Dero Goi: 'Whistleblower' - EP & video out now on Dependent Records | included on debut solo album out 29.11.24

Dero Goi is the former frontman of 'Neue Deutsche Härte' (new German hardness) pioneers OOMPH!. Having released the solo EPs ‘Clickbait’ and ‘Resurrected’ in recent months, he has just issued a third entitled ‘Whistleblower’ and made a video available for its lead track. All three EPs feature songs included on ‘1984’, his forthcoming debut album.

'Whistleblower' is dedicated to all those who have risked their freedom and lives to inform the public of serious crimes, with Goi stating that “its lyric and the theme of the video are directly related to its title. I was surprised and touched by the release of Julian Assange, who is named in the song as it was recorded before he regained his freedom. This does not alter the fact that Edward Snowden and other brave whistleblowers are still being persecuted or remain imprisoned for their acts.”

‘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.

The new album 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.

The three EPs preceding the late November release of ‘1984’ have demonstrated that Goi has been moving in a far more electronic direction, while the album itself is 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!

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