Long-term readers might remember that I semi-tried to do something similar last year, but this time I’ve made a bit more of an effort – here is a year in Hard NRG/Hardcore from some of the main guys (and girl) in the Japanese scene. Nothing too in-depth, but I’ve asked everyone for their Top 3 tunes from 2008, their favourite artist, and favourite DJ (or Live PA). Big big thanks to everyone who replied, but Betwixt & Between is being his usual thoughtful self and still considering his answers – I’ll add him to this post when he gets back to me.

It turned out to be a lot more interesting than I was expecting – there are some really varied answers with a lot of tunes/artists I hadn’t heard of. If the world hasn’t imploded by the end of 2009, I might try asking a few of the guys from slightly different genres too (Lunch, Chucky etc)…

One more thing – I’d genuinely be interested to hear your own Top 3 tunes of the year, best artist, and best DJ/Live PA. I noticed during the past year that there are people checking TYFTH from all over the place, so feel free to write your own answers in the comments box!

Click for the answers so far:

Guld

What were your Top 3 tracks in 2008?

1. Guld – Solid State Scouter 2. Guld – Requiem 3. Guld – Jupiter

Who was your favourite artist in 2008?

Full Circle DJs, Betwixt & Between and DJ X (Lab 4).

Who was your favourite DJ in 2008?

Cogi and Proteus

———-

Zio

What were your Top 3 tracks in 2008?

1. The Beholder meets DJ Zany – Euphoria 2. Donkey Rollers – Voice of Conscience 3. DJ Mad Dog & MC Justice – Payback Time

Who was your favourite artist in 2008?

Donkey Rollers

Who was your favourite DJ in 2008?

DJ Zany

———-

DJ Yousuke

What were your Top 3 tracks in 2008?

1. CLSM – Hardscape 2. Invader & Cube::Hard – Use of Weapons (Dub Mix) 3. Shanty vs Epyx & Cyrez – Frozen Abyss (Full Circle DJs remix)

Who was your favourite artist in 2008?

CLSM

Who was your favourite DJ in 2008?

Arkitech

———-

Cogi

What were your Top 3 tracks in 2008?

1. Torog – Shadow of Everything 2. Xikwri Neyrra – Many Thoughts (Master Pain remix) 3. Xikwri Neyrra – Between Hydrogen & Helium

Who was your favourite artist in 2008?

Xikwri Neyrra

Who was your favourite DJ in 2008?

Guld

———-

Buzzmasta

What were your Top 3 tracks in 2008?

1. DJ Ham – Scream Your Heart Out 2. Chwhynny & Darwin – Nothing There 3. Sharkey – OCD (Reese remix)

Who was your favourite artist in 2008?

Chwhynny

Who was your favourite DJ in 2008?

DJ TAQEI

———-

KA-NA

What were your Top 3 tracks in 2008?

I’m sorry, I didn’t really buy tracks this year…ah, but DJ Rx’s new tracks were good!!

Who was your favourite artist in 2008?

Alek Szahala, Betwixt & Between, Grady G

Who was your favourite DJ in 2008?

Betwixt & Between, Zio, Kevin Energy

———-

Last of all, I looked in the mirror and asked:

PlasmaDancer

What were your Top 3 tracks in 2008?

1. Alek Szahala – Voices of Babylon 2. Epyx & Cyrez – Distant Illusions 3. Epyx & Cyrez vs Fea – Untitled (Cyrez Hell’s Gate edit)

Who was your favourite artist in 2008?

Epyx & Cyrez (+Betwixt & Between, Nomic)

Who was your favourite DJ in 2008?

Guld (+Cogi, DJ Decion)