

Early the following year, many of Empire’s albums were given U.S.

Grand Royal began releasing 7” singles by Empire, ATR, and EC8OR at the end of 1996. Soon after, the DHR collective - including ATR and EC8OR - toured the States at the invitation of Grand Royal Records, the label operated by the Beastie Boys. After two 1996 LPs, Hypermodern Jazz 2000.5 and Les Étoiles des Filles Mortes, Empire issued his first breakcore-defining album for Digital Hardcore, The Destroyer. That same year, Atari Teenage Riot recorded 1995, the first album to be released on Digital Hardcore. In 1994/5, Mille Plateaux released three Alec Empire albums: the compilation Limited Editions 1990-94 his proper debut album, Generation Star Wars and Low On Ice (The Iceland Sessions). After an Atari Teenage Riot deal with British Phonogram collapsed (see ATR), Empire used the cash in hand from the Phonogram contract to found Digital Hardcore Recordings in 1994, releasing EPs that year by himself as well as EC8OR, DJ Bleed, and Sonic Subjunkies. A slightly more rock-oriented project, ATR nevertheless focused on the extreme: their political themes and screamed vocals were inspired by punk, but the music concentrated on acid synth and distorted breakbeats.
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He began recording EPs for Force Inc - as well as their subsidiary, Mille Plateaux - and formed Atari Teenage Riot in 1992, with Carl Crack and Hanin Elias. By the turn of the decade Empire became fascinated by the sound of acid and techno, though he detested the drug culture inherent at raves. Later he began listening to early punk, and played in several bands during the late '80s. Still, his first American exposure came when the Beastie Boys' Grand Royal Records signed Atari Teenage Riot in 1996.īorn on May 2, 1972, in West Berlin, Alec Empire was influenced early on by rap and the breakdancing scene. As such, he gained fans in several fields while recording for the German experimental/electronic label Mille Plateaux. On his solo albums, however, Empire ranged through isolationist ambient, electro, breakbeat, hard techno, even twisted lounge music. Empire was often identified with (and pigeonholed for) his ATR productions - lo-fi breakbeats played at the speed of thrash that simultaneously embraced the energy of punk, the uncompromising ferocity of industrial music, and the futurism of techno. With Atari Teenage Riot he incited rebellion, while still finding time to battle as a DJ with Q-Bert and Mixmaster Mike, and make more remixes than most people have had hot dinners! Though maybe primarily known for his groundbreaking Digital Hardcore recordings, Alec has from the very beginning been a highly respected artist in other fields for his experimental releases and remix work, and has always shown a desire to push his sound in new directions.įounder of Berlin's Digital Hardcore Recordings, Empire created some of the most musically diverse works of the 1990s. At the age of fourteen he formed his English-speaking band, Die Kinder (The Children), supporting bands like Die Toten Hosen.
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With Atari Teenage Riot he incited rebellion, while still finding time to battle as a DJ with Q-Bert and Mixmaster Mike, and make more remixes than most people have had hot dinners! Though maybe primarily known for his groundbreaking Digital Hardcore recordings Read Full Bio Alec Empire is undoubtedly a veteran, having released his first record while still at school. Alec Empire is undoubtedly a veteran, having released his first record while still at school.
