Atari Teenage Riot is one of those few bands whose music causes
physical pain but is still
enjoyable in some
weird,
untangible way. I remember the first time I heard '
Destroy 2000
Years of Culture'; I had just found it on
mp3 and was
curious
about this band that I'd heard so much about and through the whole
song I just sat and thought to myself
"Damn, this is good. This is
really good." while
Alec Empire shouted the
chorus over and
over again into my
headphones. I ran out and bought the
CD that same day.
I think part of the appeal with ATR is that they've managed to stay
relatively independent despite their success. They have their
own label, Digital Hardcore Recordings (which signs even more
obscure bands), they regularly play at anarchist gigs and rallys and
they seem genuinely involved with modern European
counterculture. Contrast this with bands like Limp Bizkit and
Metallica, who once were angry young men but now are fat and
content sellouts.
I asked a friend of mine about ATR and he replied
"Atari Teenage Riot? I don't think they're good. I think they're
dangerous."