Svetec: the rhythm of resilience – a legacy of hard techno and humanity

A master of sonic architecture and a warrior of the underground, SVETEC has been shaping the pulse of dance floors for over two decades. His journey is not merely one of BPM and decibels—it’s a narrative carved in steel, soldered by sweat, and spun at 145+ on three decks. He is a veteran of the genre, a quiet architect of chaos, and a family man whose beats reverberate beyond the booth into the intimate chambers of his daily life.

In this exclusive interview, we delve into the psyche of a man who has weathered every tide of the hard techno scene—from the raw industrial underground of the early 2000s to the post-COVID renaissance that now sees crowds roaring in unison from Budapest to Buenos Aires. His answers reveal not just a producer at the top of his game, but an artist at peace with evolution and contradiction. Through reflections on social media, fatherhood, artistry, and sonic warfare, SVETEC offers us a rare window into the mind of a true pioneer—a man who wears both his leather jacket and his heart with equal authenticity.

When asked about the metamorphosis of hard techno over the decades, SVETEC doesn't hesitate to provide a sweeping yet incisive analysis:

"Hard techno has evolved significantly since I first got involved. In its early days, it was all about raw, industrial energy, but over time, the genre has diversified, placing more emphasis on intricate sound design and production. Like any genre, hard techno has had its highs and lows."

The cyclical nature of musical movements isn’t lost on him. His diagnosis is both clinical and poetic:

"We’re now in the third wave of its evolution. The second wave saw a decline in producers, leading to repetitive sounds and a shorter lifespan. However, post-COVID, a new generation emerged, making the scene bigger than ever."

He paints a vibrant picture of a genre at the crossroads:

"Initially, this era brought cleaner production and slower tempos, but in recent years, the music has become faster and harder again, splitting into two distinct directions: one rooted in the classic, Schranz-driven style, and the other blending hardstyle influences with heavier kicks and screech synths."

The genre, he explains, is an ever-shifting mosaic:

"Hard techno has always absorbed elements from other genres like hardcore, hardstyle, breakbeat, and dubstep, often featuring bootlegs in every era."

And the culture? It’s not just in our ears anymore.

"The culture has also expanded globally, moving beyond its European roots. This shift has influenced not just the music but also fashion and lifestyle – darker aesthetics, leather accessories, heavy boots, and an overall more aggressive style. Even the dance style has evolved, which some of the old-school crowd doesn’t embrace, but personally, I enjoy these changes."

When tracing his early sonic DNA, SVETEC doesn’t shy away from naming legends:

"In my early years (2003–2004), I was heavily influenced by artists like DJ Rush, Chris Liebing, Swen Wittekind, Boris S., and O.B.I. Their raw energy and distinct styles played a huge role in shaping my approach to hard techno."

"However, as I developed my own sound, my focus shifted from external influences to refining and evolving my style. Rather than following trends, I aimed to push the boundaries and establish myself as a true pioneer of the genre."

There’s a kind of intellectual precision in his assessment that reads both as a historical document and a personal testimony. His narrative feels as if it were lifted from the liner notes of a genre's evolution—a blend of personal memory and collective movement.

On the evolution of hard techno, his reflections are particularly compelling. He doesn’t simply track trends; he contextualizes them. His commentary on the "third wave" of hard techno, post-COVID rejuvenation, and stylistic bifurcation between Schranz and hardstyle-infused mutations is not only insightful but reveals a deep understanding of subcultural cycles and sonic anthropology. He reads the genre like a sociologist would read society—identifying not just sonic characteristics but their cultural, geographical, and emotional underpinnings. The observation that the genre has become “cleaner” before pivoting back into more aggressive territory is especially sharp, and it shows his sensitivity to texture, tempo, and the emotional pulse of the dancefloor.

On the cultural expansion, SVETEC’s recognition of the genre’s aesthetic shift into darker, more aggressive fashion and lifestyle elements resonates strongly with how subgenres often become entire ecosystems. He’s not nostalgic or rigid; instead, he embraces change—even when it unsettles the purists. That comment about old-school fans resisting new dance styles, yet his own enjoyment of them, is telling: SVETEC positions himself as a bridge between the genre’s past and its future.

In an era where algorithms often shout louder than artistry, SVETEC approaches digital life with clarity and composure:

"I try to stay active on social media as much as possible, even though creating content can sometimes feel overwhelming. I’ve never been the type to focus on posing. I’m an artist first and foremost. My true home is in the studio, not the online space."

He resists cynicism, choosing instead to see opportunity:

"Many artists feel frustrated by the rise of influencer DJs, but I see it differently. I believe we need to coexist with this phenomenon. Their massive reach helps keep the scene alive, and when they play my music worldwide, they’re indirectly promoting my sound."

With unmistakable grace, he lands on a note of wisdom:

"In the end, it’s a mutually beneficial cycle – I gain exposure, and they bring hard techno to a wider audience. The most important thing is to focus on my own path. Hating doesn’t get anyone anywhere."

The secret to his prolific output? It’s not divine inspiration—it’s trust in the process:

"My creative process is a balance between intention and spontaneity. Most of the time, I don’t start with a fully formed vision – I prefer to let the music guide me."

The thrill, it seems, remains undimmed after two decades:

"Even after all these years, a powerful, well-crafted groove – whether it’s a loop, rhythm, or full beat – can still give me goosebumps."

Experimentation is his religion:

"I love layering drums and basslines, pitching them up and down, experimenting with synths, textures, and vocals – and in most cases, this is where the magic happens."

Svetec is an artist whose soul flows with the rhythm of his craft. His creative process is an ebb and flow between intention and spontaneity, allowing the music to guide him as much as he shapes it. Even after two decades, the magic of a perfectly crafted groove still stirs him, a feeling as raw and visceral as it was in his first days. For him, music is not just made—it’s lived, a continual experiment where textures and sounds are layered and transformed, and within that chaos, the beauty is born.

Beyond the studio, his life is a delicate dance between the world of techno and the quiet moments of fatherhood. The sacrifices are real—the weekends missed, the distance from family—but the love he speaks of for his wife and daughters is both grounding and profound. His wife, a hero in the shadows, supports him with quiet strength, while his daughters, the heartbeat of his world, bring him back to what truly matters. The dance floor may call, but in the morning light, he is simply "Dad," balancing between two worlds with grace.

"Yes, without a doubt, balancing my music career with family life is the most challenging part of what I do. The hardest part is that we rarely have weekends together, which is tough on all of us."

He doesn’t mince words when describing the complexity:

"Our situation is even more complex as my wife comes from another country, and we live far from her friends and family. But she handles it incredibly well – she’s a real hero and has always been my biggest supporter."

The love story itself is forged on the dance floor:

"Funny enough, we actually met through Hard Techno, so in a way, the music that keeps me on the road is also what brought us together."

And during the week, the DJ becomes just "Dad":

"I wake up with them in the morning, take my daughters to school or kindergarten, and then head to the studio for about 7–8 hours… Every now and then, I also take a weekend off so we can go hiking, do child-friendly activities, or take a trip together. It’s all about making the most of the time we have."

The key to SVETEC’s thunderous sets?

"Since 2005, I’ve only played 3-deck sets, which allows me to create an even fuller, more dynamic sound… My real secret weapons, though, are my own tracks, reworks, and edits."

But the greatest bridge between him and the crowd is invisible:

"The connection with the crowd comes from the way I experience the music with them. I love to rave and dance just as hard as they do… the real magic happens with a simple smile."

And when it’s time to step into the storm:

"I meticulously plan it track by track, leaving only a small space for improvisation… And as long as I don’t forget my hairspray at home, everything should be just fine!"

Looking toward 2025, his eyes are fixed on his original productions, a journey towards deeper self-expression. Touring the globe, playing the stages of Europe, Australia, and South America, he remains steadfast in his mission: to craft the soundtrack of his life, one track at a time, while his true legacy, he believes, will always be his daughters, the greatest rhythm of his heart.

"I’m fully focused on my original productions and solo releases, stepping away from remixes and collaborations for a while… My highly anticipated 4-track EP, 'The Normal Is The New Weird', was finally released in March on my label, Mad Made Records."

"In addition to my European tour dates… I have an Australian tour lined up, along with a South American tour, making 2025 one of my most global years yet."

But above it all, the mission remains grounded:

"Beyond music, my biggest goal is to spend as much time as possible with my girls… No matter how much music I create, in the end, my real legacy will always be my two daughters."

What makes SVETEC extraordinary isn’t just the thunder in his tracks or the sweat-drenched fervor of his sets—it’s the calm at his center, the grounded soul navigating a storm of sound. In an era of disposable virality and accelerated fame, he offers something rare: durability. His longevity isn’t built on algorithms but on authenticity, on rhythms that have matured like aged steel—beaten, tested, and polished in the forge of time.

SVETEC’s career is not a sprint—it is a ritual. Each track is a sermon. Each performance, a rite of passage. And yet, there’s no pomp in his presence. Only clarity. Only rhythm. Only devotion.

He is the type of artist who reminds us that hard techno is not just about impact, but intention. That behind every drop and kick lies not just machinery, but muscle memory and lived truth. He doesn’t just produce tracks; he sculpts momentum. He doesn’t merely play gigs; he builds bridges—between eras, between cultures, between man and machine.

In his reflections, there is the humility of a craftsman and the fire of a revolutionary. Whether speaking of Schranz or school runs, Mad Made Records or family weekends, SVETEC threads his narrative with purpose. And in doing so, he becomes more than a DJ or producer—he becomes a vessel through which hard techno tells its enduring, shape-shifting story.

As we step deeper into 2025, with its whirlwind of tours and global ambitions, SVETEC stands as a compass—not only for where hard techno has been, but for where it’s boldly going. And in his smile, in that simplest of gestures behind the decks, we see not only joy—but a reminder: that the pulse of the underground still has a human heartbeat.

In a scene defined by extremes, SVETEC offers something radical: balance. Between studio and stage. Between family and fans. Between the past, the present, and the fierce future of hard techno.

And as far as legacies go, his might just be the hardest-hitting—and the most heartfelt—of them all.