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Atari Teenage Riot

From Alfawiki
Atari Teenage Riot
Company typeMusic group
IndustryMusic
Founded1992
Headquarters
Berlin
,
Germany
ProductsDigital hardcore music
Websitedigitalhardcore.com/atr

Atari Teenage Riot (ATR) is a Berlin-based German group established in 1992. Renowned for their politically charged message, the band merges anarchist and anti-fascist ideologies with punk-style vocals and a techno subgenre known as digital hardcore, a label created by member Alec Empire for his imprint Digital Hardcore Recordings. After pausing activities in 2000, ATR regrouped in 2010.

History

Formed as a counteraction to the rising Neo-Nazi scene, ATR blended German techno rhythms with hardcore punk energy. The founding members were Alec Empire, Hanin Elias, and MC Carl Crack. Their initial releases such as "Hetzjagd Auf Nazis!"/"Hunt Down the Nazis!" stirred significant controversy within Germany.

In 1993, ATR secured a deal with the major European label Phonogram Records, receiving a large advance. Instead of producing commercially tailored demos, they invested this funding into launching their own label, Digital Hardcore Recordings (DHR). By 1995, the German label Intercord had signed the band, while DHR handled the worldwide release of their debut album Delete Yourself!. The album was licensed in the United States by the Beastie Boys for release as Burn Berlin Burn on their label Grand Royal in 1996.

Following the acclaim of Burn Berlin Burn, ATR embarked on a 1997 tour alongside groups like Wu-Tang Clan, Rage Against the Machine, and Nine Inch Nails. That same year, noise artist Nic Endo joined the lineup, making her live debut at the South by Southwest festival.

The 1999 release 60 Second Wipe Out featured collaborations with artists including rap group The Arsonists. This album presented more complex layers of sound that combined Empire’s intense guitar work with Endo’s avant-garde noise experimentation. During a demonstration against the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, ATR was detained in Berlin on charges of "inciting violence" amid confrontations between law enforcement and protesters while performing "Revolution Action."

After a 1999 performance at Brixton Academy, Elias left the band. Plans for a 2000 US tour with Nine Inch Nails were canceled so members could recuperate, notably due to Crack’s battle with psychosis.

In late 2000, work began on a fourth album; however, the single "Rage," featuring Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine, was released separately. Although recorded during sessions for 60 Second Wipe Out, Empire believed it did not align with that album’s style.

On 6 September 2001, Crack passed away from an overdose amid ongoing mental health challenges. While media reports implied suicide, specifics about his psychological condition at that time remain uncertain.

Following 2001, Empire and Endo continued their partnership. Endo contributed to Empire’s solo projects and live shows. On 3 July 2006, DHR issued Atari Teenage Riot: 1992–2000, a compilation highlighting ATR’s essential tracks.

Reformation

In October 2009, Elias reached out to Empire about performing together again but later withdrew because of vocal difficulties. When Elias missed the opening show, the band released a statement just thirty minutes before taking the stage.

January 2010 saw ATR announce their reunion for multiple European concerts, later extending their schedule to include North American and Asian dates. In March, Empire unveiled "Activate," featuring new MC CX KiDTRONiK alongside Endo’s vocals, recorded in Berlin.

Throughout 2010, ATR appeared at major European festivals such as Reading and Leeds, headlined Fusion Festival before an audience of 20,000, and performed at Japan's Summersonic Festival, returning for Fuji Rock in 2011. They also led the electronic stage at Berlin Festival. By mid-2011, the live ensemble consisted of Empire, Endo, and CX KiDTRONiK.

On 12 October 2010, Steve Aoki and Dim Mak Records announced the release of "Activate," which preceded the 2011 album Is This Hyperreal?. Although reviews were mixed—Pitchfork described it as "redundant," while outlets like New Musical Express lauded its intensity—ATR retained substantial underground credibility. Artrocker singled out "Activate" as a compelling single that fused rave beats with punk and gabba influences. That year also saw ATR headline the UK’s Bang Face Weekender festival.

Is This Hyperreal? earned recognition as "the ultimate protest album of the google age," tackling themes such as WikiLeaks, Anonymous activism, internet freedoms, censorship issues, surveillance concerns, cyber terrorism threats, and digital deterioration. The viral video for "Black Flags" was adopted by both Anonymous and Occupy Wall Street participants and inspired numerous remixes capturing contemporary social movements; it even received airtime on CNN. This track was hailed as the inaugural anthem of the Occupy movement.

In early 2012, "Black Flags" received a nomination at MTV's O Music Awards under the "Best Protest Song" category.

Prior to a December 2016 performance in Tel Aviv, ATR publicly voiced opposition to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign via Facebook, condemning it as supportive of Palestinian militant groups and advocating instead for cooperative efforts toward improved future relations.

Band members

Current lineup
  • Alec Empire – harsh vocals, programming (1992–2000, 2010–present)
  • Nic Endo – vocals, sampling (1996–2000, 2010–present)
  • Rowdy Superstar – MC (2012–present)
Past members
  • Carl Crack – MC (1992–2000; deceased 2001)
  • Hanin Elias – vocals (1992–2000)
  • CX KiDTRONiK – MC (2010–2012)

Timeline


Studio albums

Compilation albums

Live albums

Video

  • Sixteen Years of Video Material (featuring Alec Empire) (Monitorpop 2008)

Singles/EPs

Other recordings

  • "Sex Law Penetration" included on the Orgazmo (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Nickelbag 1998)

External links

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