I asked them about that, why they felt the need to dismiss it, on a chat they were having on IRC some time in the late 90s, and they told me it was a dumb question and that people better start asking better questions or they will leave.
fckn pricks
I'm not sure if that affected my appreciation for their music, but I was never as much into them post-2000.
for sure, you didn't deserve that at all, however you have to see it from their no doubt frustrated perspective. when you have absolutely illiterate cloth eared ambient dunderheads (represented by the archetype of craner on here) repeatedly asking that question like dogs infected with rabies, even in the late 90s I honestly cannot blame them.
But anyway, fandom is irrational. just be systematic. I am no fan of any label or artist whatsoever.
Granted, I prefer AE's post-2000 work. much more avant-electro than their earlier work which had to cater to the tastes of the regular so-called 'idm' consumer. Especially with untilted they really got into the mantronix locks himself in a criogenic chamber for 100 years and emerges in 2087.