In the lead-up to the twentieth edition of the legendary hardcore festival Dominator, the organizers have launched a brand-new three-part podcast series: The One And Only Dominator Podcast. The series dives deep into the history, spirit, and future of the festival, featuring well-known guests from the hardcore scene.
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The origins of Dominator
The first episode kicks off with heavyweight guests: Neophyte, Outblast, and this year’s Gatekeeper, Angerfist, take listeners back to the early days of Dominator and the passion that fueled its creation. Outblast reflects on how it all began: “Matthijs (one of the founders of Masters of Hardcore) had a long-standing dream to organize a truly authentic, 100% hardcore festival. That idea had been growing for years. After we sold out Thialf stadium, the opportunity to use the Rutbeek location came up.”
Originally, the plan was to launch a Masters of Hardcore festival. But it soon became clear that Q-dance and ID&T, under the Thunderdome brand, were working on a similar concept. Rather than competing, the parties decided to join forces. “We all realized there wasn’t room for two major hardcore festivals. That’s the beauty of hardcore, it brings people together.” That collaboration led to the very first edition of Dominator in 2005.
How the name “Dominator” came to be
The name Dominator didn’t come from a branding agency, it emerged straight from the scene. Outblast explains how the team spent weeks brainstorming names like The Badlands and The Outlands, searching for something with a post-apocalyptic, Mad Max-style vibe. But nothing felt quite right. “We just couldn’t figure it out,” Outblast says. “Then, during lunch one day, we had the new Masters of Hardcore vinyl on the table. It was titled Hardcore Dominators.” That’s when the spark hit. “I said, ‘Dominator’. Everyone at the table agreed, this was it.”
And so Dominator was born: a name that, twenty years later, has become synonymous with the world’s biggest hardcore festival.
A new anthem on the horizon?
Amid the stories and laughs, the podcast also drops a subtle hint that gives room for speculation. During a conversation about the pressure of producing an anthem under a deadline, Angerfist jokes: “Without deadlines, I get nothing done.” To which Outblast quips: “There’s still one lying around… haha. But let’s not get into that.”
While nothing is officially confirmed, the exchange seems to suggest that a new anthem might be in the works, possibly from Angerfist, or even Supreme Team. Whether or not that’s true remains to be seen.
More episodes on the way
The first episode sets the tone, and there’s more to come. The next installments of The One And Only Dominator Podcast will deliver more stories, anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes insights about the festival that has captivated the hardcore scene for two decades.
Tickets & info
Dominator takes place on July 18 and 19, 2025, at the E3 beach in Eersel, the Netherlands. With its biggest line-up ever, over 200 artists, and unmatched production value, this anniversary edition promises to be a historic weekend. Expect next-level stage designs, extreme light shows, and a massive closing show that does justice to 20 years of hardcore domination. Want to be part of the world’s biggest hardcore celebration? Head to the official website for tickets and more information.
