Talk:Belgian hardcore techno

About the name of this genre and beign part of hardcore

I've seen recently some revisions trying to change the name of this article form "Belgian hardcore techno" to "Belgian techno". This is something complicated because this specific genre is named in so many ways depending on the source. Some names are belgian techno, belgian hardcore, rave techno, techno rave, bretter techno, hardcore techno, rave, to say a few. The article take this into account and clarifies it in its header part, saying that it was also known as Belgian Techno and Rave Techno, and in the second paragraph it refers to other names. It also states that, similar to freetekno, it's related to both hardcore and techno.

It is less often lumped up with new beat (originally it was a section on the New Beat article), because initially it came from the Hard Beat and Skizzo subgenres. As discussed in the talk page of the New Beat article, it was considered necessary to make an independent article about this early rave genre, as it became something different and more popular internationally after the decline of New Beat. So, the delimitation with new beat is more clear and shared among editors.

The article uses the name "Belgian hardcore techno" following the most complete account on this style in a authorized source, that is Simon Reynold's book on Rave Culture, chapter four. Also, following this account and the fact that most other relevant sources classify this style as an early form of hardcore (Ishkur Guide, RYM, to mention the most relevant), the genre is grouped into hardcore and named accordingly. Also, it's characteristics like the use of distorted sounds, sirens, shouts, choir samples, are all features that became part of hardcore as we know it. Even when it isn't as hard as modern hardcore, it was one of the first steps of hardcore techno during 1991-1992.

Some people could argue that "it was called techno back then". The problem with that argument is that everything from italo house and hip house, to breakbeat hardcore and early trance, was called techno back then. So, it is preferable to call it for what it is, and that is the same reason why breakbeat hardcore is called for what it is and not how it was called back then (beacause breakbeat hardcore is a later denomination, nobody called it like that during the early 90's). This allows to achieve a clear delimitation of the genre to avoid confusion with similar and closely related genres.

Also, in relation to other articles, both the New Beat article and the Hardcore article states that New Beat was the immediate predecessor of Hardcore. Of course, this doesn't mean that New Beat shifted to Gabber overnight. Belgian hardcore, along with early hardcore in UK (Breakbeat Hardcore), Germany and Netherlands, are the links between New Beat and what became Hardcore as we know it today. This is the first step from techno into hardcore territory, that gave the basis to modern hardcore genres. It is from this melting pot that we got the Hoover, the Mentasm, the Anasthasia, and so many other rave stabs that where inherited by modern hardcore.

This article tries to cover this missing link, that was omitted in Wikipedia. And to achieve this and to be consistent with historical accounts, it is necessary to not to confuse this genre with New Beat (it's predecessor), neither with a loose definition of Techno. Also, naming it Belgian Techno could lead to confussion, probably causing to wonder why it is in the hardcore section.

I hope this brief explanation helps to avoid constant revisions of its denomination. Neki9999 (talk) 16:14, 11 August 2022 (UTC)