The pioneering techno producer Joey Beltram began making tracks as a teenager in the late ‘80s. Harder and darker than the sounds coming out of Detroit, the New Yorker's apocalyptic anthems had a massive impact on the nascent rave scene. Recording for labels like R&S, Trax and Tresor, Beltram continued to produce club hits throughout the '90s and '00s. In the 21st century, his influence remains widespread—particularly thanks to his trademark buzz-saw synthesiser leads, widely known as Mentasm stabs, which can be found everywhere from EDM stars like Skrillex to crunk producers like Lil Jon.
