ANGERFIST INTERVIEW – KLUBIKON.

COM
1. When hardcore first emerged, even the more commercial
electronic genres were still considered bizarre and alien to the
general mainstream public. How did you perceive this sound and
the culture surrounding it, when you encountered it for the first
time? What do you consider the most interesting aspects of the
early incarnation of this subculture and its mythology?
2.
- I was into electronic music since as far back as I can
remember. I listened to all types of music on my walkman
when I was a kid, but electronic music has always
appealed to me the most. I remember listening to House
Party and Move The House cassettes/cds and always
playing the hardest tracks at the end the most. When in 93
the first real hardcore cds came into being I was as
instant fan and have been till today. It was the aggression
and vibe of revolt that attracted me to it

2. You've hit the scene as an artist at the beginning of the

millenium. By that point, hardcore mutated and branched into
many different subgenres, even had its commercial moments
such as happy hardcore. Please tell us what was going on
back then, and which were the innovative ideas that helped
you capture the attention and respect from the new troops
entering this scene.

- The hardcore movement as it used to be in the 90s,

basically died by then. Commercial tracks by artists like
Gabber Piet, Hakkuhbar and De Mosselman ridiculed the
hardcore scene in music videos that appeared on
mainstream TV. What was once a cool movement to be a
part of, suddenly became something people made fun of.
The millennium style of hardcore came into being a while
after that and that’s when I released my first tracks.
Inspired by artists like Headbanger, I made tracks the way
I thought they should sound like. I didn’t really have a
calculated approach. I just did what I thought was cool,
and people liked it.

3. What was the main difference between this fresh approach

and the original hardcore sound? Which musical innovations
have you delivered at the beginning of your career and what
kind of equipment did you use to achieve it? Also, what do you
consider your own most important contributions to this sound
throughout all these years?
- I guess it’s just a matter of style that attracted people, and
not so much a different approach. I just made music the
way I liked it. I was on a pc from my room at my parents
house, used only a Juno synth back then, the very basic
Technomaker XXL software and later on one of the first
editions of Fruity Loops.

4. Even though the sound is aggressive and the tempo is fast,

hard dance genres like hardstyle and hardcore manage to
attract massive audiences (and they're growing each day). Is it
because this sound reflects the reality of the modern world or
because it provides a way to escape this stressful reality? Tell
us more about what it feels like to receive such a powerful
feedback from the countless partygoers enjoying your set!

- The electronic music world is changing constantly. In

general, it has become more edgy and rough. Slowly,
people are getting used to sounds being more crispy and
distorted. It doesn’t sound so alien as it used to. And of
course, many people who are new to it and are hearing it
for the first time, will get that same feeling of revolt that I
had when I heard the first hardcore beats. It has an
attraction that other styles don’t have. Music in general is
a way to escape reality and I don’t think that’s exclusive
to harder styles, but it is gaining followers worldwide
because basically it’s just fucking badass.

5. You've gained the reverence of the audience as the world's

leading hardcore artist. Besides the technical proficiency and
complete dedication there must be something mythical
emerging from your style, a magic trait that seduces such a
numerous following. What's the secret? How did you manage
to develop such a prominent trademark that resonates with so
many people?

- I think it’s the timing that I started, the music, the name
Angerfist and the mask and hoodie. Somehow that whole
package worked out quite good.

5. Besides the obvious horror reference, is the mask you wear

something more than just a stage prop to you? Are you still
Angerfist when you take it off?

- Back when I started I was a 100% producer and not a

performer. I never really wanted to perform at first and
was more a studio freak. But I understood that I wanted to
 bring the music to clubs and events anyway, and chose a
way to stay low key and at the same time have an
aggressive and hard image to go with it. The first priority
was a dark vibe, and the mask and hoodie were the
perfect way to do this. It looks good and allows me to stay
somewhat anonymous. Now it’s 15 years later and I love
performing just as much as making music, but the mask
and hoodie was probably one of the best choices I ever
made. And to answer your last question..No, I’m actually
Johnny Cash when I take off the mask.

6. Give us some details on the mayhem you're preparing for the Hard
Island festival! After your set at the The Opening Fiesta on Monday,
there's also The Ark Of Angerfist boat ride on Tuesday - how did you
select the "sailor crew" that will accompany you at the decks? What kind
of an adventure can we expect and how will your act reflect the
unrestrained vibe that accompanies such cruises?
- Last year I’ve experienced Hard Island for the first time and really
enjoyed it. This is a great event with a huge atmosphere and a lot
of potential. I’m very much looking forward to playing both the
event and the boat party. I have prepared an uplifiting set for both
days of course. The reason the sailor crew exists of Destructive
Tendencies and F.Noize is because they both breathe hardcore
and have riot in their veins. Together with all the hardheads, this
will be a memorable trip.

7. How do you envision your place in the future of hardcore music? Are
you currently working on any innovations that will open new paths in the
development of the genre? Considering the near future, are there some
exciting new projects or releases on the way?
- I am working on an album now which will be released at the
Angerfist event in December in The Netherlands. I’m planning to
do some collabs with producers I haven’t worked with before and
am working on some fresh solo beats which will refer a bit more to
the millennium era than before. Lately I’ve been missing that
typical millennium sound and want to bring it back into modern
hardcore. Also some cool and unexpected remixes will be featured
on the album.
8. How did you come to love this genre?
- Like I said, I always loved electronic music since I was a kid.
When hardcore first came into existence I instantly loved it. It was
a big part of my childhood as basically my entire life. This is my
number one style and always will be.

9. If you ever had to give up on the mask your wear would there be an
alternative one? Maybe Freddy Krueger's?
- I’d probably go for something like one of the Slipknot masks.
They all look cool and messed up.

10. What do Angerfist's afterparties usually look like?

- Usually quite mundane. People might envision djs with lots of
groupies and champagne at afterparties, but it’s not. It’s mostly
Jagershots. trashing backstage areas and an occasional conflict
with colleagues. Good times though.

11. Out of all your worldwide performances which one would you single
out as the most peculiar?
- Once I played at a very fancy restaurant in India where upscale
people would enjoy a quality piece of steak and a glass of fine
wine. As soon as I entered the place I knew this was going to be
absolutely surreal. I ended up playing about 30 mins and decided
that that was probably enough. I could actually hear the sound of
knives and forks scraping the plates at silent parts In the music.
Quite weird, quite weird.
12. Was there ever a situation when you scared someone without your
mask on?
- Probably those customers at the Indian restaurant.