Hard Code: The Classification of Industrial Hardcore is a study of the history of
the electronic music genre of hardcore techno and an identification of elements unique to
one of its sub-genres, industrial hardcore. This was achieved through a collation of written materials on the topic and interviews with artists actively involved in the industrial hardcore scene as producers, performers and label owners.
The related composition, 'Hard Code', is based on the idea of holistic integration of
research and composition. Using text and image files related to the interview process
the key elements of this rhythmic, abrasive and atmospheric style of music are explored
over the piece's five sections. This is accomplished by transcoding the raw data of
these files into an audio format and applying the processing techniques and unique
aesthetic approach of industrial hardcore to them. The form of the piece and the
creation of rhythmic cells for each section is informed by an analysis process designed
to track key elements of the sub-genre through existing works. The concept of stylistic
cross-synthesis of disparate styles, all strong proponents of experimentation, is explored
throughout the five movements of the piece.