Sonar

Sonar is a seminal Belgian rhythmic noise project formed in 1996 by Dirk Ivens (of The Klinik and Dive) and Eric van Wonterghem (of Monolith and Insekt). Emerging from the fertile ground of the Ant-Zen and Hands Productions scenes, Sonar bridged the gap between old-school industrial/EBM and the burgeoning 'power noise' movement of the late 90s.

Their sound identity is defined by a 'less is more' philosophy: high-impact, distorted drum machine patterns, minimal synth sequences, and strategically placed industrial samples. Unlike their peers who often favored chaotic noise, Sonar maintained a strict, danceable grid that made them staples of the industrial club circuit. Their career arc shows a consistent dedication to this aesthetic, influencing a generation of techno-industrial crossover artists. Critical consensus identifies them as one of the most reliable and intense live acts in the genre, characterized by a clinical, almost architectural approach to sonic aggression. They remain a cornerstone of the Belgian electronic underground, representing the transition from analog industrial grit to digital rhythmic precision.