For over two decades, Belgian artist Cancel has been at the forefront of the hardcore and techno scenes. Defying trends and hype, his music resonates worldwide - no matter where you are, you’ll hear his tracks igniting dance floors. With strong roots in industrial hardcore, Cancel is on a mission to blur the lines between techno and hardcore. His raw, intense, and dark sound has garnered respect and support from peers across both genres and his hybrid live performances powerfully showcase his unique and dynamic sound, propelling him to some of the world’s biggest stages. On the heels of his smash hit, Sleep is The Cousin of Death, the artist released a remix EP, asking a select group of producers to reinterpret the track. Today we talk with the artist about the EP, how to stand out, his sets and more.
The Brvtalist: So first we're here mainly because of the new remix EP. Tell us about the EP and what was your approach to selecting the remixers?
Cancel: Thanks! This EP has been a passion project. The original track had made a big impact on my career, and I really wanted to hear how others would reinterpret them through their own lense. When selecting remixers, I went with artists I respect not only for their technical ability but also for their attitude and raw energy. People like Luciid, H! Dude, The Salade, ORYMA & I:gor, they're pushing boundaries in different directions, and I wanted the EP to reflect a cross-section of where hard techno and hardcore are heading. The result is a mix of industrial grit, rave chaos, and some surprising twists.
TB: The hard techno/hardcore scene has really exploded in the past couple years. How do you think one even stands out today?
C: It’s tough, honestly. There’s a flood of artists right now. But I think the artists who really stand out are the ones who go deep into their identity and sound instead of chasing trends. It’s about intention. Whether it’s through unique releases, sets, visuals, or just a certain rawness that can’t be faked, you feel it when someone means it. Also, consistency matters. One viral moment is great, but being able to deliver again and again? That’s what makes an artist last.
TB: You're known for a hybrid live approach. Tell us about your performances and what you try to do with them.
C: My performances are all about tension and release. I use hardware, controllers, and sometimes my modular, depending on the setup & location. It’s not just pressing play; I like to build chaos in real-time. I want the audience to feel like something could fall apart at any second, but it never quite does. That unpredictability keeps things exciting, for both me and the crowd. Every set is different. I feed off the energy in the room and try to push it further.
TB: With over 20 years in the Belgian scene and beyond, what is one thing you like about the current scene and one thing you miss?
C: In today’s scene there’s more inclusivity, more crossover, and the energy is insane. Especially the crossover part is something that I appreciate a lot, this scene can evolve. What do I miss? The mystery. Back in the day, you didn’t know what a DJ looked like unless you saw them live or caught a photo in a magazine. The music spoke first. Now everything’s so visual and social media-driven. There’s pressure to constantly be seen, rather than just be heard.
TB: What's coming up next and tell us what you're excited about.
C: Yeah, quite a bit! At the moment I’m working on new concept for my performances which will be linked to a big release, but this will we something for 2026. I’ve also got a collaboration coming with a French producer called BOTL this summer and a bunch of collaborations still in the pipeline for this year. Gig-wise, I’ll be back in Berlin next month, then heading to South America this summer. It’s been a wild ride, but I’m just getting started.