Laibach

An industrial/techno music group, formed June 1 1980 in Trbovlje, Slovenia, Laibach represents the music wing of the Neue Slowenische Kunst (NSK) art collective, of which it was a founding member in 1984. The name "Laibach"

An industrial/techno music group, formed June 1 1980 in Trbovlje, Slovenia, Laibach represents the music wing of the Neue Slowenische Kunst (NSK) art collective, of which it was a founding member in 1984. The name "Laibach" is the German name for Slovenia's capital city, Ljubljana.

Laibach have frequently been accused of Germanophilia thanks to their costumes, which often resembled Nazi officers' uniforms, and also thanks to the Wagnerian stylistic aspects found in some of their music, notably the thunder in "Sympathy for the Devil (Time for a Change)". Laibach always denied this strongly, pointing out that, as fascism needs a scapegoat, they had become their own scapegoat in the name of satire. Milan Fras, the lead singer (who is instantly recognisable by his staring eyes and gruff, growling voice), is quoted as saying "We are fascists as much as Hitler was a painter" when confronted with such accusations.