Michael Stonebank (born 1987 or 1988), better known simply as Stonebank, is an EnglishDJ and electronic music producer. He is well known for his records on Canadian-based electronic musicrecord labelMonstercat, for his notability in the UK hardcore genre and scene[2][3], and was previously a member of "Zero Hero" along with Darren Styles.[4][5] Stonebank previously produced under two former aliases: Modulate and Rocket Pimp.
Stonebank was born and raised in Peterborough, England.[6] While at university studying Graphic design, Stonebank was introduced to FL Studio and initially produced as a hobby, which he then started producing UK hardcore songs.[7]
During his teenage years, Stonebank grew up listening to the Clubland X-Treme Hardcore compilation series: A series of compilation albums mixed by hardcore producers such as Darren Styles, Mark Breeze, and Hixxy. The series was his primary inspiration to why he initially produced Hardcore music. As "Modulate", his songs were featured starting at the 6th compilation until the 9th compilation.[7]
Prior to producing under his current alias "Stonebank", he used to produce under two separate aliases: "Rocket Pimp" was for complextro tracks whereas "Modulate" was for any tracks produced at 170 beats per minute, particularly in hardcore. Stonebank made the decision to produce under the "Stonebank" alias to "release music as he pleases without the pressures of limiting himself to old genre sounds" and to no longer cause confusion for music promoters.[7]
In 2013, Rocket Pimp released a 2-track EP called "Red Mist" on Canadian-based record label Big Fish Recordings. The Extended play (EP) blended "styles of trance with insane face-crushing complextro" and was described as "energetic, dynamic, and absolutely club-stomping".[8]
Stonebank (2014-present)
In 2014, Stonebank released a single on Monstercat called "Moving On" with EMEL as the featured vocalist. The track was remarked for the vocals, along with, house and electro influences, taking the listener "on a ride full of flawlessly produced twists, turns, and epic drops through the healing process.", and as a way to help the listener "move on from and accept their past mistakes in relationships".[9] One month later, Stonebank released "Holding On To Sound" which blended Moombahcore and Glitch hop.[6] In September, Stonebank released another single called "Step Up" which combined "super-fresh hip-hop verse atop a raw, dark electro beat" while maintaining an "eery theme".[10]
In January 2015, Stonebank released "Stronger" featuring EMEL's vocals. The track was homage to his roots in UK hardcore, and introduced the genre to an American audience. The video, as of January 7th, 2026, is the most viewed song on Monstercat's YouTube channel with 28 million views and counting. Stonebank released Blast From The Past which was remarked for having a "solid electro with amazing music theory".[11] Two months later, Stonebank released his first EP titled "Monument". The 5-track EP was a reflection of Stonebank's production style of "different genres and showcas[ing] some diversity" due to each track being produced in a different genre.[7]
On March 2017, Stonebank released "Ripped To Pieces" another hardcore track which featured "intense beats, haunting use of strings, and emotion-laden lyrics".[12] One month later, Stonebank collaborated with Darren Styles to release "Us Against The World" that "incorporate[d] emotional lyrics with that infectious and notable uptempo happy hardcore sound".[13] One month later, Stonebank collaborated with Rogue and Slippy to produce "Unity" for Monstercat's Uncaged Vol. 1 Compilation album.[14]
In 2018, Stonebank remixed Haliene's Dream In Color which was a "very dramatic and loud interpretation" of the song where its "opening portion of the track delivers a long, drawn out, and almost orchestral intro".[15]
In 2019, Stonebank collaborated with Gammer to release "Crank Up The Dank" which was a combination of influences from the hardcore, dubstep, and complextro genres that featured "fast-paced rhythm and dark vocals", a "drop... with pulverizing kick and bass that lights up the synths that fly all over the place".[16]
In 2021, Stonebank released "Fire" on Monstercat's 10-Year Anniversary Compilation. Originally produced in 2015 and as a work in progress, it was recreated from scratch after a file corruption made the song unrecoverable. Like fitting pieces to solve a puzzle, the track was recreated "from a Facebook video recorded on a phone six years prior, along with earlier project versions to... to complete the song".[18] Two months later, Stonebank collaborated with Pegboard Nerds and EMEL to release "Falling Apart".[19]
Personal life
Stonebank is married to Marie Louise (aka EMEL).[12]
↑Oseni, Abisola (March 15, 2020). "Jakka-B & Macks Wolf Talk Hardcore Heaven and the State of Happy Hardcore". EDM Identity. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. J: When Monstercat called Stonebank happy hardcore, then you've got to realize you have Gammer, Darren Styles, Monstercat, all these people calling it happy hardcore; at that point in time I accepted that this is the name.
123Downs, Chad (September 23, 2014). "Powerful Picks Of The Week: Volume 1- DJ Snake, AOBeats, Aero Chord And More". RaverRafting. Archived from the original on August 23, 2019. Stonebank outdoes himself with "Step Up," combining super-fresh hip-hop verses atop a raw, dark electro beat. Stonebank maintains a similar eery theme throughout, but somehow conveys "Step Up" as what it is: an extremely distinct, well-constructed, and original sound given it's genre.
↑Downs, Chad (September 11, 2015). "Powerful Picks: Volume 49 – The Party Squad, Modestep, Fight Night & More". RaverRafting. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Stonebank "Blast from the Past" is the type of sound that Monstercat was built on. Solid electro with amazing music theory that truly tells a story. "Blast from the Past" couldn't be a more suiting title.
↑Crowther, Janelle (April 6, 2022). "MUZZ Releases Remix Album 'The X Saga' on Monstercat". EDM Identity. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Finally, those who enjoy a more dark drum and bass blended with trance, listen to the "Star Glide" remix by Stonebank.
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