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Raw Hardstyle powerhouse E-Force has transformed the landscape with his new album, bringing a renewed interpretation of Raw to the Hardstyle community.
E-Force is a well-known figure in the Hard Music realm. His distinctive approach to the darker aspects of Hardstyle has shaken up the scene since the early 2010s. Now, he has reimagined his style once more. His evolving take on Hardstyle culminates in the album “The Edge of Insanity.”
The Edge of Insanity has earned widespread praise from genre enthusiasts. Kicks packed with frequencies, atmospheric layers, and distorted leads define the sound. Hardstyle music is fierce, and E-Force delivers that intensity.
Raw Hardstyle is a genre where E-Force stands as a trailblazer. It differs from Hardstyle by being significantly darker, with kicks that are far more aggressive. Melodies often feel dissonant and unsettling, lending a cinematic quality to the genre. In 2014, E-Force’s track “Seven” claimed the top spot in the Q-dance Top 100, the Hard Music world’s most esteemed accolade. This marked the first time a Raw Hardstyle track achieved this honor.
Since then, Raw Hardstyle has progressed dramatically. Producers have devoted countless hours to refining their kicks, ensuring they hit harder than ever before. Comparing the quality of 2014’s output to today’s music reveals a stark contrast. E-Force has been at the cutting edge of this stylistic evolution from the start.
We caught up with E-Force to discuss his past year and future plans. Check out our interview with him below:
EDM.com: First, let’s talk about the Globalization of Hard Music.
What are your thoughts on how Hard Music has expanded globally?
E-Force: The global spread of Hard Dance is definitely positive. In Holland, it’s already massive, of course, but it has hit its ceiling here. For the scene to grow, it needs to happen more outside of Holland.
Hardstyle has always been an underground or niche subgenre, and personally, I don’t see a problem with it becoming more international now.
What’s your vision for the American Hard Music scene?
E-Force: The American Hard Dance scene is still new to me, honestly, since I’m about to play my first US gig very soon. I’ve heard great things from my peers about the events and the fans’ dedication. I’m really excited for my first show!
How do you set yourself apart from others in the scene?
E-Force: I always strive to bring something fresh, but with the core elements that define E-Force: kicks, screeches, and loads of energy in my tracks. Combining these with elements from other genres is, I think, one of the ways I stand out.
How did all this lead to the album?
E-Force: I’ve always wanted to do an album, but I was waiting for the right moment. About a year and a half ago, I felt a great vibe in the studio and personally, I was in a good place, so I sat down with my management and we planned the album. I tried to bring all my roots into every track, and I think it turned out quite well.
What were your personal highlights of 2017?
E-Force: Definitely the entire album campaign—I really enjoyed it. We also held an event with Matrixx called Xxlerator RAW to showcase the album, and it was a HUGE success! It’s amazing to have your own event with over 3,000 of your own fans.
Lastly, what’s the plan for this year? How will E-Force conquer the world?
E-Force: So, 2018 is the year I’ll make my USA debut, which I’m really looking forward to. I’ve got many international gigs lined up. Especially this past year, I’ve seen significant growth in international bookings, so I’m happy to share my music with a larger global audience. Right now, I’m working on a LOT of new material in the studio that will be released soon. I want to focus on releasing quality solo tracks for now, and maybe consider another album later, but I’m not sure yet—who knows! 🙂
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