The Best European Techno Music Videos of the 1990s
Contents
A look back at some of the best European techno music videos of the 1990s. These videos embody the techno spirit and energy of the decade.
What is Techno Music?
Techno is a type of electronic dance music that originated in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid-to-late 1980s. The first techno music was created by DJ and producer Juan Atkins, who is often credited as the “godfather” of techno. Techno is typically produced using synthesizers, drum machines, and sequencers, and is often characterized by its repetitive, geometric patterns. It is usually played at high tempos, with heavy basslines and distorted kick drums.
The Best Techno Music Videos of the 1990s
The Best Techno Videos of the 1990s is a complied list of some of the greatest techno music videos of the 1990s. The videos on this list are in no particular order, but they are all great examples of the techno music genre from the 1990s.
Daft Punk – Da Funk
Daft Punk is a French electronic music duo formed in 1993 in Paris by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter. They achieved popularity in the late 1990s as part of the French house movement; they also had success in the years following, combining elements of house music with funk, techno, disco, rock and synth-pop influences.
The group’s song “Da Funk” was preserved in the 2001 film Donnie Darko and its soundtrack. The video for “Da Funk” was directed by Spike Jonze and released in May 1995. It features Charles Bergquist as a man walking his dog on Hollywood Boulevard who is struck by a funk-powered meteorite, giving him superhuman powers. The video became an internet meme after being featured on Adult Swim’s Robot Chicken.
The Prodigy – Breathe
The Prodigy – Breathe (Official Video)
From the album ‘The Fat of the Land’ Released: 30th June 1997
Director: Walter Stern
Underworld – Born Slippy
Underworld’s “Born Slippy .NUXX” is one of the most iconic techno tracks of the 1990s, and the music video is just as iconic. It’s a simple concept – a man drives a car through London at night – but it’s executed perfectly. The video perfectly captures the feeling of the track, and it’s become one of the most recognizable music videos of all time.
Leftfield – Release the Pressure
“Release the Pressure” is a song by English electronic music duo Leftfield, released as the first single from their 1995 debut album Leftism. The song features vocals from Earl Sixteen.
The single was a commercial success in the United Kingdom, reaching number eight on the UK Singles Chart in December 1994. The song was also a hit in Ireland, reaching number nine on the Irish Singles Chart.
The song’s accompanying music video, directed by Stéphane Sednaoui, features a man (played by actor Denis Lavant) who is transformed into various animals.
Orbital – Satan
Orbital are an English electronic dance music duo from Sevenoaks, Kent, consisting of brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll. The band’s name was taken from Greater London’s M25 orbital motorway, which was used as a backdrop in the band’s first promotional video. They were prominent in the rave scene of the early 1990s and known to be pioneers of the trance and techno genres.
The Legacy of Techno Music Videos in the 1990s
Techno music videos were extremely popular in the 1990s, and they have left a lasting legacy. These videos were often very experimental and innovative, and they pushed the boundaries of what was possible. Many of the best European techno music videos of the 1990s were made in Germany, and they continue to influence music videos today.
The influence of MTV
MTV was a major force in the popularization of techno music in the 1990s. The channel began airing music videos by European techno artists like Kraftwerk, Front 242, and Jean-Michel Jarre in the early 1980s, and by the end of the decade, it was frequently showing videos by groups like The Prodigy, Leftfield, and Orbital. techno music became increasingly mainstream in the United States thanks to MTV’s willingness to air cutting-edge videos by European artists.
The Prodigy’s “Firestarter” video was one of the most popular (and controversial) techno videos of the 1990s. The video features lead singer Keith Flint dancing wildly in front of a burning car, and it helped to make The Prodigy one of the most popular techno bands in the world. Leftfield’s “Release the Pressure” video is another standout from the period; it features footage of people rioting and protesting while the band’s music blares in the background.
MTV’s influence on popular culture was such that many Americans who were not familiar with techno music still had a vague awareness of it thanks to seeing these videos on MTV. In this way, MTV helped to introduce an entire generation of American kids to European culture, and specifically to techno music.
The popularity of VHS
The popularity of VHS home video tapes in the 1980s and early 1990s created a new market for music videos. Before the advent of home video, music videos were only shown on television, usually on specialized music channels such as MTV. But with the ability to purchase or rent videos and watch them at home, music fans could now watch their favorite music videos whenever they wanted.
This led to a boom in the production of music videos, especially in Europe where techno music was extremely popular. European producers were quick to realize the potential of the new medium and began churning out highly creative and innovative music videos that pushed the boundaries of what was possible.
Many of these early techno music videos were shot on VHS and have a lo-fi aesthetic that is now highly valued by collectors and fans. These videos are a valuable record of an exciting time in electronic music history and continue to be enjoyed by fans today.
The rise of the Internet
In the early 1990s, a new form of music was emerging from the underground clubs of Europe – techno. This genre of music was defined by its use of synthesizers and drum machines to create a high energy, repetitive sound. While techno had been around for a few years, it wasn’t until the early 1990s that it began to gain mainstream popularity.
As techno’s popularity grew, so did the demand for music videos. Many record labels saw the potential to promote their artists and songs using this new medium. In the early days of techno music videos, most were produced on a shoestring budget and were low quality. However, as the genre began to take off, more money was poured into producing high-budget music videos.
The Techno boom of the early 1990s led to an explosion in the number of European Techno music videos being produced. Many of these videos were innovative and pushing the boundaries of what was possible with video production at the time. They featured cutting-edge visual effects and animation, along with creative storytelling.
As digital technology became more sophisticated in the late 1990s, so too did the production values of Techno music videos. By the end of the decade, there were some truly stunning examples of this genre being used to promote artists and songs.
Today, techno music videos from the 1990s are still revered by many fans of the genre. They are seen as a valuable snapshot of a moment in time when techno was at its creative peak. While some might argue that contemporary techno music videos are even better equipped to showcase the energy and excitement of this genre, there is no denying that the best European Techno music videos from the 1990s are still considered classics.
