An absolutely essential piece of the darkest and most disturbing side of the '80s Yugoslavian underground! Originally released on cassette in 1987, "Sloboda Narodu" is the legendary debut album by GRC, one of the most uncompromising and visionary bands to emerge from the fertile punk, post-punk and new wave scene of Rijeka, Croatia. Formed in 1982 and led by the extraordinary Zoran "Zoff" Štajduhar, GRC developed a uniquely oppressive sound, combining the crushing, doom-laden industrial rock of early SWANS and THE YOUNG GODS with the bleak, unsettling atmospheres of primitive dark punk and deathrock. Seven tracks of hypnotic bass lines, dissonant guitar work, pounding tribal rhythms and Zoff's incredibly deep, ominous vocals, creating an almost suffocating atmosphere of despair, alienation and social decay. Songs like "Nocas Se Beograd Pali" ("Belgrade's Burning Tonight"), "Jos Ima Krvi" ("There's Still Blood") and "Crne Rukavice" ("Black Gloves") sound like desperate cries from a collapsing society, eerily anticipating the dark years that would soon engulf Yugoslavia. The album also includes a chilling musical interpretation of Ivan Goran Kovacić's wartime poem "Jama" ("The Pit"), one of the most powerful anti-war literary works of the 20th century. Disturbing, confrontational and completely devoid of commercial appeal, this is a truly unique recording that deserves a place alongside the finest achievements of European underground post-punk and experimental dark music!
OFFICIAL 2023 REMASTERED CASSETTE REISSUE released in Croatia by GURANJE S LITICE / GRC RECORDS to commemorate the band's 40th anniversary. Professionally manufactured tape edition, bringing this obscure Yugoslavian masterpiece back to its original cassette format. A mandatory addition to any serious collection of '80s European post-punk, deathrock and dark underground music!