DERO GOI - 1984
Dero Goi is the former frontman of 'Neue Deutsche Härte' (new German hardness) pioneers OOMPH!. He has today released the stunning title track of his upcoming debut solo album, ‘1984’, as a single. Solemn and melancholic, yet crowned with a beautifully spherical refrain, the song is complemented by an animated video that reflects the apocalyptic outlook of its lyric and much of the album content.
“It describes the Orwellian dystopia in which people have voluntarily agreed to their enslavement," explains Goi. "They no longer feel their chains and do not realise the state that they are in due to being totally numb as they have been swallowed up by the matrix and a constant flood of new chemical drugs. '1984' reflects the collective self-destructive madness that our somnambulistic and egocentric society is moving towards. The video nevertheless shows a way out of this dark labyrinth of deception and seduction.”
‘1984' demonstrates that Goi is back with a bang, delivering a massive statement of intent in the shape of an ambitious double album full to the brim with synth hits over the duration of its 23 songs (an abridged version is also being made available). A fascinating fusion of synth-wave, EBM and retro sounds with plenty of contemporary electronic elements, it even delivers a dose of his former life as a rock and metal musician. Always recognised as an outstanding songwriter, Goi has honed his craft to an even sharper edge on this substantial new collection.
‘1984' also sees Goi remaining true to his unwavering stance as a non-conformist artist. Never shy to air his views, the Born Again Christian remains critical of organised religion, while his declared libertarian political leanings have provoked a wide range of reactions. Of course, words can have consequences and there are always limits to freedom, but should those apply to an artist who stands firmly for his country's constitution and is breaking no laws? What is freedom worth, if it does not entail the right to dissent? Goi sometimes begs to differ and that is not a crime.
Neither Goi’s intensive preoccupation with religion or his social commentary are new elements in his work. As the vocalist and drummer in OOMPH!, his lyrics dealt with everything from the global economic crisis to child poverty, while several songs saw the former agnostic tackling organised religion. Born in 1970 in the city of Wolfsburg, he had co-founded the band while still in his teens with a wide range of musical influences to frame his thoughts that included rock figureheads such as AC/DC, The Cure and Faith No More, electronic pioneers like Kraftwerk, D.A.F. and Depeche Mode, plus pop icons Abba, The Beatles and Elvis Presley.
This new single plus four other already available singles from the ‘1984’ album have displayed Goi's move in a more electronic direction, the album itself a testament to an artist utilising his influences to further expand his ability to write catchy tunes. Whatever his listeners will make of this massive contribution to the scene, Goi will never be an artist who holds back. What you hear is what you get!
