Search - Laibach: Volk Dead in Trbovlje on DVD

"These words are for you, Trbovlje"

Red Allover | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 07/29/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Dead in Trbovlje documents a lively performance, while also capturing the Slovenian group Laibach in some uncharacteristically relaxed and informal moments. Those who are unfamiliar with the severe totalitarian aesthetic that Laibach cultivated in during its quarter century existence probably won't find anything unusual about a music group bowing at the end of a concert, but such a display of humility by Laibach is an odd sight for the rest of us.

The group plays almost all of the tracks from Volk, their album consisting of re-creations of national anthems. In classic Laibach style, the audience is bombarded with harsh lighting and shown screen projections to accompany the music. In case you need a second look, you can watch some 'screens' separately from the concert by selecting them from the DVD menu - and while doing so you will hear most of the album recordings from Volk.

Mina Spiler, of the Slovenian group Melodrom, is the main female vocalist in the concert. About half way through the show we are also treated to the vocal range of Boris Benko, for his solo in the song Nippon and backing vocals in Slovania. For whatever reason, in the earlier part of the concert we hear his voice in parts as a recording only, with Mina Spiler's live vocals as an accompaniment.

Aside from the Volk material, there are also performances of songs from NATO and WAT, complete with the drummer girls from the WAT tour.

The audience is well behaved (it's a seated venue), but the atmosphere of the concert is celebratory. It is a notable venue, being in the town of Trbovlje (pronounced TurBOWLyay, I think). It was in that town where Laibach was officially founded, and where authorities had at one point enforced a ban on the name Laibach (back in the communist days of the 1980s).

(Just a note on the publication, appearing on the 'spine' of the DVD is the number '6' - the previously released Laibach DVDs from Mute bear the numbers 1, 2, and 3...Where are 4 and 5?)

All considered, Dead in Trbovlje is perhaps not a wide enough doorway for newcomers, but it's hard to say...I would recommend starting with the other DVDs. For fans, however, it is a must see."