The first time I was introduced into the hardcore digital genre was Alec Empire’s “break into the mainstream” solo album Intelligence and Sacrifice. This album really rips into your ribs with its hard cannon thumps and screaming politically-driven lyrics.
The problem at the time was reading such material as Kerrang (yes we have all done it.) They would rather be interested in what colour hats he wears on a Thursday then delving into the focused yet dangerous mind that had became massive in the past with Atari Teenage Riot.
In the years that ATR were active (1992-2000) they fused anarchist, anti-fascist or anti-Nazi views with punk vocals and used break beat samples at a speed up to 1000 mph! On top of this they were surrounded by controversy in Germany due to the prevailing “no politics on the dance floor” attitude.
Some sources even say that they had to black tape all of their instruments down, as the clubs where they would play would get so hyped up that there would be mini riots within the place resulting in fights, flying monkeys and everybody in the crowd trying to take all of ATR gear! (Monkeys may be a lie.)
They really make any other band (see simple plan as a prime example) look like little soft kittens ready for a snooze.
Of course these are all words and what better way to really show what they were all about is a video made in May 1999.
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This outdoor show in Berlin resulted in the arrests of all of the band members for “inciting violence” after crowds, assembled for an anti-NATO protest, rioted with police (the charges were later dropped).
So next time you think about putting on your dusty copy of The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1) *shudder* think about the true kings (and queens) of anger.
