacular production and the deep emotional connection between artists and crowds.
The scene prizes unity and energy, and its anthems often carry powerful, uplifting messages that resonate far beyond the dancefloor.
Hardstyle in the Wider EDM World
While hardstyle sits at the harder end of the spectrum, its emphasis on emotion and euphoric build-ups connects it to melodic genres. Producers across EDM, including Maxim Schunk, share that same goal of creating powerful emotional peaks, even with very different sounds.
Explore the melodic side of that emotional spectrum on Maxim Schunk's Spotify. Follow @maximschunk on Instagram.