Michael Gira prefers to call the version of Swans that emerged in early 2010 a reconstitution rather than a reunion. It is easy to see why the word choice matters to him; the term "reunion" comes…   Read Story »

Swans founder Michael Gira isn't afraid to let songs wander around the half-hour mark. In conversation, on the other hand, he is relentlessly punctual. Perhaps he's been asked every conceivable…   Read Story »

Swans played a sold out show last night at Brooklyn's Music Hall Of Williamsburg, making up for a performance postponed due to Hurricane Sandy. Michael Gira and co. played a two hour set following a…   Read Story »

It started in the sewer. Ugliness embodied. Noise like you’d never heard. The bellowing drawl of an unhinged slave driver, spitting abuse and mantras of degradation. "Nobody beats you like a…   Read Story »

Swans' behemoth double-LP The Seer is a pretty safe bet to be included in most year-end top 10s, and the album hits its apex at its conclusion: the 23-minute "The Apostate." Generally speaking, 23…   Read Story »

The music-video universe took a bit of a week off this week; Labor Day, I guess, will do that. But there was still plenty of good stuff out this week; the relative scarcity just meant that I didn't…   Read Story »

If Swans' two-hour monolithic masterpiece The Seer isn't quite huge enough for you, the deluxe edition of the album comes with a DVD that includes footage of the band's absolutely monstrous live…   Read Story »

Summer is ending! And you have some work to do. Did you experience that season-defining moment? That rooftop conversation, that carefree weekend of intense interpersonal bonding? Did you find the…   Read Story »

As a music dork, two of the most transcendent, quasi-religious experiences you can have are going to see Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Neurosis live. And after I saw Neurosis a few years ago,…   Read Story »

For obvious reasons, Animal Collective is getting a lot of attention this morning, but Centipede Hz is not the only important new album streaming online in full today. Allow me to direct your…   Read Story »