11 Hard Trance DJs Pushing the Genre to New Heights
Hard trance is back, and it's hitting harder than ever. Once an underground phenomenon dominated by European club culture in the late '90s and early 2000s, the genre has seen a full-scale revival, with a new generation of DJs and producers pushing its high-energy, euphoric sound into modern club spaces. What was once dismissed as a relic of the past is now at the cutting edge of contemporary dance music, seamlessly blending with techno, breakbeat, and even hip-hop influences. With soaring synths, relentless basslines, and BPMs that don’t dip below 140, hard trance has found a fresh audience among ravers who crave fast, emotionally charged music with a raw, uncompromising edge. At the forefront of this resurgence are a wave of forward-thinking artists who are redefining what hard trance means today. Whether they’re resurrecting the genre’s golden-era melodies or injecting it with experimental new sounds, these DJs are proving that hard trance is far from a nostalgia trip—it’s the future of high-energy club music. From Berlin’s underground warehouses to massive festival stages worldwide, these artists are leading the charge, delivering peak-time euphoria to dancefloors everywhere. If you’re looking for the DJs shaping the hard trance revival, here are the ones you need to know.
10 Hard Trance DJs Pushing the Genre to New Heights
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DJ HEARTSTRING
Berlin-based duo DJ HEARTSTRING has quickly become synonymous with the new wave of hard trance. Their sets are a perfect mix of emotional highs and full-throttle intensity, bringing back that late ‘90s Eurotrance energy but with a modern, club-ready twist. They’re known for their anthemic selections, featuring soaring melodies, rolling basslines, and just the right amount of kitsch to keep things fun. Tracks like Every Night and Only Love encapsulate their signature blend of euphoria and drive, making them one of the most exciting acts in the genre today.
What makes DJ HEARTSTRING stand out is their ability to keep things playful while still delivering absolute dancefloor weapons. Their sets are packed with edits of classic trance tracks, unexpected vocal hooks, and high-energy transitions that make crowds lose their minds. They’ve become Boiler Room favorites, with their sets capturing the essence of a proper rave—sweaty, relentless, and euphoric. If you’re looking for the sound of modern hard trance, this duo is essential listening.
Hear their latest tracks here
Panteros666
Panteros666 brings a futuristic edge to the hard trance revival, fusing cyberpunk aesthetics with raw, high-energy club music. A veteran of the French underground scene, he’s been pushing fast, euphoric sounds for years, blending influences from Eurodance, acid techno, and industrial music. His productions are hyper-digital yet deeply nostalgic, with a polished yet chaotic sound that makes his tracks instantly recognizable. His DJ sets are like high-speed journeys through neon-lit tunnels, packed with relentless energy and an almost sci-fi atmosphere.
What makes Panteros666 unique is his ability to create a complete audiovisual experience. His DJing is an exercise in controlled chaos—fast cuts, sharp transitions, and sudden tempo shifts that keep dancers on their toes. Whether he’s playing an intimate club set or a massive festival stage, his selections always push the limits of energy while maintaining a strong melodic core. If you’re into hard trance that feels like it was beamed in from the future, Panteros666 is one to watch.
Hear their latest tracks here
mischluft
mischluft has been steadily rising in the hard trance circuit, carving out a reputation for his high-energy, emotionally charged sets. His style blends classic trance nostalgia with contemporary production, resulting in a sound that feels both familiar and forward-thinking. He’s one of those DJs who can turn a small underground rave into an unforgettable experience, thanks to his expert track selection and ability to build tension and release through euphoric synths and pounding basslines.
Beyond his skills behind the decks, mischluft is also gaining attention for his original productions, which strike a perfect balance between melody and intensity. His music carries that signature ‘90s trance warmth but is executed with modern punch and clarity. With each set, he proves that hard trance isn’t just about speed—it’s about emotion, progression, and crafting moments of pure dancefloor ecstasy.
Hear their latest tracks here
Marlon Hoffstadt
Marlon Hoffstadt, aka DJ Daddy Trance, has become a leading figure in the new hard trance movement, bringing a fresh, fun energy to the genre. His productions are playful yet meticulously crafted, filled with uplifting pads, rolling basslines, and catchy vocal chops that make his tracks feel instantly nostalgic. Tracks like It’s That Time have become underground anthems, blending classic Eurotrance influences with modern club aesthetics.
What makes Hoffstadt’s sets so special is the way he connects with the crowd—there’s an undeniable sense of joy in his performances. He seamlessly moves between deep, hypnotic trance sections and explosive, peak-time energy, making every transition feel like a new chapter in the night. His Boiler Room set was a defining moment for the genre’s resurgence, cementing him as one of the most essential names in modern hard trance.
Hear their latest tracks here
Ollie Lishman
Ollie Lishman has been carving out his own lane in the modern hard trance movement, pushing a sound that feels both raw and euphoric. His DJ sets and productions lean heavily into fast BPMs, rolling basslines, and emotional synth work, creating an atmosphere that feels tailor-made for peak-time warehouse raves. He’s part of a new wave of artists bridging the gap between trance, techno, and the harder edges of club music, taking inspiration from the genre’s golden era while injecting it with a fresh, club-ready energy.
What makes Ollie Lishman’s style stand out is his ability to build long, tension-filled moments before unleashing massive drops, keeping the crowd locked in a hypnotic groove. His mixes are a masterclass in pacing, shifting between soaring breakdowns and pummeling rhythms with an effortless flow. Whether he’s playing intimate underground spaces or massive festival stages, his selections always hit with precision, power, and emotion. If you’re looking for a DJ who knows how to push trance to its absolute limits while keeping it undeniably danceable, Ollie Lishman is one to watch.
Hear their latest tracks here
Upper90
Upper90 is a rising force in the hard trance resurgence, known for his relentless energy and euphoric, high-speed productions. His sound fuses the melodic ecstasy of late-‘90s Eurotrance with the raw intensity of modern club music, making his sets a perfect storm of nostalgia and forward-thinking energy. Tracks like Deep Blue and Rush Hour capture the essence of his style—fast, emotional, and completely immersive. Whether he’s layering soaring synth lines over thunderous kicks or working in unexpected vocal edits, his ability to create peak-time dancefloor moments is undeniable.
What sets Upper90 apart is his knack for balancing melodic storytelling with sheer dancefloor impact. His DJ sets are an exhilarating ride, blending classic trance motifs with contemporary techno sensibilities, keeping the energy high while allowing for emotional depth. He’s quickly built a reputation as one of the must-watch names in hard trance, bringing a fresh yet authentic take on the genre to clubs and festivals worldwide. If you’re looking for that perfect mix of nostalgia and cutting-edge club energy, Upper90 is delivering some of the most exciting sounds in the scene right now.
Hear their latest tracks here
MRD
MRD is one of the most exciting artists redefining the intersection of hard trance and techno, bringing a distinctly emotional and anthemic edge to his high-energy productions. His sound is cinematic yet punishing, blending lush, trance-driven melodies with relentless percussive force. Tracks like Superwoman and Every Second are prime examples of his ability to balance beauty and intensity, delivering an experience that’s as emotionally charged as it is club-destroying.
His DJ sets are a high-speed journey through rave nostalgia and cutting-edge sound design, packed with soaring synths, rolling basslines, and expertly executed transitions. What makes MRD unique is his approach to dynamics and storytelling—his builds stretch out with a sense of grandeur, creating massive emotional payoffs when the beat finally drops. He’s become a key figure in the hard trance revival, helping to push the genre into new territory while staying true to its euphoric roots. Whether you’re hearing his productions on a massive festival sound system or catching one of his marathon DJ sets, MRD delivers pure peak-time euphoria with an edge.
Hear their latest tracks here
KI/KI
KI/KI is leading the charge for trance in the underground techno scene, bringing a fresh and fearless approach to the genre. Her sets are an electrifying mix of old-school rave nostalgia and cutting-edge sound design, packed with fast-paced, high-energy selections. She’s one of the few DJs who can play a 160 BPM trance track in a techno set and make it feel completely natural. Her music is defined by rapid-fire basslines, swirling pads, and a relentless drive, embodying the intensity of ‘90s rave culture while maintaining a sharp, contemporary edge.
Her deep knowledge of dance music history makes her sets a journey through time, seamlessly blending classic hard trance, acid techno, and modern rave anthems. She’s known for breathing new life into forgotten gems, pulling tracks from decades past and making them feel relevant for today’s dancefloors. This balance of old and new has made her one of the most sought-after DJs in the underground circuit, with a growing global following that recognizes her as a torchbearer for hard trance’s new era. Whether she’s playing at underground warehouses or massive festival stages, KI/KI always delivers a high-intensity experience, proving that fast, euphoric music is more relevant than ever.
Hear their latest tracks here
Fenrick
Fenrick is a rising name in the new wave of hard trance, known for his driving, high-energy sets that keep crowds locked in from start to finish. His style leans heavily on fast BPMs, soaring leads, and hypnotic, looping melodies that transport listeners straight into peak rave euphoria. His track selection is a mix of new-school hard trance and deep cuts from the ‘90s and early 2000s, giving his sets a timeless yet forward-thinking quality. What sets him apart is his ability to maintain a relentless groove without losing emotional depth—his music isn’t just about speed, it’s about taking listeners on a journey.
As a producer, Fenrick is carving out a sound that feels tailor-made for massive festival stages, balancing aggressive, rolling basslines with moments of pure melodic bliss. His releases often feature lush, cinematic breakdowns before launching into full-throttle, peak-time energy. He’s part of a new wave of artists proving that hard trance isn’t just making a comeback—it’s evolving into something even bigger. Whether he’s playing a sweaty club in Berlin or a large-scale festival in Europe, Fenrick consistently delivers some of the most exhilarating hard trance sets out there today.
Hear their latest tracks here
DJ GUESTLIST
DJ GUESTLIST is bringing a new-school energy to the hard trance movement, blending rave nostalgia with modern, high-intensity club aesthetics. His sets are unapologetically fast, euphoric, and packed with unexpected twists, incorporating everything from soaring Eurotrance synths to hard techno kicks. His ability to inject fun and unpredictability into his performances has made him a standout figure in the scene, with a sound that feels like it belongs just as much in underground warehouses as on massive festival stages.
What makes DJ GUESTLIST such a compelling act is his fearless approach to track selection and mixing. He’s known for throwing in unexpected edits, seamlessly weaving between different eras of hard dance, and creating an atmosphere where anything can happen. His sets feel like a proper rave experience, channeling the wild energy of the ‘90s and early 2000s while keeping the sound fresh and exciting. If you’re looking for an unpredictable, high-speed journey through the best of modern hard trance, DJ GUESTLIST is a name you need to know.
Hear their latest tracks here
X-Coast
X-Coast is a true rave connoisseur, blending hard trance with old-school house, breakbeats, and techno. His DJ sets are unpredictable and full of character, seamlessly moving between different eras and styles of dance music. One moment, he’s pulling from early ‘90s trance anthems, the next he’s mixing in breakbeat-infused techno. His ability to tie these influences together makes his sets incredibly dynamic, appealing to both purists and newer clubgoers alike.
His productions reflect his eclectic approach, pulling influences from ‘90s rave culture while keeping things fresh and futuristic. His sound design is often playful yet high-energy, with rolling basslines and bright synths that feel custom-built for peak moments on the dancefloor. Whether he’s dropping euphoric trance stabs or cutting through with a hard, industrial groove, X-Coast brings an energy that is completely his own. His ability to fuse classic and modern elements makes him one of the most exciting DJs bringing hard trance into new territory, showing that the genre’s future is as exciting as its past.
Hear their latest tracks here
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Disclosure: This blog contains affiliate links, which means Internet Tattoo may receive a commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you.