The Thunderdome concept began with a party held on 20 June, 1992, that was called Thunderdome: The Final Exam. This party was the first attempt to bring hardcore and gabber to a wide audience. The concept was started by the record company ID&T, also behind other dance music events such as Mysteryland, and Sensation White, and Black. In 1993, ID&T also started a Thunderdome compilation CD-series with popular Gabber music. They also sold other kinds of merchandise such as t-shirts, bomber-jackets, caps and even an energy drink (Thundertaste). The Thunderdome concept was considered very important to the popularization and spreading of Gabber music during the 1990s. Though it was undeniably the biggest and most popular concept in the scene through most of the 1990s, that title is now being rivaled by other events, such as the ones organized by Masters of Hardcore. In late 1999 ID&T took a break from the Thunderdome concept and stopped producing the parties and CDs. The break lasted until 2001, when they resumed throwing parties and producing CDs, which continue presently. Since the re-start, the parties have been held annually. In 2002 the concept for the party was the ten year anniversary of Thunderdome. A CD that was recorded live at the party and an anniversary DVD were released, both entitled Thunderdome a Decade.