Swans – The Great Annihilator

As the commenter below says, yes this indeed sounds better than the reissue. On my end its by an INSANE amount, reissue is nothing compared to this one. Also, not a fan of the reissue art. Sleeve itself is nicer but i love this ones art more.

This is finally getting re released on vinyl. Preorder open now so that you don't pay crazy amounts for it anymore:
https://younggodrecords.com/collections/frontpage/products/great-annihilator-2017

I suspect that part of the scarceness of the pressing is due to the time of release. At this point many people were moving exclusively to the CD format and vinyl sales were down across the board, so the pressing numbers probably reflect anticipated sales. At the time it was pretty readily available in shops and also on the tour at the merchandise table.

This is VERY rare, but Young God Records is in the process of releasing Swans catalouge in remastered reissues. So far Filth, Swans (EP), White Light... and Love of Life has been reissued. Be patient and soon this LP will not be as exclusive anymore.

Anyone knows why this album is so very very rare?

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.