LAIBACH レコード& CD

Review: Ever-changing Slovenian collective Laibach seems to have mellowed with age, with the band's inherent desire to court controversy (see their 2015 performances in North Korea for a relatively recently example) currently curtailed. Love Is Still Alive, which marks their first new music since the release of last year's well-received album Wir Sind das Volk, is actually an "extension" of the music they wrote to soundtrack the 2019 film 'Iron Sky -The Coming Race'. It is, they say, a "trip through space music genres of recent decades" (albeit with bonus nods to country, pop and so on) that loosely tells the story of a spaceship full of post-apocalyptic survivors making their way across the solar system. It's a lot of fun, all told, with the band expertly showcasing the breadth of their musical knowledge as well as skip-fulls of imagination.

Review: Alongside their recent soundtrack for the TV series Iron Sky, Slovenian industrial band Laibach have timed it well to also release their latest album Sketches Of The Red District. Dark, noisy and cold ambient industrial zones play out across an album allegedly inspired by the history and politics of Yugoslavia, especially events that took place in Trbovlje, the band's hometown. The album is a departure from the band's usual pop-cultural satire and transgressive aesthetics, and focuses more on creating an atmospheric and ominous soundscape that reflects the historic turmoil and violence of the region.

Review: Mute Records presents a newly reissued and remastered edition of Laibach's classic 1987 album, Opus Dei. This time coming to a black vinyl and CD box set, the album is renowned for its bringing Laibach to a wide audience; without the album's early successes, this pioneering industrial, neo-classical rock outfit might've never broken from their native Slovenia. With their unique interpretations of Opus' 'Live is Life' and Queen's 'One Vision' and produced by Rico Conning, the album still bears the torch of one of Mute's most eclectic yet captivating albums.

Review: Laibach's Opus Dei is a quintessential addition to any music collection, offering a unique blend of uplifting yet disturbing melodies that are both thought-provoking and slightly unsettling. The album's standout feature is its vocalist, whose grunty voice adds a captivating charm to each track. The musicians play with confidence and courage, infusing each song with depth and complexity. With every listen, new layers and nuances emerge, making each track a fresh experience. Opus Dei serves as perfect background music and its overall flavor and sparse yet flavorful composition make it a must-listen for music enthusiasts. An essential release from one of industrial music's most important bands.