This column was written by Stefan (History of Hardstyle) for Scantraxx’s April 2026 newsletter, published on April 2nd.
2006 kicks off at Scantraxx with an all-time classic that everybody knows. Fabian Bohn, better known as Brennan Heart, releases “Masterblade” on January 16 under his alias Blademasterz. A true hardstyle banger of the new generation sound, inspired by Potatoheads – Mix The Master and that famous acid sound from Warp Brothers vs. Aquagen – Phatt Bass. A track that clearly marks a fresh new direction in hardstyle.
JDX, known as the composer behind many show intros (for Qlimax, Defqon1, Sensation etc.) also makes his first appearance on Scantraxx this year. With “Kick It In Ur Face” and the B-side “Victimz”, he lays the foundation for what would later become an iconic career, culminating four years later in one of the biggest hardstyle tracks ever: “Live the Moment”.
Another unforgettable release is one of the funniest tracks ever made: The Prophet vs. Deepack – Stampuhh!!. Love it or hate it, the track doesn’t take hardstyle too seriously, but that’s exactly why it works. It was and still is a dancefloor weapon that gets everybody moving and shouting those legendary words: “EEN, TWEE, STAMPEN!”
It’s also a strong year for one of the label’s early artists: A-Lusion. With his track “Perfect It”, he becomes one of the first producers to introduce choir elements into hardstyle, using a sample from the movie The Hunt for Red October. A unique touch that would later even earn a remix by Frontliner.
But above all, 2006 belongs to one name, a producer who would change the sound of hardstyle forever. On June 19, Willem Rebergen aka. Headhunterz releases “Aiming for Ur Brain”. A date that would become legendary for Scantraxx, for Headhunterz himself, and for the entire hardstyle scene.
The sound is fresh, new, and completely different. No longer rooted in the old hard trance and techno-influenced style, but driven by sharp screeches, a new melodic approach, and jumping powerful kicks. Even the Dutch vocal “Dat voel je meteen” adds to its unique identity.At first, the reaction is divided. The “old generation” quickly labels it as “crap nu-style”, and criticism spreads across the internet.
But just two months later, even the critics have to admit: something is different about this new name on the block. With “The Sacrifice”, Headhunterz delivers his true breakthrough. Featuring the now-iconic vocals spoken by Headhunterz himself and inspired by the movie The Boondock Saints, crowds on dancefloors everywhere began reciting: “In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti” before the emotional piano kicks in. What follows is a beautiful choir, leading into one of the most powerful melodies in hardstyle history.
Stay tuned for the next column, where 2007 pushes the evolution of Scantraxx, hardstyle, and its artists even further.