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Opus Dei
Laibach
Opus Dei
Genre: Alternative Rock
 
Laibach is a Slovenian experimental music group, strongly associated with industrial, martial and neo-classical. Laibach formed June 1, 1980 in Trbovlje, Slovenia. Laibach represents the music wing of the Neue Slowenische ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Laibach
Title: Opus Dei
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Wax Trax
Original Release Date: 1/1/1987
Album Type: CD, Original recording
Genre: Alternative Rock
Styles: Indie & Lo-Fi, Goth & Industrial, American Alternative
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 017837003029

Synopsis

Product Description
Laibach is a Slovenian experimental music group, strongly associated with industrial, martial and neo-classical. Laibach formed June 1, 1980 in Trbovlje, Slovenia. Laibach represents the music wing of the Neue Slowenische Kunst (NSK) art collective, of which it was a founding member in 1984. The name "Laibach" is the German name for Slovenia's capital city, Ljubljana.

Laibach is known for their cover versions, which are often used to subvert the original message or intention of the song - most notable being their cover version of the song "Life is Life" on the album Opus Dei, which completely changes the meaning of the song from the original writers' intentions. Whereas the original is a feel-good hippie anthem, Laibach's subversive interpretation twists the melody into a sinister, rolling military march. The refrain is at one instance translated into German, giving an eerie example of the sensitivity of its lyrics to context.

Opus Dei is the fourth album by Laibach. It was released in 1987. It features two cover versions - "Geburt einer Nation", a German cover of Queen's "One Vision" and two reworkings of Austrian band Opus' sole hit single "Life Is Life". The Opus song became the German language "Leben heißt Leben" and the English language "Opus Dei".

The attention this album received from MTV and others led to Laibach's first worldwide tour.

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CD Reviews

Fans Of Rammstein Take Notice
Ernesto Catalan Valdez | Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico | 01/12/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"
A Dark Pageant
Kenneth A. Haynes | Dallas, TX United States | 05/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."
Absolute Musical Brilliance
Metropolis Gott | 08/04/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."