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Writer's pictureMartin van Zeelandt / TCD

It's Beginning To Sound A Lot Like Christmas (2017)


It's Christmas Eve everyone! And you know what that means? The return of a Christmas classic! I've been reviewing it for the last few years, and it's been a stable item every year. Near Christmas, I would search for this mix, and share the joy it brings with you all, the readers. All five of you. But at least I'm sharing the joy with you all, and that's what Christmas is all about. It's also an easy way out: I already know what's in this mix and how it goes, so it's easy to type a review about. But it still makes me smile, and reminisce on a lost art, which is called Christmas Hardcore. A style that never caught on, which is funny, if you think about it.

But it's for good reason. Boy, did the Hardcore scene release some crappy songs over the years, and when it comes to the Christmas Hardcore anthems, they aren't great. Just be honest. Funny, yes. But great? Not really. It could have potential to become something big, but it didn't. It's also a niche thing to make, as most of us will only listen to Christmas songs during the festive period. It wouldn't work throughout the remaining months.


And remember, most of these songs were made between 1993 and 1994 (maybe 1995 too, not sure). Hardcore was still in development, so it was still rough around the edges. At least it brought a smile on our faces on how cheesy it was/is. Some songs have got great elements to it, if the Christmas bits were left out. But it is what it is, and we are stuck with Christmas Hardcore anthems that no one asked for, but I'm glad that we still have them.


If the tracklist doesn't make you smile, nothing will.


  1. Rotterdam Termination Source - Merry X-Mess

  2. The S.T. Crew - Ravin' Angels

  3. The S.T. Crew - Christmas With S.T.

  4. Scott Brown - Start The Cavalry

  5. The Frosties - Frosty The Snowman

  6. Carlos Mirilla - Escarola

  7. Rob X-Mas - Happy Christmas

  8. Santasaurus-Rex - Up On A House Top

  9. Claustrophobia - X-Mas Rave

  10. Holy Shit - Now It's Christmas

  11. Davie Forbes - Bingle Jells

  12. Brothers In Crime - Sleigh Rave

  13. Winter Wonderland - Fuck Christmas Songs

  14. Sunblock-X - Caribbean X-Mas

  15. Claus S - Family X-Mass

  16. X-Mass Raver - Hallelujah

  17. Sensor - Rudolf The Rednose Ravedeer

  18. Santa For President - Santa Is Coming

  19. El Bruto - Silverbells

  20. Paul Elstak - Hosanna

  21. Brothers In Crime - 100% Christmas

  22. Scrooge - X-Mass Alone

  23. Scarface - Santawaus

  24. The Triplets - Marry X-Mazz

  25. D & F - No Sleep T'ill X-Mass

  26. Bang Crosby - I'm Dreaming

  27. Noise Gate - The Magic Sack


The older I get, the funnier this mix becomes. The songs are still kind of unique, crap, and cheesy at the same time, and you would not hear them anywhere. No radio station would dare to play these, but thankfully History Of Happy Hardcore decided to make a mix, and what a mix it became. A yearly tradition, and one that brings us joy.


Live, love, and laugh. And laughing, I certainly did. Just look at the inventiveness of the artist names. Claus S? Scrooge? Santa For President? The Frosties? Come on, that shit is hilarious. How much did they smoke when they made these songs and came up with the names?


The songs could have had potential, if only the Christmas elements were removed. But what would we have listened to during this festive period? Exactly, nothing but actual Christmas songs. We need this more than ever. We need to rave, 24/7, 365 days a year.


I think every year I always linger towards the finest Hardcore anthems in this mix, and it's either 'The Magic Sack' or 'Marry X-Mazz'. This year I'm not going to choose, they are both the best. And funny as fuck.


Have a jolly Christmas, and we will see each other at the other side (of Christmas!). And why not have a bit of banter during Christmas? Have a laugh, drive your family mad with probably the silliest Christmas mix ever made.


DJ: The History Of Happy Hardcore

Genre/Style: Hardcore, Gabber, Happy Hardcore

Mix Info: It's Beginning To Sound A Lot Like Christmas

Length Mix: 01:36:05

Tracks: 27 (twenty-seven)

Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): CLICK HERE

File Size: 235,6 MB

File Type: mp3

Release Year: 2017

Audio: Stereo

Sample Rate: 44,1 kHz



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