Little HC release facts and gossips topic

[Gracio]

The Stunned Guys:

The time has come.

The time has come to rewind the tape back to 1993, when I produced the glorious track AEIOU which was included in Nidra e.p., the first hardcore release of my career as The Stunned Guys, which was out in 1994 on the legendary Rotterdam Records. Since then I've had the privilege of exploring and developing the sound of the hardcore scene for 26 years, I've had the chance to perform all over the world, always with the same energy and passion of the first time, and always supported and driven by the amazing hardcore crowd, which is the only and real heart of the scene I love.

The time has come to look again at all the pictures of the past 26 years: the ones taken at the gigs with my awesome fans from all over the world, the ones with the biggest artists of the scene, and the ones with many, so many friends who I would have never met without my music: those pictures are not only stored in my closets and in my pc: those faces and those moments are all engraved in my soul, one by one, forever.

The time has come to listen again to all the music, to the tracks I've produced and to the ones created by the great artists who are born in the hardcore scene. It's time to feel the powerful and unstoppable energy which only hardcore music can break out.

The time has come to thank the people who have been supporting and standing me: my wife, my sons, my parents, my brother and all the colleagues and friends (guys, you know who you are...) who have been by my side during the past 30 years.

The time has come to make a step back to give space to the young, amazing artists who I'm proud to work with. They are the ones who will take the Hardcore Italia movement (which I proudly founded) to the next, bigger level. Many of you know that I've always been "behind the scenes" helping new artists, advising and creating new ideas: well, this step back will allow me to work in the hardcore scene with energy and passion, even more than before.

The time has come to make a step forward, which will allow me to put all my effort on my new projects and the new challenges I'm going to face. I'm doing this for myself and for an even greater future of the hardcore music. Maybe I will not be under the spotlights, but I will surely be more strong and effective.

The time has come to tell you my decision: I'm going to stop my career as a hardcore artist at the end of 2019.
I know I will miss the stage and I know I will miss you all, but this is the right decision. Anyway I will always be there, not on stage anymore but in the backstage, from where I'll be able to do good things for our everlasting scene.

I think that, around the end of the year, I will throw a last, great party to say goodbye to you all. I will keep you updated.

Hardcore will never die.
Maxx.

[Valadia]

The Stunned Guys:

The time has come.

Spoiler

The time has come to rewind the tape back to 1993, when I produced the glorious track AEIOU which was included in Nidra e.p., the first hardcore release of my career as The Stunned Guys, which was out in 1994 on the legendary Rotterdam Records. Since then I've had the privilege of exploring and developing the sound of the hardcore scene for 26 years, I've had the chance to perform all over the world, always with the same energy and passion of the first time, and always supported and driven by the amazing hardcore crowd, which is the only and real heart of the scene I love.

The time has come to look again at all the pictures of the past 26 years: the ones taken at the gigs with my awesome fans from all over the world, the ones with the biggest artists of the scene, and the ones with many, so many friends who I would have never met without my music: those pictures are not only stored in my closets and in my pc: those faces and those moments are all engraved in my soul, one by one, forever.

The time has come to listen again to all the music, to the tracks I've produced and to the ones created by the great artists who are born in the hardcore scene. It's time to feel the powerful and unstoppable energy which only hardcore music can break out.

The time has come to thank the people who have been supporting and standing me: my wife, my sons, my parents, my brother and all the colleagues and friends (guys, you know who you are...) who have been by my side during the past 30 years.

The time has come to make a step back to give space to the young, amazing artists who I'm proud to work with. They are the ones who will take the Hardcore Italia movement (which I proudly founded) to the next, bigger level. Many of you know that I've always been "behind the scenes" helping new artists, advising and creating new ideas: well, this step back will allow me to work in the hardcore scene with energy and passion, even more than before.

The time has come to make a step forward, which will allow me to put all my effort on my new projects and the new challenges I'm going to face. I'm doing this for myself and for an even greater future of the hardcore music. Maybe I will not be under the spotlights, but I will surely be more strong and effective.

The time has come to tell you my decision: I'm going to stop my career as a hardcore artist at the end of 2019.
I know I will miss the stage and I know I will miss you all, but this is the right decision. Anyway I will always be there, not on stage anymore but in the backstage, from where I'll be able to do good things for our everlasting scene.

I think that, around the end of the year, I will throw a last, great party to say goodbye to you all. I will keep you updated.

Hardcore will never die.
Maxx.

Another legendary act leaving the scene, such a shame. Understandable, but still a big shame.

[gabberis]

Neophyte Records
The first entries for the remix contest are already occupying our inbox!

In our search for fresh blood we dare you to remix one of these tracks out of our massive arsenal:

1. Masters of Ceremony - A Way Of Life
2. Restrained & Neophyte - Bounce 2 Diz
3. Neophyte - D.R.U.G.S.

The winning tracks will be included on our "20 Years of Neophyte Records" release later this year!

Head over to https://contest.neophyterecords.nl, download the remix parts and join the contest!

Deadline: 20/08/2019
Good luck!

[Gracio]

Ophidian

Hi everybody,
Lately I've been getting more and more questions about my situation with labels and if I'm going to be doing a new release for Enzyme Records, so I've decided to explain to you all a little about what has been going on.

A few years ago I had a talk with the people at Enzyme and I told them I would no longer be releasing music for the label. It was a difficult period for me music production wise. I felt pressured and uninspired by a lot of what was going on in the scene and felt a lot of work I had put in had come to nothing. Basically, it seemed like my career had ground to a halt, and I needed a break and a new beginning. We had some tactical and creative differences about what would be the correct direction to be taking my music and the label. It did not feel to me like I was in the right place to move forward, so I made the decision to continue on my own.
All this was discussed in a friendly meeting - there were no fights or arguments, and I felt like they understood my position.

The reason I have not communicated this split sooner is because I wanted to avoid causing any unnecessary unrest. Enzyme released two remix EPs of my work which I supported and there was no announcement of a new deal to be made, so it felt better just to leave it at that for the time being.

What has followed for me is this period in which I have been pretty much a rogue/free agent, and I must say I have very much enjoyed it.
I’ve set up a personal Bandcamp store in which I've released a number of songs. I’ve invested some time in YouTube videos and started the Challenge Series which has been a lot of fun to do (and which I will continue soon). Also I've taken the opportunity to work with quite a number of different labels for one-off projects: Masters of Hardcore, Neophyte Records, Genosha, The Third Movement, and Tha Playah’s soon-to-emerge new label State of Anarchy. Soon I will be adding two more releases to the list: a Meander EP on PRSPCT as well as a new Ophidian release to be announced shortly for yet another label.

The downside of course of this style of working is the lack of stability. Because of this there has been no proper series of Ophidian EPs, no basis to start working on an album or other big project, no merchandise, etc. These are all things which you have asked me about a lot, and I will tackle when the time is right. For the moment I am doing OK, but when the time comes I will start talking to the right people with whom I can create the work environment I need for the future.

Obviously, I really want to thank the (ex) Enzyme crew who have been like a family to me and who I will continue to support.
I especially want to thank Andrea and Patrick (Ruffneck) for launching my career, for teaching me so much both in and outside of the music business, and for supporting me for so many years. And, of course, I am still hugely thankful for and proud of the music we have made happen together.

To all my fans and supporters: I feel like I've turned a page and am looking forward to share a whole lot of new music with you in the years to come. Thank you all for the support!

[Morbid_Angel]

Words from Ophidian

Honesly good to hear. I had wondered about this Enzyme thing myself, so I think it's good to get a final answer in the matter and then move on.
Equally, it's great to read that he's getting his mojo back and that he's going to continue with his challenge series, as I feel he makes magic every time he does one of them.

[SKRWD]

[Morbid_Angel]

The artwork for that new Ophidian EP is looking tasty.

[MoaningMushroom]

Good music ahead for sure, nice to see him on Heresy

[NS5]

I've already posted it in Upcoming Parties, but I think it deserves to be highlighted here too:
Dj D will play at Resonate 2019 (source)!

[NS5]

New Ophidian (or Meander?) collab is in progress

Spoiler