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DJ Sharpnel
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DJ Sharpnel
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DJ Sharpnel is a Japanese music duo composed of Jea and Lemmy, who are signed under their independent record label Sharpnelsound. They are credited for pioneering the J-core genre,[1] recognized for their speedcore, gabber, happy hardcore and trance productions.

Key Information

History

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Beginnings and style

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The beginnings of DJ Sharpnel came in 1996 when Jea joined Project Gabbangelion and later released the album "sharpnel vs Project Gabbangelion" in 1998. DJ Sharpnel's active contribution to the Japanese underground hardcore techno scene has helped form a new genre of music known as J-core. Although DJ Sharpnel never describes Lemmy as a DJ or producer, she has created several songs, such as those listed on SRPC-0004. The style of DJ Sharpnel’s music differs from that of other hardcore artists. Its aggressive overtones are often brightened up with sped-up Japanese popular music or spoken voice samples from various anime. These are also often fused with more Western influences, such as lyrics from American hip hop music and cartoons.

Much of the sales of Sharpnel Sound records, as well as management of the hardrave online radio station and promotion of Sharpnelsound events, is done through Guhroovy, a primarily-hardcore record store located in Shibuya and operated by Akira Uchibori (Guhroovy). Aside from their prolific discography on the Sharpnelsound label, DJ Sharpnel has also provided tracks for other Japanese labels such as Maddest Chickn’dom, Ravin Beatz Japan, and Gabba Disco.[2]

Aliases

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DJ Sharpnel has used various artist names throughout their releases, depending on the specific style of the track or album. The main aliases are "DJ Sharpnel" (standard hardcore and happy hardcore style, with Lemmy) and "Killingscum" (terrorcore, speedcore, and breakcore style, with just Jea). Sharpnel.net is the name for the collaborative "performance project" of the Sharpnelsound label, with Jea as live DJ and Lemmy as live VJ. Although, according to their MySpace page, DJ Sharpnel is the name on the produced albums, Killingscum is occasionally credited to tracks, separating Jea from Lemmy. In addition to Killingscum, Jea also uses "DJ Jea" as a solo alias when he performs hardstyle music and tracks related to the SPRH series.

Other group aliases have been used when Jea and Lemmy collaborated with other artists prior to the creation of the DJ Sharpnel name, such as Project Gabbangelion (which included Jea, Viscion, and Tangion) and High Speed Music Team Sharpnel (which included Jea, La-Quebrata, Jun-Q, Quebradora, and Lemmy). Still other albums are credited to "DJ Sharpnel & V.A" indicating that various other artists produced tracks on the album.

The name "DJ Sharpnel" is commonly used to refer to any combination of musicians led by Jea (with or without Lemmy), even those prior to 2000 and those on albums not associated with the Sharpnelsound label.

Influence

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Due to DJ Sharpnel's extended time and dedication to the J-Core music scene (as well as the increased popularity of anime in the West), Western recognition of Japanese hardcore has increased. Many up-and-coming new music artists have acknowledged DJ Sharpnel's influence, including DJ Zaiaku,[3] T2Kazuya,[4] Spy47[5] and Shingo DJ.[6]

Discography

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DJ Sharpnel's discography is very large, tallying to over 53 albums in which the duo has contributed to (most likely not together at all times) and at least 10 albums in which they are the primary or sole contributor.[7] Below is the primary discography associated with the Sharpnelsound label, with DJ Sharpnel as the primary artist (albeit with varying aliases used throughout). For most albums in the SRPC series, there are two versions. First, a CDr version released at Comiket, then later a pressed CD version to be sold at shops. The CDr versions are produced in smaller quantities and are therefore rarer, and usually have a track list differing somewhat from the final pressed version.

Official Sharpnelsound SRPC Series
Number Title Date Notes
SRPC-0001 Sharpnel vs Project Gabbangelion 1998-08-16
SRPC-0002 ダブル ダッチ (Double Dutch) 1998-10-?? Limited released due to loss of original files.
SRPC-0002.5 フロム・ザ・ハート (From the Heart) 1998-11-07 Extremely limited release sold at Hardcore Major League Vol. 7. Approximately 5 to 10 copies were made.
SRPC-0003 フロム・ザ・はあと 地獄編 ( From The Heart Compilation) 1998-12-??
SRPC-0004 アタック ザ シャープネル (Attack The Sharpnel) 1999-08-?? Two-CD album.
SRPC-0005 レイヴ☆スペクター (Rave☆Specter) 1999-12-31
SRPC-0006 Endless Summer 2000-08-13
SRPC-0007 Genesis:0 2000-12-30 Under "Neon Genesis Gabbangelion" alias.
SRPC-0008 S.E.X. -Sound of EXtreme- 2001-08-12 First album under "DJ Sharpnel" alias. Once DJ Sharpnel alias came about, Lemmy started producing less and it was just Jea from here on out.
SRPC-0009 p2p. ピアッツーピアッ! (P2P Peer-To-Peer!) 2001-12-30
SRPC-0010 X-Rated -クロスレートっ!- ( X-Rated -Cross Rate!-) 2002-08-11
SRPC-0011 Early Style of Otakuspeedvibe　1996–1998 2002-10-?? All songs on this album were originally released in 1996.
SRPC-0012 PPPH – Phat, Pinky, Powerful＆Hard!! 2002-12-30
SRPC-0013 Anime Gabba it! 2003-08-17
SRPC-0014 No Style? No Policy!? 2003-12-12 Under Jea's "Killingscum" alias.
SRPC-0015 Sharpnelsound Collection -One- 2004-05-?? Collection of earlier tracks.
SRPC-0016 悩殺! ハードブレイク (Bewitching! Hardbreak)[8] 2004-08-15
SRPC-0017 UG☆Psyclone 2004-12-30
SRPC-0018 Yonderdome 2005-08-14 Mix CD of tracks from the first 7 albums
SRPC-0019 Mad Breaks 2005-08-14
SRPC-0020 Brain Violation.感脳侵食 2006-08-13
SRPC-0021 オタクオーバークロックス21 (Otaku Overclocks)[8] 2006-12-31
SRPC-0022 ランニング★オールナイトッ!! (Running All Night)[8] 2007-12-31
SRPC-0023 二次元サティスファクション (2 Dimensional Satisfaction)[8] 2008-08-16
SRPC-0024 妄殺オタクティクス (Delusion O-Tactics)[8] 2009-08-15
SRPC-0025 Sharpnelsound Collection Vol. 2 2009-12-30 Second collection of previously released Sharpnelsound songs.
SRPC-0026 Cyclick 2010-08-14
SRPC-0027 危ないベースライン (Bassline Crisis) 2011-08-13
SRPC-0028 Yonderdome Decade -10 Years Of DJ Sharpnel 2011-12-31 50 tracks of various Sharpnelsound releases from SRPC0008-SRPC027
SRPC-0029 Welcome To The Ottack Universe 2012-08-11
SRPC-0030 Otakuspeedvibe 2013-08-12 Final album released under the SRPC main series.
SRPC-C001 What A Happy Life & Death! 2002 First album released under DJ Sharpnel's Cotton Pantie's alias.
SRPC-C002 My Sweet Honey Biscuit! 2002 Second album released under DJ Sharpnel's Cotton Pantie's alias.
SRPC-H001 Life Is Game 2003-05-05 First album in the DJ Jea Hardrave series.
SRPC-H003 Harddrive 150 BPM - Life Is Game Volume 2.0 2005-25-01
SRPC-L001 Allright, Biaaatch !!! - A Street-Trash Megamix of Hardcore Classics 2002 DJ Megamix by The Speed Freak
SRPC-L002 Shockwave Greatest Hits Megamix 1994-2002 2002 DJ Megamix by The Speed Freak from tracks 1.1 to 1.16
SRPC-L003 Noisecore Vol. 01 - A Radical Hardcore Mix 2002 This mix is a vinyl-mix done by The Speed Freak for Street-Trash Alliance.

Recorded and mixed @ V_Biosfear 3. [from official website]

Delivered in plastic sleeve.[9]

SRPC-L004 Gabberdisco Megamix 2002 This time it's not about being the hardest - it's about having fun !!! [on cover]

This mix is a digital mix done by The Speed Freak for Street-Trash Alliance. Recorded and mixed @ V_Biosfear 3. [from official website]

Delivered in plastic sleeve.[10]

SRPC-L005 Speedcore Dandy 2002
SRPC-L006 Demons To Some, Angels To Others - Hardcore-Mix 11-2007 2007-31-12
SRPC-L007 Break It Oldschool - 100% Classic Breakbeats 2007-31-12
SRPC-M001 Hardstyle 4Da Firsttime 2002 Total duration of the mix on disc 1 is 76:17.

The 2nd disc contains a video file in .MPEG format.[11]

SRPC-M002 Now Or Never 2002 Spelling errors on the release:

01. Bassalert - Dewegwijer 02. The Viper - X-Teminate 06. The Macochist - No Newstyle 07. DJ Promo - Harrucaine Brain 08. Neophte &Stuneed Guys - There Is No Other 10. Bodylotion - Neighborhood Crime 11. Nightraver - We Are Rotterdam (Evilactivities Rmx) 12. Evilactivities - X-Tinction 13. Neophte &Stuneed Guys - Nation Of Domination

The Alienator and MC Ruffian are uncredited on this mix for the track G-Core, instead the info is taken from other releases.[12]

SRPC-M003 Hardstyle Tokyo Night Cruisin' 2003
SRPM-004 J-Core Revolution No artist names are included on the release, names have been gathered from earlier releases containing the same songs.[13]
SRPE-0001 Erectortion-01 - キモチイイコト 2009
SRPE-0002 Erectortion-02 - 誘惑催眠ガール 2011-30-10
SRPK-0001 No Style? No Policy!? 2003-12-12 Comes with a pink transparent info-sheet.[14]
SRPK-0002 暴走歌謡大全集 2004
SRPK-0003 爆萌電波注意報! 2009-30-12
SRPD-0001 Invisible Trigger 2013-31-12 Track 18 is incorrectly tagged as Speed Disco Vol.1 on the album's track list.

Track 20 is incorrectly tagged as Yanyan Speeddisco Vol.3 on the album's track list.[15]

SRPX-0001 Ver1.0 2013-31-12 Free CDr that comes with Invisible Trigger [16]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

DJ Sharpnel

View on Grokipedia
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DJ Sharpnel is a Japanese electronic music duo composed of producers Jea and , best known for pioneering the subgenre of hardcore techno in the late 1990s. Formed in 1998 under the collective alias DJ Sharpnel, the duo draws from early influences, blending high-speed beats with elements of , , and techno to create energetic, often anime-inspired tracks. They operate the independent doujin label Sharpnelsound, through which they have released numerous albums, singles, and compilations since their debut, establishing a significant presence in the underground electronic music scene both in and internationally. DJ Sharpnel's innovative sound has inspired the broader movement, characterized by fast tempos exceeding 200 BPM and playful, video game-like aesthetics, while Jea primarily handles production and DJing, and contributes visuals and live VJ performances. Their work extends to remixes of and game music, and they formerly managed the online radio station Hardrave Radio, further amplifying their influence in the global community.

Background and Formation

Members and Early Involvement

DJ Sharpnel is a Japanese electronic music duo consisting of and , with Jea serving as the primary throughout their career. Jea, whose real name is Ryuta Nakagami (born June 18, 1977), entered the underground Japanese scene in 1996 by joining the collaborative project Project Gabbangelion alongside artists Vicson and Tanigon. This marked his initial foray into hardcore techno production, where he began creating solo tracks characterized by high-speed rhythms and anime-inspired samples, establishing himself as a key figure in the emerging underground. As the duo's core creative force, Jea has handled the majority of composition and programming duties since their inception. Lemmy, whose real name is Lemmy Miyauchi, joined around 1998, contributing to early productions and management while initially focusing on design and support roles. Over time, Lemmy's involvement shifted toward visual elements, including VJ performances for live sets, with her music production contributions diminishing in the 2010s as the project increasingly became Jea-led. The duo solidified in 1998 with the release of their first joint , Sharpnel vs Project Gabbangelion, which bridged Jea's solo origins with collaborative efforts and helped define their presence in the community. While collaborations under the Sharpnel name began in 1998, the DJ Sharpnel alias was adopted later for subsequent releases. In the late , Jea and Lemmy established Sharpnelsound as an independent label to facilitate their self-releases and those of affiliated artists, operating primarily through events like and specialty retailers.

Project Origins and Duo Establishment

The origins of the DJ Sharpnel project trace back to 1996, when Jea joined the collaborative Project Gabbangelion in western . This early involvement laid the groundwork for blending high-speed electronic sounds with and game influences, setting the stage for future collaborative efforts. In 1998, after relocating to , Jea established Sharpnelsound as an independent virtual label specializing in hardcore techno, tailored for doujin circles within Japan's burgeoning scene. The label's inaugural focus was on producing and distributing CD releases that fused genres like , , and with samples from and video games. That same year, Jea adopted the collective alias "DJ Sharpnel" for the debut output, Sharpnel vs. Project Gabbangelion, which integrated elements from his prior Project Gabbangelion work and marked the first official release under the Sharpnelsound banner. Lemmy joined Jea in 1998 to solidify the partnership under the DJ Sharpnel moniker, establishing a dynamic built on complementary production roles and shared affinities for rave culture. In these formative years, the project navigated significant hurdles, including its niche underground positioning, reliance on self-funding for production and operations, and gradual expansion via sales at doujin events such as and other anime convention circuits, which served as primary outlets for reaching dedicated fans.

Musical Style and Development

Core Genres and J-Core Innovation

DJ Sharpnel's primary genres encompass , , , makina, , , and , with BPM ranges typically spanning 180-300+ for their more aggressive tracks. These styles draw from high-energy traditions, emphasizing rapid tempos and intense rhythms that define their output since the late 1990s. J-core, a term coined within Japanese underground scenes, refers to a subgenre of hardcore techno that integrates otaku culture with fast-paced electronic elements, and DJ Sharpnel played a pioneering role in its development through releases beginning in 1998. As early innovators, they fused Western hardcore influences like Dutch gabber with Japanese pop sensibilities, establishing J-core as a distinct style characterized by its cultural specificity and high-speed experimentation. The duo's sound features aggressive, distorted kicks paired with chiptune-inspired synths, alongside vocal chops derived from and cartoons, creating a hybrid of relentless percussion and melodic hooks. This blend of Eastern pop melodies and Western hardcore aggression—such as gabber's pounding basslines—results in tracks that maintain a "nerdcore techno" aesthetic, often exceeding 200 BPM in speedcore-oriented pieces. Thematically, DJ Sharpnel's work emphasizes references to , video games, and 8-bit aesthetics, embedding themes into the fabric of their productions to evoke a playful yet high-octane energy. This approach not only defines their contributions but also highlights a fusion of subcultural elements with electronic intensity.

Evolution of Sound and Thematic Elements

In the early 2000s, DJ Sharpnel's sound began incorporating happier and more melodic elements, diverging from the raw aggression of their initial and foundations while retaining high tempos exceeding 200 BPM. Albums such as (2000) exemplified this shift, blending relentless kicks with chiptune-inspired melodies and upbeat structures suited for home listening rather than strict dancefloor use. This evolution was facilitated by production techniques relying on trackers, which allowed for precise, sharp cuts and dramatic builds characteristic of . By mid-decade, thematic elements increasingly drew from culture, with heightened use of sampling to infuse playful, aesthetics into the hardcore framework. The 2003 release Anime Gabba It! marked a pivotal emphasis on this approach, layering sped-up vocal samples from Japanese over beats to create a distinctive fusion that contrasted European hardcore's darker tones. Production continued to leverage effects via software trackers, often incorporating guest voice actors from or sources to enhance the narrative, pop-culture-driven layers. Entering the 2010s, DJ Sharpnel integrated subtle influences from hip-hop and Western EDM, such as progressions and rhythmic variations, while experimenting with tempo fluctuations in select tracks to broaden appeal beyond ultra-high speeds. Their final main series album, Otakuspeedvibe (2013), encapsulated this progression by prioritizing otaku themes, featuring nods and samples evolving from 1990s anime staples to contemporary pop culture references, resulting in a more whimsical "otakuspeedvibe" ethos. This thematic arc—from early gabber's intensity to layered, culture-infused playfulness—reflected broader J-core maturation, with collaborations involving guest vocalists maintaining the duo's signature sample-heavy style.

Career Milestones

Key Releases and Label Activities

DJ Sharpnel's debut album, Sharpnel vs Project Gabbangelion, released in 1998 through their newly founded label Sharpnelsound, marked the duo's entry into the J-core scene with high-speed gabber tracks incorporating anime samples. Subsequent key releases included Endless Summer in 2000, which expanded on happy hardcore elements, and Anime Gabba it! in 2003, emphasizing thematic ties to Japanese pop culture. The duo's output included major albums like Otakuspeedvibe in 2013, contributing to over 50 album releases and compilations under various project names. These works established Sharpnelsound as a cornerstone for oriental hardcore music. Sharpnelsound, established in 1998 in by DJ Sharpnel, initially focused on the duo's productions but grew to include other artists such as DJ MAiDACiD and m1dy, fostering a broader ecosystem. As a dojin circle, the label distributed at events like until 2016, building a dedicated fanbase through limited-edition sales. In the 2010s, Sharpnelsound shifted toward , ending physical releases by 2017 and embracing online platforms for global reach. Release patterns in the featured near-annual albums from DJ Sharpnel, alongside themed compilations such as the Sharpnelsound Hardstyle Series, which highlighted genre-specific innovations. The label also pursued collaborations with international hardcore acts, including French producers FANT4STIK and Mat Weasel Busters on the 2015 compilation FANT4STIK SUMMER IN JAP4N. In production, has led composition and track creation for most releases, while contributed visual elements and VJ work integrated into album packaging and promotional materials. This division allowed DJ Sharpnel to maintain a cohesive aesthetic across their extensive catalog.

Live Performances and Aliases

DJ Sharpnel's live performances have historically featured the duo's collaborative dynamic, with handling DJ duties and providing live VJ elements to create immersive audio-visual experiences rooted in and hardcore aesthetics. In the early 2000s, they gained prominence through appearances at Tokyo-based events such as Otakuspeedvibe, starting with volumes in 2002 that blended high-BPM hardcore with culture in underground raves and club settings. These shows often took place in clubs and other Tokyo underground venues, where the pair delivered duo sets exceeding 200 BPM, incorporating custom visuals synchronized to their chaotic soundscapes. To adapt to varying performance contexts, DJ Sharpnel employed distinct aliases for their live sets. Sharpnel.net served as the primary alias for standard collaborative performances, emphasizing the full duo's audio-visual synergy and used extensively in both Japanese club circuits and international outings. The rare Sharpnel.exe alias appeared sporadically for experimental or high-energy variations, while Killingscum.net—primarily Jea's solo project—focused on aggressive and terrorcore sets, deployed in more intense environments during tours in and abroad. These aliases allowed flexibility in set formats, preparing the duo for diverse audience demands from intimate conventions to larger gatherings. Over time, their live trajectory evolved from niche scenes to global festivals, marking key milestones in international expansion. Prior to , their IRL shows relied heavily on custom visuals under the Sharpnel.net banner, which gradually phased out as they explored new presentation methods through alias experimentation.

Influence and Legacy

Impact on Hardcore and Scenes

DJ Sharpnel is widely credited with pioneering the genre, a high-tempo fusion of hardcore techno, , and infused with , , and samples, which they helped establish through their 1998 debut release Sharpnel Vs. Project Gabbangelion by High Speed Music Team Sharpnel on the Sharpnelsound label. This innovative approach layered pitched-up Japanese vocals and cultural references over speeds exceeding 200 BPM, distinguishing from European hardcore traditions and setting a template that inspired subsequent artists such as t+pazolite. The duo's prolific output on Sharpnelsound, starting in 1998, popularized the style within Japan's circles, where self-produced CDs sold tens of thousands of units at events like and M3. Their influence extended to the broader hardcore scene by bridging Japanese and Western elements, blending Dutch gabber's aggressive kicks with bright, melodic and rhythms, which resonated in international forums and led to the genre's global recognition around 2005. DJ Sharpnel's international debut at the UK's Bangface festival in further amplified this cross-cultural exchange, introducing J-core's energetic, sample-heavy sound to Western and audiences and fostering a niche following in and . This hybrid style contributed to the evolution of "nerdcore techno," an underground subgenre emphasizing pop culture and aesthetics in . In the community legacy, DJ Sharpnel's over two decades of activity have shaped J-core's DIY , with contributions to rhythm games like integrating their tracks into mainstream gaming culture and inspiring hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide through online platforms and releases. Their work has solidified J-core's role in the "geek culture" hardcore movement, promoting home-listening formats over traditional club scenes and encouraging a vibrant, internet-driven global community. Culturally, DJ Sharpnel bridged subculture with rave aesthetics, incorporating denpa-style elements—quirky, high-energy Japanese pop tropes—into hardcore, which expanded the genre's appeal beyond and influenced endorsements from international electronic acts in the . This fusion has enduringly linked anime fandom with electronic music scenes, evident in J-core's presence at events and its adoption in expansions that continue to engage new generations.

Collaborations and Broader Reach

DJ Sharpnel has engaged in notable collaborations that highlight their integration into broader electronic music networks, beginning with early joint projects like the 1998 album Sharpnel vs. Project Gabbangelion, a crossover effort featuring member Jea alongside artists Vicson and Tanigon from the doujin scene. This release blended speedcore with experimental elements, marking an early expansion beyond solo productions. Additionally, under the alias Ryuta Nakagami (Jea's individual moniker), Sharpnel contributed tracks to Konami's BEMANI series, including "お命ちょうDAI！901娘" for beatmania IIDX 24: SINOBUZURU in 2016 and "錬成人間トリコロイダー" featuring ¥Cuスタ平 in later installments, embedding their high-BPM style into mainstream rhythm gaming. Features with international DJs, such as Billx on the 2015 Sharpnel Sound compilation FANT4STIK SUMMER IN JAP4N—which included Billx's tracks "23 Diamonds" and "Bring Back the Bass" alongside Sharpnel-curated material—further showcased their role in cross-cultural producer exchanges. On the international front, Sharpnel forged partnerships with European labels, notably remixing The Speed Freak's "Days of Anger" for Mokum Records in 2013, infusing Japanese into the Dutch tradition. Their tracks have appeared in Western hardcore compilations, such as "Take Cover" on Mokum's Fucking Hardcore Tokyo (2021), which bridged rave aesthetics with global hardcore audiences. This influence extends to artists like Fant4stik, whose 2015 EP FANT4STIK SUMMER IN JAP4N—released via Sharpnel Sound—featured high-energy tracks like "Epic" and "," reflecting a mutual exchange of and production techniques. Sharpnel's reach into broader media includes placements in rhythm games like Flash Flash Revolution, where songs such as "Strawberry Sweetz," "Dokudenpa," and "Pants" (a Chobits sample remix) have been featured since the early 2000s, exposing their music to international gaming communities. Anime event tie-ins are evident in releases like the 2003 album Anime Gabba It!, which remixed anime vocal samples into gabber tracks, and performances at events such as J-RAVE at DoKomi, where Sharpnel has headlined alongside other Japanese electronic acts. As of November 2025, their Spotify profile reports 6.9K monthly listeners, indicating sustained global streaming interest. Utilizing aliases for themed collaborations, Sharpnel released UG☆Psyclone in 2004 as DJ Sharpnel & V.A., a various-artists compilation under the UG☆PSYCLONE banner that gathered producers for psychedelic hardcore tracks like "Speed Disco, Volume 1" and " Sweetz." Similarly, the CottonPantie's alias facilitated joint vocal and remix projects, including engineering credits on Sharpnel Sound releases that incorporated anime-inspired themes, expanding their collaborative footprint in the underground electronic scene.

Recent Developments

Transition to Virtual Reality

In April 2017, DJ Sharpnel ceased all in-real-life (IRL) performance activities following their final physical event at the UPSHIFT party in Harajuku, marking the end of two decades of traditional live shows and the pivot toward a fully virtual operation for the Sharpnelsound label. This transition, announced earlier that year, involved shifting the label's focus to virtual reality (VR) platforms, with artists including DJ Sharpnel adopting the VRDJ moniker to conduct DJ sets exclusively in digital spaces like VRChat. The motivations for this virtualization stemmed from a desire to expand the "virtual hardcore" concept, which DJ Sharpnel had explored since 2014 through experimental VR demos at events like M3, allowing for immersive fusion of hardcore techno with digital environments. By moving to VR, the duo aimed to enhance global accessibility, enabling fans worldwide to participate without geographical or logistical barriers associated with physical venues, while integrating deeply with and cultures through themed virtual clubs inspired by Akihabara's nightlife, such as recreations of the real-world club. Initial VR implementations began in late 2017 with explorations in , leading to the launch of custom setups including the Live Club world in early 2018, where DJ Sharpnel debuted their first full VRDJ set on April 17. These setups featured custom avatars tailored to the virtual environment, early hardware like Gear VR headsets and SUBPAC haptic vests for 360-degree audio experiences, and streaming integration via and for broader reach. Technically, DJ sets utilized VR motion controllers for interactive mixing, complemented by VJ visuals crafted by to simulate dynamic club lighting and effects, blending seamlessly into metaverse-style events that emphasized community interaction in shared digital spaces.

2020s Activities and Tours

In the early , DJ Sharpnel expanded their virtual presence through key VR-based performances, beginning with sets on the RaveStation Network in 2020. On July 25, 2020 (PDT), they delivered a VRDJ set at RaveStation 002, an online event blending UK hardcore, hardtek, and , streamed to global audiences via virtual platforms. This marked an early highlight in their shift toward immersive digital raves, allowing participation from international attendees without physical constraints. The Virtual Live Tour 2022 further solidified their VR engagement, with DJ Sharpnel hosting streams in , including appearances at events like the NOVA 2-day festival organized by Starvrc. Day 1 of NOVA featured their set on January 16, 2022 (Japan time), emphasizing virtual club experiences in spaces like Live Club. These tours leveraged 's interactive environments to recreate high-energy raves, drawing on their VRDJ expertise developed since 2017. By 2024, virtual activities peaked with the Ultimate Cheese Experience on September 1, presented by the Gabberdisco crew and streamed on Twitch. DJ Sharpnel's team performed a speeddisco set in VR format, focusing on gabberdisco and hardcore vibes, which highlighted their ongoing innovation in performances. Transitioning to hybrid formats, DJ Sharpnel undertook their 2024 IRL tour at Unmuted in , , on June 21-22. Billed as "Prepare for Trouble, Make it Double," the two-day event featured the duo's in-real-life appearance, blending their virtual identity with physical energy for European fans. In 2025, they continued hybrid explorations with an appearance at Mirai Nagoya on May 4, as part of the Trip to Metaverse event. Performing IRL at the Nagoya venue, the set served as an extension of their VR identity, bridging metaverse origins with real-world execution in a VRC-inspired party. Earlier that year, on March 2, DJ Sharpnel participated in the Neodash Zerox Birthday Bash "Joe's Royal Rumble – B-Day Bash 2025" via a virtual stream on Twitch. On March 29, they performed IRL at X-TREME HARD vs HAPPY JACK in Shibuya R-Lounge. In August, they appeared IRL at THE DAY OF HARDCORE 2025 in Circus Tokyo on August 2. Later, on October 12, DJ Sharpnel delivered an IRL DJ set at draw(tokyo); #3 in Shibuya Club Asia. On October 25, they performed IRL at THE FRENCHCORE CONNECTION Vol.4 in Circus Tokyo, alongside artists like D'ort and USAO. Ongoing projects include regular VRDJ streams on platforms like Twitch, such as their contribution to the Anikura Unison 2023-2024 year-end event on January 2, 2024, and similar broadcasts that foster global interaction. Collaborations in metaverse spaces, including and cluster platforms, involve joint sets with international artists, enhancing cross-cultural hardcore scenes. The Sharpnelsound label maintains a focus on VR raves, producing events with global participants through virtual hardcore releases and streams. As of November 2025, DJ Sharpnel remains active, with Lemmy's VJ role prominently featured in virtual formats to provide dynamic visuals during and events. Upcoming events include performances on November 30 at Madbreaks presents Sampling Business Day2 in Cube and December 6 at P_FREE in Metro. Future plans emphasize expansions, including more hybrid tours and VR integrations to evolve their digital ecosystem.

Discography

Studio Albums

DJ Sharpnel, the Japanese duo consisting of and , has released a total of 10 primary studio albums as the main artist, all self-released through their independent label Sharpnelsound in CD and digital formats. These albums showcase their evolution from early and hardcore fusions to more refined otaku-inspired productions, often incorporating samples, high-speed beats, and thematic explorations of Japanese pop culture. Production credits typically list on composition and , with contributing to mixing and visual elements, emphasizing their hands-on approach to the scene. The debut album, Sharpnel vs Project Gabbangelion (1998), marked their entry into the genre with a 14-track CD blending rhythms and references, establishing a fusion of European hardcore and Japanese aesthetics. Released as SRPC-0001, it featured collaborative elements but positioned DJ Sharpnel as the driving force. Following in 2000, (12 tracks, CD/digital, SRPC-0006) shifted toward upbeat with summer-themed vibes, including tracks like "Party Time!" and "Cheers 2000," capturing a sense of endless energy. X-Rated (2002, 14 tracks, CD, SRPC-0010) explored edgier, adult-oriented themes with intense tracks such as "Data Drain," pushing boundaries in speed and sampling. The same year saw PPPH! - Phat, Pinky, Powerful & Hard!! (12 tracks, CD, SRPC-0012), a playful yet aggressive set emphasizing phat basslines and powerful hardcore, with and credited for core production. Anime Gabba It! (2003, 16 tracks, CD, SRPC-0013) delved deeply into anime-gabber fusion, sampling iconic series for high-energy anthems like "Policy in the Sky!," solidifying their influence. In 2005, UG☆Psyclone (14 tracks, CD, SRPC-0017) introduced psychedelic elements within hardcore frameworks, with tracks like "Speed Vol.1" highlighting experimental speed variations. 2 Dimensional Satisfaction (2008, 13 tracks, CD/digital, SRPC-0023) embraced 2D aesthetics in its themes, featuring bass-heavy that reflected growing scene maturity. Mousatsu Otactics (2009, 10 tracks, CD/digital, SRPC-0024), also known as Delusion O-Tactics, focused on delusional narratives through gabba-infused tracks, crediting and for arrangement. Cyclick (2010, 12 tracks, CD/digital, SRPC-0026) explored cyclical beat patterns in hardcore, serving as a bridge to their later works with intricate production layers. Culminating the primary run, Otakuspeedvibe (2013, 13 tracks, CD/digital, SRPC-0030) represented an culture pinnacle, blending high-speed with collaborative vibes on tracks like "Back to the ." No full-length studio albums exclusive to platforms have been released by DJ Sharpnel in the post-2013 era up to 2025, with activities shifting toward EPs, tours, and VR performances.

EPs, Singles, and Compilations

DJ Sharpnel's output in EPs and singles spans from early dojin to recent digital formats, often featuring collaborations and aliases like SHARPNEL.EXE or pairings with M-Project. These shorter releases emphasize experimental hardcore tracks, with standalone singles emerging from circles and later VR-integrated . Key examples include the single "LIFE IS " featuring DJ , released on Sharpnelsound (SRPC-H001). Notable EPs from the 2000s include 遺言 Last Words 2002 EP (2002, with M-Project), a limited CDr blending aggressive beats and thematic samples. This was followed by 猛虎EP (2003, vs. M-Project), containing tracks like "Rock On Down (Radio Edit)" and "Rebirth Of A Great Tiger" (SRPC-0045). and Operation No. 9 (2004, vs. M-Project), a collaborative CDr EP (SRPC-0058). Mid-decade efforts like the Erectortion 01 -Kimochii Koto- EP (2009, SRPE-0001) showcased remixing and production under aliases. In the 2010s, EPs shifted toward digital and event-tied formats, such as Erectortion 02 Yuuwaku Saimin Girl (2010, SRPE-0002), Ver1.0 (2013, featuring tracks like "Sakura Again"), and Ver2.0 (2014, with "Speed Disco Vol.5"). The Xtreme Warfare EP (2015) and DupleX -204vsSHARPNEL- ep (2015, SRPD-0010) highlighted competitive collaborations. Later digital EPs include Inherited Pixels EP (2020, Records, NOE-004), Cross-Domain EP (2021, with Loctek, Records, NOE-009), and Unmuted Limited (2024, Sharpnelsound, SRPX-0008).
YearTitleFormat/LabelKey Tracks/Notes
2002遺言 Last Words 2002 EP, SharpnelsoundCollaborative with M-Project; limited dojin release.
2003猛虎EP, Sharpnelsound (SRPC-0045)Vs. M-Project; includes "Rebirth Of A Great ".
2003LIFE IS GAMESingle, Sharpnelsound (SRPC-H001)Feat. ; early doujin single.
2004Operation No. 9 EP, Sharpnelsound (SRPC-0058)Vs. M-Project; event-exclusive elements.
2009Erectortion 01 -Kimochii Koto-EP, Sharpnelsound (SRPE-0001)As SHARPNEL.EXE; remixes and originals.
2010Erectortion 02 Yuuwaku GirlEP, Sharpnelsound (SRPE-0002)Hypnotic themes; composer credits.
2013Ver1.0EP"Sakura Again", "艦これ言えるかな?"; digital doujin.
2014Ver2.0EP, Sharpnelsound (SRPX-0002)"Speed Vol.5", "Innocent Riddle".
2015Xtreme Warfare EPDigital EPHigh-energy hardcore tracks.
2015DupleX -204vsSHARPNEL- epEP, Sharpnelsound (SRPD-0010)Vs. 204; producer role.
2020Inherited Pixels EPDigital EP, Records (NOE-004)Modern j-core sound.
2021Cross-Domain EPDigital EP, Records (NOE-009)With Loctek; cross-genre fusion.
2024Unmuted LimitedFile, Sharpnelsound (SRPX-0008)Recent digital single/EP hybrid.
2024MOONSHIPSingle, SharpnelsoundStandalone digital single.
2024世界各国ガバ飲み音頭Single, SharpnelsoundStandalone digital single.
DJ Sharpnel's compilation appearances exceed 40 on Sharpnelsound various artist albums, contributing tracks to doujin series like HARDCORE JUNKIEEE vol.1 (2004, MC#12) and vol.2 (2005, MC#15). International inclusions feature "Take Cover" on a Mokum Records release (2021). Other notable contributions include remixes on Otaku Overclocks 21 (2006, SRPC-0021) and X-TREME HARD COMPILATION VOL.2 (2008, XHCD003). From 2017 onward, VR-era additions include digital singles tied to events, such as performance exclusives at Live Club simulations, culminating in releases like "Old School Salvage" (2024 single, integrated into rhythm games like ). Overall, these non-album works total approximately 53 contributions across formats, supplementing core albums with fragmented, event-driven output.

References

  1. https://www.discogs.com/artist/110268-DJ-Sharpnel
  2. https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/dj-sharpnel
  3. https://remywiki.com/Ryuta_Nakagami
  4. https://phantomsrecords.com/product/j-core-vibes-ndxjcl/
  5. https://www.mixcloud.com/XLR/j-core-mix-dj-sharpnels-anime-game-music-remixes/
  6. https://vgmdb.net/artist/2487
  7. https://www.last.fm/music/Project%2BGabbangelion
  8. https://www.discogs.com/artist/561642-Lemmy-2
  9. https://arcaea.fandom.com/wiki/Artists
  10. https://www.discogs.com/label/16303-Sharpnelsound
  11. https://www.sharpnel.com/main_e.htm
  12. https://fancons.com/guests/bio/3046/dj-sharpnel
  13. https://www.sharpnel.com/eng/index-e.html
  14. https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2015/01/j-core-feature/
  15. https://rateyourmusic.com/list/TheScientist/rym-ultimate-box-set-j-core/
  16. https://www.discogs.com/style/j-core
  17. http://corehistory.blogspot.com/2009/12/j-core.html
  18. https://daily.bandcamp.com/scene-report/j-core-japanese-electronic
  19. https://rateyourmusic.com/genre/j-core/127/
  20. https://getsongbpm.com/artist/dj-sharpnel/JZz5o
  21. https://sharpnelsound.bandcamp.com/album/otaku-speedvibe
  22. https://electronicmusic.fandom.com/wiki/DJ_Sharpnel
  23. https://sharpnelsound.bandcamp.com/album/fant4stik-summer-in-jap4n
  24. https://www.discogs.com/artist/15145963-Sharpnelnet
  25. https://www.sharpnel.com/artists/dj-sharpnel
  26. https://medium.com/@gabberculture/how-j-core-found-its-name-f2ec43920f05
  27. https://rateyourmusic.com/genre/nerdcore-techno/
  28. https://www.discogs.com/release/736460-%25E9%25AB%2598%25E9%2580%259F%25E9%259F%25B3%25E6%25A5%25BD%25E9%259A%258A%25E3%2582%25B7%25E3%2583%25A3%25E3%2583%25BC%25E3%2583%2597%25E3%2583%258D%25E3%2583%25AB-Sharpnel-Vs-Project-Gabbangelion-%25E3%2582%25B7%25E3%2583%25A3%25E3%2583%25BC%25E3%2583%2597%25E3%2583%258D%25E3%2583%25AB%25E3%2583%25B4%25E3%2582%25A1%25E3%2583%25BC%25E3%2582%25B5%25E3%2582%25B9
  29. https://mokumrecords.bandcamp.com/track/days-of-anger-dj-sharpnel-remix
  30. https://mokumrecords.bandcamp.com/album/mok243-fucking-hardcore-tokyo
  31. https://ffr.fandom.com/wiki/DJ_Sharpnel
  32. https://www.discogs.com/master/20523-DJ-Sharpnel-%25E3%2582%25A2%25E3%2583%258B%25E3%2583%25A1%25E3%2582%25AC%25E3%2583%2590%25E3%2582%25A4%25E3%2583%2588-Anime-Gabba-It
  33. https://open.spotify.com/artist/0qZjgKADg863aWQZxRppgK
  34. https://www.discogs.com/release/428127-DJ-Sharpnel-UGPsyclone
  35. https://www.itmedia.co.jp/pcuser/articles/1803/17/news015.html
  36. https://www.sharpnel.com/archives/1781
  37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EV7MERewP0
  38. https://www.sharpnel.com/archives/2897
  39. https://mokumrecords.nl/dj-sharpnel/
  40. https://www.sharpnel.com/archives/category/everep/vrchat
  41. https://www.sharpnel.com/archives/3734
  42. https://www.sharpnel.com/archives/3649
  43. https://www.sharpnel.com/archives/3854
  44. https://www.sharpnel.com/archives/3850
  45. https://www.sharpnel.com/archives/3839
  46. https://www.sharpnel.com/archives/category/event
  47. https://www.sharpnel.com/archives/3594
  48. https://www.sharpnel.com/
  49. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/sharpnel-vs-project-gabbangelion/sharpnel-vs-project-gabbangelion/
  50. https://www.discogs.com/master/428952-DJ-Sharpnel-PPPH-Phat-Pinky-Powerful-Hard-
  51. https://www.discogs.com/master/105907-DJ-Sharpnel-UGPsyclone
  52. https://electronicmusic.fandom.com/wiki/DJ_Sharpnel_discography
  53. https://www.discogs.com/release/1496852-M-Project-DJ-Sharpnel-%25E9%2581%25BA%25E8%25A8%2580-Last-Words-2002-EP
  54. https://www.discogs.com/release/1053264-DJ-Sharpnel-Vs-M-Project-%25E7%258C%259B%25E8%2599%258EEP
  55. https://www.discogs.com/release/536709-M-Project-vs-DJ-Sharpnel-Operation-No-9
  56. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/ep/dj-sharpnel/ver1_0/
  57. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/ep/dj-sharpnel/srpx-0002-ver2_0/
  58. https://nightonearthrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dj-sharpnel-inherited-pixels-ep
  59. https://nightonearthrecords.bandcamp.com/album/cross-domain-ep
  60. https://www.discogs.com/release/31027999-DJ-Sharpnel-Unmuted-Limited
  61. https://mokumrecords.bandcamp.com/track/dj-sharpnel-take-cover
  62. https://soundcloud.com/djsharpnel/dj-sharpnel-old-school-salvage
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