Jesus Christ Superstar - Laibach

...is about some dude called Jesus getting nailed to a cross on our behalf, this act upset a lot of his followers who have been going around making complete and utter nuisances of themselves ever since. The Romans used to have the idea that these people made great pet food, but they eventually decided to join the club. Sorry to any Christians here, but I will concede the point that big J was the single most important man in history, apologies to any ...
...terrorists Laibach released this opus Jesus Christ Superstars. An album in which they explore different aspects of religion and the life of Jesus in their typically bombastic fashion………….

1. God Is God

Filled with complex industrial rhythms, heavy metal guitars, Teutonic choirs, Hammond organs, orchestral arrangements and gravelly recitals. It works really well even thought it it odes not sound like it should on paper. ... more

Well Easter weekend is upon us and for those of you who believe in that sort of thing it is not about bunnies and chocolate. It is about some dude called Jesus getting nailed to a cross on our behalf, this act upset a lot of his followers who have been going around making complete and utter nuisances of themselves ever since. The Romans used to have the idea that these people made great pet food, but they eventually decided to join the club. Sorry to any Christians here, but I will concede the point that big J was the single most important man in history, apologies to any Muslims or Jews reading this as well, but the fact is he upset so many people then and he is still at the upsetting people game now between 1960 and 1970 years after his death.

Way back in 1996 whilst the Balkan conflicts were still lingering Slovenian situaltionalist art terrorists Laibach released this opus Jesus Christ Superstars. An album in which they explore different aspects of religion and the life of Jesus in their typically bombastic fashion………….

1. God Is God

Filled with complex industrial rhythms, heavy metal guitars, Teutonic choirs, Hammond organs, orchestral arrangements and gravelly recitals. It works really well even thought it it odes not sound like it should on paper. You need a really dry sense of humor to appreciate this dryer than the Gobi Desert, I love it it is superb.

2. Jesus Christ Superstar

Yes it is a cover of that song from that musical, Teutonic choirs and a gravelly recital deliver the lyrics, backed by some strange eastern European dance music and orchestral music. There is something really sinister about this, even though it is quiet cheesy.

3. Kingdom of God

This deals with happenings on at the end of all days and what will happen to mankind before it enters the Kingdom Of God when nothing of our history remains. It starts off incorporating some middle eastern musical themes into dance beats and Teutonic choral stuff, then a rumbling bass line for the verse, breaking into metally stuff. So it is a strange and wonderful combination of styles which works together in a very sinister way.

4. Abuse and Confession

This deals with Judas’s role in the events that happened this weekend many years ago and questions who had the greater love of humanity, Jesus or Judas? Judas knew full well that the price of his betrayal was damnation for all eternity and vilification by humanity so was his sacrifice greater than Jesus’, and was his love greater than Jesus’?..... It is an interesting question one that I have had a few debated with Christians about. Musically this incorporated Teutonic choral work, with industrial beats and as ever deadpan gravelly recitals, with some great organ music…………. and a bit of techno/heavy metal stuff.

5. Declaration Of Freedom

This deals with the redemption of true believers after death and how their faith gives them freedom. A great bit of techno/metal crossover delivered in their own unique deadpan style.

6. Message From the Black Star

Well this is rock and roll so we need a world from Satan here, and we get it. The dark lords own take on things and how it is not really his fault it is all down to that Jesus bloke, so welcome to hell…… As you would expect for a song about Satan’s viewpoint it is none-more metal with big organs and the odd sinister sounding Teutonic choir……… utterly fantastic stuff my dear…………

7. The Cross

A fairly unique cover of a Prince number, sort of think what would he sound like if he had grown up in the Balkans and his voice had dropped six or seven octaves.

8. To The New Light

This is a call for all men to join as brothers together and head towards the light together I think but am not entirely sure about it…….. A very strange and experimental piece that is absolutely wonderful……..

9. Deus Ex Machina

This is a very strange and complex piece of orchestral music full of sinister Teutonic choral sounds…….. in other words absolutely fantastic……..

This album is definitely not everyone’s cuppa tea, but most folk I know at least have an appreciation of Laibach and do see the serious deadpan humor behind everything they do. Me I love it and this is an excellent album for someone not familiar with their music to start off on.

 

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