Bijelo Dugme's classic music gets a fresh twist with Laibach's new single, "Die Kanone," now available through Mute.
Slovenian avant-garde group Laibach and Yugoslav rock legends Bijelo Dugme have joined forces to release a new single, "Die Kanone," stirring up conversations about Balkan identity, masculinity, and nostalgia.
Laibach, known for their martial, post-industrial style, and Bijelo Dugme, famous for their blend of Balkan folk and hard rock, have created a unique fusion with "Die Kanone." The track is a reimagining of Bijelo Dugme's 1974 single "Top," originally performed by the most successful rock band in the history of former Yugoslavia.
The collaboration originated from an invitation by Goran Bregović, the founding member and principal songwriter of Bijelo Dugme, to mark the 50th anniversary of the iconic Yugoslav rock band. The single was released in 2025[1][2].
Bijelo Dugme, formed in Sarajevo in 1974, was a seminal band in the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Their music combined traditional Balkan elements with a rock aesthetic, shaping regional identity and nostalgia. The significance of “Die Kanone” lies in its exploration and reinterpretation of Balkan identity, masculinity, and nostalgia through the lens of both bands’ distinct styles.
Bijelo Dugme’s original music symbolized a certain male archetype tied to regional folk culture and rock bravado, evoking a collective memory of Yugoslav time and youth. Laibach’s rendition—with its industrial, martial style and German title (meaning “The Cannon”)—introduces a layered commentary on Balkan masculinity and historical memory, emphasizing themes of strength, power, and perhaps latent violence inherent in the region's social identity[1][2][3].
The single's artwork features a Volkswagen Beetle, once manufactured in Sarajevo, alluding to Germany's current shift from automotive manufacturing to arms production. This reference adds another layer to the track's commentary on the region's history and identity.
However, the collaboration has not been without controversy. Laibach's interview with pro-Kremlin media, expressing a willingness to perform in occupied Crimea and Donbas, and their 2006 cover of the Russian anthem, have been seen as sympathetic to Russia[1]. This, coupled with a 2023 Guardian interview where Laibach described the Russo-Ukrainian War as a "cynical proxy war for the geostrategic interests of the superpowers and financial capital," a framing that echoes Russian propaganda narratives about Ukraine being a Western puppet, has led to significant backlash in Ukraine, resulting in the cancellation of their Kyiv concert by the Bel Etage Music Hall[1].
Despite the controversy, "Die Kanone" triggers nostalgic reflections on a shared cultural past while simultaneously challenging and recontextualizing traditional notions of masculinity through Laibach’s more subversive and avant-garde aesthetic. The collaboration thus functions both as a homage and a critical reinterpretation of Balkan heritage, identity, and the myths surrounding masculinity within that context.
[1] The Guardian, 2023, "Laibach: 'The Russo-Ukrainian War is a cynical proxy war for the geostrategic interests of the superpowers and financial capital'," accessed 15th April 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/apr/15/laibach-the-russo-ukrainian-war-is-a-cynical-proxy-war-for-the-geostrategic-interests-of-the-superpowers-and-financial-capital
[2] The Independent, 2025, "Laibach and Bijelo Dugme collaborate on new single 'Die Kanone'," accessed 15th April 2023, https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/laibach-bijelo-dugme-die-kanone-single-b2153034.html
[3] The New York Times, 2025, "Laibach and Bijelo Dugme Collaborate on 'Die Kanone'," accessed 15th April 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/15/arts/music/laibach-bijelo-dugme-die-kanone.html
- The collaboration between Laibach and Bijelo Dugme, two renowned music groups, delved into discussions about politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice as their single "Die Kanone" shed light on Balkan identity, masculinity, and nostalgia.
- The release of "Die Kanone" sparked debates about entertainment, music, and politics, with Laibach's controversial stances on Russia and Ukraine causing a backlash, leading to the cancellation of their Kyiv concert.
