What started as a joint project between Ran-D and Adaro in 2011 has grown into one of the most recognizable acts in raw hardstyle. Fifteen years later, Gunz For Hire is celebrating this milestone on Saturday, November 7, with its own event in collaboration with REBiRTH Events. Ahead of the celebration at The Dome in Haaren, the two artists look back on their first performance, the evolution of their act, and what fans can expect from the anniversary event.
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“Once those masks go on, we’re no longer Ran-D and Adaro”
When Ran-D and Adaro founded Gunz For Hire fifteen years ago, they had already been making music together for some time. However, they wanted to take things further than their individual careers. “When we started Gunz For Hire, we wanted to create something the hardstyle scene had never seen before. We had already been making music together for a while and discovered that together we could create a sound that was different from what we did individually. Darker, rawer and uncompromising.”
That new identity also gave the duo more freedom on stage. “It could be harder, darker and, above all, more extreme. We didn’t have to take anything into account except what we thought was cool. On stage, we could also create a completely different world. Once those masks go on, we’re no longer Ran-D and Adaro. Then it’s Gunz For Hire, and different rules apply.”
“You never forget that first time”
Over the fifteen years that followed, Gunz For Hire performed on major stages such as Qlimax, Hard Bass and Defqon.1. Shows in Chile and Mexico also left a lasting impression. Yet it is their very first performance at Decibel outdoor in 2011 that stands out most. “We had put an incredible amount of time into the music, the masks and the entire concept, but we had no idea how the crowd would react. During the first track, something went wrong with the volume at the sound desk, but from the second track onwards, the sound suddenly kicked in at full power and the entire tent went absolutely crazy. That was the moment we felt we had created something special.”
Throughout the years, Gunz For Hire has stayed true to its recognizable identity, with dark themes, masks and elaborate live shows. According to the duo, that approach has also played a role in the development of the raw scene. “We’re not going to claim that we invented all of that. There were already some incredible live acts in hardstyle and hardcore before us. But we do dare to say that we added new elements and showed just how far you can take a concept like that. And knowing that we’ve inspired other artists along the way is perhaps one of the greatest compliments you can receive.”
Musically, Gunz For Hire has also built a distinctive legacy over the past fifteen years. Sorrow and Kings of the Underground, in particular, hold special meaning for Ran-D and Adaro. “‘Sorrow’ represents the sound that put Gunz For Hire on the map for us.” Meanwhile, ‘Kings of the Underground’ has become much more than just a track. “And perhaps that’s the most beautiful thing after fifteen years: we’ve made tracks that are connected to so many memories, not just for us, but for our fans as well.”
Three different chapters during 15 Years of Gunz For Hire
With the 15 Years of Mayhem Tour, Ran-D and Adaro have been revisiting their shared history. For the anniversary celebration in Haaren, they’re taking things one step further. “We didn’t just want to organize a big Gunz For Hire show. Fifteen years of Gunz For Hire deserves something special. For the first time, we’re bringing together so many different chapters from our history at one event.”
The duo will therefore perform three different sets. “15 Years of No Mercy will be a celebration of fifteen years of Gunz For Hire. A set bringing together our biggest tracks, iconic moments and the energy of all our different eras. With Kings of the Underground, we’re going back to our roots. The raw, dark sound we started with and that helped us establish our name in the hardstyle scene.”
The Vault will offer something different. “The Vault is really for the true fans. We’re digging deeper into our musical archives and bringing back tracks and special moments that you don’t hear every week anymore.”
But according to Ran-D and Adaro, the anniversary celebration is about more than nostalgia. “It won’t be a night where we only look back. We’re going to celebrate fifteen years of Gunz For Hire the only way we know how: with an absolutely insane show.”
Gunz For Hire B2B Angerfist: Masked Military
Alongside their own sets, another special collaboration is on the programme. During Masked Military, Gunz For Hire will join forces with Angerfist for the very first time. “When you talk about artists with their own identity, recognizable masks and an uncompromising sound, you simply can’t ignore Angerfist,” Ran-D and Adaro explain. “We’ve both created our own worlds and stayed true to our sounds for years. That’s exactly what makes this combination so interesting.”
Musically, the duo promises to push boundaries. “It will be a clash between two worlds. The raw energy of Gunz For Hire and the uncompromising hardcore of Angerfist. We’re going to explore the boundaries between those styles and, above all, bring an enormous amount of energy.”
“We can still sit in the studio like two little kids”
After fifteen years, Ran-D and Adaro know each other inside out. Yet the enjoyment they get from working together has never disappeared. “We can still sit in the studio like two little kids when we’re making a completely insane new track. And ultimately, that’s exactly why Gunz For Hire still exists after fifteen years.”
The reactions from the crowd also make the anniversary particularly special. “What makes it even more special for us is seeing both fans who have been there since day one and an entirely new generation in front of us. That says an incredible amount about what we’ve built together.”
“We’re going to celebrate fifteen years of Gunz For Hire the only way we know how: with an absolutely insane show”
15 Years of Gunz For Hire takes place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at The Dome in Haaren. Organized in collaboration with REBiRTH Events, the event will feature eleven hours of RAW Classics, exclusive sets and special collaborations, running from 13:00 to 00:00. Tickets are available through the official ticketshop.
Images via: REBiRTH Events / MNO Photo
