As always, I hope you’re enjoying HARDCORE TECHNO even more! As I’ve repeated many times before, August 5th is Hardcore Techno Day, a genuine holiday that was officially recognized by the Japan Anniversary Association.
※Check out past articles here!! ↓↓
- 2024 Edition (HARDCOE TECHNO from JAPAN)
- 2023 Edition (REMIX/BOOTLEG/VIP/FLIP)
- 2022 Edition (DL S3RL)
- 2021 Edition (INTENSE HARDCORE TECHNO)
- 2020 Edition (HAPPY HARDCORE)
- 2019 Edition (UK HARDCORE)
This year, THE DAY OF HARDCORE welcomes back Daniel Seven after a 9-year hiatus!
As always, admission is free, and yes — the tradition continues: the first 300 attendees will receive a free CD of THE DAY OF HARDCORE VOL.16!
On a personal note, I'm really looking forward to RedOgre's performance, especially now marked as "vs OZIGIRI" , which I’m really looking forward to. All the members of 2nd floor (N-ERGY FLOOR) are all smiles!
The venue will continue to be held at Shibuya CIRCUS, so be sure to check out the full event info below:
THE DAY OF HARDCORE 2025 #TDOH2025
And with that — this time around, let’s dive into a special feature on none other than Daniel Seven, our headlining guest for TDOH2025!
Who is Daniel Seven?
Daniel Seven is an Italian artist who began his career in 2011. He specializes in UK Hardcore, and his tracks are often characterized by a touch of emotional melancholy that sets them apart.
Interestingly, he's also proficient in Japanese. You’ll occasionally see him post in Japanese on his official X (formerly Twitter):
But enough chitchat — let’s get down to the music:
Fracus & Darwin Vs. S3RL - Moonlit Eyes (Daniel Seven Remix) (2025)
This track is absolutely stacked with elements! The synth lead that enters during the break is super addictive. It kind of reminds me of a sync lead. The vocal chops in the first drop are incredibly good and on point.
I think this trend might’ve started around the time of Switch’s influence? If anyone has any deeper insights, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
From what I’ve been hearing in 2025-era UK Hardcore, a lot of tracks seem to follow this structure:light bass drop, heavier bass drop with punchy kick, emotional break, then an anthemic final drop.
Darren Styles – Switch (Re-Style Edit) (2018)
This is a powerhouse re-edit of the original track by Darren Styles that was brought to life with Re-Style’s signature edge. The original “Switch” was released in 2020, but this 2018 re-edit is often cited as a pivotal moment that influenced the structural trends of later UK Hardcore tracks, especially the switch-ups between light and heavy drops that we’re now seeing in 2025.
The original version of “Moonlit Eyes” is a stunning blend of Fracus & Darwin’s classic UK Hardcore sound with S3RL’s playful and creative vocal processing. Just like its title suggests, it evokes a nighttime vibe that’s nostalgic, emotional, and vibrant.
Fracus & Darwin Vs. S3RL - Moonlit Eyes (2020)
Now, let’s dive into Daniel Seven’s personal recommended tracks!
Whether you're planning to attend THE DAY OF HARDCORE 2025 or just discovering him for the first time, this blog will help you prep and get hyped up for his return performance!
■ Daniel Seven & Olly P - RGB Palette (2017)
This track features Vietnamese guest hardware artist Olly P and he appears on Daniel Seven’s album Electronic Happy Dreamer. The album’s packed with catchy melodies you'd expect from both artists, and for some reason, it carries a strong sense of nostalgia. As any proper Happy Hardcore track should, it includes that signature light piano backing and it absolutely slaps!
Even if you're not deeply familiar with Daniel Seven, Electronic Happy Dreamer is an album you absolutely must check out. The guest lineup is insanely good. Not only do you get legends like Fracus & Darwin, but you also get Sc@r, along with vocalists Emi and Lexi.
Yup... at this point it's painfully obvious I’m a total UK Hardcore fanatic and I’m definitely biased.
Someday, I would love to do a full feature on Olly P too...
In the meantime, here’s one of my all-time favorite tracks from him:
Olly P - #StartAgain (2015)
■ YUKIYANAGI & Daniel Seven - Anemone (2018)
This time, I would like to intentionally introduce all of you to a collaboration with a Japanese artist. YUKIYANAGI does a brilliant job of bringing out Daniel Seven’s signature style despite the simple arrangement… Honestly, I think this is a hidden gem that could totally be used as a proper anthem. Though, I think either might work as an ending track…
Why is it that soft, square pluck sounds hit people emotionally like this? It reminds me of the kind of sounds you used to hear in EDM around that time that’s full of emotional flair.
The album Bright Green is packed with killer tracks from start to finish, so please listen to it like 50,000 times.
Also, 10-CORE D.L. 2, which includes tracks by YUKIYANAGI, is available on various streaming platforms (humble self-promo).
YUKIYANAGI - Need U (2018)
■ Daniel Seven - Blockchain (2018)
So far we’ve been looking mostly at collaborations, so here’s a solo track to switch things up. Blockchain is basically the answer to the question: What if Daniel Seven made a Bassline Hardcore track? And honestly, the result is nothing short of a perfect chemical reaction. And yes, I can say that.
The top layers feature metallic, ringing synths, contrasted by a heavy, weighty drop that grounds the entire track. What’s especially interesting is that the bass drop isn’t built around wobble bass, but it leans more toward a donk-inspired sound. It’s a unique approach that gives the track a fresh edge.
Something that’s worth noting is the minimalist use of sounds compared to some of his other tracks. That stripped-down palette adds a kind of stoic intensity to the whole composition.
■ Daniel Seven - Sandcastle (feat. Aubrey) (2017)
Here’s a track that brings a summery vibe. Centered around a soft saw lead that wouldn’t feel out of place in Future Bass, the synth bells that come in right before the drop add an emotional touch to the song.
Also—this is just a personal preference—but I really love tracks that switch to half-time during the break or bridge. More precisely, I love songs where the drop hits in double-time after a slower section.
The kind of bittersweet emotion often found in UK Hardcore gives this track a feeling of “summer coming to an end,” rather than just being endlessly bright. I think that’s a recurring characteristic in Daniel Seven’s work, and it’s why I wanted to introduce this song.
■ Daniel Seven - This Dream (2019)
Daniel Seven - This Dream (2019) | YouTube
Here’s the perfect choice to close out this introduction!
“This Dream” is a shining example of what makes UK Hardcore so great: vocal chops, soft plucks, light piano backing, a powerful bass drop, and sparkling synth leads. Every element hits the mark.
The rave part that kicks in around 1:35 adds a brilliant hook. There’s just something irresistibly cool about an orchestral hit in a rave context, isn’t there?
Personally, I’ve got a huge soft spot for classic, emotional UK Hardcore, and this track presses all the right buttons. Add a touching melody? Even better. Throw in a hooky bass drop? Now we’re talking.
In other words, this one’s a total banger.
And here’s the kicker, this track actually has a Fracus Remix!
That’s right, the fact that I introduced Fracus’s Daniel Seven Remix earlier? It was foreshadowing all along. Compared to the original, the lead synth in this remix has been replaced with a brighter, more high-frequency sound. The rave section is cut entirely, but in its place, we get a powerful acid bass bridge and an airy, expansive breakdown.
Still, rave sounds are subtly sprinkled throughout the track like audio Easter eggs. They’re not front and center, but they’re cleverly woven in as effects. It’s such a slick, cheeky move.
Daniel Seven - This Dream (Fracus Remix) (2021)
If you're going to listen to good music, start with a good setup.
This time, I’m also introducing my recommended audio interface!
ANTELOPE AUDIO / Zen Quadro Synergy Core USB
A 4-in/4-out USB-C audio interface.
Its distinctive feature is the two USB Type-C ports that are built into the unit. Each port’s input and output can be used as INPUT/OUTPUT for the other connection, which is an interesting point. For example, you can directly input audio played on an iPad into a PC. Even if you play audio directly from the PC, you can set up loopback for streaming, but the ability to adjust and select tracks at hand while doing other tasks is very appealing! Also, the USB 2 port is class-compliant (supports USB OTG), so it can connect to an iPad.
Of course, as an audio interface, it’s excellent and is generously equipped with the same converters and signal path found in ANTELOPE AUDIO’s flagship model, the “Galaxy.”
By the way, this might be a bit of a rough topic, but the Galaxy series has two tiers, and even the lower-tier Galaxy 32 Synergy Core costs close to one million yen...
Also, it can operate as a standalone, making it ideal for live performances. It’s definitely an audio interface you will want to try!
For a more detailed review, I’ve introduced it in a previous blog post, so be sure to check it out!
⇒ [In-depth Review] ANTELOPE AUDIO / Zen Quadro Synergy Core Review!
Ah, once again, I’m really looking forward to THE DAY OF HARDCORE.
Through this blog, I hope the wave of HARDCORE TECHNO spreads even more, so please be sure to share it with your friends!
Here’s one more announcement.
Daniel Seven will be performing extensively in Japan starting with THE DAY OF HARDCORE 2025. Not only in Tokyo, but he’s also scheduled to appear in Osaka and Shizuoka, so if you’re in the area, be sure to check him out!
I’m personally really looking forward to both TDOH2025 and MUSIC_ALIVE Vol.13 being local!!
Not only Daniel Seven, but some of the top domestic HARDCORE TECHNO artists will come, and they will focus on anthems, so as a UK HARDCORE freak, my expectations are high!
Nagomix is well-known in the Shibuya area as a venue strong in otaku genres. If you’re interested in anime clubs or vocaloid clubs, this is a great chance to experience HARDCORE TECHNO too!
For more details, check out the link below!
MUSIC_ALIVE Vol.13
And, thank you very much for all of your responses every time. I try to respond whenever I notice, so please feel free to share your thoughts with me.
That’s all for now!