Euro-Trance

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Euro-Trance is a retrospective term first used in the UK, during the spring of 2002, by UK's MTV Dance. It was used to describe all the "trance"-like European imports for the UK market, especially those recorded in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Music styles considered "Euro-Trance"

Handz Up!

Also known as "happy hardstyle", Handz Up! is based on hard dance. Handz Up! music generally features upbeat melodies and tempos of 140 to 150 BPM. In 2002, one of the first commercial Handz Up! tracks was released by DJ Rocco. This was soon followed by tracks by artists such as Cascada, Bass-T and Special D. Music of this style is well known in Germany, where the term for the style was originally conceived, the Netherlands, Poland, Belgium and in some parts of the USA.

Some known artists in this genre are:
* Alex Megane (Axel Jäger)
* Basshunter (Jonas Altberg)
* Bass-T (Sebastian Göckede)
* Cascada (Manuel Reuter, Yann Pfeifer and Natalie Horler)
* Damn-R (Roy den Hartog & Hannes Trooster)
* Dan Winter (Daniel Winter)
* DJ Deamon (?)
* DJ Rocco (Sven Gruhnwald)
* Ekowraith (Porter Robinson)
* Rain Dropz! (Dennis L.)
* Deepforces (Christian Blecha)
* Deep Spirit (Dominik Cydlik, Bernhard Hochrainer & Roland Binder)
* DJ Dean (Martin Schmidt)
* DJ Manian (Manuel Reuter)
* Floorfilla (Gabriele Cerlini & Momo Bale)
* Groove Coverage (Axel Konrad, DJ Novus/Markus Schafferzyk, Mell, Verena)
* Jan Wayne (Jan Christiansen)
* Jens-O (Jens O.)
* Mario Lopez (Thomas Schatz)
* Mark'Oh (Marko Albrecht)
* Neo Cortex (Lars Böge, Jan Miesner & Heiko Lempio)
* Pulsedriver (Slobodan Petrovic Jr.)
* Rob Mayth (Robin Brandes)
* Special D (Dennis Horstmann)
* Starsplash (Charly Lownoise & Franky Tunes)
* Tune Up! (Manuel Reuter & Yann Pfeiffer)
* Verano (Marco Stork, Stefan Richly and Dennis Nicholls)

Dream house

"Main article: Dream house"
Dream house was a short-lived 90s European music style including some tracks by Robert Miles, BBE, Nylon Moon, Zhi-Vago and Chicane.

Progressive trance

"Main article: Progressive dance music"
Progressive trance (130 bpm+) and progressive house (129 bpm or less) includes some works by artists such as ATB, Blank & Jones, Alice DeeJay, Sash!, Tiësto, Armin Van Buuren, Veracocha, Push, Paul Van Dyk, EX-PLOSION, Markus Schulz, Cressida, Deepsky, Manny Ward, and Lost Tribe. Progressive trance formed the basis for mid- to late 90s styles such as uplifting trance.

Vocal trance

"Main article: Vocal trance"
From 1997 to 2003, vocal trance was simply progressive trance with vocals. This style was dominated by German-based productions, but was popularized in Europe by satellite music channels such as Viva, Onyx and MTV2 Pop. Channels such as TMF Belgium/Holland (and JIM Belgium during the 00s) promoted their own vocal trance productions, which became more commercially successful in the UK and Spain. The UK also has a share of the vocal trance scene, but on a more underground level. Vocal trance artists include ATB, Ian Van Dahl, Lasgo, Sylver, Milk Inc, DJ Sammy, Santamaria, Do, Dee Dee, Astroline, Kate Ryan, Kelly Llorenna, Flip & Fill, and Jessy De Smet.

Uplifting trance

"Main article: Uplifting trance"
Uplifting trance and uplifting house were derived from the progressive trance style. These styles are less focused on melody and more focused on attitude. Vocals are usually present. It has influences from happy hardcore, breakbeat and techno. It became popular in German-speaking countries and has a cult status among UK dance fans. Typical examples of this music style are Brooklyn Bounce and Darude.