Blistering beats that shatter eardrums and sanity. 139–173 BPM.
Speedcore is a fast and aggressive subgenre of hardcore techno, characterized by extremely high tempos (often 139-173 BPM), distorted kicks, and sped-up, pitch-shifted samples. It originated globally around 2020 as an evolution of breakcore and gabber, pushing the limits of speed and intensity.
The defining artists of Speedcore — the names that shaped the sound. Tap to hear on Spotify.
The classic anthems and current essentials that define Speedcore.
Speedcore is defined by its relentless speed, typically between 139 and 173 BPM, though some tracks exceed 200 BPM. The rhythm is built around distorted, compressed kick drums that hit hard and fast, often with minimal swing. Melodies are sparse or nonexistent, replaced by sped-up vocal samples, pitch-shifted shrieks, and glitchy sound effects. The overall effect is chaotic and abrasive, designed to overwhelm the listener.
Speedcore emerged around 2020 as a global phenomenon, evolving from earlier hardcore and breakcore scenes. Its roots lie in the desire to push tempo and aggression beyond traditional gabber, with producers experimenting with digital tools to achieve blistering speeds.
Over time, speedcore incorporated elements from industrial, noise, and experimental electronic music, leading to subgenres like splittercore and flashcore. The genre remains niche but influential, with a dedicated online community sharing tracks and production techniques.
Culturally, speedcore is associated with underground rave scenes and internet subcultures that celebrate extreme sensory overload. It often serves as a cathartic outlet for intense energy, with live performances focusing on sheer speed and volume.
How Speedcore is built — drum pattern, swing, and the sounds you need.
When producing speedcore, start with a distorted kick drum pattern at 160-170 BPM, using short, punchy kicks with heavy compression and distortion. Avoid swing; keep the rhythm straight to maximize intensity. Layer in sped-up breakbeats or gabber kicks for variation. Use pitch-shifted vocal samples (e.g., from anime or movies) as hooks, and add noise sweeps and glitch effects for transitions. The goal is to create a wall of sound that feels both chaotic and controlled.
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