Customer Reviews

Opus Dei

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I think what many people miss about Laibach is that what they've been up to this whole time with their Fascist/Nazi overtones is some very sharp social/cultural commentary. On one level, you can think that what's up here (and elsewhere) is some jackbooted group doing Nazi-symp cover versions. But given that Laibach has given both hints and overt statements that their 'mission' is, in fact, cautionary and satirical, it puts releases like this as well as others of their pop-oriented projects into a very interesting perspective. The pop industry, in a real sense, _is_ something of a fascistic proposition imposed on the marketing of culture. And by doing these versions of such Euro-fluff as 'Life is Life' as well as Queen's more overt 'One Vision' (which, I should note, they don't change here lyrically aside of translating the lyrics into German...scary, hm?), Laibach appears to be making some nasty statements about the machinery that delivers...and often comes up with...our entertainment. Aside of the artistic focus here, this is amazing, brutal, and sometimes funny stuff. I recall there was an alternative station in Nashville (back when 'alternative' really MEANT SOMETHING) that took a perverse glee in playing 'Leben Heisst Leben' at 7 AM, just when ones' clock-radio might click on...and yes, it was an effective gesture. A must-hear release, perhaps the best of Laibach's 'pop' records.

"Opus Dei" is Laibach's best album to date. The music technique is very assured, and the critique of fascism, both past and present, is subtle, but inspired. As for those afraid that they might "really be Nazis," they should check out the film "Predictions of Fire" and note that when the Serbian/Bosnian conflict broke out, Laibach said publicly that Milesovic's modern fascism was exactly what they had been warning everyone about, and they were very vocal in their criticism of his government (including a "concert" in Belgrade that mixed portions of speeches by Milesovic and Hitler).

This is where Laibach took the brutal kick-in-the-head elements of their early material and bottled them for the consumer. The result is not watered-down Laibach. Instead, the poppy packaging makes the band sound all the more alien. Picture the elephant man wearing a business suit, sitting at a mahogany desk and chatting with a secretary. See what I mean? It's all the more surreal when the grotesque masquerades as the ordinary.

first: putting those runours to rest...i know a person who met them-spent time with them and they are what can be considered UBER ANTI NAZI! the success of the sounds on this album is only a strong testament to it - they are the punks of the state rule and they state that their music is such as to raise dissent against the state through mockery and p**s takes - while these guys were in their own way doing something about opression they were also making great music and having a great time...this album was the birth of true industrial/evo/revolution in sounds! you wont be disappointed and this CD is a perfect place to start at in your laiback collection

I've had this CD for many years and I still listen to it constantly. This CD showcases Laibach at it's best and it's powerful, haunting, and beautiful all at once. This is the CD to buy if you are a fan of industrial music or just want something new to listen to. No matter how often you listen to it, it never disappoints.

Former Yugoslavian group LAIBACH has to be one of the most mysterious, yet artful bands to ever come out of Europe. Their controversial use of imagery (which heavily leans on fascism and even nazism) might put some people off, but it's more of a shock value thing. The music is even harder to describe. This album in particular, "Opus Dei" sees the band at their most "rock oriented" phase. Combining classical arrangements with militaristic drum machines and a voice that might have been the true influence for RAMMSTEIN, this album is an oppressive, dark, yet funny musical statement. The band cover "life is Life", originally by Euro Rock band OPUS DEI, in two versions: english and german. But both versions differ greatly in the arrangement of music and excecution. The german version sounds hilarious (taken into account that you DO remember the original's happy-go-lucky singing style!)and sounds as heavy as it can get! The music on this album could be best described as "Industrial", but it too differs greatly from other so called "industrial" bands such as MINISTRY, NIN, EINSTURZENDE NEUBAUTEN and even RAMMSTEIN. The music is incredibly heavy, without becoming "heavy metal", although some songs do have that "metal guitar" sound.
This was the second LAIBACH album I heard and it has become one of my favorite, if not MY favorite. It's diverse, heavy, dark, brooding and yes, even funny (the band also cover QUEEN's "one nation" in "geburt einer nation"). If you're looking for something fresh and out of the ordinary, then check LAIBACH!

I've been with Laibach since their early days on Wax Trax! Records. Few musical artists have successfully created a world of their own with their own self expressive manefesto, yet Laibach seems to have cultivated a "lifestyle" unto itself. Like haujobb or :Wumpscut: Laibach isn't for everybody; they exist in a parallel universe that is darker, richer, and considerably more ominous than what we expect from approachable EBM/IDM.

Has there ever been a more lovely and majestic paean as "The Great Seal?" Never before have I heard an anthem of such spacious grandeur. Truly a extraordinary moment in modern industrial music.

For those who prefer more serious minded theater-of-the-mind, "Opus Dei"(and "Slovenska Akropola") are the preeminent soundtracks for your cerebral hinterland.

This is the lone Laibach album I own at this point, but I plan to remedy that. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite albums in my collection. Laibach brings Melody to harsh Industrial in this album, making what I'd call Military Industrial. With the horns, the military-esque beats, and the deep German vocals, it turns out being a great listen to all Industrial lovers.

I bought this for my wife for Christmas. It arrived on time, in great shape, and she loved the tracks.

Laibach is a bizarre parody band from Slovenia (of all places). Well, at least we all hope it's parody!

"Laibach" is actually the German name for Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital. The band's lyrics, clips and general appearance often give a Nazi-like impression, and unless I'm mistaken, they were actually banned in Russia at one point. Laibach is part of a broader modern art collective, the NSK or Neue Slowenische Kunst.

For all I know, the band are actually "liberals", but their postmodern antics are easily misunderstood and, perhaps, counterproductive. After all, what do you do if the real thing (post-1989 fascism) looks very much like a parody of the parody? LOL.

"Opus Dei" is perhaps Laibach's most well known album, and includes a genial cover version of Queen's "One Vision". The original song is "liberal" and inspired by Martin Luther King, but by simply translating the lyrics to German and shout "Jawohl" here and there, Laibach transforms it into a Nazi propaganda tune! And, incidentally, exposes our most deep-seated prejudices about Germans. I mean, why should the language of Goethe and Schiller be considered Nazi? ;-)

Another classic is Laibach's absolute slaughter of Opus' "Live is life", which they also manage to transform into some kind of fascist agit-prop, despite the original song being more innocuous than puppy love. (The album title "Opus Dei" is presumably also a reference to poor Opus.)

OK, I admit that my younger and more frivolous side somehow likes this. But is it good music? Naaaaah. I doubt it. Unless you're a modern art student, you'll probably won't get this...