This is the second in what promises to be a somewhat enormous Laibach DVD collection. In all there are apparently going to be eight in the entire series, which a cynic might suggest is unusually Capitalist for group so concerned with the ideology of Totalitarian Politics.

Following on from the sometimes inspired, sometimes terrible Laibach The Videos collection, this DVD sets out Laibach's raison d'etre more fully. The 1993 documentary A Film From Slovenia tries to convey Laibach's message, and make some sense of their occasionally (and apparently intentionally) confusing political stance.

The band themselves only really ever personally state their goals once in the course of the documentary, when an interview (later dubbed 'the trial') on Slovenian Television is included. Their views are roundly condemned as "dangerous ideas" and, if a group of surly looking young teenagers spouted Totalitarian Politics to you whilst dressed in a similar fashion to Prince Harry on the piss, then you'd probably feel similarly.

Laibach never really fully explain anything themselves, preferring to allow people to draw their own conclusions. To aid the viewer there are, instead, idents from various Philosophers and Artists giving their opinions about what Laibach arereally about, and they seem as confused as anyone else.

If the point is to confuse but also to make people think, then sadly it would appear that the message is unfortunately lost on a fair number of people. At one gig in America they are described as "Skrewdriver for the masses", which of course is a long way from the truth, whilst another fan dismisses everything in the world ever as "bullshit", without ever really stating a reason for this apparent 'fact'.

If you really want to enter into a long political discourse, then of course this section of the DVD is nothing short of gold dust, but for most, it would probably appear to be the worst kind of pretentious nonsense this side of the Daily Mail.

The live section of this DVD, filmed on the NATO Occupied Europe tour, is worth the effort however. Laibach concluded this tour in besieged Sarajevo and whilst they were at it, proclaimed the Sarajevo National Theatre a Virtual Territory of the NSK State (NSK being the art movement of which Laibach are a part). The knowledge that the band is performing in an occupied area of the war torn Balkans adds to the tension of the gig.

Lofty politics aside, the set list is immense, and the band themselves are on top form. Alle Gegen Alle is nothing short of mind blowing and with the whole gig remixed in 5.1, it sounds like several panzer divisions are beginning an assault on your head. If you've never experienced the onslaught of Laibach live, you could do a lot worse than picking this up. And of course if you want a long and pointless political debate, turn up at a student union, and play the documentary.

  share with:  Facebook | Digg | other sites