Critical Mass (Dutch band)
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | Ed Bout, Dave van Hasselaar |
| Defunct | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Netherlands |
Key people | Huib Schippers, Dave van Hasselaar, Ed Bout, Ludmilla Odijk, Danny Haenraets (MC Energie) |
| Products | Happy hardcore music |
Critical Mass was a Dutch group specializing in happy hardcore, active between 1994 and 1999, recognized for producing multiple hits within the Netherlands. The ensemble originally consisted of producers Huib Schippers, Dave van Hasselaar, and Ed Bout, with vocalist Ludmilla Odijk and rapper Danny Haenraets (MC Energie) joining later.
Biography
In 1994, Ed Bout and Dave van Hasselaar established Critical Mass following a commission from the hardcore/gabber label ID&T to develop a more radio-accessible form of hardcore music. Their track "Dancing Together" achieved commercial success, prompting Ludmilla Odijk and MC Energie to become the group's front performers.
By 1996, Critical Mass had launched several well-received singles, including "Burnin' Love," "Believe In The Future," and "Happy Generation." That same year, ID&T revealed a partnership between Critical Mass and 2 Unlimited. As the popularity of happy hardcore waned in the Netherlands, their 1997 release "Together In Dreams" did not achieve significant success. Subsequently, Bout and Van Hasselaar transitioned their musical approach, culminating in their last single "In Your Eyes" in 1999.
The original members reunited in 2008 to perform at events dedicated to happy hardcore music.
Discography
| Psychotic Break | 1994 | Label: Rough Trade | |||
| Burnin' Love | 1995 | ||||
| Dancing Together | 1995 | 26-8-1995 | 37 | 3 | |
| Burnin' Love | 1996 | 20-1-1996 | 9 | 10 | Re-release |
| Believe In The Future | 1996 | 15-6-1996 | 10 | 7 | |
| Happy Generation | 1996 | 28-12-1996 | 23 | 6 | |
| Together In Dreams | 1997 | ||||
| In Your Eyes | 1999 | Label: BYTE |