Digital Hardcore Artist Dicqbeats Unleashes Explosive New Album 'Dicqbroke'

The Chicago-based musician blends metal, punk, and electronic music into a chaotic, politically-charged sound.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Dicqbeats, the moniker of Chicago-based musician Quentin Pagtakhan, has released his latest album 'Dicqbroke' - a frenetic blend of digital hardcore, industrial, drum 'n' bass, and more. The album opens with a brief, sitcom-like intro before launching into a relentless barrage of jackhammering beats, glitchy electronics, and politically-charged lyrics. Pagtakhan's background in metal and punk is evident in the album's aggressive, take-no-prisoners approach, while his electronic music influences give the tracks a futuristic, cyberpunk edge.

Why it matters

Dicqbeats' uncompromising sound and political messaging represent a bold artistic statement in the current musical landscape. His ability to seamlessly meld disparate genres into a cohesive, confrontational whole highlights his skills as a producer and composer, while his willingness to tackle weighty social and political issues through his music makes him an important voice in the digital hardcore scene.

The details

Dicqbroke, Dicqbeats' latest release, opens with a brief, sitcom-like intro before launching into the pummeling industrial grime of 'Cocq Puppets.' The album then segues directly into the frenetic drum 'n' bass of 'Blue Balls as a Cause of Death,' which Pagtakhan describes as a 'whirlwind tour through a neon-lit cybernetic underworld.' While the song titles may seem juvenile on the surface, the lyrics often reveal a strong political bent, as evidenced by the snippet of an announcer discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on 'Gaysexdotcom.com.gov.edu.'

  • Dicqbeats' latest album, Dicqbroke, was released in 2025.
  • Dicqbeats will be performing at the Burlington in Chicago on March 11, 2026.

The players

Dicqbeats

The musical moniker of Chicago-based musician Quentin Pagtakhan, known for his blend of digital hardcore, industrial, and punk influences.

Quentin Pagtakhan

The musician behind the Dicqbeats project, who got his start playing in metal and punk bands in the D.C. area before turning his attention to electronic music.

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What’s next

Dicqbeats will be performing at the Burlington in Chicago on March 11, 2026.

The takeaway

Dicqbeats' uncompromising sound and willingness to tackle weighty political and social issues through his music make him an important and innovative voice in the digital hardcore scene. His ability to seamlessly blend genres into a cohesive, confrontational whole showcases his skills as a producer and composer.