Dominator is celebrating a special milestone this summer with the biggest hardcore brands in the scene. What once started as an ambitious project in 2005 has grown into a worldwide phenomenon for lovers of the hardest music. Dominator is now celebrating its 20th anniversary with its biggest edition ever: with even 5 stages on Friday and no less than 10 on Saturday with a bizarre number of hosts, who have been there from the very beginning.
ALSO READ: Masters of Hardcore presents historic line-up
The origins of Dominator
In 2005, Art of Dance and Q-dance joined forces to organize Dominator for the first time. The first edition took place in Enschede and immediately laid the foundation for a new kind of hardcore festival: with Thunderdome, Masters of Hardcore and Houseqlassics as stages and a program full of international headliners. After several editions in Twente and Groningen, the festival moved to Eersel, where it has found a permanent home base since 2009 at the unique location on the water of the E3 Strand.
Memorable moments through the years
Throughout the years, Dominator has experienced countless iconic moments that are deeply etched in the collective memory of hardcore fans. Think of ‘Nirvana of Noise’ – the legendary anthem of Art of Fighters in 2011, which was featured with lots of fireworks in the endshow, that is still praised to this day. Or what about Carnival of Doom: the edition in 2013 that, according to the organization, received the highest rating from visitors (with no less than 21 million views on the aftermovie). The roller coaster incorporated into the mainstage and the famous RAW stage in the water have always stayed with them. But also the camping with which Dominator grew into a weekend festival in 2022 and the first ever Friday end show last year.
Two decades of iconic anthems
The Dominator anthem is at the top of many hardcore artists’ bucket lists. To be able to provide the track for it is a huge honor – especially when you look at who is flaunting alliteration on this impressive list. As the undisputed number 1 hardcore DJ, Angerfist has delivered no less than 5 anthems: who may possibly write ’20 Years of Hardcore Domination’ behind his or her name is not yet known.
Dominator anthem creators through the years
2005: Human Resource – Dominator (Outblast & Angerfist remix)
2007: Outblast & Predator ft. Ruffian – The Hun
2008: Angerfist & Outblast – Radical
2009: DJ D – D Power
2010: Nitrogenetics – Driven By Fear
2011: Art of Fighters – Nirvana Of Noise
2012: Angerfist & Outblast ft. Tha Watcher – Catastrophe
2013: The Supreme Team – Carnival Of Doom
2014: Miss K8 ft. MC Nolz – Metropolis of Massacre
2015: Tha Playah & Nosferatu – Riders of Retaliation
2016: Furyan ft. Alee – Methods of Mutilation
2017: DJ Mad Dog & Dave Revan – Maze of Martyr
2018: DJ Neophyte – Wrath of Warlords
2019: Angerfist & Nolz – Rally of Retribution
2022: Deadly Guns & Tha Watcher ft. Carola – Hell of a Ride
2023: AniMe & Nolz – Voyage of the Damned
2024: N-Vitral & Tha Watcher – The Core Citadel
20 Years of Hardcore Domination
The upcoming edition promises to be a historic highlight. For its 20th anniversary, Dominator has chosen a theme that celebrates the evolution of hardcore over the years. Big names such as Masters of Hardcore, Thunderdome, BKJN and Snakepit are joining forces especially for this occasion to present a line-up that covers the entire breadth of the genre. There is speculation about a huge line-up to match this anniversary: this largest line-up ever in the history of the festival will be announced soon.
Whether you are a die-hard fan or new to the scene, Dominator’s anniversary on July 18th and 19th, 2025 is an experience not to be missed. So, the 20th anniversary will be a celebration of everything the festival has achieved in two decades. For tickets, visit the official website and become a Dominator member to be the first to know about the line-up and more information.
Footage via Dominator
