The Black Lungs (Kresi: Crna Pluća) are a Kresimirian punk rock band from the mining city of Bistrica in District IV. Formed in the mid-1980s by a group of disenchanted mining youths, they are widely regarded as one of the most influential counter-cultural musical acts in the history of the Republic.
The band’s name is a direct reference to “Black Lung” disease (pneumoconiosis), a respiratory illness common among workers in the SeverMin coal mines due to the “Black Dust” pollution that plagues the region. Their lyrics focus heavily on themes of industrial exploitation, the neglect of the northern districts by the capital Sinj, and anti-authoritarianism.
Historically subjected to censorship by the Council for Education, the band survived through underground bootleg networks and later via the early internet. Today, they serve as the cultural icons of the Northern Power political movement, frequently appearing alongside leader Syv Iric.
History
Formation and “The Dust Years” (1984–1989)
The band was formed in 1984 by lead singer Zlatko “Zla” Bric, a mechanic at a SeverMin colliery, and drummer Ivana K., a dropout from the University of Pulma.
Their early sound was raw and aggressive, utilizing scrap metal percussion to mimic the sounds of the mines. They played illegal shows in the basements of union halls in Bistrica and Pulma. Their debut cassette, Breathless (1987), featured the track “Coal in the Water,” which directly accused SeverMin executives of poisoning the local water table—allegations that would later be vindicated by Syv Iric’s legal battles.
The Sanjakorin Ban (1989–1998)
Following the passage of the 1988 State Enterprise Act, the government of Ljubo Sanjakorin became increasingly intolerant of labor unrest that threatened state productivity.
In 1989, the Media Licensing Authority formally banned The Black Lungs from radio airplay, citing “incitement to industrial sabotage.” Possession of their tapes became grounds for arrest by the Civil Order Force. This censorship only fueled their popularity. A massive bootleg market emerged, with tapes smuggled from District IV into the capital and the industrial south of Novi Otonik.
By 1998, realizing the ban was counter-productive and facing pressure from the CRF, the Sanjakorin government quietly lifted the restrictions, allowing the band to play their first legal concert in Sinj.
The Digital Era and Second Censorship (2013–Present)
The band experienced a resurgence in the 2000s, aligning themselves with the “Northern Consolidation” strategy of Syv Iric. Their song Rise From the Pit became the unofficial anthem of the Northern Power party.
However, the rise of Ari Stov and the implementation of the 2015 Digital Vigilance Act brought new challenges. The Council for Education, under Stov’s “Moral Guidance” protocols, flagged several of the band’s new tracks as “anti-Republican sentiment.”
- The Kresinet Ban: While not totally outlawed, the band’s music is frequently scrubbed from the state-approved YakaSys music apps.
- Northfocus Distribution: The band relies on the regional media group Northfocus to distribute their music via independent servers, bypassing the Sinj-controlled algorithms.
Style and Legacy
The Black Lungs are known for their high-energy live performances, which often feature pyrotechnics and stage sets designed to look like collapsing mine shafts.
They are the antithesis of Lana B, the polished, state-sanctioned pop star. While Lana B represents the unity and divinity of the Republic, The Black Lungs represent the grit, anger, and regional pride of the periphery.
Discography
- Breathless (1987) – Cassette only
- The Sinj Disease (1992)
- Digging Our Graves (1999)
- Red Water (2008) – Soundtrack to the Northfocus documentary
- The Filter is Broken (2016) – Banned on Kresinet