Swans ‎– The Great Annihilator

@skarn: I bought the GA promo copy CD from a NYC music store and it has covers ! But my promo release may be different from yours, I'll try to check it asap ...

Starting from their early '80s violent, politically uncorrect (but socially ultracorrect...), aggressive and uncompromised music, the Swans permeated the underground musical scene of the last 3 decades with an obscure and anti-conventional presence. Their slow evolution from the claustrophobic rythms and noises of their early recordings to the later powerful and apocalyptic 'pseudo-folk' ballads, never diminished their impressive and strengthful status of 'dangerous' and culturally complex musical project. 'The Great Annihilator', in my opinion, is their masterpiece: a perfect blend of bright electric violence and obscure solemnity. They talk of spirituality in a non-religious way, and every note, every noise and every word on this album talk direcly to the body and mind of the listener. The Gira's unique and enigmatic voice provides the perfect medium for the esotheric and at the same time absolutely human themes of this disturbing and wonderful album, both delicate and powerfully violent, extremely sad and brightly raging. Musically, the band is a perfect apparatus that developes a true collective sound, so the impressive compactness and cohesion between the musicians is clearly perceptible also in the studio albums. Every musician is a great interpreter of his own instrument, with a long dated experience, but nobody is self-indulgent: despite the great individualities, there's no individualism. Of course this musical skill is one of the reasons why the Swans' gigs are unforgettable experiences more than simple concerts.