Eurobeat: Dying or Growing?

zoupzuop2 · Post by **zoupzuop2** » 29 Nov 2007, 19:13

I've heard a lot of people (not actually from this board, mind you) saying that Eurobeat and the like are dying fads; soon to see their final days and cease to exist. However, I've seen a lot of action and evidence to the contrary from the Eurobeat producers and from AVEX, which would suggest growth and almost the possibility of revival.

For instance, if Eurobeat was a dying genre, why, then, would anyone be motivated to expand the number of labels producing music in that genre? There are more labels now than ever before! Let us count off the big names: ABeatC, Go Go's Music, Delta, Sinclaire Style, Akyr Music, Hi-NRG Attack, Blast, Dima, SCP, Boom Boom Beat, Time... there's MORE than that! If Eurobeat were dying, there would be a CONDENSATION of these labels, which would be producing less and less music in that genre (and, we would assume, more of another variety). However, we've seen a LOT of Eurobeat music in the last few months and years, in a genre that has lasted almost 10 years longer than most genres last, EVER.

My theory is that Eurobeat has found an audience that is no longer exlclusive to Japan alone. Granted the popularity of Japanese media has boomed in the United States, as well as in other countries, undoubtedly many have had opportunities to hear Eurobeat through Initial D and other fans of facets of Japanese culture (Ganguro and/or Parapara), thus raising Eurobeat's popularity in countries other than Japan. Thus the demand is increased, although the hype is less than what was once big in EB's heyday.

#Infinity · Post by **#Infinity** » 29 Nov 2007, 20:16

I don't think eurobeat is really becoming that popular in the US yet. Some labels, including Saifam, Akyr, Hi-NRG Attack, and now Delta, are releasing their tracks so that other countries besides Japan can buy them, but the fact that they don't even get any promotion doesn't help matters (the only labels still present on Initial D, SCP and Time, still only release their tracks in Japan; also music games released outside of Japan have never really featured any real eurobeat aside from the Eurobeat Disney tracks from the DDR Disney Mix).

The only hope for eurobeat to expand popularity to its fullest is for Avex to release Super Eurobeat albums in other countries and promote it at least fairly decently. I still feel like the only person in my entire city who actually listens to eurobeat.

Nine · Post by **Nine** » 29 Nov 2007, 20:41

I think Eurobeat as a genre isn't dying, but (I hate to say it) I wouldn't be surprised if the SEB series ends at volume 200.

euro up north · Post by **euro up north** » 29 Nov 2007, 22:14

There is no chance that Eurobeat is dying.
Espercially not now, when the new downloadmarket with iTunes and Juno has been a success. I don´t know about iTunes, but Juno is a succes.

The music maybe will take a new shape, but there is no chance that Eurobeat is dying.

The only possibilty that it would die, is if every label stopped producing music. And with download opportunitys, the distribution is both cheaper and easier. That will help the music.

The big question is if the music will hit the regular lists or if it will be just submusic with a small club of fans?

Post by **SuperEuroJimmy** » 29 Nov 2007, 23:56

It's dying. If not already dead. But only in it's 'old' form. As said before, eurobeat isn't something Japan-only anymore. The new eurobeat will be global, albeit still underground (I don't mind, it gives it a special touch ;P).

I did notice that it's getting more and more popular here in the Netherlands. I started to promote it a bit about a year ago, and more and more people are getting interested in this hyperactive musicgenre.

Is there a new eurobeat-(and parapara)boom coming up? A global one? Who knows. Only the future can tell (and avex can probably too XD).

Also, I was thinking about the same thing yesterday, Nine. :\

#Infinity · Post by **#Infinity** » 30 Nov 2007, 00:17

Nine wrote:I wouldn't be surprised if the SEB series ends at volume 200.

I would. Eurobeat's still going very strong in Japan and continues to be popular. Super Eurobeat shows absolutely no signs of dying out to me. And now that we have several new artists, as well as Go Go's Music, in existence, we're probably just getting started!

Cosmic_Bard · Post by **Cosmic_Bard** » 30 Nov 2007, 00:32

I don't think anyone who isn't living in Japan is really qualified to give an answer on the state of affairs in regards to eurobeat popularity and sales.

valiant · Post by **valiant** » 30 Nov 2007, 01:21

If it were dying, why would Avex keep releasing albums? Likewise, why didn't labels like TIME and Abeat jump the boat long ago (they are afterall among the oldest). Likewise, why would there be new labels popping up if it were a dying genre (i.e Dima, Blast, Sinclaire etc...)? Likewise, why didn't Hi-NRG Attack jump the boat as well (since they are least represented in SEB serie)?

Something is obviously keeping these labels going.

KitsuneStar · Post by **KitsuneStar** » 30 Nov 2007, 06:39

I think it is, insofar that it's finally going to completely discard of its Italo-roots, and turn into an unholy merging of Happy Hardcore, J-Pop, and the sorts of music heard on the "HyperTechno" albums.

So I do think, much like Nine, that the series could very well end at 200, only for a new one to rise up in its place, that sticks to the newer style (with 170 BPM being a bare minimum tempo for the songs), and this new series _will_ be marketed to the west, with no regard for what came before. I don't know why, I just could see it happening.

I personally won't be interested.

drnrg · Post by **drnrg** » 30 Nov 2007, 06:58

Nine

I think Eurobeat as a genre isn't dying, but (I hate to say it) I wouldn't be surprised if the SEB series ends at volume 200.

That would be the darkest day in music ever.

That is not gonna happen anyTIME soon. I agree with the ones that say that Eurobeat is NOT dying. Eurobeat is like a snake. Not in the bad way you are thinking, but in the way that it allways finds a way to regenarate itself. It latches on to some other craze or fad and becomes part of it.
The fact that some labels are selling thier music on I-Tunes is a sign that Eurobeat is indeed crossing oversees. Now HRG Attack is even offering thier songs on Juno, so now it will reach even more Europeans. In fact, I think SEB will someTIME in the future revert back to Extended versions format. Possibly before the 200s.

As for the U.S., forgett it. I allready mentioned how they kill any genre they get thier hands on by over exposure. It's all about money and shoving a certain style of music in your face, untill you get sick of it. Eurobeat would be wise to stay clear of the U.S. music curse.

some genres in the U.S. music grave:

Disco
New Wave
Free style
Christan Rock
Rap
Heavy Metal
Grunge
Big Hair metal
High Energy/SAW
House
Madonna( just kidding, but her music was it's own genre)
...and soon(Please Please Please) Hip Hop.

Now what can we do as a community to keep Eurobeat growing?

1. Buy and support the cds, or Downloads from I-Tiunes and Juno
2. Praise and thank the composers every cance possible. I know most of us actually email and have good standing with some Italo producers
3. Promote to friends
4. Keep suggesting new and exciting ways to keep it fresh. , but without diving to much into other genres.

Any other ways you can think of?

Jay · Post by **Jay** » 30 Nov 2007, 08:14

Cosmic_Bard wrote:I don't think anyone who isn't living in Japan is really qualified to give an answer on the state of affairs in regards to eurobeat popularity and sales.

Well Super Eurobeat 180 (or was it 170?) reached the top 50 in Japan's album sales and sold 5000 copies in its first week alone. For an 'underground genre', that's not too bad at all, especially when it's competing with the likes of Britney Spears and other mainstream artists.

cigy41987 · Post by **cigy41987** » 30 Nov 2007, 11:17

Well, I can tell you in the dance sections of HMV and Tsutaya, Avex releases are typically the 3 Staff Choices.

However, I don't see much SEB itself being the choice of the week or whatever, moreso their other compilations.

I haven't seen many release sales figures though. I think Farm's releases are beating Avex. I don't know much about the Japanese Eurobeat community, just Parapara.

And I can tell you that Farm and other labels' releases are much more popular when it comes to Para. However, Euro is more popular than Techno at Neo in Osaka...

I think that's all I have to say. Honestly, Avex is missing out on some GREAT tracks. Ironman from Lovepara? Come on. A LOT of Saifam songs would be amazing actually.

Well...I don't know. I think Avex should try to make some kind of hybrid compilation once more. Their singular compilations are driving me nuts with repeats and shitty tracks.

drnrg · Post by **drnrg** » 30 Nov 2007, 14:06

cigy41987

I think that's all I have to say. Honestly, Avex is missing out on some GREAT tracks. Ironman from Lovepara? Come on. A LOT of Saifam songs would be amazing actually

Iron Man from TIME is definatelya mega track, but farm usually doesn't release Eurobeat in extended format cds, so I doubt we will be hearing a complete version, unless it it shows up on Music Masters or AVEX byus the licence rights site. We can only pray.

sonique · Post by **sonique** » 25 Jun 2008, 17:17

drnrg wrote:Nine
I think Eurobeat as a genre isn't dying, but (I hate to say it) I wouldn't be surprised if the SEB series ends at volume 200.
That would be the darkest day in music ever.

I would cry all day, my happiest day in month is when SEB arrives.

Anyway, does anyone has sales numbers of the latest SEB releases from this year?

valiant · Post by **valiant** » 25 Jun 2008, 18:47

way to bump an old thread

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