Opus Dei

Released in 1987, Opus Dei is the definitive bridge between Laibach's early industrial noise and their later, more polished electronic provocations. It is most famous for its 'covers' - specifically 'Geburt einer Nation' (Queen's 'One Vision') and 'Opus Dei' (Opus's 'Live is Life') - which the band recontextualized into martial anthems. This process, which the band refers to as 'retro-avant-garde,' aims to expose the latent totalitarian impulses within pop culture. The album was recorded during a period of significant political upheaval in Yugoslavia, and its themes of national identity and state power were deeply resonant. Sonically, it incorporates Bernard Herrmann samples and Queen-inspired guitar textures, blending them with the band's signature stentorian baritone and military-grade percussion. It remains a cornerstone of the martial industrial genre and a landmark in 1980s experimental music.