1984

Dero Goi is back with a bang! The former OOMPH! Frontman delivers a massive statement of intent regarding his future direction as an artist - both musically and lyrically - in the shape of the double album "1984", which is packed to the brim with synth hits. "1984" is a fascinating fusion of beloved retro-synth sounds, synth-wave, and EBM with contemporary electronic elements, and even a dose of his former life as a rock and metal musician. Dero Goi, who has always been recognised as an outstanding songwriter, has honed his craft to an even sharper edge. This massive collection of songs will make people dance and sing along, and it will fix catchy tunes into their minds that are bound to last for years to come. Dero Goi remains true to his unbending will of carrying on as a nonconformist artist. Always outspoken and never shy to share his views, his coming out as a Born Again Christian who is still critical towards organised religion and his declared libertarian political leaning have provoked a wide range of reactions. Those include massive obstacles to overcome in finding a label, a booking agent, and he even had to go through already confirmed shows being cancelled. This poses the question: how tolerant is a scene that prides itself of greatest openness to any social class and lifestyle when those values are being put to the test? Are freedom of the arts and freedom of thought only for those, who conform to currently popular ideals? Of course, even words have consequences and there are limits to any freedom, but should those apply to an artist who stands firmly on the ground of his country's constitution and is not breaking any laws? What is freedom worth, if it does not entail the right to dissent? Dero Goi begs to differ and that is not a crime. Before Dero Goi, who was born as Stephan Musiol on April 16, 1970 in the German city of Wolfsburg, founded OOMPH! #in 1989, he already played in a band with his friend Thomas Döppner aka OOMH! #guitarist and co-founder Crap at the age of 15 while both were still attending high school. His musical influences display an open mind to stylistic diversity as Dero Goi names among others D.A.F., NITZER EBB, FRONT 242, THE CURE, FAITH NO MORE, KILLING JOKE, EINSTÜRZENDE NEUBAUTEN, AC/DC, DEPECHE MODE, EXTRABREIT, KRAFTWERK, THE BEATLES, ELVIS PRESLEY, and ABBA. Dero Goi has embarked on a course towards a more electronic direction than most of the songs that have previously come from him. "1984" is the testimony of an artist who is using a wide range of influences but who has even expanded his widely respected ability to write extremely catchy tunes. Whatever the listeners will make of this massive contribution to the scene, Dero Goi will never be a singer who holds back or accepts to be told to shut up. Whether you love "1984" or not, what you hear is what you get!