Bounce, Reverse Bass, Donk — An A to Z of the Harder Styles You’ll Hear at Nerve

If you’ve found yourself in a warehouse at 3am with your heart rate synced to a distorted kick drum, you already know: Melbourne's underground dance floors are pushing harder than ever. From iconic Euro imports to Aussie-spun hybrids, the harder styles are having a serious moment – and Nerve is at the epicentre.

Whether you're a seasoned raver who can ID a track from 50 metres, or a freshly green newcomer, here’s your breakdown of the sounds shaking the foundations at Nerve.

A: Acid

Squelchy, trippy, and timeless. Acid – specifically acid techno and acid hard trance – brings those hypnotic 303 synth lines that play best on festival stages, though club rooms will do as we wait for the season. 

B: Bounce

Melbourne Bounce put us on the global map – and it’s still a homegrown flex. Think rubbery basslines, pitched vocals, and outrageous energy. While its mainstream phase might’ve passed, underground crews are reclaiming it with rawer, faster interpretations that’ll knock your Nikes off.

C: Core (Hardcore, that is)

Clocking in at 160 BPM and beyond, hardcore brings chaos and a distinctive European influence. At Nerve, you’ll catch pockets of this intensity on late-night lineups that go deep into the hardstyle rabbit hole.

D: Donk

Originally a UK offshoot of scouse house (yes, really), Donk has found a second life in Aussie raves. It’s cheeky, punchy, and totally unapologetic. 

E: Euphoric Hardstyle

All the emotional highs, none of the cheesy lows. Euphoric hardstyle is built on soaring melodies and cinematic breakdowns. You’ll hear it closing out peak-time sets.

F: Frenchcore

It’s fast, it’s aggressive and it’s anything but baguettes on the Seine. With tempos around 200 BPM and brutal kick drums, it’s not for the faint-hearted.

G: Gabber

Where it all began. Gabber is raw, relentless and foundational to the entire harder styles ecosystem. Shaved heads optional.

H: Trance

Born from the ‘90s German rave scene, hard trance blends euphoric melodies with beefed-up kicks and a dash of rave nostalgia. At Nerve, it hits the sweet spot between throwback and now.

I: Industrial

The grimiest member of the hard family. Industrial techno and industrial hardcore bring dystopian sound design, distorted drums, and a cinematic edge. Perfect for peak warehouse moments when the strobes are slicing through the smoke.

J: Jumpstyle

Somewhere between dance move and subgenre, jumpstyle is all about bouncy rhythms and infectious energy.