HCBXCast Vol 62 - Interview with Toxic Den

HCBXCast Vol 62 - Interview With Toxic Den

Straight outta the Dutch underground, Toxic Den makes his debut on HCBXCast with a filthy, early hardcore and terror-fuelled mix. Raised on rave culture around the Amsterdam area, Den’s been living hardcore since day one—and it shows. This set is raw, nasty, and unapologetically heavy. A proper no-holds-barred session from a DJ who lives and breathes the scene. I caught up with TD to ask him a few questions.

You can check out the show on 12th July 2025 at 9pm (UK Time) - Here:

HCBXCast Vol 62 - Toxic Den - 12th July 2025 9pm (UK Time)

When did you first get into Hardcore, and what got you into this style of music? 

I got in to hardcore at a very young age. My uncle was going to parties back then and he always brought something home for me: flyers, t-shirts, CDs,  so I really don't remember which track got me in to hardcore but I've lived it my whole life.

What made you want to become a DJ, and when you made that choice, what gear did you learn on?

When I was 12 we threw a party to end the school year and good family friends helped us set up and then they came over with a fully packed installation with DJ gear. That's the moment I was sold to DJing.  Shortly after I got my first gear and my DJ adventure has started… I started with Numark CDJs  and played the first 2 year on that and after that I traded them for some turntables and an bunch of records.

What's the hardcore techno scene like where you are based? 

I live near by Amsterdam so yeah, we get a lot of parties here in Holland every weekend. I like the smaller early hardcore party’s like Gabber Resistance or real underground hardcore party’s but I've also  been to the most common like Thunderdome, Masters of Hardcore, Pandemonium and so on…

You play a lot of the harder early stuff and pump out some terror - how does that go down with the local Amsterdam crowds?

Sometimes very good, but sometimes the stuff I play is not for everyone, but that's okay.  It depends on the time slot I have to play. If I play early I like to play some slower stuff but if I have to play late... Yeah then you can get some fast pounding terror

What gear are you using now and do you have a preferred way of preparing for a set?

I have a Pioneer XDJ RX1 DJ controller and vinyl turntables 

You seem to have a good few gigs and parties under your belt. What’s been your favourite set to play so far? Any moments that really stuck with you?

The most that really stuck with me was my last performance that was at club Rodenburg… always going there as a visitor but last time it was my turn to play. That one was always on my bucket list so the dream has now come true. Been there many times on the Terrordrang parties from Noisekick and lots of other parties. I've spend a lot of weekends over there so it remind me of some of the best times of my life.

What gear are you using now? And how do you go about selecting tracks for a live set? Do you build around a theme, have it all prepared ahead of the show, or do you wing it based on the crowds?  

I have a Pioneer XDJ RX1 DJ controller and vinyl turntables. It depends on the situation, but I can do everything because you always have to be prepared for the worst. I can select a set but if I know already that the crowd is not up for it I must play then I can switch fast.. so a little tip… always have a back up plan!

What's your go-to track in a set now? Any personal favourites or hidden gems?

That's a hard question.  Of course I have a lot of hidden gems - really a lot!! And also have a lot of go-to tracks so it's hard to narrow it down… But I am a big fan of the French hardcore from back in the day. Not Frenchcore, but French hardcore. You have a lot really really good labels, but my most favourite one is S.O.D.O.M (Slaves of Devil our Master).  I've done did some dedication mixes to labels, so if everyone likes this set, I can make some of these for the next time!

Which DJs or producers are inspiring you right now?

My al time favo Artist is Frantic Freak - got me in to this wonderful world of early hardcore.

I think you've dabbled with a bit of production in the past - any plans for doing any more tracks?

Yeah I do there is a lot more coming in the future. For now though I have nothing planned because I'm going back to school this year to start a producers course for a year, so I can learn more about producing music and we will see what the outcome will be.

Tell us about the set you’ve submitted for HCBXCast?

Oh I'll keep it short… its a fucking nasty one!

What’s coming up for you—any upcoming gigs, guest mixes, or other projects you’re working on?

I have Some gigs confirmed but the producer's course is the priority at the end of this year with full focus on producing - so expect a lot off new stuff coming your way!

Anything else you want to say?

Thanks for asking me it was fun to do an interview like this. Keep underground hardcore Alive!

Follow Toxic Den

https://on.soundcloud.com/E0RqEmhhyBhagIo9Yk

https://www.instagram.com/toxicden_official?igsh=ZTQyd3EyOWo5MGd1&utm_source=qr

https://www.facebook.com/share/15r34bmtib/?mibextid=wwXIfr

DJ Asylum

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HCBXCast Vol 61 - GabberGirl - Merica: Home Of The Hardcore

GabberGirl is back, and she's bringing in a hardcore fireworks display for USA's Independence Day in the form of HCBX vol 61.  This set is a trip through the US (you know GG likes a themed set!) as she brings you her "Merica - Home of the Hardcore" set.

GG has been collaborating with HCBX since the New Year 90's Madness event at the beginning of 2025 and made her first HCBX appearance in March on Vol 49 where she did an excellent acid fuelled DBN inspired bumper set - this went down with the HCBX crew, and attracted a few new followers (cheers pal!). And more recently she featured on the Summertime Mixmarathon event along with Low Entropy, Nikaj and some other unknown Scottish DJ.

Back to present times - here's the bollocks I spraffed about her 4th July set on the flyer...

"GabberGirl makes her welcome return to HCBXCast with a special themed set for the 4th of July.  Last time, she spun a set of all Midwest Hardcorps heroes.  This time she goes nationwide in the US, bringing you her “’Merica - Home Of The Hardcore”.  This set celebrates some of the heavyweights of hardcore from over the pond, such as Tron, Delta 9, DOA, the Apocalypse crew and many more.  Get ready for 90 mins of rootin’ tootin’ muthafuckin’ hardcore. USA! USA!"

As you may or may not know I've started to do some interviews and articles on the back of these sets, but GG has literally just done a massive interview on Mr Low Entropy's excellent Hardcore Techno Overdogs blog... so I really didn't want to step on the lad's toes (since he's such a nice guy after all).  To compensate - here's the link to what is an excellent interview.  GG has a wealth of hardcore related stories over the years (many of which she's told in HCBX chats, so get yourself involved any time you see her on the chat!) so this is a quality read.

GabberGirl's Overdogs Interview

But I also had an online chat with GG about the set and the work and research she's put into what has turned out to be a wildly diverse (in style) and excellent trip through her homeland.

"I'm so excited for my Independence Day set.  I spun out the set a few times last weekend.  It is a really intense set.  I had to sit on it a couple days.  Last night I listened to one of the recordings and it was AWESOME.  

I just want to say this was a ridiculously hard set for me.  you know I spent weeks and months getting it ready.  I listened to whole discographies of some artists to pick one track.  I did tons of research.  I searched and searched for some tracks of artists who maybe only published a few in the 90's and are hard to find now.  It was a crazy fun adventure.  

The setlist itself has been meticulously planned by GG as it's been split into territories! 

"Once I had the tracks, I had another impossible task to order them.  There are all sorts of tempos and styles represented-- not just hardcore, but also breakcore, noizecore, hardcore techno, acid, speedcore, & doomcore.  I definitely dipped out of my comfort zone with the breakcore and noize.

Plus I wanted to do the regional grouping. This set is comprised by tracks created only by American hardcore producers.  First I hit you hard with the Midwest at 180, back it up to 145 to 160 for a few tracks, then murder you with some 240 as the Midwest heads to the West Coast.  After a few tracks, it drops to 200 with some brutalizing west coast weirdcore, not letting up as we move to the East Coast and some 320 out of NYC.  It levels out again for a while at 200, then 240 for a few, ending at 270.

Oh yeah, I also mixed in 2 of my own tracks from the 90's that I had never released before."

Here are the tracks in all their glory!

MIDWEST

• Bombardier (Iowa)—Unchosen
• Delta 9 (Chicago)—Ground Zero
• The Demix (Milwaukee)—Regolith
• Doormouse (Milwaukee)—Acid Americano
• William Darkzyde (Wisconsin)—End of Days
• Bad Acid Cult (MN)/John F. Ketamine Remix (WI)—Adrift on Celestial Waves
• GabberGirl (Minneapolis)—Gambient Radio
• Laura Grabb (Detroit) & Freddy Fresh (Minneapolis)—Friendly Fuego
• Laura Grabb & Freddy Fresh—La Calendaria (Cuckoo)
• DJ Tron (Chicago)—Demon
• Delta 9—Control

WEST COAST

• Delta 9/Fiend Remix (SoCal)—Control
• GabberGirl (San Francisco)—Meter Murder
• Ron D Core (Los Angeles)—Fuck Deep House
• Flail (San Francisco)—Buckfaster
• Nakedslice (Oakland)—Desperados
• 396 (Oakland)—Fuck You
• Aneurysm (Oakland)—Back Up
• DJ Fiend (SoCal)—Asshole
• Deadly Buda & The Superstars Of Death (LA)—Beats Upon Your Brain

EAST COAST

• Hellz Army (Tyrant & DJ Churchshoes—New York City)— Terrorists Taliban
• Lesbians in their Burquas
• Satronica (Washington DC) & Narc (NY)—Jackrabbit
• Duran Duran Duran (Philadelphia)—Theme
• DJ Tense (NYC) & Deadnoise (AZ)—Dissolution
• Lenny Dee (NYC)—I Don’t Understand This
• Doormouse—1500 Micrograms
• Fury 8 (NYC)—In Her Burqua
• Bombardier (NYC)—Kamphetamine
• Disciples of Annihilation (NYC)—Unleash the Brutality
• Pussyfist (Baroness Jennylee & Jay Maniakal) & PTBS (NYC)—World Eaters
• Doormouse (Miami)—Spring Break Forever
• Amok (NYC)—Twenty Three
• DJ Repete (NYC)—Imortal Kombat
• Nevermind (NYC)—No Surrender (Larry Nevermind Remix)
• Flail (Philadelphia)—A Maze

As you can see from the set list there are some household names, but also some you may not be so familiar with.  Prepare to be educated on some US hardcore!

The momentum continues for GabberGirl with plenty of bookings on the horizon under GG and also her new alias Mechanical Clown.  Massive thanks for the set and hope all you punks enjoy!

Cheers

DJ Asylum

HCBXCast Vol 60 - Interview with Pardonax

HCBXCast 60 – Interview with Pardonax

We welcome Pardonax back to the show. One of the best and most prolific of the current crop of hardcore techno producers (in my humble opinion, of course). When he first jumped on HCBXCast back on vol 13 he played a live set of his own productions and, of course, it was fucking excellent.  This time he's swapping the DAW for a mixer and he has mixed an set of acid flavoured hardcore from the early 90s.  To accompany this cracking set, we got him to answer a few questions.

When did you get into Hardcore Techno, and what was the track that hooked you?

Must have been around 2011/2ish... Not sure when exact. A friend introduced me to what was hardstyle at that moment. But I found it soft too quick. After that I discovered hardcore and soon also early hardcore which quickly grabbed me... Especially with Citrus - Fascination (UK, 1993?) which also helped to grow my love for breakbeats!

What’s your best memory of a party you’ve attended or played at? I take it the Fuckparade event last year where the police cut your set short wasn't one of the best, but what was your memories of that?

Probably the first time I did a performance as Pardonax in 2023 under the public eye. A new era for myself and a step up in my production game. Regarding the Fuckparade thing... It was before my set. Felt more sorry for the crew who organized all. It wasn't their fault but the police avoiding the made up agreement around the dB levels...

You are pretty prolific in releasing tracks. What made you decide to start producing?

Simple as I was bored of hearing the same shit over and over again (same reason I dislike most radio music)

How did you learn to build a track? What did you use at the start, and how have you refined your process? Do you still lean on digital DAWs, or have you worked in any other methods?

I tried to remix parts in traxx that I liked or rebuild them to discover techniques. Which also allowed me to build parts around it into full traxx. But as I like a lot of styles I don't have a certain style element except a raw edge perhaps? I still do use inspirations from other people their work, emotions or just what's in my head.

Regarding equipment... I have used a broken copy of fruity loops 10 since I started. On a more and more broken laptop also... before that I did pure noise music on my iPad. Some off which I sampled in my own work too. But you can't call that a studio really...

Are there any tracks that you’re particularly into right now? And do you have a favourite of your own that you want to talk about?

Mmm... Been digging a bit more in UK hardcore lately. But for me that is all but the Deathchant kinda style. Labels like Tuff Shit, Surgeon 16, Sensory Violation & Outcast Clan kinda material. Decent bpm, dark & rough. As it should.

I will always have a love for gabber styled traxx where I am still more into faster, industrial material. And my number 1 track will always be Final Revolution by R. Wagner on DOM. It also helped raise my interest in lesser known and faster gabber, as heard in UK sets. Which I mainly used to discover new tunes. 

As for my own works... I'd like to put some focus on my Parting Ways track, which I initially made as a sorta goodbye to the scene (at least the production corner). I was so fed up with some things I mention in the last question...  I made this prior to my first performance too and had to use it there for myself.

When I made Parting Ways, I posted it on SoundCloud with a sorta text where I threw out all my irritations at the time.  A lot of people resonated with them and felt sorry I wanted to stop, which surprised me.  But with this track, I more or less got the needed inspiration and motivation again.  As other traxx started to sound like I wanted them. It was meant to be perhaps?

You co-run Speedcore Worldwide, but which other record labels do you follow closely, or feel a connection to?

Not really any. But I check what my friends release on and French labels. Especially France still has interesting releases as they are more open minded as most countries at the moment. Also some Italian, UK or German labels but nothing specific.

Also a I mostly dig into older labels on the regular... As I can discover more material I didn't yet in a better moment of our music. Say period 93-07 for me... Afterwards it got more and more boring for me.

Who’s inspiring you in the scene right now, and what stands out about their work both from a producer and DJ aspect?

ATM... No one really? At least production wise. I take inspiration from older artists more. As more do these days. It's all rinse and repeat.

DJ wise... I must mention L.S.A. or Wolffy. They both do a eclectic mix of more than just traxx which can be seen as hardcore techno. But also from other ends of the spectrum like acid, trance and more. Which makes for a interesting / eclectic tracklist and atmosphere. And also... Avoidance of the known classics...

I would also like to mention Core25 & Soulkeeper. Who have a ear for dark & lesser known material. In the corners where I like to be...

What prompted the switch to DJing recent—or is it something you've always dabbled with?

Always wanted to but vinyl is ATM too hard. My girlfriend also helped me get around with Rekordbox and motivated me which made it a easier step into digital area's. Sometime in the future I'll work on my vinyl skills probably too.

Tell me about the DJ set you've submitted for HCBXCast. Some cracking old school acid hardcore tracks in this.

Well... I have a big love for the sound of 1993. When all the styles of this "house music" which are now subgenres started to merge to their own respective style. But around 92/93 a lot was really more of a crossover and easier to combine...*

Trance, Acid or Techno could easily work in what we saw as the first actual hardcore (techno) records. Which I wanted to show and try and combine... Like a lot did back then and now less and less sadly (take Wolffy, Tec-9 & L.S.A. for example). And I wanted to give my take on it. Also it uses some of my favourite tunes from 92/93... Which I know through my biggest inspiration... Liza N Eliaz.

What does your current studio or live setup look like. In the past you've said you like to restrict your set up and make sound just with what you have. You mention the old faithful laptop. Any hardware, controllers, or effects you rely on for performance or production?

Old crappy laptop still (for the productions...) and I have a slightly newer, working laptop for Ableton for the pure Pardonax sets. Which some redeem as live sets... Which is up for debate. I always called those dead acts (as they weren't that live...).

I use samples mostly and avoid using VSTs or so... Less choice means a more creative thought process to get what I want. And less is more right? I just like to fuck up sounds from others...

Also as I don't wanna sound like every other artist who uses the same pre-set in their VST or watched a bass drum tutorial from DJ Arjuna...

You have a good few records under your belt now. Do you prefer working with vinyl, digital, or a mix of formats?

For now digitally as I can see BPM. I find it hard to hear these ATM which makes it difficult for me... But I've already got enough records for to do something interesting perhaps. But I just can't play them in a set.

What have you got coming up—new releases, shows, or projects?

There should be a 7" with 2 traxx, various digital releases and 2 parties atm. Also have a demo ready which I am sending around atm. Party wise... I probably play at the Fuckparade again or the afterparty... And a set with Wolffy in September.

Besides that... Let's see! I'm more into producing and pissing off people as performing. I don't ask / suck people's dick to get spots on a line-up. The music I do isn't that favoured in Holland anyway I always feel that at least... But I appreciate those who like me for what I do and book me.

Anything else you want to get off your chest?

I love this music and a good amount of it's people who make it. But I hate the biggest part of this scene (these days even more).

There are too many wannabe/cocksucker artists who only work with like minded organisations who don't have passion for what they do. There are a lot of copycats especially when it comes to producers.

Nobody tries to go a bit over the line with different styles. Those that do get shut away... Which is a shame. Dare to experiment a bit! Be it your own traxx or artists that you book for a party. Don't rely on friends and big names. Most are a big name in their head and the people who carry them onto a throne made op bullshit. Don't feed what already has had enough...

I'm happy I have people around me who know what I mean. And a good amount are the people who I talk about. At least some keep it real.

Hardcore is dead, it's just more of the same...

Check out the excellent Pardonax set for HCBXCast 60 here:

You can follow Pardonax on SoundCloud here:  Pardonax

Classic Vinyl Review: Spy – Bloodstrike / Pathogen IS018

SPY - Bloodstrike / Pathogen

Industrial Strength Records IS018

Discogs Link:
Spy - Bloodstrike / Pathogen
Label: Industrial Strength Records IS018
Format:  Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1993
Genre: Electronic

Style: Hardcore, Techno, Acid

Firstly, I have to apologise as this review will be written through rose tinted spectacles. Pathogen from this excellent Industrial Strength Release is possible my favourite Acid Hardcore track of all time, so instead of leading off with the first track on the record, let's dive straight in to...

PATHOGEN

What a track.  This kicks off with some lovely Industrial Noises that was staple of the Industrial Strength Label of the time.  When I first started mixing this track, I always tried to beat match from when the Kick drum...erm...kicked in. However the opening noize hits the same timing as the rest of the track and it mixes beautifully into other tracks. 

After about a minute of industry (which ticks along at around 180 BPM) the first acid line drops. This is lovely, squelchy 303 noize and is some serious foreshadowing of what's to come.  What's to come is possibly the most aggressive, face melting acid and kick combo that had been seen at the point of the track's release.

About three minutes in - all hell breaks loose. The kick goes full double time and Jon Selway turns the tuning knob on the 303 all the way up to create a ridiculously good build up to possibly the best acid acapellas every written. Simple but beautifully effective.  

The track comes to rest around the 5 minute mark and you feel like you've been punched in the face with an acidic fist (in a good way). As I said at the start, this may be a rose tinted review, but I challenge any lover of hard as hell music not to appreciate what's going on in this track.

BLOODSTRIKE

On the flip of Pathogen is this slice of hardcore techno. Weighing in at nearly 8 minutes long - this track is a journey full of bleeps, bouncy kick and hi-hat combos, and Industrial Strength madness.  It sounds like it's coming to an end at about 5 minutes but you're rewarded with another couple of minutes of ambient noise coupled with more bleeps and bloops.

The beauty in this track is, like Pathogen, a constant build up. I've used this track as a set opener a number of times as it has that feeling that something special is going to happen. The trouble is, finding the next track to better this one. I suppose you could always buy two copies and mix Pathogen into this.

Bloodstrike is a track to completely immerse yourself in madness with. I can't think of another hardcore techno track like this.  It's like a three course meal the way the different elements end up on your table. Excellent!

OVERALL

Like many of the Industrial Strength releases of this era and up to around '95 and '96, its an essential purchase if you can find it. For me, this was the right there at the beginning of the golden phase of Industrial Strength Records. You've got to remember that Jon Selway was a major player in this time with this release, and with Koenig Cylinders, Disintegrator, and Machines. You could say he's a hardcore techno legend, and this record for me is the Zenith (IST pun intended) of his releases.

DJ Asylum