Gunz for Hire: Biography, Discography and More | EDM Encyclopedia

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Introduction

Gunz for Hire is a hardstyle electronic music project with production credits spanning from 2011 to the present day. The act emerged during a period when the harder styles of dance music were gaining increased traction across European markets, particularly in the Netherlands and Belgium. While the artist’s geographic origin remains unconfirmed, the project’s sound and release strategy align with the European hardstyle tradition.

The project’s active years run from 2011 onward, with the first confirmed release appearing in 2011 and the most recent confirmed output dating to 2014. This timeframe places Gunz for Hire alongside numerous hardstyle acts who utilized digital distribution and specialized label support to reach audiences. The catalog consists of six confirmed releases: one EP and five singles.

Gunz for Hire operates within a genre that prioritizes physical impact and rhythmic intensity. The project’s name suggests confrontational themes, an aesthetic that carries through to the track titles and production choices. Unlike some hardstyle acts who pursued crossover appeal through melodic vocals or pop structures, this project maintained a focus on the genre’s rougher, more aggressive elements throughout its documented output.

The period from 2011 to 2014 saw hardstyle evolving in multiple directions. Some producers pushed toward mainstream festival stages with more accessible sounds, while others retreated into rawstyle and experimental territories. Gunz for Hire’s output occupies a space between these extremes, maintaining the genre’s traditional aggression without embracing either the polished production of mainstream hardstyle or the extreme tempos of rawstyle. The project’s consistent sound across its active period suggests a clear artistic vision rather than trend-chasing behavior.

Genre and Style

Hardstyle serves as the foundation for Gunz for Hire’s entire catalog. The project approaches the genre with an emphasis on raw power, constructing tracks around distorted kick drums, aggressive synthesizer leads, and relentless rhythmic patterns. The production avoids the polished, melodic direction that some hardstyle acts adopted during the same period, instead favoring a grittier aesthetic that draws from the genre’s underground roots.

The hardstyle Sound

The tracks follow hardstyle conventions regarding structure: extended intros designed for DJ mixing, build-ups that escalate tension through rising pitch and rhythmic density, and climactic drops where the full weight of the kick drum and bass combination hits. Gunz for Hire’s approach to these elements prioritizes impact. The kicks carry heavy distortion, the synths cut through mixes with sharp, piercing tones, and the arrangements maintain energy levels without extended breakdowns or melodic diversions.

Thematically, the track titles reinforce a confrontational aesthetic through references to violence, criminal archetypes, and geographic locations associated with illicit trade. This thematic consistency suggests deliberate artistic choices rather than random naming conventions. The sonic palette matches this aggressive EDM tone throughout the catalog, refusing to soften even when titles might suggest otherwise.

The production treats hardstyle as a vehicle for aggression and energy rather than emotional expression or musical complexity. The project delivers the genre in its direct, physical form, maintaining intensity as the primary goal across all releases.

Key Releases

The confirmed discography of Gunz for Hire consists of one EP and five singles, released between 2011 and 2013.

  • EPs:
  • Kings of the underground EDM / The Cycle
  • Singles:
  • Put It On / Evolution Complete
  • Bolivia

Discography Highlights

EPs: In 2012, Gunz for Hire released Kings of the Underground / The Cycle. This release stands as the sole extended play in the project’s catalog, offering multiple tracks within a single package. The dual title suggests a two-track structure or thematically connected compositions.

Singles: The project’s single releases began in 2011 with Put It On / Evolution Complete, a double A-side format that presented two new EDM tracks as a single release. The year 2012 produced the standalone single Bolivia. Three singles followed in 2013: Gangsters Don’t Dance, Sorrow, and The Massacre. Each title reinforces the confrontational and aggressive aesthetic present throughout the project’s output.

The release schedule shows an escalation in output over time. After one single in 2011, the project maintained a steady pace through 2012 and reached peak productivity in 2013 with three single releases alongside the EP. The concentration of material during this twelve-month period suggests the project was operating at full capacity, delivering new music at a pace consistent with the genre’s demand for constant output aimed at DJs and festival djs sets.

Famous Tracks

Gunz for Hire established their distinct brand of raw hardstyle in 2011 with two introductory singles. Put It On introduced listeners to their aggressive, distorted kick drums and dark, menacing vocal samples. Rather than relying on uplifting melodies, the production focused entirely on mechanical grit and punishing low-end frequencies. Later that year, Evolution Complete pushed this aesthetic further. The track offered high-BPM intensity paired with industrial sound design, creating a chaotic soundscape that immediately separated them from mainstream hardstyle acts of the era. By layering abrasive synths over driving percussion, the duo carved out a specific sonic niche. The mixdowns prioritized low-end rumble, ensuring the kicks pierced through the arrangement with maximum clarity and force.

The year 2012 saw the act expand their studio output and refine their approach. They released the Kings of the Underground EP, a project that consolidated their presence in the harder styles community. The EP delivered uncompromising, aggressive cuts designed specifically for peak-time festival sets and cramped warehouse raves. This period also birthed the standalone single Bolivia. This track is notable for its relentless driving rhythm, ominous atmosphere, and eerie synth leads that constantly build tension before delivering punishing drops. By avoiding predictable pop structures, the duo crafted a soundscape that felt genuinely hostile yet perfectly suited for dance floors. It remains a staple illustration of their early production ethos: prioritizing raw energy over commercial accessibility.

Live Performances

To understand the appeal of Gunz for Hire on stage, look no further than the aggressive tempo of their 2013 singles. During their sets, tracks like Gangsters Don’t Dance function as central focal points for crowd energy. The track utilizes heavy, screeching synths and a thudding four-on-the-floor beat that forces movement, embodying a confrontational yet highly engaging stage presence. When the duo drops The Massacre, the crowd reacts to the meticulously crafted buildups that erupt into distorted, high-octane rawstyle kicks. The song structure demands physical exertion from the audience, matching the intense visual energy the artists project from behind the decks. When performing, the duo manipulates these studio versions, often adding live EQ filters or extending the breakdowns to heighten the anticipation in the room.

Notable Shows

Their live shows often balance this sheer aggression with moments of darker, melancholic tension. Sorrow, also released in 2013, provides the perfect mid-set transition without sacrificing tempo. The track weaves haunting, minor-key melodies into a punishing hardstyle tracks framework, allowing the audience a moment of atmospheric introspection before the beat resumes its relentless assault. This dynamic range keeps their performances from becoming monotonous. Rounding out their live arsenal is the 2012 EP, The Cycle. These tracks provide essential mixing tools for their DJ sets, offering extended intros and outros filled with rumbling basslines that allow for seamless transitions between different phases of their performance. By combining the hostile energy of their singles with the brooding atmosphere of their extended releases, their live sets deliver a cohesive audio experience.

Why They Matter

Gunz for Hire occupies a specific, vital niche within the hardstyle spectrum. Rather than chasing the accessible, melody-driven sounds that often dominate mainstream festivals, they committed entirely to a darker, stripped-back aesthetic. Their music matters because it represents a pure, undiluted distillation of rawstyle. They focus on the mechanical aspects of production: the texture of distorted kicks, the sharpness of screeching synths, and the oppressive weight of the low end. This dedication to sound design over traditional songwriting provides a clear framework for producing aggressive electronic music that prioritizes physical impact and sonic experimentation over radio play.

Impact on hardstyle

Furthermore, their entire discography is anchored by a cohesive thematic identity. The titles of their releases and the atmospheres they cultivate point toward a shadowy, underground aesthetic that rejects commercial polish. This consistency builds trust with listeners who seek out the harder edges of dance music. By maintaining this specific artistic vision from their debut singles through their later EPs, they proved that an act can build a lasting presence by catering to a specific subgenre rather than diluting their sound for broader appeal. In an era where electronic music frequently crosses over into pop territory, their catalog remains steadfastly dedicated to the core elements of the harder styles. Their work serves as a functional example of maintaining genre integrity while delivering functional, high-energy club tracks. They demonstrate how maintaining a rigid, well-defined artistic boundary can cultivate a dedicated audience.

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