Hardstyle is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Europe in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It mixes influences from hardcore and other electronic music genres and is characterized by its fast tempo, heavy bass, and distorted sounds. Hardstyle tracks typically feature a "reverse bass" kick drum pattern, which is a signature element of the genre. The genre is particularly known for its harmonic use of kick drums, and producers are able to play basslines by using only the kick itself, which becomes a distinct bass tone through a series of distortion, equalization, and layering. Hardstyle music also features distorted and screechy sounds, often created using synthesizers and other electronic instruments. In recent years, hardstyle has also begun incorporating elements of other genres, such as trap, dubstep, and hip-hop, as producers continue experimenting with new sounds and ideas. Hardstyle is essentially festival and dance music, and it has a passionate fanbase that enjoys the high energy, distinctive sound, and dynamic nature of the genre.