CoC : Laibach - WAT : Review

Laibach - _WAT_
(Mute, 2003)
by: Xander Hoose (7 out of 10)

Reviewing a Laibach album is always a tough bitch. Laibach have been around for ages (since 1979, to be precise) and from their debut album _Nova Akropola_ (1985) to their last effort _Jesus Christ Superstars_ (1997) there has been little progression musically. Laibach's ever so bombastic, atmospheric, industrial and nihilistic music has progressed almost exclusively in the production department -- which is quite obvious with _WAT_, as it features a clear yet harsh sound that Rammstein would envy. Laibach's trademark of adapting (I'm consciously avoiding the word "covering") famous songs and molding it into their trademark style has produced killer tracks such as "Opus Dei", "Sympathy for the Devil", "The Final Countdown" and of course the _Let It Be_, _Nato_ and _Jesus Christ Superstars_ albums. However, on _WAT_ there isn't a single adaptation in sight. The thirteen songs on this album are not just original material, they're also very closely connected lyrically; _WAT_ is Laibach's fiercest protest against capitalism to date. Perhaps that is also the reason for making _WAT_ the most stripped-down Laibach album ever: most of the songs are very basic, making the album a far better soundtrack for an all-out war than Rammstein could ever dream of. _WAT_ will find its way to the leftist part of the dance/industrial scene, no doubt. Rammstein fanatics with an IQ higher than their shoe-size should give this a try as well, especially considering the relatively one-dimensional nature of this album. Other than that, I don't think Laibach will attract a different crowd with _WAT_, but then again, I don't think they ever intended to.

Contact: http://www.laibach.nsk.si

(article published 27/7/2003)

ALBUMS
1/1/1998	A Lewandowski	6	Laibach - M. B.
2/1/1997	A Lewandowski	8	Laibach - Jesus Christ Superstar