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.
Redefine the Enemy
Atari Teenage Riot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
some don't...
but one day you will step outside
and you will feel the heat...
You hear the sirens of death and they sound afraid
We're back where we were ten years ago
and I'm feeling like I'm starting my old life from new
This is your last chance...
Nothing I'm gonna die for nothing!
Nothing else that matters...
but what do you want from me?
Anti-fashion seems to be fashion too by now
I don't need stupid policemen taking care about me
I don't need anyone!
I take it all by myself! Myself!
Can you hear me? Can You Hear Me?
Tell me the truth you fuckface!
I'm gonna kill anyone for more!
Suck me up for a better reason and I'm gonna cut you short...
If only technology keeps moving you forward
and you're not prepared for the future
you become a naive child left in an information overload unit...
What's holding us back is time!
World leaders choose world leaders...
not us, not democracy, not a revolution!
time to stop the germanization of the planet...
I've a fear of a white planet...
I redefine the enemy! redefine the enemy!
I have to redefine the enemy! redefine the enemy!
Redefine the enemy! Redefine the enemy!
I broke the ice and I drowned
they want you dead but alive enough to function!
Everything gets out of control
but what do you do? tonight?
Let's get back on the street
start living again...
Anything worth having is worth fighting for!
It's important that the future is on our side!
on my side...
white house and white snow...
The final moment has come...
It's all over!
It seems that you still have power in reserve...
but we are winning ...
Are you praying in your despair?
I redefine the enemy.
I redefine the enemy.
I redefine the enemy.
I've got to redefine the enemy!
Here I come! Don't bother me!
there's nothing we can do!
It's not my style to just wait to be killed!
I'll wipe you all out!
Now is the chance... I'm covered in a blue shadow...
I fear no longer...
I fear no longer...
I fear no longer...
I Redefine the enemy! Redefine the enemy...
I Redefine the enemy! Redefine the enemy...
I've got to Redefine the enemy...
Redefine the enemy...
Redefine the enemy...
Atari Teenage Riot's "Redefine the Enemy" is a politically charged and rebellious song that urges people to stand up for themselves and fight against oppressive forces such as law enforcement, government leaders, and societal norms. The lyrics allude to the feeling of being stuck in a mundane and monotonous routine while the world around you is changing, leading up to a moment where you are forced to confront the dangers and uncertainties of the future. The singer feels a sense of urgency to take action and redefine who they consider to be their enemy, not only to survive but to thrive in a world that is becoming increasingly complex.
The song also touches on themes of power dynamics, racial identity, and technological advancement. The line "World leaders choose world leaders...not us, not democracy, not a revolution!" criticizes the lack of true democratic representation and implies that societal change can only be achieved through radical action. The singer's fear of a "white planet" may refer to the tendency of oppressive systems to uphold and promote white supremacy. The use of phrases like "information overload unit" and "anti-fashion seems to be fashion too" reflect the influence of technology on modern society and the idea that even resistance can become standardized and commodified. Overall, "Redefine the Enemy" is a powerful call to action that encourages listeners to challenge the status quo and fight for their autonomy.
Line by Line Meaning
Some feel the excitement of boredom...
Some people feel excited when they're bored, while others don't.
some don't...
Some people don't feel excited when they're bored.
but one day you will step outside and you will feel the heat...
One day you'll experience something intense and it will change you.
You hear the sirens of death and they sound afraid...
You're surrounded by danger and it's making you feel afraid.
We're back where we were ten years ago and I'm feeling like I'm starting my old life from new...
We're in the same situation we were in ten years ago, and I feel like I'm starting over.
This is your last chance...
You have one opportunity to make things right.
What's on your mind?
What are you thinking about?
Nothing I'm gonna die for nothing!
I'm not going to sacrifice myself for nothing!
Nothing else that matters...
The only thing that matters is what I believe in.
but what do you want from me?
What are you expecting from me?
Anti-fashion seems to be fashion too by now...
Being against fashion is now fashionable.
I don't need stupid policemen taking care about me...
I don't want unnecessary surveillance from the authorities.
I don't need anyone!
I can do things on my own.
I take it all by myself! Myself!
I'm responsible for my own actions.
Can you hear me? Can You Hear Me?
Are you listening to me?
Tell me the truth you fuckface!
I want you to be honest with me!
I'm gonna kill anyone for more!
I'm willing to harm others for my own gain.
Suck me up for a better reason and I'm gonna cut you short...
If you try to take advantage of me, I'll retaliate.
If only technology keeps moving you forward and you're not prepared for the future you become a naive child left in an information overload unit...
If you rely solely on technology to advance and don't prepare for the future, you'll be overwhelmed and ignorant.
What's holding us back is time!
Time is the limiting factor in our progress.
World leaders choose world leaders...not us, not democracy, not a revolution!
The powerful make decisions, not the people or the democratic process.
time to stop the germanization of the planet...
It's time to stop the global spread of German culture or domination.
I've a fear of a white planet...
I'm afraid of a world where only white people exist or dominate.
I redefine the enemy! redefine the enemy!
I'm identifying a new enemy and changing my stance against them.
I have to redefine the enemy! redefine the enemy!
It's necessary for me to redefine my enemy and my approach to them.
I broke the ice and I drowned...
I took a risk and it backfired horribly.
they want you dead but alive enough to function!
They want you to be expendable but still useful.
Everything gets out of control but what do you do? tonight?
Things are spiraling out of control, but what can you do in the present moment?
Let's get back on the street start living again...
Let's take to the streets and enjoy ourselves again.
Anything worth having is worth fighting for!
You have to work hard to get anything worthwhile.
It's important that the future is on our side! on my side...
It's crucial for our cause to have the future on our side, and personally, I need the future to be on my side.
white house and white snow...
A reference to the power and influence of the US government.
The final moment has come...It's all over!
The decisive moment has arrived and everything is coming to an end.
It seems that you still have power in reserve...but we are winning ...
You may have resources left, but we are coming out on top.
Are you praying in your despair?
Are you turning to religion or spirituality for comfort in your difficult situation?
I've got to redefine the enemy! Redefine the enemy...
It's imperative that I redefine my enemy and my approach to them.
Here I come! Don't bother me!
I'm coming, don't try to stop me.
there's nothing we can do!
There's nothing left for us to do.
It's not my style to just wait to be killed!
I'm not just going to sit here and wait for something bad to happen to me.
I'll wipe you all out!
I'll eliminate all of you!
Now is the chance... I'm covered in a blue shadow...
This is our opportunity to succeed, and I'm feeling scared and vulnerable.
I fear no longer...
I'm no longer afraid.
Lyrics © CACOPHONY LIMITED
Written by: WILKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
REAL NEUROMANCER
I love Carl just hangin out - rest in power <3 thank you so much for this, ATR
Fausto Amaya
Hanin doing tik tok dances. Alec spitting darking poetrt. Carl Crack just posted in the back and the beautiful samuria Nic Endo. This shit makes me happy to be alive. Amazing message and bassline. Really makes you think about how corrupt tbe government is while jammin out.
tomworrier
ATR in their heyday, Carl Crack just chillin' RIP!
Matt Northup
Nic Endo went so hard on this
Falko Dahlke
Einer meiner Lieblingssongs von Alec Empire und Atari Teenage Riot
Jan Reichel
This is the best shit ever made !!!!!
N4 F1l4 D0 Dr0p
Carl get so dope he can't do nothing.
DarkWave Records
best SONG !!!!!!!!!!
Alan Howell
Redefine the inner me.
tiphares
''it's not my style to be killed''