Raw Week Exclusive: AAN’s Top 30 raw releases from 2015.
2015 has certainly been a huge year for raw hardstyle all over the globe and production techniques and creativity just keep improving per release. We hate to admit it, but around 2014 raw hardstyle hit a little bit of a wall where artists began to get too comfortable in the sound and simply focus on ‘kick, screech and MF vocal,’ however recently, creativity has struck once again and many artists have pledged to bring back the creativity and feeling within the sound. Saying this, there have been a load of amazing new tracks coming out this year, so to show our appreciation to raw hardstyle we have composed an ordered list of the top 30 tracks from 2015 that blew our socks off.
#30. Sentinel – Warface & Titan
Absolutely huge track!
#29. Desolation – DJ Thera
Mr. Thera proves that he’s still got it!
#28. Death Is Coming – High Voltage & Titan
Representing Nightbreed, High Voltage teams up with Titan for this atmospheric/raw hit.
#27. Blood, Sweat & Tears – Digital Punk, Crypsis & Radical Redemption
3 raw hardstyle heavyweights team up for an absolute banger!
#26. The Funfair Of Madness – Radical Redemption
Pretty sweet anthem for this years’ edition of Intents Festival.
#25. Hit Em Up – The Machine
The Machine – one of the most underrated producers in hardstyle.
#24. We Still Don’t Give A F*ck – Digtial Punk, Frequencerz & MC Nolz
Such a great follow up to ‘We Don’t Give A F*ck,” doesn’t sound too similar and still respects the initial story.
#23. My God – Digital Punk & E-Force
Took me a few listens to warm up to this one but it certainly tears up any dancefloor!
#22. Go Fuck Yourself – Sub Sonik
Relentless and one to remind your enemies who’s boss around here.
#21. Boombaby – Kronos
Italian stallion Kronos has done incredibly well in 2015 by building and maintaining a high quality signature sound.
#20. POW – Hard Driver
“POW! How ya like me now?!”
#19. Madman – Atmozfears & Sub Zero Project
Usual melodic suspect teams up with raw counterparts for an unexpected banger.
#18. Warrior – Frequencerz & MC Nolz
Quite an unexpected, yet brilliant approach from Frequencerz.
#17. Blood Written – E-Force
One of the top anthems of 2015 and also one of E-Force’s finest productions.
#16. Hell On Earth – X-Pander & Sub Zero Project
This track proves exactly why these guys stand out among other talents.
#15. Who – Phuture Noize & Endymion
Such a weird track, but we dig it.
#14. Contrast – Prefix & Density
One of their best tracks to date, a true ‘contrast’ between raw and melodic.
#13. Front Row – Hard Driver
Hard Driver blows away the back row too…
#12. Bring It Down – Clockartz
Such a unique edge to what other young producers are doing. I have very high hopes that their creative edge will pay off sooner rather than later.
#11. Inka – Clockartz & Tears Of Fury
This is what happens when hardcore and hardstyle teams up.
#10. Robots To The System – Phuture Noize
Raw, yet melodic with a balanced kick and generally accessible sound. One for everyone.
#9. Raggamuffin – Adaro
Old-school vibes at their finest.
#8. Funky Shit – Sub Zero Project
Such a promising young duo, these guys are versatile and have build their signature sound early on in their career.
#7. Collateral Damage – Requiem
His best track to date, let’s hope that Requiem can top this in the future.
#6. Terrordome – Phuture Noize
A quality tune with an accessible sound and one of the highlights from recently released album ‘Phuture Propaganda’
#5. About To Get Raw – High Voltage & Endymion
“Motherfucker, I’m about to get raw!” The signature ‘Nightbreed’ anthem.
#4. May God Be With You All – Gunz For Hire
A modern classic by the most notorious live act around. Buckle up, because G4H are ready to attack!
#3. 4 Da Floor – Clockartz
What a fuckload of energy, creativity and drive in this one; it’s not your average ‘talent track.’ If Clockartz keep pumping out quality music like this, they’re going to be at the top in no time.
#2. Death Never Dies – Endymion & MYST
Quite an underrated track if you ask me, probably because it’s emotional appeal takes over the aggression that other raw tracks have. Regardless, the sound design in this track is flawless and in whole, it speaks to the listener.
#1. *WINNER* Blackness – B-Front
With an emotional and incredibly atmospheric story-line like no other, this HAS to be one of the biggest tracks that was released in 2015 in the entire hardstyle scene. With notability on the dancefloor and in the private listening sphere, B-Front never ceases to amaze listeners with his spine-shivering approach to sound design and ability to transform real-life emotions to sound.
So, there you have it! Our top picks from 2015. For more ‘raw week’ exclusive content, keep an eye on our site for the remaining days of the week!