German synthpop icon Camouflage to perform in Estonia in Tallinn and for the first time in Tartu
On October 17 and 18, the German synthpop legend Camouflage will give concerts in Tallinn at Helitehas and in Tartu at the Vanemuine Concert Hall. The band is known for songs such as “The Great Commandment,” “Love Is A Shield,” “Suspicious Love,” “Bad News,” “X-Ray,” and “Me And You.”
The German synthpop heavyweight Camouflage, often referred to by critics as the German Depeche Mode, was formed in 1984 by vocalist Marcus Meyn and keyboardists Heiko Maile and Oliver Kreyssig. The band achieved first place in the Hessen Radio song contest in 1986, and a year later their re-recorded debut single “The Great Commandment” entered the charts, including reaching number one on Billboard’s “Dance Club Songs” chart.
Their debut album “Voices and Images” was released in 1988, reflecting new wave synthpop influences and stylistic elements of Depeche Mode. The following year’s “Methods of Silence” expanded Camouflage’s sound by incorporating violin, saxophone, and guitar elements. After Oliver Kreyssig left the band, Maile and Meyn continued as a duo, supported by studio musicians.
The 1991 album “Meanwhile” moved even further away from synthpop and featured a stronger instrumental presence. At the same time, with the rise of grunge, synthpop lost popularity on college radio, and Camouflage soon lost their American record deal.
To date, Camouflage has released eight studio albums, the latest being “Greyscale,” released in 2015.
Music critic Anders Melts (Röntgen/R2, Beats From The Vault, Terminal record store) has said that when talking about synthpop, one cannot ignore Depeche Mode, but Camouflage stands as one of the most important bands in the genre. “They have followed their own path and have never been overly influenced. Very diverse albums and distinctive hits have kept them relevant since the 1980s. There is a touch of nostalgia in Camouflage, but they still sound today like a young band with fire, not a retro act living off past glory,” said Melts.
The concert is organized by Artist & Music Factory / OÜ O.K. Records.
