Raw Week Exclusive: Top 5 Raw Live-acts

Sure, DJ sets are great, but there’s something extra charming about an artist putting on a mask or costume and becoming some kind of ‘secret identity’ for half an hour, whilst treating die-hard fans to a whole new entertainment experience. Throughout the past few years, live-acts have become increasingly popular, especially within the raw hardstyle sphere and it’s no doubt that there’s a special few that truly stand out. Putting on a live-act requires a shitload of time, effort, new music, but most importantly, a concept that has the ability to grasp the hearts of fans. It’s nowhere near as simple as it looks and putting on a mask and jumping up and down behind the decks is not exactly what it’s all about, so we had a look at the very best raw hardstyle live-acts and what key elements have made them so successful.

5. Moridin

With their identities remaining mysterious, Rakanoth, Morg, Sirrion and Rahvin have made die-hard fans sure of one thing – total annihilation is a certainty. As a part of The Magic Show records, Moridin emerged from the shadows as the darkest and most haunted live-act to date. Bringing the ‘I’m going to violently kill you’ vibe, this live-act has made spines shiver with fear and peaceful sleeps being tormented by nightmares; no one is safe…
All mysterious aspects aside, Moridin is undoubtedly an acquired taste to hardstyle fans and their tracks are among some of the darkest and hardest in the scene. On-stage, this live-act is more than costumes and dark hardstyle, it’s an all-round experience like no other… Performing at some of the most prestigious events including Intents Festival, XXlerator RAW, Harder Than Ever, WiSH Outdoor, Wildness Festival and more. 

Immerse yourself… in the realm of terror…

4. Hard Attakk

Earlier this year and around the time when the Defqon.1 2015 line-up dropped, a brand new live-act presented itself to the public eye. Presenting themselves under the hidden identities of ‘Mr. Red’ and ‘Mr. Green,’ Hard Attakk undoubtedly stirred up some controversy regarding who was really behind the masks, but we’re not here to rat anybody out. Within the raw hardstyle scene, these guys and their exclusive new act fit in perfectly with the competitive rough sounds, with BPM’s starting at 158 do I really need to say more?

With music that directs a huge focus to cracking the absolute extremes of music, Hard Attakk’s sound is risky to say the least. At first, I was extremely worried about the future of this live-act, especially the fact that they needed to release a lot of tracks to keep up with the competitive raw hardstyle market and also put on a show that’s out of this world. You can really see that these guys take this act seriously, they’ve already released quite a few tracks including “Total Kontrol,” “Kountdown” and “Go!! Go!! Go!! Go!!” and their first performance at Defqon.1 was the ultimate gathering of the die-hard’s. Another honourable mention goes to how this act is marketed, everything from artwork to their costumes and the whole concept around the ‘hidden identities’ is something that’s fit quite well with the fans.

Prepare yourselves for their second attakk at Q-BASE next month, the kountdown is on!

3. Warface (live)

Apart from his vastly popular regular DJ sets, Warface has also become a live-act that has climbed to unimaginable heights since its conception in 2014. Dressed head to toe in camouflage and his face covered by a silver skull mask and helmet, his style is the ultimate war guerrilla and is ready to round up his troops! Although his live-act doesn’t necessarily consist of music that’s different from his own, we had to include him in here because his performance compared to his normal DJ sets is absolutely phenomenal, it’s as if your sometimes even watching a different person on stage! Warface as an act has become one of the fastest rising ‘must-see’s’ in the raw hardstyle scene and his live-act is a cherry on-top of his recent success. Within his

Since the conception of the concept in 2014, Warface-live has already tore apart crowds at Rebirth Festival, Megabase presents: Digital Punk Unleashed, Xxlerator Raw, Supremacy and many more to come. The fact that his live-act isn’t a side project from Warface is something that’s so unique and it’s something that a lot more artists will probably be doing in the future.

PREPARE FOR WAR!

2. Minus Militia

If hardstyle was to be ruled by a supreme group, it would undeniably be Minus Militia… A supreme trio consisting of three of hardstyle’s biggest heavyweights, Radical Redemption, Crypsis and Chain Reaction, this live-act has blown up more rapidly than a worldwide landmine. Since the moment Minus Militia was conceived, fans worldwide made a huge deal about this act, even before they had the chance to perform! At Hard Bass 2014, the militia tore down the GelreDome and since then, their force has been unstoppable as they’ve united fellow militiants during performances at Intents Festival, Defqon.1, Supremacy, Masters Of Hardcore and of course at their most notorious performance; Time Out presents: Minus Militia. Nowadays you can’t even go to a festival without seeing ‘MM’ merchandise everywhere, so I’m guessing that these guys must have done something right.

Musically, these guys are the go-to for the roughest and hardest beats and their album “Legion Of Strength” proved themselves as an entire musical concept brought to life and not only a performance. The marketing aspects of MM are also incredibly aligned with the die-hard raw hardstyle fans; everything from their costumes to the ‘supreme leader’ attitude on-stage, including the waving of the flag and ‘war’ inspired outfits fit well with the community mind-set of the raw scene.

1. Gunz For Hire – *the best of the best*

Two of the finest producers hardstyle possesses, a signature, matchless sound and a flawless and revolutionary concept is what Gunz For Hire is all about. Blending in some of the most extraordinary cinematic elements into their act, these fellow gangsters have proven themselves a force to be reckoned with for four years! Since the early years of their solo careers, Ran-D and Adaro have been known as the ultimate partners in crime, they’ve always spent a lot of time collaborating in the studio and making killer tunes; Gunz For Hire became the ultimate platform for the guys to showcase this unique collaboration on a whole new level.

Dressed in their signature suits and masks, G4H are the ultimate underground figures in the hardstyle scene and although their sound is considerably raw, it still has an accessible charm as all hardstyle lovers can enjoy their music and the live experience. The live experience itself is like no other and with each of their tours getting better and better, the future is looking extremely bright for this stellar live-act. The fact that G4H doesn’t rely on having the rawest and toughest music says it all, they’re the full package and bring more of an international approach to their sound and performances and with their artwork and concepts always organised on-point, we’re certain that G4H will always be the #1 live-act.

For more ‘raw week’ exclusives, keep an eye out on our website and Facebook page.