According to Empire, "Digital Hardcore initially meant the final questioning of everything, of the whole. The next step was a shorter one. The absolute negation, even to answer one's own existence with a "No". If "No" is true, then suicide can be as much as an event as pressing the buttons on your remote control." (MEAN Magazine, July 1999)
The group was founded as an attack on the increasingly neo-Nazi influenced German techno scene and consisted of three Berliners - Alec Empire, Hanin Elias and MC Carl Crack. ATR's early releases (which included songs like "Hetzjagd Auf Nazis!" / "Hunt Down the Nazis!") were surrounded by controversy in Germany due to the prevailing "no politics on the dance floor" attitude.
After signing to Phonogram, a major European label, in 1993 the band received an unusually large financial advance which they duplicitously used to set up their own record label: Digital Hardcore Recordings or DHR. ATR never delivered a commercially viable demo to Phonogram.
In 1997 ATR was joined by Nic Endo, a Japanese-American noise/soundscape artist during the Beck tour.
In 1999 ATR released 60 Second Wipe Out, an album that phased out all use of sampling and brought on board New York City rappers the Arsonists. According to Magnet Magazine, "Empire's guitar-playing values speed-thrash malevolence, and when paired with Endo's painful skronkage, the album is decidedly denser than its predecessor."
The group decided to effectively disband in 2000 and to not consider the band's future until 2003. Carl Crack died a few months later of a drug overdose. His death caused Empire some anguish and made any reformation less likely. Since the collapse of ATR the surviving members have all pursued separate and successful careers. Nic Endo and Empire have collaborated since but relations between Elias and Empire appear to remain strained despite their mutual business interests. This is because, as she states in interviews, Hanin Elias decided to set up her own record label, where she did not feel oppressed by the mostly male artists. Her record label is named Fatal Recordings.
In March 2002, ATR's album Future of War (1997) was banned in Germany. According to Alec Empire, Future of War was noteworthy because of its "left-rooted critique of the 'modern' high-tech-war, as we had seen it all some years previously during the Gulf War."
In July 3rd 2006, ATR released greatest hits compilation called Atari Teenage Riot (1992-2000).
ATR reformed in 2010 with CX Kidtronik joining the line-up for live dates and a single Activate! scheduled for release in May.
Destroy 2000 Years of Culture
Atari Teenage Riot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it's about that time to clear things here!
One generation follows another...
But something in my head says:
Keep going! Don't give up!
Cold sweat - Running down my back!
I don't fear the chaos!
Cause they don't understand!
I won't calm down! I won't calm down!
What am I supposed to do?
It's hard to realize that the time is running out!
Pow! We're on the move! Resist worldwide!
Cause it takes two...
Your money is full of blood and I know this for sure
We're gonna take over!
Radical! Terrorize! And I'm not gonna tell you lies!
Our chances are low Too many problems we got!
Fuck the police! Blow them out!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
(Move! We gotta move! Move! We gotta move!)
Move! I shout it out loud!
We're radical and we're proud of it!
Change the things
Together we stand and load the gun and make 'em swing!
Love is a wonderful thing!
A secret, A game And I sing the song of freedom to hate!
Try to think international!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy! Destroy!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy! Destroy!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy! Destroy!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
(Move! We gotta move! Move! We gotta move!)
Destroy 2000 years
Your freedom to speak is a freedom to lie
Whatever it takes to change, I'm up for it!
There's no place where no one gets hurt...
A place where I can be on my own!
You should feel guilty if you're just watching!
There's this pain and a constant sound in my head...
They always try and get you back to what they define as reality!
There's nothing to lose but watch your back!
It's cold out here... (Don't wait too long!)
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy! Destroy!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy! Destroy!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy! Destroy!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy! Destroy!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy! Destroy!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy! Destroy!
(Move! We gotta move! Move! We gotta move!)
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
Atari Teenage Riot's song "Destroy 2000 Years of Culture" is a call to action to resist against the oppressive systems of power and the limiting cultural constructs that have been in place for centuries. The lyrics speak of a dead world and the need for change to clear things here. The singer of the song is feeling the weight of the chaos and is being driven by an urge to keep going and not give up. They reject the idea that a reason to fight would make them a stronger person, recognizing that those in power don't understand.
The song's message is radical and uncompromising, with a rejection of the status quo and a call to arms to resist worldwide. The lyrics critique the corrupt nature of money, stating that it is "full of blood," indicating that it has been gained through exploitation and violence. The song advocates for a total destruction of the dominant culture that has been in place for 2000 years, recognizing that true change requires a radical break from the past. The lyrics call for solidarity and unity among the oppressed in order to resist and overthrow the system.
Atari Teenage Riot's "Destroy 2000 Years of Culture" is a powerful message of resistance against the oppressive systems of power and the limiting cultural constructs that have been in place for centuries. The song's call for radical change and critique of the status quo make it an anthem for those looking to resist and fight for a better world.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a dead world...
The current state of the world is bleak and lifeless
And it's about that time to clear things here!
It's time to make changes and take action
One generation follows another...
Society continues to operate in a cyclical pattern of generational shifts
But something in my head says: Keep going! Don't give up!
The artist feels a driving force compelling them to persist despite obstacles
Cold sweat - Running down my back!
The artist is feeling intense anxiety and fear
I don't fear the chaos!
The singer is willing to embrace upheaval and instability
A reason to fight is not making a stronger man
Simply engaging in conflict doesn't necessarily make someone stronger
Cause they don't understand!
People who oppose the artist's views fail to comprehend the issues at hand
I won't calm down! I won't calm down!
The artist will not be silenced or pacified
What am I supposed to do?
The artist is grappling with uncertainty and indecision
It's hard to realize that the time is running out!
The singer is conscious of a sense of urgency and the need to act quickly
Pow! We're on the move! Resist worldwide!
The artist is ready to take action and resist oppression globally
Cause it takes two...
Collaboration and unity are necessary to effect change
Your money is full of blood and I know this for sure
The singer is critical of the unethical origins of financial systems
We're gonna take over!
The singer is determined to seize power and enact change
Radical! Terrorize! And I'm not gonna tell you lies!
The artist advocates for radical action and refuses to be dishonest
Our chances are low Too many problems we got!
The artist is aware of the challenges they face in achieving their goals
Fuck the police! Blow them out!
The singer is rebelling against authoritarian systems and advocating for violence
Destroy 2000 years of culture!
The singer desires to eradicate historical and societal norms
Move! I shout it out loud!
The artist urges themselves and others to take action
We're radical and we're proud of it!
The artist is unapologetic about their extremist views
Change the things
The artist is determined to transform society
Together we stand and load the gun and make 'em swing!
The singer advocates for mobilizing and using weapons to effect change
Love is a wonderful thing!
The artist recognizes that love is a positive force
A secret, A game And I sing the song of freedom to hate!
The singer is promoting subversive and aggressive actions and attitudes
Try to think international!
The singer calls for global thinking and action
Your freedom to speak is a freedom to lie
The singer views free speech as being used to spread false information
Whatever it takes to change, I'm up for it!
The artist is willing to go to extreme lengths to effect change
There's no place where no one gets hurt...
The artist acknowledges that violence is often necessary for change and progress
A place where I can be on my own!
The singer desires a space where they can act autonomously
You should feel guilty if you're just watching!
The singer is urging people to take action instead of passively watching
There's this pain and a constant sound in my head...
The artist experiences a physical and emotional distress
They always try and get you back to what they define as reality!
The artist is critical of societal norms and seeks to reject the status quo
There's nothing to lose but watch your back!
The artist believes their safety is at risk, but feels they have nothing to lose by continuing their course of action
It's cold out here... (Don't wait too long!)
The singer is using figurative language to describe how difficult the situation is, and urges quick action
Lyrics © CACOPHONY LIMITED
Written by: ALEC EMPIRE, ALEXANDER WILKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
weissallessagtnix
Besides this immortal song...even their band titel is a gem by itself
pentagramparsons
Saw Carl Crack and ATR live twice, it was something to remember
teenriot666
one of their best songs
brandonedgecovers
Their best song.
Elisio Da Costa
my favourite too
Haiku
Largos, largos años sin escuchar este tremendo tema
Big Bird PH
The best electronica artists are those that have a hard rockin' edge to it! 😁🤘
teenriot666
to any viewer asking himself what the fuck this: listen several times, feel the atmosphere, learn to hear that kind of music its no trash, its just pure raw emotion i'm happy for everyone that goes behind the "noise wall" our western society is loud, this music is one way to give it back, to lose pressure
Björn P
I like the track but i think this is the mirrow of our Degeneration. Destroy our culture... people like Atari Teenager riot are Kind of culture to, subculture.^^
Nick Decker
@Björn P they are more counter culture than sub culture