Sub Sonik: Biography, Discography and More | EDM Encyclopedia

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Introduction

Sub Sonik is a hardstyle producer and DJ from the Netherlands who has been active in the electronic music scene since 2017. Operating within one of the most competitive hardstyle markets in the world, the Dutch artist carved out a presence through a combination of solo releases and strategic album rollout campaigns during the late 2010s.

The EDM producer‘s studio output spans a relatively concentrated three-year window of confirmed releases, from 2017 to 2020. During this period, Sub Sonik assembled a discography that includes multiple full-length albums, several EPs, and a yearmix compilation. The majority of the artist’s confirmed catalogue was released in 2017, making that year the most productive phase of documented output.

Netherlands-born hardstyle events acts benefit from proximity to major events and labels central to the genre, and Sub Sonik’s work reflects participation in that infrastructure. The inclusion of an official yearmix in the catalogue indicates the artist held a position notable enough within the scene to be entrusted with summarizing a full year of hardstyle releases for the I AM HARDSTYLE brand.

Sub Sonik’s most recent confirmed release dates to 2020, leaving the current status of the project one open-ended. Whether the silence signals a hiatus, a rebrand, or preparation for future material remains unconfirmed. What is documented is a body of work that arrived quickly, peaked in volume during its first year, and concluded (for now) with a second album three years later.

Genre and Style

Sub Sonik operates within hardstyle, a genre rooted in Dutch electronic music culture characterized by distorted kick drums, pitched vocal snippets, and high-energy tempos generally ranging between 140 and 150 BPM. The artist’s approach leans into the aggressive, riff-driven side of the style rather than the more melodic or euphoric offshoots.

The hardstyle Sound

Across the confirmed catalogue, Sub Sonik’s production prioritizes thick, distorted low-end paired with sharp synth leads. The arrangements follow the genre’s established structure: building tension through extended intros and breakdowns before dropping into full-weight kick patterns. What distinguishes the artist’s take on the template is a focus on dense layering and a preference for darker tonal palettes over brighter, anthem-oriented sounds.

The decision to release four album samplers ahead of a full-length album suggests an awareness of how hardstyle audiences consume music: in singles and DJ sets rather than full albums. Each sampler served as a preview, allowing individual tracks to circulate in mixes and playlists before the complete project arrived. This strategy is common in the scene but executed here with unusual thoroughness, covering four separate release windows before the album itself.

The 2020 follow-up album, arriving three years after the debut, indicates a shift toward a more consolidated release approach. Rather than another multi-sampler campaign, the second album arrived as a single statement, suggesting either a change in strategy or a different relationship with label and management infrastructure by that point.

Key Releases

Sub Sonik’s confirmed discography falls into clearly defined categories. Below is the complete list of verified releases organized by format and year.

  • Albums:
  • Strike One
  • Kings Never Die
  • I AM HARDSTYLE 2017 Yearmix
  • EPs (all from 2017):

Discography Highlights

Albums: The debut full-length Strike One arrived in 2017, preceded by four promotional samplers. Three years later, Kings Never Die was released in 2020 as the second and most recent confirmed album. Also in 2017, Sub Sonik compiled and released I AM HARDSTYLE 2017 Yearmix, a continuous mix representing the year’s output under the I AM HARDSTYLE brand.

EPs (all from 2017): The standalone Payback E.P. was released separately from the album campaign. The four album samplers, Strike One (Album Sampler #1), Strike One (Album Sampler #2), Strike One (Album Sampler #3), and Strike One (Album Sampler #4), each preceded the full album and previewed portions of its tracklist.

No confirmed singles, standalone remixes, or post-2020 releases are included in the verified dataset. The entire confirmed catalogue consists of three albums and five EPs released between 2017 and 2020.

Famous Tracks

Sub Sonik’s studio output demonstrates a concentrated work ethic, with major releases clustering around key years. 2017 served as a pivotal twelve months for the Dutch producer. He dropped his debut album, Strike One, a substantial statement for a hardstyle artist establishing their sound. Leading up to the full length, he rolled out a methodical campaign of preview releases: Strike One (Album Sampler #1), Strike One (Album Sampler #2), Strike One (Album Sampler #3), and Strike One (Album Sampler #4). Each sampler offered a distinct slice of the upcoming record, building anticipation while giving DJs tools for their sets.

That same year, he also issued the Payback E.P., a separate project standing apart from the album cycle. These 2017 releases map the blueprint of his production style: aggressive kicks, stretched atmospheric pads, and a firm grasp on the Dutch hardstyle template. He avoided settling into a single tempo or arrangement structure, instead experimenting across the spectrum of the genre while keeping the energy levels aimed squarely at the festival mainstage.

Three years later, he returned with a second full-length effort. Kings Never Die (2020) signaled a shift in tone, boasting a title that reflects the relentless staying power required in the electronic music industry. The album showcases a producer who has refined his percussive edges and expanded his melodic reach, proving his debut was not a one-off effort but the foundation of a long-term career.

Live Performances

Sub Sonik hails from the Netherlands, the birthplace of hardstyle, and his live presence reflects that geographic pedigree. Dutch hardstyle events demand specific performance skills: tight transitions, high BPM endurance, and an ability to read crowds who treat the music as a physical experience. Sub Sonik delivers on these demands, constructing sets that balance his original productions with complimentary tracks from the broader scene.

Notable Shows

His connection to the Defqon.1 ecosystem is documented through the I AM HARDSTYLE 2017 Yearmix. This release places him alongside other prominent artists associated with the movement, capturing the energy of that year’s festival circuit in a continuous mix format. Crafting a yearmix requires more than basic mixing skills: the producer must sequence dozens of tracks into a cohesive narrative, managing energy peaks and valleys across a lengthy runtime.

Festival sets from Sub Sonik favor forward momentum. He structures performances around tension and release, using prolonged breakdowns to create anticipation before dropping into the distorted, high-impact kicks the genre requires. His stage presence prioritizes the music over theatrics, letting the sound system and the crowd’s reaction drive the experience. This approach aligns with the broader Dutch hardstyle music tradition, where the connection between the DJ, the sound, and the audience forms the core of the performance.

Why They Matter

The Netherlands exports hardstyle to the world, and Sub Sonik represents a specific tier of that export pipeline: the consistent, working producer who builds a career through regular releases and strategic branding rather than relying on a single viral hit. His catalog reveals an artist who understands the value of momentum, releasing multiple samplers and EPs to stay relevant in a crowded market.

Impact on hardstyle

His evolution from Strike One to Kings Never Die demonstrates a willingness to mature. Where the 2017 material establishes his core sound, the 2020 album pushes into more assertive territory, both in production complexity and thematic ambition. This trajectory matters because the hardstyle scene frequently churns through producers who peak early and fade. Sustaining output across multiple years, as Sub Sonik has done, requires adaptability.

The I AM HARDSTYLE 2017 Yearmix also underscores his peer recognition. Being selected to contribute to a branded yearmix implies a level of respect within the community. For fans tracking the genre’s development, Sub Sonik’s discography provides a reliable anchor point: consistent quality, recognizable sound design, and a clear connection to the Dutch festival circuit that drives the genre forward.

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