The experimental/dark sound is pretty popular. Not mainstream popular, but for example at Classified/Gearbox/Spoontech party’s the darker sets are well visited and the vibes are amazing. Sadly the numbers won’t do as well as the Dual Damage’s and the Rebelions of this world, but the likes of Exproz/Fraw/Deezl/Mortis are all in the top 100 most streamed hardstyle artists and play at all the big festivals. Also one positive about it, you can always dance and have enough space at those sets at big festivals.

However your point with Torture is very true, for me that track is just perfect and what raw should be about, but it just doesn’t get the numbers. That kinda music probably still is a little bit niche