Laibach: Videos and a film about WAT

Laibach is a very interesting group. They started performing in 1980, but it they were not able to perform legally in their homeland of Slovenia until 1987. Their name was a source of controversy, Laibach was the German name given to the city of Ljubljana during the occupation during World War II. The group formed in the city of Trbovlje, an industrial city known for its political activities. There is one song in Slovenian on this DVD collection of their music videos, "Država." It was done as part of a performance with the English dancer, Michael Clark. The rest of the songs are in English and German. The video for their cover of the Rolling Stone song "Sympathy for the Devil" reflects one of the sources of inspiration of the song, The Master and Margarita. It was filmed in the Castle Prodjama and the Caves of Skocjan. It features the members of the band in what some might consider a barbaric feast of meat. There are some symbols that appear in several of the videos. Their logo of a simple black cross appears often. Before they could perform legally their concerts were advertised with this logo appearing by itself, and their first album had this as the only decoration without their name appearing. In a few of the videos this cross is transformed into a type of chessboard where four people could play. It reflects the war theme of the game. In the video "Das Spiel Ist Aus" the board is seen most explicitly as a chessboard as four men are seen playing a game of this board. In several of the videos deer appear. Several of the videos remind me of the films of Leni Riefenstahl. They did a cover of the Queen song "One Vision" in German as "Geburt EIner Nation." This video was done with the participation of Scipion Nasice Sisters Theatre. On this DVD there is also a film of their album "WAT" (We Are Time). Two of the songs from that album are represented in the videos, Tanz Mit Laibach" and "Das Spiel Ist Aus." "Tanz Mit Laibach" deals with friendship between the U.S. and German. Milan Fras, the lead vocalist for the band, says that this friendship is essential. He said that "Das Spiel Ist Aus" is a warning, and that is the reason the song was recorded in German. Laibach's music has continuously changed and provoked thought. The statements made by the band are often ambiguous and reflect an intellectualism not often heard from rock bands.