2016’s Underrated Artists – Where awesomeness and the underground collide…
Every year, a new generation of fine artists step out of the obscure and into the light of the masses. However, without any reasonable explanation, plenty of names aren’t delivered the fame they deserve. Although this group is often referred to as ‘underrated’, they only form a small portion of an entire cohort of undervalued DJ’s and producers.
Being underrated is more than moving undeservingly in an obscured sphere – it also means standing in broad daylight, yet still not fully gaining the recognition one should get.
It is where awesomeness and the underground collide.
This list is focusing on the latter group as today, we’re going to overview a small group of artists who are already on the radar of devoted Hardstyle listeners, yet deserve much more recognition.
1. MYST
Shooting one banger after the other, Eugen Boorsma has the extraordinary gift of generating exceptional tracks on an industrial scale. His track ‘Ultimate Destination’ was widely supported by B-Front and others. However, this track only proved to be the tip of the iceberg of what MYST beholds.
“Man Bear Pig,” “Life Is Ours,” “The Wolves Descend,” and his latest track “See You Again” featuring Endymion, are all individually masterpieces. With his background predominantly in Hardcore, some of you may be also familiar with his alias Pandorum. Relatively new to the scene, MYST beholds the promise to become one of the greatest artists of his generation.
2. Break Zero
We stick around a little longer with the Nightbreed Records imprint. In 2015, Toine Berbee and Roy Schut combined forces under their alias “Break Zero”. Performing at infamous events like Qapital, X-Qlusive, and Loudness, these guys had an immense successful debut year.
Their successful track “Rock It,” in collaboration with the queen of raw Deetox, became a catalyst in their relatively short career. But do not be fooled. With their tracks “Judge Me” and “Vengeance” these guys showed to be no one-day-flies. Without doubt, these massive bangers are a harbinger for all awesomeness Break Zero is going to provide us with…
3. Artifact
I actually feel ashamed to put this man in this list, because somehow it feels as though I’m insulting this beast of a producer. Just like previous years, Koen Reijneveld pampered the scene with outstanding tracks. “Let Us Pray,” “Nothing Has Changed” featuring Nemesis, and his new track featuring the majestic vocals of Elke Donkers “Rain,” are all of a “hors catégorie”.
It somehow stays a mystery why this man isn’t put on the massive podia that he deserves to proudly stand on. It is a sin that this guy still needs to be named on these kinds of lists. Open your eyes and ears, as I can promise his new track “Temple” will – again – be simply majestic.
4. The Machine
Another name that always returns on these kinds of lists is that of Ramunas Vabolis, aka The Machine. Born in Lithuana, this man is without doubt one of the better producers in our scene. His unique sound signature is highly present in this year’s releases “Headshot” alongside The Geminizers, and “Smokemachine” with Alphaverb.
However, with his remix of Chain Reaction’s track “Out With A Bang’, Ramunas displayed why it’s a shame he is so underrated. At first the track may not seem so exceptional, but just play it a couple times and slowly an addictive bulb of vitality will perforate itself in your veins. The drop is one of the best he’s ever made – well, at least for everyone who appreciates a good kickdrum. And as an aurora of energy is surrounding the body when hearing this track, I can only pray the track, but also The Machine, will get the glory they deserve cause… THIS IS THE NEW SHIT!!!!!
5. Prefix & Density
2016 was a hell of a year for Wouter Haarhuis and Bas Claassen, better known as dynamic duo Prefix & Density. Starting when Deetox played their track “Just A Memory” at Qlimax 2015, the success of these guys has ever risen.
As this track was so successful, rumors arose whether these men could produce more tracks with a similar ambience. With their remix of Sia’s ‘Chandelier’, and tracks like “Search and Destroy” and “Your World,” they shut the mouths of even the most radical sceptics. One of their latest tracks “Feel It” featuring The Vision can be seen as a precursor of what 2017 will bring. It should be clear by now that Prefix & Density are yet to reach their summit!
One by one, these artists are all symptoms of the huge pile of quality and talent of our scene. Sometimes, unexplainable, some of these artists do not (yet) get the full recognition they should. I just named a few artists, but this list could be made much longer.
Therefore, do not just stop at listening to the productions of the scene’s established names, but also try to dive deeper, open your senses, and experience all the awesome productions of others as well. Do not find yourself stuck at the mainstages this summer, but try to visit talent-stages every now and then because it’s in these places that the sounds of tomorrow are generated.