Riot plays punk extremes

By Jason Birchmeier
Daily Arts Writer

Atari Teenage Riot create some of the best intolerable music ever heard. If hardcore punk rock, heavy metal or drum 'n' bass aren't extreme enough for your musical tastes then "60 Second Wipe Out" may be the album you've been waiting for. Alec Empire and his German companions take the ideals and concepts behind ultra-aggressive, grinding punk rock and add modern technology.

The computerized final product should be listened to with caution. Various forms of rhythmically programmed static, distortion and unbearable noise accompany guitars. The female screams and male shouting of Hanin Elias and Carl Crack get digitally altered until anarchical lyrics such as "revolution action" and "anarchy 999" sound tormented, inhuman and mechanical. In addition to these musical characteristics, the breakneck speeds and ferocity of the drum programming possesses the capability of creating an instantaneous migraine.

The best songs on "60 Second Wipe Out" maintain a steady rhythm while exploiting traditional song formats. The looped guitar riffs and drumbeats of "By Any Means Necessary" sound like the Sex Pistols on PCP. The best song on the album, "No Success," features Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill on guest vocals along with Hanin and Carl trading off verses hip-hop style overtop of a looped series of breakbeats while all three chant the chorus throughout the song. Other songs don't try to conform to any traditional format, instead functioning as messy dissonant noise collages. Only those with an interest in chaotic torture will be able to make it all the way through this album and say they enjoyed the musical experience.

05-17-99