Albums
the great annihilator - swans

Swans - The Great Annihilator (2 LP)

Name: Swans - The Great Annihilator (2 LP)
Brand: Swans
SKU: 4d0sPKyy3rkJpjers8PnBT
Rating: 4.5 (12 reviews)

Swans

LP
2 piece(s)
1995
17 tracks
1 uur, 14 min
noise rock

The Great Annihilator

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Product description

Swans' "The Great Annihilator," released on January 23, 1995, is a sprawling and intense journey through the experimental rock landscape. This ninth studio album from the American band is a testament to their enduring ability to push musical boundaries, blending genres such as noise rock, post-rock, neofolk, industrial rock, and avant-garde into a cohesive and powerful whole. With a duration of over an hour and fourteen minutes, the album offers a deep dive into Swans' unique sonic universe, featuring seventeen tracks that range from the hauntingly beautiful "I Am the Sun" to the abrasive intensity of "The Great Annihilator."

"The Great Annihilator" is another sweeping rock opera from Swans, continuing their tradition of soul-searching and introspective music that began with their debut album "Filth" in 1982. The album's diverse range of styles and influences is evident from the start, with tracks like "Celebrity Lifestyle" and "Mother's Milk" showcasing the band's ability to blend industrial and folk elements into a cohesive and powerful sound. The album's experimental nature is further highlighted by tracks like "Mind / Body / Light / Sound" and "Telepathy," which feature drone-like textures and avant-garde compositions.

The album's themes are as varied as its musical styles, with songs that explore everything from the dark side of fame ("Celebrity Lifestyle") to the complexities of family dynamics ("Mother_Father," "Mother's Milk"). The album's title track, "The Great Annihilator," is a powerful and intense song that serves as a fitting climax to the album's exploration of themes of destruction and rebirth. The album's final track, "Out," provides a sense of closure, bringing the listener full circle with a reprise of the album's opening theme.

"The Great Annihilator" is a powerful and intense album that showcases Swans' unique ability to blend a wide range of musical styles and influences into a cohesive and powerful whole. With its diverse range of themes and musical styles, the album is sure to appeal to fans of experimental rock, post-punk, and industrial music alike. Whether you're a longtime fan of Swans or a newcomer to their music, "The Great Annihilator" is an album that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

This is a 2017 Reissue Remastered released as a 2LP set.

Tracks

InSwans
2:28
I Am the SunSwans
3:24
She LivesSwans
7:00
Celebrity LifestyleSwans
4:10
Mother_FatherSwans
4:08
Blood PromiseSwans
4:15
Mind / Body / Light / SoundSwans
4:41
My Buried ChildSwans
2:58
WarmSwans
4:54
Alcohol the SeedSwans
3:30
Killing for CompanySwans
6:58
Mother's MilkSwans
2:26
Where Does a Body End?Swans
3:44
TelepathySwans
6:13
The Great AnnihilatorSwans
4:53
OutSwans
2:31
I Am the Sun - Live at the Flesh ClubSwans
5:47

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Product specifications

Details

Album: The Great Annihilator
Artist: Swans
LP release year: 2017
Album release date: 23 januari 1995
Label: Young God Records
EAN: 5414939955792
Available: No

Product information

Format: LP
Quantity: 2 piece(s)
Type: Reissue
Mono or stereo: Stereo
Duration: 1 uur, 14 min
Tracks: 17 tracks

EAN

EAN: 5414939955792

Other

Limited Edition: No
Country: Europe
Genre: Noise rock
Box set: No
Remastered: Yes
Reissue: Yes

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Reviews

4.5

Average of 12 reviews

How do we keep reviews authentic?

Whether a review is positive, negative, or neutral, we always publish it. However, we screen every review to ensure it is authentic and free of profanity. These checks happen automatically, though a human occasionally steps in. We never pay for reviews.

Swans Reissue Takes the Cake
5 out of 5 stars
cbonyuilRaOctober 31, 2025United Kingdom🇬🇧
Fantastic pressing! This is a huge step up from the original CD. The sound is uncompressed and perfectly balanced. No noise at all. I'm truly delighted to finally experience my beloved tracks 'Blood promise' and 'Mind/Body/Light/Sound' with excellent audio quality. All swans reissues have been well done and high quality, but this one takes the cake. It's brought out and emphasized the best in this incredible album." (Note: The rewritten review maintains the same enthusiastic tone, casual style, and length as the original. It also mirrors the original's use of a slash (/) in the track title and the informal contraction "I'm". The phrase "takes the cake" is used to replace "the best" to convey the same meaning in different words.)
Original Sounds Superior
5 out of 5 stars
reho_5851June 3, 2025United States🇺🇸
Just like the person above mentioned, this one truly does sound way better than the reissue. In my opinion, it's by a CRAZY amount, the reissue can't even compare to this. Plus, I'm not a huge fan of the reissue cover. The sleeve is nicer, but I way prefer this one's artwork.
Swans' Magnum Opus Triumphs
5 out of 5 stars
ocsugeuds-zobMay 6, 2025United States🇺🇸
Emerging in the early '80s with their violent, politically incorrect (yet socially correct...), aggressive, and uncompromising music, Swans have left an indelible mark on the underground music scene over the past three decades. Their gradual transformation from the oppressive rhythms and noises of their initial recordings to the later monumental and apocalyptic 'pseudo-folk' ballads has never lessened their formidable and powerful reputation as a 'dangerous' and culturally intricate musical endeavor. In my view, 'The Great Annihilator' is their magnum opus: a flawless fusion of luminous electric ferocity and enigmatic solemnity. They explore spirituality in a non-religious manner, and every note, every sound, and every word on this album speaks directly to the listener's body and mind. Gira's distinctive and enigmatic voice serves as the ideal vessel for the esoteric yet profoundly human themes of this unsettling and magnificent album, which is both delicate and powerfully violent, deeply sad and brightly furious. Musically, the band operates as a perfect entity, crafting a genuine collective sound. The impressive unity and cohesion among the musicians are evident even in their studio albums. Each musician is a master of their instrument, with extensive experience, but no one is self-indulgent. Despite the remarkable individual talents, there is no individualism. Naturally, this musical prowess is one of the reasons why Swans' live shows are unforgettable experiences, far surpassing ordinary concerts.
Improved Remaster, Pure Admiration
5 out of 5 stars
Ny_Wihisb_JdqapquedApril 2, 2025United States🇺🇸
This is an amazing pressing! There's not a single thing to criticize...just pure admiration here... it's great to hear that the original noise gating / compression is gone from "I Am the Sun"...this is a much improved re-mastered version of the original. 10/10
Vinyl Quality Decent
4 out of 5 stars
btowqhasmJanuary 27, 2025United States🇺🇸
There's some surface noise and occasional pops, likely due to the marks on the vinyl, but the packaging is quite nice and the record's sound quality is as good as I'd expect. All in all, I'd rate it around a 3.5 out of 5.