From illegal raves in abandoned warehouses to sold-out festivals attracting tens of thousands of visitors. The Dutch hardcore and hardstyle scene has undergone an incredible transformation over the past decades. In the new four-part documentary series HARD, Dutch broadcaster PowNed explores the history of the harder styles. Featuring rare archive footage and personal stories from pioneers such as DJ Rob, Paul Elstak and The Prophet, the series reveals how an underground movement grew into a worldwide phenomenon.
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The history of hardcore dates back to the late 1980s, when house music first started gaining popularity in the Netherlands. However, not everyone felt at home in the existing club scene. In Rotterdam and Amsterdam, new movements began to emerge, determined to do things differently. The music became harder, the parties became rawer, and more and more young people found a place where they could truly be themselves.
The first episode of HARD focuses on these early years, switching between Rotterdam and Amsterdam, two cities that each played a crucial role in the birth of hardcore. But where did the genre actually originate?
From Parkzicht to the first illegal raves
One of the key figures in Rotterdam’s story is DJ Rob, who became the resident DJ and musical director of the legendary Parkzicht nightclub in 1989. While Amsterdam clubs such as iT and RoXY were mainly known for their mellow house sound, Rotterdam was moving in a harder direction.
“At some point, you start thinking: I want to be different from everyone else. I want something rawer,” DJ Rob explains. “We’re from Rotterdam, where everything is raw. You roll up your sleeves and get on with it. That feeling was already in the music I played back then.”
Meanwhile, a similar movement was developing in Amsterdam. Promoters such as Multigroove and Mayhem organised illegal raves in squatted warehouses, sometimes attracting thousands of visitors. In the documentary, several pioneers explain how these underground parties eventually laid the foundations for the massive events we know today.
Beyond the musical evolution, the series also explores deeply personal stories. DJ Rob emotionally recalls how music became an escape during a difficult childhood, showing that for many fans, the harder styles have always meant much more than just music.
From underground movement to global phenomenon
Across four episodes, HARD takes viewers through defining moments in the history of hardcore and hardstyle. From legendary venues and events such as the Energiehal, Hellraiser and Multigroove to Thunderdome, Decibel and Defqon.1. The documentary also explores the rise of major event organisations and how the scene developed into an international multimillion-euro industry.
To tell this story, the filmmakers speak with artists, promoters and other key figures who witnessed this evolution firsthand. Paul Elstak, DJ The Prophet, DJ Rob, MC Da Mouth of Madness, Brennan Heart, Duncan Stutterheim, Promo and Korsakoff are among those sharing their experiences.
At the same time, the series addresses the negative image that surrounded the harder styles for many years. While hardcore and gabber culture were often associated with drug use and extremism in mainstream media, the documentary aims to highlight the creativity, passion and sense of belonging that have shaped this music culture.
HARD now available on NPO Start
The documentary was produced by Signal.Stream for PowNed, in collaboration with Arne van Terphoven, who has written several books documenting the history of the harder styles.
All four episodes of HARD are available to stream from Thursday, October 29, on NPO Start. The series will also air weekly on Dutch television channel NPO 3, starting tonight at 10:05 PM (CET).
Image via: PowNed
