In the underground music scene, there has been a growing movement combining elements of witch house and techno. Witch house, characterized by its dark and moody atmosphere, draws inspiration from various genres such as trap, hip hop, and shoegaze. It often incorporates elements of occult imagery and themes, creating a mysterious and haunting sound. On the other hand, techno is a genre rooted in electronica and dance music, known for its pulsating beats and repetitive patterns. It has been a staple in the underground music scene for decades, with its driving energy and immersive soundscapes. The fusion of these two genres creates a unique and captivating experience for listeners.
List of Band and Artists
Feindflug Finite Automata Flesh Field Front 242 Front Line Assembly Funker Vogt Glis God Module Grendel Gridlock Haujobb Headscan Heimataerde HEALTH Hocico Icon of Coil Imperative Reaction In Strict Confidence Informatik Interface iVardensphere Kevorkian Death Cycle Kidneythieves King Satan Klinik KMFDM Leæther Strip Lights of Euphoria Laibach Meat Beat Manifesto Mentallo the Fixer Mind in a box Mommy Hurt My Head My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult Nachtmahr Negative Format Neikka RPM New Mind Noise Unit Noisuf-X Non-Aggression Pact Nitzer Ebb Numb Nightmare City ohGr Oomph. SITD wumpscut A Split Second à;GRUMH Accessory Aesthetic Perfection Agonoize Alien Vampires Alter Der Ruine Amduscia Anders Manga Android Lust Angelspit Armageddon Dildos Ashbury Heights Asmodeus X Assemblage 23 Ayria Birmingham 6 Blue Stahli Blutengel Borghesia Celldweller Cenobita Circle of Dust Coinside Cold Therapy Combichrist Concrete Rage Converter Covenant Crocodile Shop Culture Kultür Cyanotic Cyberaktif Click Click Das Ich Dawn of Ashes early Decoded Feedback Detroit Diesel Die Krupps Digital Poodle Dive dreDDup Dulce Liquido DYM Edge of Dawn Eisenfunk Euphorbia Evils Toy before changing to T.
The fusion of these two genres creates a unique and captivating experience for listeners. The dark and atmospheric nature of witch house blends seamlessly with the intense rhythms of techno, resulting in a mesmerizing and hypnotic sound. This combination has led to the emergence of a new wave of artists and producers who are pushing the boundaries of electronic music.
20 Electronic Music Subgenres You Should Know About
With so much variety in electronic dance music, it’s easy to miss out on some gems. As the space keeps growing, new genres pop up, old genres evolve, and there can be a lot to keep up with! We always strive to find some new music you might not have heard yet, so we dug deep into the archives to share 20 electronic music genres you probably should know about.
1. Future Knock
Founded by the distinctive DECAP, Future Knock is actually a record label that developed into its own sound (Read: Motown). The genre blends hip-hop and electronic trap in an upbeat way, focusing on hard-hitting percussion and funky rhythms.
2. Space Bass
With a whole community on Reddit dedicated to the sound, user SUBsha describes it best, saying “Space Bass creates a unique stereo-field in which its listeners can get truly lost in its depth… And is made of fucking weird alien bass noises.”
3. Kawaii Bounce
One of the many offshoots of electronic trap music, came the adorable sounds of kawaii bounce, which is characterized by Japanese pop culture influence, high-pitched vocals, bouncy drums, and samples you would similarly find in east coast club music. Early pioneers to reference are Cashmere Cat and Lido, but camoufly has been carrying the torch in recent years, even teasing a brand of the same name in his social media bios.
4. Future Beats
Many people would oppose calling future beats a genre, but we can’t deny its rapid growth in dance music. The electronic antagonist to hip-hop’s lofi, future beats is embodied by comforting sound design that takes influence from hip-hop, trap, and r&b.
5. Vapor Twitch
Without Flume, the genre known as Vapor Twitch may have never come to exist. The style comes from a glitchy, off-kilter style of electronic music that often features heavy bass and wild, atmospheric elements (popularized in Flume’s second LP, Skin). Since many artists have followed in his trailblazing footsteps, the classification of Vapor Twitch has formed and has grown into something of its own.
6. Gabber / Happy Hardcore
These have been around for a minute. Gabber, a subgenre of hardcore techno, was created in The Netherlands in the ’90s and is characterized by fast beats and samples. Its bouncier brother, happy hardcore, rose around the same time just a few countries away in the UK.
7. Wave
The battle for Wave to be respected and recognized as a genre has been a long one, but it was finally added next to trap on Beatport last April. Notable for its atmospheric melodies, heavy bass, and emphasis on emotion and visual integration—this genre will get you in your bag.
8. Deconstructed Club
Sometimes called post-club, this genre emerged in the 2010s as a darker reimagination of east coast club music. Spearheaded by GHE20G0TH1K parties in New York City, it was more of a counterculture with music identified by non-traditional beats, post-industrial sound design, and aggressive apocalyptic samples that takes influence from jersey club, grime, and footwork.
9. Electro-soul
It was hard to pin down someone as innovative as Pretty Lights, but electro-soul encompasses it. The genre blends elements of hip-hop, jazz, funk, disco, and electronic bass music into one cohesive yet moving sonic journey. We all miss PL, but there are plenty of artists who have been keeping the funk going like GRiZ, Daily Bread, Late Night Radio, and more.
10. Slap House
Slap house’s rise in popularity was parallel to that of Tik Tok, especially with the Imanbek remix of SAINt JHN’s “Roses” skyrocketing off the charts. A subgenre of EDM/Big Room, the catchy sound combines house music with Brazilian Bass-inspired rhythms.
11. Speed Garage
This UK bass genre features accelerated garage beats, sweeping basslines, and added snares. Speed garage takes influence from breakbeats, jungle, and reggae.
12. Electro swing
While Yolanda Be Cool’s “We No Speak Americano” blew up in the 2010s, this genre has actually been around since the early ’90s. Electro swing is a playful genre that mixes modern swing and jazz music with house and hip-hop.
#14: Chiptune
The origins of chiptune are interesting, to say the least, as it’s tied to computer music in the ’50s and arcade music in the ’70s. The genre is defined more by its technical side, as chiptune music is usually made with PSG sound chips that are found in vintage arcade machines, computers, and video game consoles.
14. Seapunk
Deriving from its 2011 Tumblr roots, seapunk is not only a house subgenre, but a subculture. The music is on par with what’s popular on the internet, taking inspiration from Southern trap, ’90s r&b, and pop.
15. Synthwave
French house artists and other producers were so inspired by Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, that this nostalgic microgenre spawned from it. Influences also mainly come from action, sci-fi, and horror soundtracks from ’80s movies.
16. Witch House
Like other internet music genres, witch house is an eerie visual and audio experience identified by industrial soundscapes, experimental synths, and chopped and screwed hip-hop samples. And while “house” is in the name, it doesn’t always have to feature a 4-on-the-floor beat.
17. Jungle / Jump-Up / Liquid DnB
Although super different from one another, these genres have one common denominator in DnB. Listed below are the characteristics you can use to identify between the three.
Jungle: While the use of the term “jungle” can be controversial, most people agree that it’s synonymous with drum n bass itself and showcases rapid breakbeats, syncopated drum loops (heavy use of the amen break), and deep basslines.
Jump-Up: Its heavier successor relies on booming basslines, speedy 808s, and takes inspiration from reggae melodies.
Liquid: Focusing more on melodies, liquid drum and bass pulls at the heartstrings with the more focus on melody and soulful vibes.
18. Dark Disco
Last year, Beaport called dark disco the most versatile genre in dance music, saying, “It’s rugged and raw, with oriental melodies and chugging grooves, tobacco-stained synths and angular riffs that appeal to biker boys and goth girls.”
19. Drone
Drone music originated in the ’60s, but one of its developers, La Monte Young, finally defined it in the 2000s as “the sustained tone branch of minimalism.” Rhytmic and lengthy, the genre utilizes slow sonic programs with harmonic contrasts.
20. Trap2
In recent years, underground label and collective Partica Artist Group has proven trap isn’t dead with the resurgence of the genre in the form of Trap2. Keeping the essence of mid-2010s electronic trap music‘s heavy use of 808s and hip-hop samples, the movement also experiments with elements of dubstep and bass music.
Emerging in the early 1980s, the genre draws heavily on the music of bands such as Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire, DAF, Die Krupps, Liaisons Dangereuses, Portion Control, and the danceable electropop of Kraftwerk. Archetypes of the genre are “Verschwende Deine Jugend” and “Der Mussolini” (DAF), “Wahre Arbeit, Wahrer Lohn” and “Für einen Augenblick” (Die Krupps), “Etre assis ou danser” and “El Macho y la Nena” (Liaisons Dangereuses), and “Body to Body” and “U-Men” (Front 242).
Front 242 characterized their approach as somewhere between Throbbing Gristle and Kraftwerk. Nitzer Ebb and Skinny Puppy, both influenced by DAF and Cabaret Voltaire, followed soon after. Groups from this era often applied socialist realist aesthetics, with ironic intent.18 Other prominent artists include Vomito Negro, Borghesia, The Neon Judgement, à;GRUMH…, A Split-Second,21 and The Invincible Spirit.
They incorporate elements of witch house's occult aesthetics with techno's energetic beats, resulting in a genre that defies traditional categorization. The underground music scene has embraced this hybrid genre, with clubs and venues hosting parties and events dedicated to showcasing this fusion. DJ sets and live performances often feature these two genres seamlessly blended together, creating an immersive and otherworldly experience for the audience. Moreover, the rise of the internet and digital platforms has allowed these artists to reach a wider audience. Online communities dedicated to this genre have grown, facilitating the exchange of music, ideas, and collaborations. The underground music scene combining witch house and techno is an exciting and experimental realm where artists are pushing the boundaries of electronic music. It offers a unique and captivating experience for those who are seeking a darker and more hypnotic sound. Whether through live performances or online platforms, this genre continues to evolve and captivate fans of underground music..
Reviews for "Unleashing the Demons: The Eerie Soundscapes of Witch House and Techno in the Underground"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the underground music scene that combines elements of witch house and techno. I had heard so much hype about it, but it was just a cacophonous mess to my ears. The beats were chaotic and lacked any discernible rhythm, and the overall ambiance was just plain unsettling. I appreciate experimental music, but this was a step too far for me. It felt like a random mishmash of sounds rather than a cohesive musical experience.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I cannot understand the appeal of the underground music scene that tries to merge witch house and techno. It was an absolute nightmare for me. The distorted vocals and heavy use of synthesizers made it impossible to appreciate any melody or lyrics in the songs. The music lacked any kind of structure or direction, and I found myself feeling more frustrated than intrigued by the music. It's definitely not my cup of tea, and I'll be sticking to more traditional genres in the future.
3. Mike - 3 stars - I gave the underground music scene that blends witch house and techno a chance, but unfortunately, it didn't click with me. While I can appreciate the experimental nature of the genre, I found myself struggling to find any enjoyment in the songs. The unusual soundscapes and eerie atmospheres felt more gimmicky than genuinely engaging. I can see why some people might find it interesting, but personally, it didn't resonate with me. I'll be sticking to other music styles that align better with my preferences.
4. Emily - 2 stars - Underground music combining witch house and techno just doesn't do it for me. The heavy use of dark, distorted, and repetitive beats left me feeling bored and unsatisfied. The music lacked any kind of melody or memorable hooks, making it difficult for me to connect with the songs on any level. It felt like a niche genre that only appeals to a very specific crowd, and unfortunately, I'm not part of that crowd. I'm glad to see artists experimenting, but I'll be looking elsewhere for my musical fix.