laibach cd nato

Album:Nato

Click to listen to clips and/or buy downloads.

Click to buy CD (UK)

Mute: 10th October 1994

Full Track Listing: click titles for lyrics
NATO
War                                                   WMA Clip     OGG Clip
Final Countdown                             Cover version: Final Countdown
In the Army Now
Dogs of War                                    WMA Clip     OGG Clip
Alle Gegen Alle
National Reservation
2525                                                 Cover version: 2525
Mars (on the River Drina)               Cover version: Mars Na Drinu

(Album and Cassette feature different running order from the CD listing above).

Review:
'NATO' is an album consisting entirely of cover versions of famous and not so famous tunes. The thematic arc of the album charts the vicious military conflict that engulfed the Balkans in the 1990's, and the West's involvement via N.A.T.O The lyrics are not always lifted entirely from the originals; Laibach changes the words where necessary to enhance their message.

There is a strong techno element to much of 'NATO', and used to good effect. The use of new music technology does not draw attention to itself in the same way as 'Kapital'. Production is slick, the sound polished, compared to earlier Laibach albums. The rich deep voice of Vasja Ulrih replaces Milan Fras on 'National Reservation', and '2525'. Backing chorals are provided by the Ave Chamber Choir throughout the album.

The opening track, NATO, is a techno version of Holst's 'Mars, Bringer of War'. The electronic beat is clean, strict, and is unwavering throughout the track. The tune is almost untouched from the original. Calling the track 'NATO' is perhaps portraying N.A.T.O/the West as being the bringer of war to the Balkans. The end of this track merges/mixes straight into the next track, 'War'. This extensive reworking of Edwin Starr's 1970s hit turns the original's anti war message on it's head. The new lyrics explain what is good about war, and those multi-national media and industrial corporations that benefit from conflict. The juxtaposition and joining of these opening tracks perhaps questions the West's motives in the Balkans. The strict tempo gives the feel of the high tech weaponry at the west's disposal.

The next four tracks, Europe's 'The Final Countdown', Status Quo's 'In The Army Now', Pink Floyd's 'Dog's of War', DAF's 'Alle Gegen Alle', though successfully given the 'Laibach treatment, retain their original lyrics. In the context of the Balkan conflict, and with changes of emphasis by Laibach all three tunes take on new/enhanced meaning. 'The Final Countdown' talks of 'heading for Mars' which seems to be the watchword for war on this album. 'In The Army Now' is all about what faces N.A.T.O troops in the conflict. Laibach handle this track in epic style with extensive use of choirs, and military march drums. 'Dogs Of War' is more uptempo compared to 'In The Army Now', and describes the ruthless role of mercenary troops; or maybe the Balkan troops filled with strong nationalistic fervour. 'Alle Gegen Alle' is the war itself as everyone fights, resplendent in their uniforms, and issuing battle cries. Laibach have hardly changed this track from the minimal beat DAF original, apart from some choral backing.

The final three tracks are less mainstream than the rest. Milan Fras no longer provides the vocals, and the tempo slows. Don Fardon's 'Indian Reservation' is renamed 'National Reservation' and references to Cherokees/indians now become eastern people. With Vasja Ulrih on vocals the tune remains the same as the original and scratchiness is added for an old vinyl effect. The song speaks of the eastern people losing their way of life, taken and replaced by the West, although they remain unchanged in their hearts. I find this track strange in that Vasja Ulrih's voice reminds me of the stereotype western movie 'red indian' chief. For me, this lends the track a slightly comedic tone that I guess wasn't intended. Even though I enjoy hearing Vasja Ulrih's voice I think Milan Fras should have done the vocals on this one. Zager and Evans '2525' is a different story. Vasja Ulrih's voice is put to epic use, with female choral accompaniment, and stirring orchestra. The lyrics are dramatically changed from the original and chart years of conflict. Finally we find in the far future that war keeps returning. The final track on the album is the least mainstream, and sounds somewhat experimental in places. It is Laibach's version of Stanislav Binički's, 'Marš na Drinu'. The tune is stripped of it's lyrics (there is some choir evident throughout). The tune breaks down into wild beats and shouts, perhaps the image of raw ancient style conflict. This perhaps leads back to the first track, NATO, suggesting the circular nature of conflict, enforced 'peace, leading to more conflict.

Worth Buying?
This is a must have album for Laibach fans. Newcomers will welcome the familiarity of the cover versions, and the mainstream production values. Though strongly thematic, 'NATO' is far from being an experimental album and would be the album of choice to showcase Laibach to fans of more conventional fare.

Lyrics:

NATO
(instrumental)

WAR

War!
What is it good for?
War!
What is it good for?

Mobilization

Science

------?

Domination

Communication

Teleportation

War!
What is it good for?
War!
What is it good for?

GM, IBM, Newsweek, CNN
Universal European
-----?, VCR

Industry

GM, IBM, Newsweek, CNN
Universal European
-----?, VCR
-----?, NGM
Seimans, Sony
Universal European
-----?

War!
What is it good for?
War!
What is it good for?

The Final Countdown

We're leaving together
But still it's farewell
And maybe we'll come back to earth, who can tell?
I guess there's no one to blame
We're leaving proud
Will things ever be the same again

IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!

We're heading for Mars
And still we stand tall
Coz maybe they've seen us
And welcome us all
With so many light years to go
And things to be found
We're sure we'll all miss her so

IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!

In The Army Now

Do you remember what the draft-man said:
"Nothing to do all day but stay in bed"

You're in the army now
In the army now

You'll be the hero of the neighbourhood
Nobody knows that you left for good

In the army now
Smiling faces on the way to hell
But once you get there no one gives a damn

In the army now

Handgrenades flying over your head
Missiles flying over your head
If you want to survive, get out of bed

In the army now
Just ring out in the dead of the night
The sergeant called: "Stand up and fight!"

You're in the army now
In the army now

You get orders how to shoot on sight
Got the fingers on the trigger
But it don't seem right

You're in the army now
In the army now

Night is falling and you just can't see
Is this illusion or reality?

In the army now
Is this illusion or reality?

Dogs Of War

Dogs of war and man of hate
With no cause we don't discriminate
Discovery is to be disowned
Our currency is flesh and bone
Hell opened and put on sale
Gather 'round and haggle
For hard cash we will lie and deceive
Even our masters don't know the web we weave

One world, it's a battle-ground
One world and we will smash it down

Invisible transfers and long-distance calls
Hollow laughter in marble halls
Steps have been taken
A silent roar has unleashed the dogs of war
You can't stop what has begun
Signed, sealed, they deliver oblivion
We all have a dark side, to say the least
And dealing in death is the nature of the beast

One world, it's a battle-ground
One world and they smashed it down

The dogs of war don't negotiate
The dogs of war won't capitulate
They will take and you will give
And you must die so that they may live
You can knock at any door
But wherever you go, you know they've been there before
Well, winners can lose and things can get strained
But whatever you change, you know the dogs remain

One world, it's a battle-ground
One world, we are going to smash it down
One world, it's a battle-ground
One world, we are going to smash it down

Alle Gegen Alle

Unsere Kleidung ist so schwarz.
Unsere Stiefel sind so schön.
Links den roten Blitz.
Rechts den schwarzen Stern.
Unsere Shreie sind so laut.
Unser Tanz ist so wild.
Ein neuer böser Tanz.
Alle gegen Alle.

National Reservation

They took the whole eastern nation
Moved us on these reservations
Took away our ways of life
A hand grenade, and a carving knife
Took away our native tounge
And taught their English to our young
And all the things we made by hand
Are nowadays made in Japan

EASTERN PEOPLE!
EASTERN TRIBE!
So proud to live, so proud to die

They took the whole eastern nation
Locked us in these reservations
Although we wear our shirts and ties
We're still the red man deep inside
Although they changed our ways of hope
They'll never change our heart and soul
And then someday when the world has learned
Civilization will return
Will return...

2525

In the year 2525
If man is still alive
If woman can survive, they may find

In the year 1994
War goes on just like before
War goes on, it never ends
War brings bigger dividence

In the year 1995
Brand new war is born to die
From total damage to damage limitation
Fear is the key to defend the nation

In the year 1996
There is no need for politics
Seeing life with unseeing eyes
Seeing man see through the disguise

In the year 1997
The boil bursts in the face of Heaven
Dragon tears washed away thy youth
Wash thy hands of eternal truth

In the year 1998
Why shut the door of the Golden Gate
Rivers of people flow like blood
New race rises from the mud

In the year 1999
War destroys the last sky-line
A flaming cross appears in the sky
Man goes down as the bullets fly

Now it's been 2000 years
Man has cried a million tears
For what he never knew
Now man's reign is through
But through eternal night
The twinkling of starlight
So very far away
Maybe it's only yesterday

In the year 2525
If man is still alive
If woman can survive
We survive

In the year 3535

Mars On The River Drina

No lyrics for Laibach's version but click here for the lyrics to the original song: 'Marš na Drinu'