aaamusic | On 13, Apr 2011

Atari Teenage Riot release their fourth album, ‘Is This Hyperreal?’ on June 20th through Digital Hardcore Recordings. The follow up to 1999’s critically acclaimed ’60 Second Wipeout’, ‘Is This Hyperreal?’ is a sonic masterpiece twelve years in the making and affirms ATR’s cultural relevance yet again.

ATR are now a trio with new member CX KiDTRONiK on MC duties, sharing the stage with the original line up of Alec Empire and Nic Endo. This addition of CX is reflective of a new record that is mapped by socially conscious lyrics; angst ridden punk rock riffs and throbbing 909 drum machine patterns.

Characterised throughout with an urgent sense of protest and debate, ‘Is This Hyperreal?’ is in parts a cultural milieu cautionary tale and futuristic bass laden electronic diatribe. Delving into our current social malaise coupled with an explosive big room production reminiscent of early hardcore raves and punk rock shows, this record sounds fresh and entirely of its time.

‘The new ATR album investigates hacker activism, governments and corporations trying to take over the Internet with regulations, thus destroying its freedom’, Alec explains. The jargon of our times is clearly represented here in the album with discourses on hyperrealism, digital decay, human trafficking, wiki-leaks, anarchy and libertarianism.

Alec goes on to add, ‘It is the definite protest album for the Google age. Musically we have taken ATR’s signature sound way into the future. The beats have more punch, the baselines are heavier and the songs possess another level of depth.’ The album features a stellar cast of guest performances including Dim Mak’s Steve Aoki on ‘Codebreaker’; ‘Is This Hyperreal?’ is not a sentimental reunion about reliving the past but a major software update.

Few other albums released this year will so successfully transcend such a complex body of influences and ideas and form such an important canvas of work.

Live Dates:
12.05.2011 GB – London, Islington Academy (with The Big Pink DJ Set & Kap Bambino)
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F00467DFD0EA368?artistid=1023595&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60
13.05.2011 GB – Bristol, The Fleece http://www.wegottickets.com/event/110798
14.05.2011 GB – Camber Sands, Bang Face Weekender
15.05.2011 FR – Paris, Maroquinerie
16.05.2011 NL – Amsterdam, Paradiso (with Kap Bambino)
19.05.2011 IT – Roma, Alpheus
20.05.2011 IT – Milano, LAP – Lambretto Art Project
21.05.2011 CH – Winterthur, Salzhaus
01.06.2011 AT – Graz, Springfestival
01.07.2011 FR – Montedre, Free Music Festival
02.07.2011 FR – Belfort, Eurockéennes Festival
16.07.2011 DE -Gräfenhainichen, Melt Festival
22.07.2011 PL -Bolkow, Castle Party
29-31.07.2011 JP – Yuzawa, Niigata, Fuji Rock Festival
13-14.08.2011 DE – Hildesheim, Mera Luna Festival