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Hard Dance is an umbrella term that refers to the grouping of modern electronic dance music genres. The term usually includes genres such as UK Hard House, Hard NRG, Hard Trance, and Hardstyle. The BPM for these genres typically ranges from 140-150BPM, and consists of a 4x4 rhythm (specifically "four on the floor").
It is not uncommon for the term 'Hard Dance' to be associated with other Rave music genres such as Freeform, Hardcore, and Techno. This however is a matter of opinion. 'Hard Dance' is typically an Underground musical movement, one which breaks away from the British cheeseboard of Pop Dance music.
It is hard to describe 'Hard Dance', as it consists of the four main genres mentioned above. Hard House and Hard NRG typically consist of more bouncy beats, and uplifting basslines (typically not in the Pop Dance cheese style. These two genres are very melodically orientated. Hard Trance and Hardstyle however, are much more percussive, with large heavy kickdrums, and dirty basslines. This is a particularly predominant approach with Hardstyle.
Concerning origin, the Hard House scene started in Britain in the 1990s, with artists such as Tony De Vit, the Hard NRG scene is also a British movement, and is a direct offshoot of Hard House, Hard NRG is typically harder than Hard House, but however has the same style and feel to it. Hard Trance and Hardstyle however, originate from the European underground, with artists such as Kamui and Headhunterz. In some cases the defining lines between these genres is very blurred, however there are some simple differences. Hard Trance has more repetitive basslines, and is more melodically orientated than Hardstyle, but not in the sense of mainstream trance.
From early 2008, hard dance has seen a resurgence in popularity after a number of years where it had largely fallen out of favor with the mainstream electronic dance music community. This was especially true in the UK where it has gained widespread support with BBC Radio 1 reflecting this in its schedule with the addition of DJ Kutski to its dance music line-up.
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