Reviews (page 5 of 8)
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☀︎c’est 58 minutes je sais pas si je vais être capable de tout écouter. parce que j’aime pas l’allemand (ça fait peur) ☀︎je vois pourquoi autant de reviews parlent d’exorcisme. je me sens inconfortable. ☀︎je déteste sa voix. ☀︎la première était pas *si pire* mais la deuxième…. ouf ☀︎« ja ja / nein nein » top tier paroles right there ☀︎ok The Great Seal est quand même bonne. probablement parce qu’elle est instrumentale donc j’ai pas besoin d’entendre sa voix… jusqu’à la fin. ☀︎« i feel like i just listened to one hour of nazi propaganda » yeah ☀︎je pense que le fait que pour chaque chanson je l’ai soit skippé soit détesté (à part pour The Great Seal, excepté la fin), c’est fair que je donne 1☆ à cet album
This was interesting.
I see 80s, I frown. I see German, I grin. This rocks, it's punchy and full of energy. Give me Ein Lightbeer!
Albums like this are why I enjoy doing this. Totally 80’s production featuring the absolutely massive drums with vocals that sound kinda like Cookie Monster singing German. This is awesome. Favorite songs were Leben Heibt Leben, Gebert Einer Nation, Opus Dei, and The Great Seal.
3.7 stars rounded up. This is the band that inspired Rammstein. Rammstein took their totalitarian chic and smoothed off the rough edges and made it radio friendly. Laibach’s “Volk” album is also worth a listen.
I absolutely needed to hear this before I die.
I thought I might enjoy this, as some industrial is interesting. But man this just dragged on. Grunting in German over a military march.
So Operatic! So Teutonic! So Martial! So Ridiculous!
Sacred German band
I loved every moment of this. It is just the type of weird and off-putting that is right down my alley. This is the type of out-there shit I want to discover from this project. I'm not understanding all of the hate in the reviews, though, after reading them, I can't help but hear Cookie Monster.
I like some industrial music. I find most of it forgettable. While this album is definitely not forgettable, it's not really my thing. Gives me hope that maybe Skinny Puppy's VIVISectVI will be on the list! I get why this music exits in this martial form with Laibach living in communism right before the fall of the Soviet Union. Context helps a lot here, especially since they were primarily an art collective. Some of the songs reminded me of Test Dept so Laibach was influential. On the extended album, I preferred the last 4 songs which others found annoying but still not something to revisit.
Love thus album Sucks
Nein, nein, nein
Leben heißt Leben 3.4 Geburt einer Nation 3.7 Leben - Tod (Life - Death) 3.5 F.I.A.T. 3.4 Opus Dei 3 Trans-National 2.8 How the West Was Won 3 The Great Seal 3.2 Score: 3.25
Sounds like an old spooky video game score. I am struggling to finish the album and to understand the stylistic choices. It's such an assault to the senses. This is a low budget musical score for the orcs walking out of Mordor and they ran out of funding.
Not one but two proto-Rammstein covers of the same song? OK!
nope. not a must listen.
Rad album, sounded exactly like what I expected from the cover art. Dude's voice reminds me of Till Lindemann. This is a bit of a novelty, but one I would like to come back to often! 3.75/5
Never heard of this, but it rules. I listened through it like 4 times in a row. 4/5
I had never heard of this band before and was really intrigued when I saw the album cover. I really loved this a lot. Finally something completely different from anything I've had so far, with a personality and distinct atmosphere. This is exactly why I started this list. I found it compelling, eerie and unsettling in places. It's military-esque with a big marching beat behind most of the tracks. It's unique, cinematic, menacing. It's industrial with a really strong, dark beat. There's a really cool 1980's synth vibe running through it, but it doesn't make it sound any less heavy and dark. In fact, it really adds to the music. It even features a cover of Queen's 'One Vision' which was a huge shock and it sounds fantastic. I can't explain to you how nice it is to have something like this after having a constant flow of generic and boring one, two and three star albums. I enjoyed it so much I listened to the CD version which was an extra 20 minutes. If you want something a bit different, a beg you to listen to this album. I haven't got a clue who Laibach are, but they're fucking great!
Anytime I work out I just want this project to give me a nice, melodic, rock or pop album. Instead they always give me the weirdest, most difficult shit lol. Always foreign ambient music or 60+ minutes of experimental electronica. This album is kind of both of those things! Idk what to rate it. It’s not the worst thing I’ve heard, but I also didn’t really enjoy it at all. It sounded like an ogre grunting over instrumentals from Mario 64. 1.5 I guess
Probably quite hard to like if you're too much of a philistine to handle lyrics in a language you don't speak. There is no way that this is otherwise as challenging as Locust Abortion Technician by Butthole Surfers, which shares the same ranking. There's some arty stuff, but generally it's all very listenable, which I guess is deliberate if they're trying to evoke nationalist military music. Geburt Einer Nation is simply incredible, I love the transformation of Queen's camp celebration into a fascist rally anthem. After listening to the opening track I didn't expect to be crying with laughter by the end, but this album is a huge joke, and it's very very funny if you get it.
God, this sucks. I think being a German speaker actually makes this a worse experience.
Interesting and unique. Doubt I'd go back tjo
This went a lot harder than I expected. I dug it.
Horrible. Could not get through this one.
Not at all to my taste
Was enjoying the album a lot, really fun stuff to vibe along. Was thinking this definitely gonna be 4/5 and a new gem for me. Then somewhere around the halfway point the album took a nose dive off the cliff into suckville
I kinda fuck with it
Pretty sweet record. The world needs more of this.
Particolare! Praticamente è tutto cover o 'reworking', ma ci stanno di brutto!
I went in knowing nothing. It was a bizarre listen. Very operatic like The Wall, but with a DIY industrial feel. Not my kind of music, an interesting listen nonetheless.
Well, I didn't have a Tuetonic synth heavy martial cover of Queen's One Vision on my card for today's listening.
Before listening to Opus Dei, I had never heard of Laibach. Based on the album cover alone, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy what was ahead. From the opening track, my immediate thought was, This sounds like Rammstein. Then I saw the release date—1987—and realized it’s likely this is what inspired Rammstein in the first place. I genuinely wanted to dislike this album, but I couldn't. It's so bizarre that it becomes fascinating. There’s something compelling about its industrial sound—harsh, dramatic, yet strangely captivating. Their cover of Queen’s “One Vision” is outstanding, and I picked up on several samples and stylistic nods to '80s Queen throughout the album. While I enjoyed the experience, I don't see myself returning to it often. Still, it’s a unique listen that left a strong impression. Favourite Tracks: “Opus Dei” and “Geburt Einer Nation” Least Favourite: Nothing stood out as bad—every track was at least interesting. Album Artwork: Stark and evocative, with a strong 1940s German aesthetic.
Actually I dig this, self aware and different, comical and ridiculous. Rating: 4.0
Ahhhhh… a no for me
It feels unfair to rate this because it very clearly is not my favorite genre and frankly sort of scares me to listen to. Having said that, there were some cool 80s beats and synth things happening and I liked that. I'm glad it's over and I don't have to feel this uncomfortable anymore.
Daft
little scary
I just don't know
this was cool, it reminded me of when i was like 9 and figured out i could download the soundtrack from my dad's Age of Empires game disk and listen to it on my ipod shuffle. add some crazy industrial beats noisy guitars and scary vocals , even better. 6.5/10
There were some things I appreciated about this album-the clear influential industrial sound (though there are more industrial influential bands I prefer) and the line “ha ha get me a light beer.” The backstory is cool, but the irony doesn’t sound, uh, I dunno, that ironic, which makes me uncomfortable. Album cover is cool. If this album was like 1/3 as long I’d probably rate it higher.
This is not good
This was objectively awful. 0 redeeming qualities, I want to scrub my ears of this.
I was really into this for about the first half but the second half was really rough to get through. A whole lot of nothing happened for about 20-25 minutes
The further along we dove into this list, the more you begin to look at albums like MLB front offices evaluate relief pitchers: weird is good, deviating from the norm is of significant value. Everyone can get through a 2-3 star rock album like every hitter can hit a 6’1 righty with a three-quarters arm angle who tops out at 92 mph on his fastball. This album is the Chad Bradford of the list. A completely unique delivery thats good for a few innings. The novelty of it in the context of this mostly British and American list is hard to ignore. That novelty does ware down a bit towards the end of the record. The opening few songs sound so firm, militaristic, and almost nationalistic in a sense. Chanting choruses, march-able drumloops, jaggedly cold melodies. What captivated my attention the most, though, was the more intimate moments on “Koza (Skin)” with its whispery vocal recordings and echoey, dissonant chamber sounds. It shows to me how the group was in touch with the track sequencing aspect of this project, as the novelty of the loud choruses was starting to lose its welcome a bit. I won’t go back to this album for a casual listen anytime soon, but am appreciative of its inclusion. Music completely unique to a region, culture, and period of time
1 - crap
hm
This is that kind of campy sort of early industrial that revels in the extreme. The humor exists within the dissonance of how subversive one can assume these artists are as people, in actuality. While the humor is dry, it arrives in heaping helpings.
Meh.
Not really for me. Pass.
Somebody needs to explain this to me. Listening to Opus Dei, I felt like I was in an even more dystopic version of The Wizard of Oz.
That's always a wonderful thing.
I mean like a weird ass Rammstein lol was not my jam, but hearing one vision in German was interesting lol 🤣 definitely not for me
what the fuck even was this? The melodic stuff here and there was neat, but the spooky vocals and weird industrial horror vibe just annihilated any enjoyment. It gets so weirdly arty through a bunch of the tracks too. Its an arthouse film that people pretend to like, but an album.
If ABBA was fronted by Count Dracula. Maybe that’s a compliment? Either way this was the weirdest album we’ve gotten so far (and we’ve gotten some real shit before this). I think I actually liked it a lot but don’t think I can rate it any higher because if anyone catches you listening to this you have so much explaining to do
This album had its good moments, but also its repetitive moments. I do like how the song Opus Dei samples Live is Life by Opus. High 2/5
idk this one could've grown on me but i can get similar sounding music without worrying that people will think im a nazi; would i listen again willingly in its entirety? absolutely not.
Laibach's "Opus Dei" is an album that embodies a striking sense of militaristic precision, characterized by its operatic, theatrical, and dramatic elements. Although it likely falls within the industrial music genre, the album surprisingly features some engaging hooks. While maintaining a consistent sonic tone, the album remains diverse enough to not be monotonous or overly repetitive. The cover of Opus' "Live is Life" ("Opus Dei") was an unexpected delight, as was "Trans-National," which incorporates New Wave synths and a danceable beat. The album concludes with a dramatic horn outro, the perfect punctuation for such a dramatic set of recordings. This album was a new experience for me, though it likely will not appeal to everyone's tastes. Would I listen to it again? Likely not. However, that does not take away form his being an enjoyable discovery.
I’m not so sure if ironic fascism plays so well these days, especially in German. It’s kind of like the people who get the wrong message out of Fight Club. I won’t hold that against them, though, since we were not their intended audience. Fine. That being said, it’s still not an album I would listen to again.
Iwie geil lol
Quel album mesdames messieurs! Totale surprise, considérant qu'il est dans le top 10 des albums les moins bien noté du générateur. Je peux comprendre les critiques: c'est dur, c'est violent, ça parle de fascisme et ça sonne fasciste... mais c'est TELLEMENT différent de la slop country et post-punk/new wave qu'on me régurgite dans les oreilles à chaque deux jours que je me sens revitaliser. Ça me fait l'effet d'un Brain Salad Surgery feat. Sabaton & Evil Kraftwerk, financé par un état fasciste euro-centriste dystopique rétro-futuriste à la Disco Elysium, et ça, c'est beaucoup trop spécifique pour ne pas lui donner 5.
Hell yeah
One of the most profoundly strange albums that the generator has offered up. I appreciated its unique vibe and sound, but I can’t say I enjoyed much of the actual music. Best song: Opus Dei
The guitar solo in the middle of Lieben HeiBt Leben was completely unexpected. I couldn't bring myself to list to the rest of the album though. To me, it sounds like monks chanting.
Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Epic
Don’t get it
What an unexpected ride. This one seemed to be a few actual good songs packaged around a bunch of super artistic type music. I'm battling with defining whether I liked this one or not. Can't say I would listen again, but this is another album that deserves to be on this list solely for the uniqueness of it.
This album has personality and I don't like that personality. I like my industrial real gay not fake gay
Nuria: 2 Jaime: 4
This is one of the lowest rated albums in this whole project. The lead singer's voice is something a person must get used to AND the songs are in German for the most part. The last three tracks (on the bonus edition) are all pretty "meh" and instrumentals at that. All together though, I didn't really hate this album. His voice is something to get used to but the use of orchestration, keyboards and just general bombast was at least interesting to me. It feels to me like this is the kind of album that should be in this book, as opposed to what I heard yesterday which seemed to be a take-off of multiple genres without actually doing anything to elevate or bring something new to the genre. Songs I would recommend are: Leben Heisst Leben Geburt Einer Nation Opus Dei (I will say, he does sing like Cookie Monster on this one) Leben-Tod This is industrial music that doesn't just feature screaming over incoherent instrumentation, with the band seemingly performing in front of a steel mill. I would not recommend listening to the version of this album with bonus tracks though.
unlistenable.
Really cool sound, love his voice
2.75 just not breaking the language barrier.
Fun
Dystopia ironic fascist Euri dirge. Not buying it.
No idea what he’s saying, but “Leben - Tod” was kinda cool, the rest felt like it should be in some Lord of the Rings anime remake (and not a good one). His voice is certainly interesting, I wonder what he sounds like live. Might have to find out. Can’t say I’ll listen to it again.
Their sound is big but I am not sure I like it all that much. 3 stars or C.
Interesting - predates Rammstein, a couple of melodies of there's are present, and one song (which I presume is a cover). A couple of Queen songs riffs too (from Highlander tunes). Could be listened to again. Reminds me of a cross between Tom G Warrior and Rammstein
After hearing this, I think singing in German should be banned.
I remember last year someone recommended this album, and I liked it. I still like it even now.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Rammstein was boring and bad? Well wonder no more! Meet Laibach!
Oh my god this was horrible. Worsened every single song and hated it. NO thank you.
On a family road trip in 1983 as a young creative child I decided to pass the time by loudly burping the lyrics to Eddy Grant's big hit "Electric Avenue" over the course of an entire day, much to the endless amusement of my family. They thought I was special. I just didn't know it had been recorded. 2/10 1 star
Very interesting album. Liked the first few songs a lot. Standout songs: Leben Heisst Leben Geburt Einer Nation Leben - Tod
No es mi tipo de musica
Different. Too militaristic for me.
It was okay
Comedy glod
Interesting but not my cup of tea
Slovenian dog shitt....oh mannnnn! I thing is one of the worst albuns from this list
Giving it 3 stars, it's a strange listen, I like the production, I kind of like their sound even if the vocals get a bit grating. It's certainly one of the more unique albums I've gotten so far, a little too long maybe. Not sure what the genre is, some kind of Soviet military sounding industrial music.
Certainly different. More interesting than Coldplay who just thieved 6 hours of my life. But not my kinda music.
"Opus Dei" is the third studio album by Slovenian and Yugoslav avant-garde music group Laibach. The Wiki-listed genres are martial industrial (offshoot of industrial) and neoclassical dark wave (characterized by dark, romantic and bleak lyrics). Sometimes, you learn two new things in a day. Rico Coming produced the album. "Leben heißt Leben" opens a crowd chanting and a pounding percussion. Horns and a very deep voice are brought in. Lyrics in German. This song is a reworking of Austrian pop band Opus' "Live Is Life." Enter an organ and a distorted guitar solo. A chaotic ending with opera-like voices. Woah! "Geburt einer Nation" covers Queen's "One Vision." Rhythmic drums and a wavering synth. This is a little more poppy than the previous song. It's an interesting juxtaposition between the poppy music and the industrial mechanical pounding and deep throttled vocals. "Opus Dei" is another reworking of Opus' "Live is Life." This time it's in English; there's horns, marching drums and a deep voice repeating "life is life." Dramatic! The closing song "The Great Seal" opens like the theme from "Star Wars." A military marching band. Very regal. Mostly instrumental. And, this is the anthem of the NSK State (Neve Sloweinische Kunst is a political art collective that formed in Slovenia in 1984. I'm confused as to what that exactly is so I'll just stop there.). Well, this music is unique; industrial mechanical pounding beats (very similar to late 80's Ministry) mixed with classical, anthemic, soundtrack, guitar, synth and/or horn-focused music. Songs might have combinations of these elements. The vocals are deep and guttural: half in German and other ones in English. Overall, I would say that if you like industrial, there's a chance you'd like this. I am not sure where I stand on it; I didn't dislike it but I serious doubt I will ever listen to it again...Soooo, there you go.
Al fin un álbum que no está en inglés! Y que no es rock genérico! Muy bien! Me gustó, muy jugado y descarado. Tengo que ponerle like al cover de Live is Life. Nota: 3.5
Могучие и прекрасные.
This is art.
RRRRRRAUUSSSSS slovenialaiset gg. ymmärtää hyvää musiikika. huom. olemme täysin anti-fasisteja.. bändin nimi, symbolit... sattumaa.. miksi puhumme saksaa kysyt? Yhtyeen musiikki käsittelee poliittisia aiheita usein provokatiivisella ja vaikeaselkoisella tavalla. jos selko on vaikeaa niin voivoi.. teikäläisen ongelma. Laibach has frequently been accused of both far left and far right political stances. todellisuudessa: sentristejä.. loppua kohden albumi paranee huomattavasti jägerspiel
I don't want to be dramatic or anything but this ruined my morning Best Song: Geburt Einer Nation Rating: 1.5/10 Stars: 1/5
There are some fairly interesting things happening with elements of different genres getting mixed together https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-opus-dei-by-laibach?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
The Life is Life cover is fun, but it seems lie too much of a one note joke. I think Residents are much more successful with their irony filled covers.
Not opposed to German rock, but this just didn’t hit for me.
Pointing out that Queen are one of the most Tory bands ever definitely earns it points. Being utterly daft definitely earns points. Points! Points! Points! Not too arsed about the four tracks at the end but they're not on this record so must be disregarded. Which makes this record 37 minutes long, which again garners it some lovely.... points!
Ne, hvala.
Eeeh
I didn't know what to expect going in, but it definitely wasn't this - I enjoyed it though! Definitely worth looking further into the group and their background to get a full sense of context behind their vibe and arrangements.
This feels Nazi-adjacent to me, but maybe it’s just the German… 1⭐️
Slovekia metal, uh, no
Really enjoyed this. But maybe not for the right reasons? Had me smiling throughout. Great production. Not sure how seriously I was supposed to be taking it (I hope it's as tongue in cheek as I think). Militaryesque martial music. Industrial with a strong heavy dark beat. Dictator music. The sort of music I'd expect to hear at a Trump rally. Only it's primarily in "foreign" so the insular fuckwit wouldn't have given it time of day. The Queen cover is awesome. 'Get me a Litebeer' (yes... I know!). On second listen some of the tracks on side 2 drag on a little. 3½
I want to rank this 1/5, but I can’t. I couldn’t help but find myself smiling intermittently throughout. The album is ludicrous, abrasive, offensive, but something about it is unabashedly unique. It felt like I was at cult meeting for the German Steel Workers Union. Crazy stuff.
I tried my best but I did not succeed. Can’t manage a full hour of this. Having more fun reading their Wikipedia page than I am listening to the album. Maybe I’ll try again one day
Funny. Silly. Entertaining. Is it supposed to be funny? I can't take it seriously, but it has raised a smile. Can't see me listening to it again, but it was a fun listen.
This kinda fucking ROCKS
I was a bit wary of this, slightly put off by the "industrial" label. But I was very pleasantly surprised. It's built around two cover versions: Queen's One Vision, and Life Is Life from Opus. Both are reworked into Wagnerian epics and the whole album was very enjoyable.
With that cover you know you're in for something special. Take the most arty and avant-garde base, like the most esoteric Talking Heads, mix it with grade z industrial metal, add troll with chunks of facist, or is it, and, for the pièce de résistance, have the lead singer sound remarkably like Cookie Monster when he does actually sing. Voilà! Laibach! What's on this album is more performance art than music, clearly meant to provoke a reaction. My reaction was I did not care for it. However, I appreciate what they did here is on-purpose, so props to them for that. I won't give it one star, but I just cannot give it 3.
I get what they're going for, I get what it's supposed to be, but that doesn't mean it's fun to listen to or enjoyable at all
okay right off the bat realizing the song i love, "life is life" by kirin callinan is just a cover of the first song on this album lol okay girls idk?? i think she's kinda fun?? i like the upbeat music contrasting with this mans insaneeee voice. okay i just thought that way about the first two songs... two songs left.. please end
lol I don’t know what to do with this one.
Music for dudes who are a little too into learning about Nazis
Like, it's not a great album and I get why it has such a low score here specifically, but idk I'm kind of partial to these crusty 80s industrial albums (except L'eau Rouge, that one was bad). 3.5/5
I just imagine them as the moopets and I love it! 4/5
Sometimes I see albums that have songs with no more than 40k plays and I wonder if the only people that are listening to that crap are we, the people doing this list. Anyways, this is not my thing. Some songs were borderline ok-ish, but the rest was just hard to listen to.
Badass German music. A unique soundscape
Certainly an experience, and not quite my cup of tea. I do recognize there's some artistic value to it all - it feels competently made and has interesting instrumentals and vocal work. 'Opus Dei' was my fave from the lot.
Terrible
Я будто послушал сборник гимнов разных стран. Это не то чтобы хорошо...
Weird af
1.5
I hate this
I can't get jiggy with this shit.
Nah
I'm kinda blown away by this record. Never heard of this group before this recommendation. It's not something I'd listen to all the time, but I'm hearing the beginnings of industrial music hear. Likely a far more influential record than many realize.
Kinda weird in a good way but then the songs just drone on and on aimlessly.
4/10
This was alright. I don’t really like those deep vocals that you often get in metal and some of the really experimental stuff was hard to listen to but other than that is quite good. 3 stars
Like nothing I’ve ever heard or would choose to hear again.
хуита
Creepy
First album I've received through this by a group I'd never heard of. Mildly enjoyable in places, but I can't imagine seeking it out again.
It appears it's a controversial opinion but I actually like this. Very industrial sound, lots of marching beats, but it sounds epic to me and could be the soundtrack to a film. Definitely interesting.
I somehow missed the album and had to go back and listen, I wish I hadn’t. It’s too industrial, it’s too German/Austrian, his voice is really distracting, there are three songs and some instrumentals and then they repeat said songs for different versions? 2/10
shit
I honestly have no idea what's going on with this album but it's powerful, and grandiose, and weird, and hypnotic, and just strange. I'm probably in the minority but I liked it. The album features strong vocal performances and each song has its own identity. Not knowing German, I would expect each song to more or less sound the same. But Laibach did a great job of differentiating the sound on each song while still making the album feel like one cohesive project. It was definitely a trip to say the least. I'm not sure how much I'll be revisiting it but I did enjoy it as a whole.
This is the kind of wild shit I love about this project. What the hell was this? Industrial metal mixed with military marching music, loops, krautrock, and Rammstein's vocalist. Absolutely bizarre ride.
There is not good, then bad, then worse….then this. It’s worse than worse.
Somewhat out there album great covers and somehow works. Check out their sound of music full album if you like this
One of the funniest albums I've heard for a long time. I mean, it gets old after about a song and a half, but the cover version of Queen's One Vision is laugh out loud funny. Reminded me of stand up comedian Bill Bailey doing the Hokey Cokey as Kraftwerk. Check it out on Youtube.
I’d be lying if I told you I said I knew what I was getting into. They grabbed my attention right off the hope with Leben LeiBt Leben, which was both had a victorious yet gloomy vibe to it. It also had a super sweet guitar solo. Then to kick off the second track we get an eagle screech followed up by industrial drums, fuck yea! I even found a sick track to add to my Halloween playlist with Jagerspiel which has a looping breathy chant and a looping drum beat and what sounds to be Dracula speaking over top, it is so great. This whole album is super bizarre and exactly the type of obscure shit I wanted to find with this project. 4 stars
Are we sure this is from 1001 albums you should listen to before you die and not 1001 albums you should listen to if you want to die?
Day383 - this sounds like a goofy movie soundtrack
Weird. I enjoyed some songs. Some were too weird.
I liked their leben heisst leben cover, but nothing else
This is… I don’t know what this is, but I’m happy to have gotten it, and I can’t wait till I have a reason to play it for someone else. (ntm.)
Emperor's new clothes.
BONKERS
More an art installation than an album. The would be movie soundtrack to the alt history dystopian industrial world if the 3rd reich or stalins USSR had been all conquering. Glad heard it - in a sick way maybe. Enjoyed it - hell no but then in a funny way maybe-no. 1 star for the .. for making me want to march and being rather silly
# Album Name: Opus Dei # Artist: Laibach # Rating: 1/5 # Comments: Fuck off. Who added this fucking turd fest to the book?! This is the musical equivalent of two germans defecating on each other. Absolutely horrendous. You have to be a twat to add this to the book. I hope you have nightmares tonight. I know i will. # Top Tunes: fuck off. Yer ma! # Would I listen to it again? Only if i joined the US army and was sent to guantanamo bay to perform my duties.
Initially found it interesting but it dragged. Group comments about the sincerity of the “supposed” parody of authoritarianism worry me.
Ja, this was awful.
This is the eighth album I’m rating. I’m very excited because this is the first album where I know absolutely nothing so I’m going to go into this completely blind. Leben Heißt Leben - Not Adding to my Playlist. My immediate thoughts are that this isn’t in English, and pretty unknown. This also feels weirdly boring for a Slovenian band i’ve never heard of. Geburt einer Nation - Adding to my Playlist. The lyrics sound like English but the words are impossible to make out. Is this in German? I’m confused. I think it is because it’s a Queen cover. I’ve never listened to the Queen song but I can’t imagine it being anything like this. Leben - Tod - Adding to my Playlist. This feels like metal music. I wonder if the lyrics wouldn’t sound as stupid if I spoke the language. I think the lyrics are a bit repetitive but I might be wrong. F.I.A.T - Not Adding to my Playlist. Sounds like its from a Soviet military movie in a bad way. Opus Dei - Not adding to my Playlist. This is definitely English and I hate it. Go back to German. Titular track isn’t great. Trans-National - Adding to my Playlist. Sounds pretty weird but I love it. This is the type of album that you should never ever play at a party. How The West Was Won - Not Adding ho my Playlist. It sounds a bit too repetitive for me. The Great Seal - Not Adding to my Playlist. This is a military anthem. All in all I liked 3/8 songs. It was weird and nothing like anything else I’ve ever listened to. However. I like it more because it’s weird.
I think this is my introduction to the concept of “industrial music” and honestly it’s great. Huge Animal from The Muppets vibes. “DRUMS! More DRUMS!”
Like Shostakovich but with vocals, what a strange and fun listen.
9/10 Give me a lite beer. I haven't looked to see how many other people just put this in, but I bet it was most. 1-14-2025
More of an art concept than a musical achievement. Not terrible and enjoyed it when it first came out good to hear again but no need to listen another time
Ok, so I got this the day after Throbbing Gristle in a wee bottom of the pile double whammy and tbh I don’t hate either of them. At least they’re not boring. It’s all about the context I feel as it’s more performance art. Would be intrigued to see them live
Sloveense art-metal die een album maakt rondom het nummer 'Live is Life' van Opus? Zelfs mij een stuk of 10 bruggen te ver. 4/10
What the fuck.
Superreptitve lyrics. Dark and political with a lot of gunshots, loud drums, crowd noises, chanting, and some explosions. Very influenced by WWII and the troops in Wizard of Oz. Couldn’t help but laugh when Arhnold’s cousin took the mic. I hope this isn’t the only local music they have in Slovenia cause this album sounded like the score to a German World War II movie. Better name would’ve been Maibach! (1.6*s)
This was like Cookie Monster doing black metal over marching beats, it wore out it's welcome pretty quick. It's less an album and more like 3 songs repeated four times but with different battle horns added in. The only good thing is that it's completely different than anything else I've heard. 1.0 for the dystopian medieval trumpets.
How about some anti-fascist, battle rally, Hall of the mountain king music for your morning commute? Everyone get out of my waaaay yaaaa! The last 20 mins was kinda cool but repetitive. I like the mixing on the soldier march song "Herz-Felde." The band has a thing about reinterpreting rock music with some Queen titles making this album (I did not notice. Also don't listen to their "Let it Be" cover album...woof). Def influence on some more later bands of the genre like Rammstein, maybe even Muse a bit. An interesting band but too military. Give them a boost for being Slovenian...2.2.
It's not the worst album on the list but I didn't need any aspect of this. It's not entirely out my wheelhouse but there are so many barriers for entry that overall I'd rather just skip this altogether. I'm not huge into industrial metal and don't speak German/Slovenian so this is a pretty big miss for me. I tried to give it a shot but after a while I just wanted it to end. 0.59 stars
Okay album. I didn’t dig this at all. It seemed like the band was trying perform a German rock opera. I think the musicianship was there but the album couldn’t end early enough for me.
Cookie Monster like light beer. Ja! Ja! Ja!
When confronted with accusations that they were recycling n*zi and totalitarian aesthetics, the Slovenian act Laibach was quoted as replying with the ambiguous response: "We are fascists as much as Hitler was a painter". Well, that's the thing: Adolf *did* use his brush on canvas during his youth in Vienna, didn't he? Failed fascists, maybe? Because Laibach were... not serious enough??? All I know is that I ended up on the Wikipedia page about the early pictural works the future Third Reich dictator / mass murderer painted as a student in fine arts while listening to this LP. Quite a nonsensical experience, lol. As goofy and obviously tongue-in-cheek as Laibach's use of totalitarian imagery is (it's obviously a bad taste cosplay act), there's still something quite unsettling in it. Even if it looks like such clownish cosplay routine also aims at provoking questions and reactions in the audience: how on earth is it possible to find something fascinating in those mechanical, 'inhumane' sounds, here delivered with some dubious 'futurist' artwork (the latter even downright inspired by the SS or Stalinist regimes at times -- see those videos!)? And isn't covering Opus' "Life Is Life" (twice! - the first a slower, more ominous version sung in German, and the second as a catchier rendition sung in English) a way to underline that the liberal "west" and its own glorious, "transcendant", arena-friendly aesthetics are actually NOT exempt of that totalitarian impulse? That the latter is actually deeply ingrained inside them? That both systems just might be two sides of the same coin? That questioning aside, I admit that I have always found those cover versions hilarious (and even thrilling when I'm in playful mood). The thing is, this is an app about *albums* here, not 'singles'. And the awful truth is that as an LP, *Opus Dei* doesn't really hold water. Apart from the two versions of "Life Is Life", you have a barely recognizable Queen song and then.... some experimental industrial-classical forays. With some interesting tones once in a while, sure... except that the latter have been done better elsewhere. Consequently, the original album feels more like an EP than a an album proper, to be honest. The CD and streaming version have bonus tracks from an actual EP at the end (a soundtrack about... something -- I was too lazy to check). The experimental tones are a bit better in them, ironically. But it's no life-changing experience either. So let's keep Laibach's name for a book about the 1001 (most extravagant) *singles* you must listen to before you die, and then move on, shall we? 2.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 3. 7.5/10 for more general purposes (5 for general musical competency + 0.5 for some interesting experimental tidbits here and there + 2 for the two cover versions of "Life Is Life") Number of albums left to review: around forty, as I've gone over the 1000 line and this generator is including albums from all editions of the book Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 452 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 271 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 327 (including this one)
So German
Weird album. It was a constant ebb and flow between digging the album and wondering wtf I was listening to. Sort of enjoyed it, I guess.
it's not my mood at the moment but i can appreciate
Strange but somehow kinda good.
Ьчлч
Another meh fest.
Catchier than I expected. The Cookie Monster voice works, but I also just don't enjoy being yelled at in German. The guitar solo in track 1 is pretty cool too.
i have trouble describing how genuinely awful this is
Pre-listening thoughts: is the reason Kraftwerk was such an accomplishment for Germany that everyone else there was just banging pots and pans together and yelling and calling it music???? Why is every German album here like frightening recruitment music???? Scared for the potential of Kollaps pt 2 Post/during listening thoughts: this is what I think of when I hear “German music”. Now, I will say this is loads better than Kollaps. I don’t think it can get much worse than that. There are actual instruments and singing here. However this totally still falls into the “banging pots and pans together in a militant manner” category. I don’t want to go to war papa 1.5/10 (.5 is for how much it made me laugh. LIFE IS LIFE!!!) DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: as funny as this album is I can’t say I enjoyed any of it as like music I would revisit to actually listen to. Something has to go on my playlist tho. Hmmm Least fav tracks: well…
I’m not a huge fan of industrial music, but I did think this was an interesting album to listen to.
Laibach is a Slovenian group that makes "martial industrial" - industrial music with a militaristic bent, all performed as a parody, of sorts. The band presents rock concerts as absurd political rallies. The album includes the band's biggest hit, "Live is Life," also known as "Opus Dei." This is dark, foreboding music, that seems like a soundtrack to a dystopian film.
We get it, you're German.
Thought I would hate it but ended up listening several times!
Very intense, but very moving
Strong Khazad-dûm vibes with this one, especially the first song, "Leben Heisst Leben" (Life is Life). Crunchy, grumbly deep voices, and some sick synth-driven orchestrations. Cinematic at times.
Listening to this felt like being cornered by the most self serious dude at an otherwise fun party.
An interesting album, very different from what I usually listen to but I enjoyed it. I liked the songs Leben Heist Leben, F.I.A.T and Opus Dei the most.
Liked this a lot more than I thought I would
WTF was that?? It was surprisingly interresting and I rather enjoyed it. Put it on favorites to listen to again in the near future. For the moment rated at 4 stars.
Hoy toca banda desconocida por completo. Tienen algo industrial, levemente oscuro y pop. Mención especial al cover bizarro de "Live is life". Sin más para decir, me despido hasta mañana.
Never cared much for them though I quietly admire their tenacity in sticking to the bit. Unfortunately, that wry line between parody and endorsement is uncontrollable. At least when it comes to Opus Dei, it's clear to me that the music itself is not to my taste.
Woah. This is fun. My only gripe is that each song is one good idea on a loop throughout with no variation. But I really liked this.
It’s clear the creator of this list has a bias for industrial rock. While I know that it has its place, I don’t really enjoy it. This one was no different.
Yikes
Thoughts before listening: No idea what this. I have never seen the cover or heard of the band. Based on the cover I'm guessing some sort of industrial, goth type sound...also probably very European. Review: Well I wasn't exactly right on the sound although pretty close I guess. This album feels like an 80s version of Rammstein with music sounding like hair metal meets a Nazi rally or something. Distorted guitars with synth sounds and military marching drum beats backing up barked and growled German lyrics. This is quite the album. I'm not so sure I am enjoying this despite being interesting so I will give this 2-stars.
Weird album. I imagine this one won't be very popular but I actually enjoyed it. Rhythmic in an industrial, almost militaristic way.
Yo, I don't even know what this is, but I gotta say that it has a kind of charm to it. It helps that I tend to enjoy industrial music, and this album seems like it was influential in the advancement of the genre into the 90s. I don't love the weird military and nationalism stuff, but that was also common in industrial music in the 80s, and it all seems pretty tongue in cheek. 4/5 It's not the most pleasant listening experience, but it's certainly interesting
i tried to read up on it and i think i get the picture but tentatively i dont want to either fully praise or condemn the band's satirical fascist image cuz that would require a lot more hard-earned understanding of both their art and its surrounding context then i can get based on a few strong opinions. i am innately annoyed at parodic fascism because i dont think whatever point u want to make ever justifies indulging in bigotry, but to be fair to laibach from what ive seen their imagery avoids grotesque depictions of the enemy and is more about the self-glorification and self-mythologization within authoritarian ideology, which is a lot harder to object to obviously. plus it makes for an interesting active indulgence...embracing the strength of expression that comes from fascism's hyper-idealism to a couple interesting ends. a lot of this is equally ugly and masochistically euphoric, and the allusions to pop music further expand the scope of the satire towards the hidden and respectable fascism of western "democracy" and capitalism. honestly overtly satirical/deconstructive things On The Whole are increasingly not for me personally, but im glad this one pulls out a vivid and tbh kind of unforgettable aesthetic experience along the way, and that that experience is meaningfully intertwined with The Point rather than being ignored in favor of it. probably the best band to have an extremely long and fucking annoying žižek quote on their wikipedia page
i don’t really get it, but i wish i did, and that must be worth something
Reminds me of dungeon synth. Could be classified as that I think. Not my type of album though. Maybe I should listen with headphones next time
German, patriotic, Winston Churchill, lazer beams. What a ride
Yeah... It's a fucking Opus Dei for vampires. Done by vampires too. But it's quite a performance alright. 3.5/5.
3 - sort of interesting
Hell yeah dude, life is life
Fucking unlistenable
I’m sorry if I could give this 0 I would
The entire time, we said that this is a Nick Lupinetti album. It was quite fun and quite German. Not my favorite type of music but I had a good time listening to it on the beach
Nick would love this.
The only possible context that you would listen to this would be if you were in a German marching band ! Terrible and I had to stop listening ‘cos it was hurting my ears ! 1*
I mean this was wild. From the Monty Python style album-art onwards. Enjoyable in some sense but also hearing a gruff Slovenian belching out Queen was just odd.
Not even the “One Vision” Queen cover can save this noisy record. The vocalist is obnoxious and the instrumentals are just a lot of noise.
Heaviest album ever
What a horrible album... I'm not easily offended, but hearing stuff like this... phew... I skipped most of it! Those 'Life is life' covers are appalling. It has a bit of The Art Of Noise, but very different on it's own. Perhaps if you like industrial music with pompous drums and horns; this may be something... Otherwise... just skip it...
Zware mannenstemmen die bekende pop-hits zingen. Voelt een beetje als een parodie waarbij "boeren" een nieuwe manier van zingen is. De muziek klinkt bekend, zoals de pop-hits zelf, maar de zang maakt het echt niet leuker. Nouja, misschien voor 1 nummer, maar verder... Heel slecht! Koopt iemand dit? **
Kinda cool
Unhörbar! Schrott!
This is so goofy (complimentary)
ok i do not think i have to listen to more than a couple of these songs to get the gist. goofy and distasteful. really just not my thing at all…
no…..
Close to unlistenable fascist music. It was vaguely interesting for a few minutes but just kept going and going and going. According to their Spotify bio it all might just be some big performance art act, but I don’t think that really matters when your album sounds like the playlist of a Proud Boys meeting.
This sounds like a Nazi march soundtrack. The only thing I liked about was the drumming.
Honestly kind of scary. Could not finish it. Dystopian and maybe too on the nose for this current political moment.
strange and wonderful - I loved every strange minute!
Strange but enjoyable. Definitely grew on me.
Njeh
Growly German vocals over inconsistent genre music.
I was a little put off at first but as this album went on it grew on me. It's actually pretty epic. Creative. Well written. I've no idea what they're saying, but could totally listen again.
Wild but low key cool, the Queen inspiration was cool to learn about
Really enjoyed this one for some reason. It had a nationalistic feel to it that was very powerful. 3.5/5
This started very strong, but Herz-Felde is a massive question mark to me... Strong record, makes me want to topple some statues. And then a super experimental chopped sample song comes on for 5 minutes that kills the entire flow? The opening of Jagerspiel had me scared it would continue - and then it did. This suddenly went from great industrial music to a failed version of MGMT. Deserves to be on the list, but more of a show of missed potential than a great record. I think the Spotify listening numbers of the version linked here tell a very clear story. Rough. First section is 8/10, everything past Herz-Felde a 1/10. Total a 4/10. Shame.
This one is obviously silly tongue-in-cheek music. I do appreciate the variety and introduces into the list, but I can't say I liked it.
THIS is why i have embarked on this project!!!! i would have never heard of this band or album or even style of music but this was super cool. i know it was Slovenian but it sounded like it could’ve been from an alien planet in the best way possible
4.0
It’s completely outside my comfort zone, but I thought it was really cool! I could do without the Queen covers, though
I love German culture, but this…? I cannot get along with it. It’s almost a stereotype with its guttural vocals and opera-esque arrangements. It’s not for me
From the onset, this seemed like an album I would not really enjoy. I mean, "martial industrial?" The "military industrial-music complex," as I call it. That just sounded like... Not a very fun time at all. Even before this year's U.S. election I would've thought, but living in the aftermath of who actually won? "Solvenians yelling at me in German over dark, military-inspired industrial beats sounds" like the last thing I would have wanted. Which makes it all the funnier, then, that I actually did kind of enjoy this a lot. Like, one more thing to begin with, you also gotta understand my conception of industrial music. Whenever I hear the term, I always imagine music that's loud and harsh. Music that's abrasive for the sake of it, though not enough to actually cross over into noise. Now, don't ask me where I got that perception from, I have no idea. But if I don't imagine that, usually I picture something just... Like, clanky and boring. In short, I have a bit of a predisposition to disliking industrial music. And that's not even to get into what I feel about the military. Let's not even get into it, for the sake of keeping things focused if nothing else. So color me surprised that this album isn't loud, harsh or abrasive. It's actually a lot of trumpets (I imagine trumpet synths) over these marching beats. I'd had this assumption they'd be slower than they are, and maybe they are still slow, but they're not so slow as to be a boring crawl to my ears. And with a little mix of guitar in there sometimes... Honestly, this sound kind of kicks ass? I would have never seeked this out on my own if not for this Randomizer, not in a million years, but... Yeah, no. I can really dig this. That title track and "The Great Seal" especially — oh, gawd, those triumphant horns. Oh, I love it. I absolutely love it. It actually reminds me a lot of RAMMSTEIN. Sure, yeah, it's partially just because these guys are largely singing/speaking in German, but I feel like if you added some heavier guitar riffs and sped up the tempo a little it wouldn't be too far off. I don't think you'd even need to change the lyrics. (For the record, by the way, I didn't translate. That's bad practice, I know, but besides the fact that it's been, like, a decade since my last high school German class... I'unno, I haven't translated any other foreign-language album my group has gotten, so why would I start now, y'know?) Y'know, besides the optics of getting this album when my group did, my biggest worry, honestly, would be that I'd hafta give this album a 2 or, goodness forbid, a 1 and plunge Metal right out of my top three genres. Like, I'd finally gotten it back in there after stupid DEVIL WITHOUT A CAUSE caused it to be out of there for so long... And I wouldn't even actually call it "Metal," but regardless, it makes me really happy to give this thing a 4. I even almost wanna give it a 5 just for how surprised I was that I actually liked it as much as I did, though let's not get **too** excited here. And, yeah, still, the optics of my group getting this album when we did aren't great. It only could've been worse if we'd gotten this thing yesterday, right after the American election. And, yeah, any "ironic" use of Nazi iconography in the lyrics isn't... Good? I mean, I don't give the Sex Pistols a pass for that shit, so I don't know why I would anyone else. Once again: bad practice that I didn't do my diligence to translate the lyrics and find any of it. But all I know is that from what I **did** understand... Aw, heck, I enjoyed this thing a lot. I'll even give it the highest compliment I can give an industrial album that isn't by Nine Inch Nails: I'll probably listen to some of this stuff again. Goodness, you don't even know how much that means...
This is certainly An Album that exists. It's decent enough, though, so I'm giving 3.5 bumped down to 3.
I’m at a 3.5 that I’m going to cautiously bump up to a 4. I mean, look, of all the albums to get so soon after the 2024 Presidential election, to get this one is the equivalent of rolling a Nat 1 on a D700. It’s not even that it’s necessarily bad – I genuinely really did enjoy this, but the optics and timing are tremendously and uniquely awful. It feels like starting this project on January 1st led to this as a long, long, sick punchline. But regardless of that, like I said – I genuinely enjoyed this. Call it sick irony given the consequences of the election and the incredibly militaristic sound here, but in terms of soundscape and vision, this really does feel like an awkward political rally. It’s discomfiting, uneasy, a little too real at times… and I think that’s the point. This is meant to create that sense of awkwardness, to confront it head on, to feel that way without ever explicitly agreeing to it. Given the social contexts of 1980s Cold War politics that deeply underline this album, it feels like a direct statement against the causes that were more present behind the Iron Curtain at the time. In that sense, I think the production and tone here are basically perfect as a form of satire. Really uncomfortable satire, but satire nonetheless. Where this album falls flat then, for me, is simply in fully committing to its vision and execution – you wanna go down this pathway, and make people awkwardly feel the consequences of something they didn’t sign up for? Make it even less palatable. Make it a little bit screechier, make it a little less clean, make it feel like despair. I know I sound sadistic when I type all of that, but if that’s the point of the album here, I think committing even deeper to the “downfall” of this rally would’ve really nailed this as a home run of a concept album. Because it plays itself relatively safe, I have to judge it a bit more on the musical execution, and in terms of the musical execution… yeah, this thing kinda falls into the “first minute is the whole song” trap a few too many times. The pulsating, militaristic drums and brass sections grow tiring after too long, and slowly start to lose their effect. The political speeches of despair are effective, but without a real shift in the instrumentation to add to the atmosphere, it comes across as kind of hokey. Again, I get it – you can’t be too blatant, otherwise it goes from incredibly pointed and direct satire done in a perfectly uncomfortable way, to just straight up being the real thing, and that’s a truly hard balance to hit on. I think they did about as good as they could given the political environment of the time – they could’ve been in some serious shit if they went too far one way or the other, and the fact that they even crossed the tightrope is a miracle to begin with. So… yeah, I really did like this. I wish it had the guts to be a little more loose, to really drive home how awkward it is, but it doesn’t take away from how oddly engaging those 37 minutes still are. By really leaning into itself, and making it feel so captivating and bombastic, I simply have to wonder… did people really think they were legit? Hell, am I misreading them? I guess I’ll never quite know – the band itself has stayed ambiguous about it for years upon years. Hell, apparently they played North Korea, and I truly don’t know what to make of that. I can only hope I’m right in calling it a deeply biting satire. Hence, the 3.5 that I’m cautiously bumping up to a 4 – heavy emphasis on “cautiously”.
Nein...
This was an enjoyable kind of weird.
the title track is my new favorite song
## In-Depth Review of *Opus Dei* by Laibach Laibach's *Opus Dei*, released in 1987, stands as a significant work within the realms of martial industrial and neoclassical dark wave music. This album not only showcases the band's unique sound but also encapsulates their provocative artistic philosophy. Here, we will explore the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence while also weighing its pros and cons. ### ****Lyrics The lyrics of *Opus Dei* are a blend of political commentary, cultural critique, and existential reflection. The album features several notable tracks that exemplify Laibach's approach to lyrical content: - **"Leben heißt Leben"**: This track is a German cover of Opus' "Live Is Life." While the original song had an upbeat and celebratory tone, Laibach's version infuses it with a darker, more ironic undertone. The lyrics juxtapose themes of life and death, reflecting on the absurdity of existence. - **"Geburt einer Nation"**: A reworking of Queen's "One Vision," this song employs militaristic imagery to comment on nationalism and collective identity. The lyrics evoke a sense of unity through powerful chants and anthemic phrases, yet they also critique the idea of blind allegiance to a nation. - **"The Great Seal"**: This track incorporates lines from Winston Churchill’s famous speech during World War II. By using historical rhetoric, Laibach emphasizes themes of perseverance and struggle while simultaneously questioning the glorification of war. Overall, Laibach's lyrics are marked by their duality—celebratory yet critical, humorous yet serious—making them ripe for interpretation. The band's use of irony challenges listeners to reconsider their perceptions of patriotism and identity. ### ****Music Musically, *Opus Dei* is characterized by its martial industrial style, which combines elements of classical music with aggressive industrial sounds. Key features include: - **Instrumentation**: The album prominently features orchestral arrangements alongside electronic elements. Strings and brass instruments create a grandiose atmosphere that contrasts with the heavy percussion typical of industrial music. - **Vocal Style**: Milan Fras’s deep, resonant vocals add a commanding presence to the tracks. His delivery ranges from melodic singing to spoken word, enhancing the dramatic effect of the lyrics. - **Production Techniques**: Produced by Rico Conning, *Opus Dei* employs layered soundscapes that create an immersive listening experience. The use of samples—from military marches to classical compositions—further enriches the album's sonic palette. Tracks like "F.I.A.T." showcase Laibach's ability to blend somber themes with powerful instrumentation. The haunting melodies combined with rhythmic intensity make for an engaging experience that captures the listener’s attention. ### ****Production The production quality of *Opus Dei* is noteworthy for its time. Rico Conning’s expertise in sound engineering allowed Laibach to achieve a polished yet raw sound that complements their thematic intent: - **Layering**: The album effectively layers various sounds and samples to create depth. This technique allows for a dynamic listening experience where different elements emerge upon repeated listens. - **Atmosphere**: Conning’s production emphasizes the martial aesthetic through echoing drums and resonant strings, creating an atmosphere that feels both grandiose and oppressive. - **Mixing**: The balance between electronic elements and live instrumentation is handled deftly, ensuring that neither overshadows the other. This careful mixing contributes significantly to the album's overall impact. ### ****Themes *Opus Dei* explores several overarching themes that resonate throughout its tracks: - **Nationalism and Identity**: The album interrogates concepts of national pride and identity through its covers and original compositions. By adopting anthemic structures and militaristic tones, Laibach critiques blind nationalism while simultaneously embracing it in a satirical manner. - **Life and Death**: Many tracks grapple with existential themes—particularly the interplay between life and death. This duality is especially evident in "Leben heißt Leben," which reflects on the absurdity of existence amidst societal pressures. - **Historical Context**: By integrating historical references into their lyrics, Laibach positions themselves within a broader cultural narrative. They challenge listeners to reflect on how history shapes contemporary identities and ideologies. ### ****Influence Laibach has been influential in shaping not only industrial music but also broader cultural conversations around art and politics: - **Artistic Movement**: As part of the Neue Slowenische Kunst (NSK) collective, Laibach has pushed boundaries in performance art and music. Their provocative imagery and theatrical performances have inspired numerous artists across genres. - **Cultural Commentary**: The band’s approach to cover songs—transforming pop hits into critiques of societal norms—has paved the way for future artists who seek to challenge mainstream narratives through reinterpretation. - **Legacy**: *Opus Dei* has been included in numerous lists of essential albums within its genre, highlighting its lasting impact on both listeners and musicians alike. Its ability to provoke thought while entertaining has solidified its place in music history. ### ****Pros and Cons #### Pros - **Innovative Sound**: *Opus Dei* blends diverse musical styles effectively, creating a unique sound that stands out in the industrial genre. - **Thought-Provoking Lyrics**: The album’s lyrics invite deep analysis and reflection on complex themes such as nationalism, identity, and existentialism. - **Cultural Significance**: As part of NSK, Laibach's work has contributed significantly to discussions around art as a form of political expression. #### Cons - **Accessibility**: The album’s heavy themes and experimental sound may alienate casual listeners who prefer more mainstream music. - **Repetitive Elements**: Some tracks may feel repetitive or overly long due to their structured nature, which could detract from overall enjoyment for some listeners. - **Polarizing Aesthetic**: Laibach’s provocative imagery and political commentary can be divisive; some may find it off-putting rather than engaging. ### Conclusion *Opus Dei* by Laibach is not merely an album; it is an artistic statement that challenges societal norms through its innovative soundscapes and thought-provoking lyrics. Its exploration of nationalism, identity, life, and death resonates deeply within both musical contexts and broader cultural discussions. While it may not appeal to all listeners due to its experimental nature and heavy themes, its impact on music and art remains undeniable. As Laibach continues to evolve their work through projects like *Opus Dei Revisited*, they reaffirm their position as one of the most intriguing acts in contemporary music history.
I've heard worse on this list, maybe.
I think this album is kind of on the soft side for Industrial, but it still sounds very good. If there were more unique songs on it, it would be an easy stars.
What have I just listened to!
I definitely liked my fair share of industrial music in the '90s, and I can definitely hear how this band influenced many of those bands (I don't know enough about the genre and what came out when to know exactly who influenced whom). But one thing I can tell you: I hated this. From what I can understand, the whole military sound thing was some sort of schtick? That we aren't supposed to take it seriously? I don't know. It just wasn't enjoyable to listen to. The vocals were harsh and discordant and the sounds abrasive, but not in a "this rocks my face off" sort of way. A couple of songs had some cool moments, like the ending to the first track, but overall this was just bad.
Describing this album as ‘electronic’ is like suggesting that all amplified music is electronic. I’m not a fan of genres anyway, so I don’t know why I am fixating on this.
Well, It's good to know Yugoslavian Industrial Music is not my thing ig. 2/10
#79 - God I couldn't finish this
Absolutely brilliant, very nearly a 5
Not for me 1/5
Mixed feelings. Some Songs entertaining, others simply anoying
Neem de nummers opnieuw op belcanto-stijl, een accordion en een jolige volkszanger en ik zou het hoger geven
Sinceramente, no es mi tipo de música, compas militar o de masas stalinistas no juega con mi concepto de disfrute, pues la música es un espacio de deleite y libertad. No entiendo como puede haber gente que conecte con ese ritmo repetitivo y molesto de una marcha de soldadesca. No, en absoluto, no.
Cool album
...but why?
This kinda grew on me as I listened to it. It's definitely its own thing, so gets points for that. Mostly it felt like a joke that I wasn't in on.
Y'know, this album wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. It really isn't all that good, at least to my American brain, but there are parts where I think the militaristic march pairs well with the silly fake horns and stuff to create an oddly uplifting Industrial sound, something you don't get a lot from the genre. Now, I'll admit that has me worried because prideful German + 80s Industrial usually equals something pretty bad, but it quotes Churchill at the end, so maybe we're all good there? Either way, this album has its charm. I don't think it's worth listening to outside of the context; production is poor, singing is strained, and you get the schtick with song one, but it's certainly better than acts like Rammstein, and that has to mean something, right? Right? Meh, still, I'd almost get one of those other questionable German acts in here. They may have iffy lyrics, but at least the music sounds good.
Kind of goofy/unexpected but so committed that it’s actually epic
This one was epic in scope. The thundering drums and instrumentation are pretty cool. It can sound a little bit goofy sometimes though. The vocals could use some work as well in places. I can respect what they’re doing here, but it’s not really something I’d just put on and listen to. It’s ok.
1987 odd German experimental? Mr Bungle inspiration? 1/5
Proto-Rammstein!
Once, when I was young I found a copy of this cassette in the road, while walking, and that was my first exposure to Laibach, and the industrial music genre. This tape blew my mind. The most esoteric thing I had been listening to prior to this discovery was the Swiss Godfathers of Electronica, Yello (whose absence from this list, by the way, is unforgivable). Mind blowing that they managed to make this album while trapped in the Soviet Union (now modern day Slovenia). It broadened my horizons about the notion about what music could be, and urged me on a path to discovering all kinds of bold and adventurous music. It was a path that would lead me over the next few years to Ministry, KMFDM, Die Warzau, Skinny Puppy, Sister Machine Gun and countless other acts that were within the sight of the industrial genre. This is definitely one of the formative acts and albums that impacted not only the industrial genre, but eventually the genres of dance and pop. Their Wagnerian and Kratwerk influences shine through in a completely. new sound.
I mean it was a surprise when I heard a German version of a Queen song. But overall not for me.
the songs at the end genuinely made me question my sanity. I can't do that much repetitiveness for 7 minutes and it wasn't even good. I dont really care for what this band stands for either n the current political climate. You know an album is bad whenever you REMEMBER it for being awful.
5/10
I barely finished. That bad. 1/5
worst back to back albums ever??
Industrial com uma produção em série de chatura.
This album felt like being trapped in a brutalist nightmare, with Arnold Schwarzenegger as my only companion. The album is mechanical, and oppressive. Each song dragged me through a dystopian landscape where the walls felt like they were closing in, and the militaristic thumping beats and monotonous vocals ground me down and stole from me any sense of enjoyment. It was like being stuck in a loop of grey concrete and steel. Not even Arnie could save me.
This is the album Laibach really started creating their dark, industrial pop songs, and I love it. They made even greater albums later, but this one still holds up, especially with the 2024 remaster. And, of course, it inspired Rammstein and Type O Negative.
Absolutely mental, first song knew my Uncle would be a fan of them and he was Worth listening to for their Opus and Queen covers
I can’t tell if this was really cool or really dorky. Some of it was really annoying though. Happy 200th album to me.
They say this album was hugely influential for industrial music, and I guess I can see that. I associate industrial with NIN, which released Pretty Hate Machine in 1989, two years after this album. Anyhow, some of this music has that industrial/buzzy guitar/synth sound, but some also has kind of a poppy 80's sound. The voice...I just can't get into that. Some tracks verged on scary circus music, and some of the last tracks were just really hard to get through ("Herz-Felde" and "Jagerspiel"). I find it weird that the band spent most of their career doing covers. And I'm not into the schtick of wearing military uniforms and avoiding "breaking character" in interviews - seems like too much of a show.
If nothing else, it gave me a chance to brush up on my German. I can see why the singer from Ministry would be a fan, even if I won't be racing back to it.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from an industrial Slovenian band performing Queen covers in German, but it was not as bad as the global reviews led me to expect. I can see through lines to other militaristic industrial bands (though that might just be the guttural German singing.) Didn't hate it but not really my thing - and amazing to think that music like this exists that *is* someone's thing.
this mostly german industrial rock album has a very heavy military influence, many lyrics are shouted like a sergeant, the brass stabs are frantic and the big drums are perfect for getting someone to march in place. dramatic and triumphant, this album is interesting, but it doesn't hold my interest too long. boom boom boom, ja ja ja ja nein nein nein nein. i feel like this album would be great for an action movie score. there's some interesting stuff in here; above all else the aesthetic captures my attention.
Very interesting, and a great history lesson to boot.
im surprised this is one of the worst albums rated on this website its far better than dozens of others albums i already listened to here, but, sadly, its still not particularly good. intro is strong, but everything from track 5 onwards completely lost me YNN
Some of the best German Industrial music ever created. I don't know whether it's maddening or musical though. But if you only listen to one German Industrial album, this is probably the one to listen to.
Not my soeed
scary :(
Favorite Track: The next one I listened to after this album was over
This was definitely an interesting one. I really dislike the vocals, but the instrumentals were interesting. I would never listen to this again though!
One of the weirdest Queen covers you’ll ever hear and some other songs that, while commendable for their audacity, won’t resonate beyond a specific niche. Cool cover, though.
For this review, I will not include the bonus tracks from the CD version. This is one of those days where I think to myself, "I would have never sought this out if not for the album generator." Laibach is a Slovenian/Yugoslav group that are considered pioneers in the martial industrial subgenre, which is to say industrial music with a militaristic beat and politically provocative lyrics. After listening to Opus Dei, I can hear the influence these gents must have had on Rammstein and the like. Right out of the gate with their German-sung cover of Opus' "Live is Life" with the bombastic horns, I couldn't help but laugh at the sheer absurdity this was. Then they have the hutspa to go into another cover, this time of Queen's "One Vision", where with the German translated lyrics and militaristic composition it becomes clear how they approach the song from a darker angle and I dug it. Alas, the novelty started to wear thin by the time they've finished the second cover of Opus' "Live is Life". I have nothing against any member of the band; they all played pretty decent. The problem is the idea of using industrial music to focus solely on parodying authoritarianism and militarism limits the scope of what could be accomplished, at least in the case of this album. Opus Dei was a surprising listen, and certainly one of the more batshit inclusions on this list that I'm at least glad to have checked out. I don't expect this to be everyone's cup of tea given the group's image and style, but for those who dig industrial music or militaristic camp Laibach paved an interesting niche path.
Wild. Didn't know this band and I think this is quite entertaining and even amusing. Might have to do with the fact that I understand the lyrics - in German, sung with accent by a Slovenian. I'll give it 3/5.
Some weird artsy Third Reich victory
Rammstein without the sweet guitars
If nothing else, it's interesting.
theres some cool stuff in here. im rating this based on the first 8 tracks which was all that was on the original album. the last 4 tracks were added on the cd version of the album and were far and away the worst tracks on the album. if i had to include those my rating would drop to a 2 due to how incredibly annoying they were.
The same kind of people who miss the point of Fight Club are going to miss the point of Laibach. Kind of amazing they were able to license the likeness of Sean Connery in Zardoz for their album art.
Ah yes, love this so much, right up my alley. Such a great story behind this band too, love it. Fave: Leben heißt Leben -- it just sets the mood perfectly.
Oh yeah, this was a missing puzzle piece in my musical landscape. I've got a bunch of "martial industrial" music that makes great WH40K background music, and I guess this is where that genre sprang from. I'm guessing this is also what Tool were riffing on with their track "Die Eier Von Satan"... 😆 It's kinda strange I hadn't checked these guys out already as I'm a fan of industrial music generally - I guess the fashy aesthetic put me off giving them a chance. Glad to learn that they're satirizing fascism rather than it being in earnest. Fave tracks - "Geburt Einer Nation" is great - gets the message across loud and clear! "Leben Heißt Leben" and "Opus Dei" work well together. "Trans-national" is cool, and I dig the frenetic "Jägerspiel" too.