Frenchcore
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Frenchcore is fast hardcore built around rolling distorted kicks, bright rave melodies, abrupt edits, carnival-like themes, and tempos that often sit above mainstream hardcore. It is usually more playful and melodic than terrorcore, less pop-sweet than happy hardcore, and more galloping than gabber. The sound can be circus-like, cinematic, emotional, or violently comic.
History
Frenchcore developed from European hardcore, speedcore, industrial hardcore, and French free-party/rave networks before becoming a major festival lane. Radium, The Speed Freak, Maissouille, The Sickest Squad, Le Bask, Randy, Pattern J, Billx, Dr. Peacock, Sefa, and Floxytek shaped different eras. The 2010s brought Frenchcore into large hard-dance festivals through Dr. Peacock's melodic style and Sefa's orchestral/emotional approach.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- Masters of Hardcore Frenchcore references
- Frenchcore festival histories
- hard-dance discographies
- Discogs release listings