De/Vision in Concert
German duo De/Vision has been mastering their dark, evocative synth-pop for decades. In that span of time, they've experienced a few lineup changes but have consistently released chart-hitting albums while touring the world nearly relentlessly—and they still have plenty more to say. Originally a quartet, the band was founded in 1988, in Darmstadt, Germany. Their early singles, including "Your Hands on My Skin," resemble Depeche Mode's moody, synth-based melodies.
Already by 1991, member Stefan Blender would leave the band, but they'd continue on as a trio and release their debut album, ‘World Without End,' in 1994. While on the road, they started growing an impressive following, especially in their home country, but it wasn't until their third album, 1996's ‘Fairyland?' that they landed on the German charts at No. 87. Going forward, they'd release an album nearly every two years, with all of them making a presence on the German charts. Even after one more founding member, Markus Ganssert, left in 2000, De/Vision would endure.
Vocalist Steffen Keth and main keyboardist Thomas Adam have kept the band going strong ever since. As a duo, they signed to a new label and kept bringing on the music. Their fan base would remain loyal and continue to grow into the new millennium with 2000's ‘Void' and 2001's ‘Two,' both of which ventured into grittier climes and more Kraftwerk-inspired rhythms.
Fast-forward nine years and four more albums, and De/Vision would finally release their 11th album on their own label, Popgefahr Records. But it wasn't until 2016 that they'd reach their highest chart placement to date, at No. 11, with 2016's ‘13.' They'd soon celebrate their 30th anniversary with the 2018 album ‘Citybeats,' which continues to play on gloomy, cinematic atmospherics with tracks like the aptly titled "Dystopia." After all this time they remain one of Germany's most exciting live acts — and possibly one of synth-pop's most persistent and underrated bands.
