Laibach is a Slovenian avant-garde music group associated with the industrial, martial and neo-classical genres.

Formed in a small mining town of Trbovlje (at the time in Yugoslavia) in 1980, Laibach represents the musical wing of the Neue Slowenische Kunst (NSK) collective, a group that Laibach helped found in 1984. “Laibach” is the German historical name for the Slovenian capital Ljubljana, itself an oblique reference to the Nazi occupation of Slovenia in World War II. From the early days, the band was subject to controversies and bans due to their use of iconography associated with totalitarianism, nationalism, and militarism, a concept they have preserved throughout their career. Censored and banned in Socialist Yugoslavia and receiving a kind of dissident status, the band embarked on international tours and gradually acquired international fame. After Slovenia became independent in 1991, Laibach’s status in the country has turned from rejection to promotion into a national cultural icon, which included performances with the Slovenian symphony orchestra.

Early Laibach albums were pure industrial, with heavy rhythms and roaring vocals. Later in the mid-80s, the sound became more richly layered, featuring samples from classical music. The lyrics, usually delivered by a bass voice of the singer Milan Fras, written in German, Slovene, and English, originally treated war and military themes, but later turned the focus to any highly charged political issue of the moment, sending intentionally ambiguous messages. They also recorded several cover versions of popular songs, often turning light melodies into sinister-sounding Gothic tunes.

The band has seen numerous lineup changes, with Dejan Knez, Milan Fras, Ervin Markošek, and Ivan Novak being the longest-standing members. They have worked with several collaborators and guest musicians. Laibach also recorded film soundtracks, and theatre music, and produced works of visual art, while band members embarked on several side projects.