darkside
what it is
As Breakbeat Hardcore became more popular and some releases even reached the UK charts, a new trend developed in reaction to this success, which became known as darkcore: a scene which centered around two closely related styles, Jungle and darkside. Producers like Rufige Kru and 2 Bad Mice made their breakbeats faster and their basslines heavier than was common, but the key was the ominous mood; melodies, sound effects and vocals were often slowed down, reversed and warped to disorient and unnerve the listener. The use of macabre samples - often from horror films - added direct expressions of panic, fear and paranoia to an already nightmarish atmosphere.
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✦ who's making it, level by level
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
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questions
What is darkside?
As Breakbeat Hardcore became more popular and some releases even reached the UK charts, a new trend developed in reaction to this success, which became known as darkcore: a scene which centered around two closely related styles, Jungle and darkside. Producers like Rufige Kru and 2 Bad Mice made their breakbeats faster and their basslines heavier than was common, but the key was the ominous mood; melodies, sound effects and vocals were often slowed down, reversed and warped to disorient and unnerve the listener. The use of macabre samples - often from horror films - added direct expressions of panic, fear and paranoia to an already nightmarish atmosphere.
What are good darkside albums to start with?
Try If You're Into It I'm Out of It by Christoph De Babalon, Microjunglizm by Dev/Null, Check Your Self by dj jazzu, and Darkside Compilation 2014 by Various Artists.
Who are some women making darkside?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/darkside/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making darkside, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20