Virtual Riot is the stage name of German producer Christian Valentin Brunn, who was born in Marl, Germany. He began piano lessons at six and started experimenting with music-production software around age 11 or 12. Brunn has said he began learning production software at 11, then moved into making dubstep and drum & bass several years later. He launched Virtual Riot with the 2011 EP From Space on Phantom Hertz Recordings. His early releases also included the 2013 album There Goes Your Money, issued through SectionZ Records. He later released music through Audiophile Live, before his work with Disciple Recordings became a central part of his output.
Brunn signed to Disciple Recordings in 2014, and the EP We Are Not Alone began a run of releases with the label, which issued several of his subsequent EPs. The 2016 EP Chemistry brought together FuntCase, ShockOne, Dubloadz and 12th Planet, with Ash Riser featured on “Leave It Behind”; the release reached No. 20 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Albums chart. In 2018, German Engineering included a collaboration with Virus Syndicate and peaked at No. 11 on the Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart. Brunn released the EP Save Yourself in 2019, the same year he announced a publishing deal with OWSLA. His releases have also appeared through Monstercat and Rottun Recordings.
The 2021 album Simulation preceded his move to Monstercat for the 2024 album Stealing Fire, which included collaborations with Rezz and Mr. Bill. Virtual Riot’s partnership with VJ Neurite has connected his touring work with live visuals, and the two have discussed their creative process and album work. He also released “while you were sleeping” with Nakeesha and Skrillex on OWSLA/Atlantic.
In 2026, Virtual Riot released “Ultraliminal” with Blanke on EARTH TO THE STARS, followed by the single “Insanity” on Monstercat. The album Burning Out also appeared that year.