Launching of LAIBACH ANTHEMS

by Zlato Krec

LAIBACH continue their custom to launch albums at prestigious locations from the communist past in Slovenia which they started in 1994 in the tea house of Villa Bled with NATO and last year in the very Villa Bled itself at the release of WAT. The ANTHEMS press conference was held on October 8, 2004 in Vila Podrožnik, Ljubljana, which used to be a protocol villa of the Slovenian communist oligarchy in their times of reign. As always, Laibach proved their excellent taste with the choice of the beautiful venue with a certain historical reputation.

Who could ever imagine, back in Anno Orwell 1984, when Laibach was banned for a couple of years, that twenty years later they would round up their almost twenty-five years long fruitful and successful career? Nobody else but Laibach, I guess. Many things have changed in the past twenty years. Many things have disappeared on the junkyard of History. But Laibach survived, and here they come strong as ever, to launch the new Laibach Anthems double CD hardback book compilation, packed with songs and remixes, from their whole career. All these songs became anthems all through those years. They are accompanied by one new song, a couple of unreleased remixes, a beautiful forty page book with the paintings of Laibach Kunst, and with an extensive biography by Dr. Alexei Monroe.

Two members of Laibach and their special guest Daniel Miller, the boss of Mute Records, took questions. They were seated in front of the famous painting of Gojmir Anton Kos: “Foundation of the Communist Party of Slovenia, April 1937 in Cebine above Zagorje” (oil on canvas, 1947). Cebine is a small hill village in the heart of the Red Districts, just 5 km from Laibach’s native Trbovlje. The press conference attracted lots of journalists, TV crews from Slovenia and Croatia, and many friends. After the official part, Laibach introduced the limited edition of LAIBACH ANTHEMS – hymnal red & white wine. Guests stayed around for couple of hours in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere backed by a bar piano player sounding pretty much like Richard Clayderman. For those who are wondering did he play any of Laibach hymnal evergreens, the answer is: I don’t know. I didn’t recognize any of them. Among the guests, one could notice many friends of Laibach and long time supporters, notorious Igor Vidmar of ROPOT, Dr. Alexei Monroe, Robert Schilling, project manager from Mute Records, Peter Mlakar who holds the chair of Department of Pure and Applied Philosophy at NSK, and many others, all enjoying the impressive venue with a glass of Laibach Anthems hymnal wine.

ANTHEMS PRESS CONFERENCE Photos by Aleksander Remec