Since its inception in 2022, Hellbent Records—founded by UK tech-house sensation Cloonee—has evolved from a passion project into one of the most watched labels in modern house music. Its identity centers on tough drums, dancefloor utility, honest selection, and spotlighting new and rising producers from around the world. Here’s what’s new, what’s defining Hellbent’s sound in 2025, and why the label is increasingly influential.
🎵 Recent Standout Releases & Compilation Series
Hellbent continues to release material that’s tailored for the peak time, underground club, and festival domination. Some of the recent highlights:
- Welcome To Hell IV: The fourth edition of the Welcome To Hell VA (Various Artists) series dropped in early 2025. It features 12 artists spanning countries including Italy, Brazil, and the USA. Most of them are debuting on Hellbent. The compilation includes tracks with Latin-house vocals, rolling percussion, and signature choreographies of dancefloor-centric energy. EDM Identity
- Hotter Than Hell Vol. 3: In the summer of 2025, Hellbent released the third instalment of its Hotter Than Hell series. This compilation leans into club bangers—UK grooves, US rollers, Latin-infused heat, and rising talents. Known names like VOID, Seeing Double, DLPIN & Paul Martin, and Brazil’s Lotten are on this one. musicis4lovers.com
- Ongoing support for emerging artists: Hellbent has continued to bring new faces into its orbit (e.g. ESSED, Federico Ambrosi, Edris Omar, etc.) via its compilations. Many of these artists are receiving their first global exposure through Hellbent’s curated packages. EDM Identity+1
🛠 Label Philosophy & Sound Identity
Hellbent is not just about hits or chart appeal—it’s built with intention. Cloonee’s criteria for releasing music is driven by what he personally wants to play in clubs. He’s said in earlier interviews that a track’s release depends largely on whether it “feels right” live, rather than just commercial potential. This has allowed the label to stay credible among DJs and underground audiences. FindYourSounds
Musically, Hellbent leans into:
- Hard-hitting drums, strong percussion
- Club-driven grooves
- Vocal flourishes (often sampled or chopped)
- Latin/US/UK influences mixed with house backbone, especially in the newer VA compilations.
- A willingness to balance darker, raw cuts with more accessible peak-time energy.
🌍 Global Reach & A&R Strategy
One of Hellbent’s most important moves has been to scout talent globally. From Brazil (Pedroz, Lotten, etc.) to Italy, the USA, and more, the label has fostered an international roster of producers who share a similar aesthetic. That approach helps Hellbent achieve diversity in sound while maintaining a recognizable label identity.
Furthermore, Hellbent is making its presence felt not just via releases but live show presence:
- Label-curated takeovers at major electronic music events (e.g. during Miami Music Week) to showcase its artists. Electrolouis
- Cultivating a community around its brand—collectors, DJ support, and loyal listeners.
🔮 What’s Next & Why It Matters
Hellbent Records is positioned to keep influencing tech-house and broader dance music in 2025 and beyond. Here’s what to look out for:
- More Welcome To Hell and Hotter Than Hell volumes (they’ve become tentpole releases for the label).
- More cross-continental collaborations, especially Latin and South American producers getting larger spotlight.
- Potential festival and club showcases around Hellbent acts.
- Continued balancing act between underground credibility and broader dancefloor appeal.
Why it matters: Hellbent’s growth reflects a shift in how emerging house labels can build reputation—not solely through big names, but through curation, consistency, and supporting new talent. It’s a model many up-and-coming labels are trying to emulate.
About the Author
