OMAKS is a Parisian DJ and producer who began his journey in mixing in 2019 before naturally starting to production two years later. Since then, he has been crafting a powerful and energetic universe, defined by his distinctive reverse bass influences.
He made his mark on the techno scene with the hard-hitting track “Back Street Bass,”quickly establishing himself among the emerging talents. His debut EP, “5AM,” released in 2022,solidified his legitimacy as a producer to watch closely. In 2023, OMAKS took on the challenge of releasing one track per month, further showcasing his undeniable talent. Notable releases include”Crowd Control,” “Make Your Transition,” and “Something Like This.”Today, OMAKS electrifies stages worldwide, collaborating with renowned collectives such as Verknipt, Doom, and Teletech. His goal is clear: to shake dance floors with his raw energy and make you sweat during his unforgettable sets. He’s The Reverse Boss.
“Play loud, dance fast” is your motto. How do you translate that philosophy into your productions, especially when crafting tracks like those on your This Is Real EP?
For me, Play loud, dance fast is more than just a motto, it’s the foundation of how I create music. My goal is always to inject raw, unstoppable energy into my tracks, making them impossible to ignore on the dancefloor. With This Is Real, I wanted every track to feel like an immediate trigger, something that grabs you in the first few seconds and doesn’t let go. I craft my tracks to keep the intensity high while leaving space for a moment of tension before hitting back even harder. If the track doesn’t make me want to move instantly, it’s not finished.
Your sound is described as high-energy hard techno with acid influences. How do you balance staying true to your signature style while evolving and experimenting with new elements?
Staying in a comfort zone is dangerous, I always challenge myself to push beyond what I’ve done before. The key is balance. I keep the core elements that define my sound. The scene evolves, and I want to evolve with it, but without losing what makes my sound unique.
Launching a new label is a big step. What’s the vision behind it, and how do you see it contributing to the broader techno community?
With ENERGIC, I want to break the mold. Too often, hard techno falls into predictable patterns, and I feel like there’s so much more to explore. The vision behind the label is simple: no boundaries, only energy. Whether it’s hard techno, acid, trance, or even hardcore, as long as the track hits hard and creates movement, it has a place on ENERGIC. The goal is to bring more diversity into the scene and push new ideas forward. If a track can surprise me and still make a crowd go wild, then it fits the ENERGIC vision.
You’ve mentioned that This Is Real represents your dedication to sharing music with the world. What was the turning point that made you realize this was your life’s purpose?
The moment I realized I could actually live from music was a huge turning point. Before that, it was passion-driven, but there was always that doubt “Can I really do this full-time?” The day I saw that I could survive purely from my music, everything changed. It wasn’t just about making tracks or playing gigs anymore; it became a responsibility to give my all. This Is Real is my statement: this isn’t a phase, this isn’t just a dream, this is my life. Every second in the studio, every gig, every moment on stage, I give everything I have because I know this is what I’m meant to do.
As someone who started DJing in 2019 and quickly gained traction, what challenges did you face in such a short time, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge was proving myself in a scene that was already full of talented artists. I had to work hard, not just on production, but on building a strong identity and delivering unforgettable sets every time. Another challenge was the mental aspect. When you rise quickly, there’s pressure to keep the momentum going. It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to please everyone or overthinking every release. The way I overcame this was by staying true to my vision. Instead of chasing trends, I focused on what I wanted to create, and that’s what made people connect with my music in the first place.
Your sets are known for pushing boundaries and delivering unforgettable energy. How do you prepare for a performance, and how do you gauge the crowd’s reaction to keep the energy high?
Every set is different, but I always have a structure in mind! how I want to build tension, when I want to shock the crowd, and when to let the music breathe before hitting them again. Preparation-wise, I dig deep into all the streaming platforms and create a playlist of tracks that fit the vibe I want. I also make custom edits to keep things unique. If I see people losing focus during my set, I know I need to switch it up, maybe introduce a more melodic break before going harder, or drop something unexpected like an acid-heavy transition. The goal is to control the energy flow, keeping people engaged from start to finish.
You’ve performed across Europe at clubs and festivals. How does the energy of a festival crowd differ from an intimate club setting, and which do you prefer for your hard techno sound?
Both have their magic.
Festivals are all about scale, huge sound systems, massive crowds, and an overwhelming energy. The challenge is making sure your set stands out among so many artists. You have to go big, create unforgettable moments, and deliver peak energy.
Clubs are intense and personal. You can feel the crowd’s reaction immediately, and that connection lets you take more risks. The energy in a small, packed club can be even crazier than a festival if the crowd is fully locked in.
For hard techno, I love both. Festivals allow me to go extreme, while clubs let me experiment more with my sound.
What’s a piece of gear, software, or technique that has been a game-changer for your production process, especially when creating tracks like Back Street Bass or 5AM?
Lately, distortion and saturation techniques have been a game-changer. Using Soundtoys Decapitator, Izotope Trash 2, and Serum lets me push my kicks and reverse bass to insane levels of power without losing clarity. For groove and movement, I’ve also been using Arpegiator for synths to create evolving patterns that keep the energy shifting throughout a track. It makes everything feel alive, which is key for keeping tension high.
The term “underground” means different things to different people. For you, what does it mean to be part of the underground techno scene, and how do you see it evolving in the next few years?
For me, underground is about mindset, not just sound. It’s about pushing boundaries, resisting commercial trends, and keeping the focus on the music and the experience rather than hype. In the next few years, I think we’ll see more artists blending influences from different genres, hard techno, trance, hard groove, even hardcore. The underground will stay alive as long as artists take risks and challenge the norm.
With your career taking off, how do you handle the pressure and responsibility of being a role model or influencer in the techno community?
I stay focused on why I started the music. The moment you get lost in external pressures, you lose what made you stand out in the first place. I also believe in staying connected with the scene, supporting upcoming artists, being open about challenges, and keeping the community spirit alive. If I can inspire people to trust their vision and go all-in on their music, then I’m doing something right.
