Possibly taking its cue from New York's "no-wave" movement, Swans' early era in the mid-1980's was their most primeval and brutal. Now, after their dismantling a few years ago, it was only logical to re-release the recordings from that period. That's precisely what Michael Gira did. What we've got is a double CD encompassing the Swans' releases from 1984-86.

At the time of their release in 1984, there were very few bands, if any, who could match mauling, grinding brutality of "Cop" and "Young God." The accent is placed on the pummeling rhythm section, especially the percussion, and Michael Gira's frightening vocals. General atmosphere of crawling, petrifying darkness and depression prevails, becoming more and more harrowing and permeable with each song. The music in itself is an unprecedented doom-rock of the most hellish form. The "Greed"/"Holy Money" period marked the appearance of the singer/keyboardist Jarboe who added a sensible streak ("Blackmail," "You Need Me") to the music, which also acquired an industrial flavor but still retained its terrifying sense of tension and hell-bent nihilism.

As far as I am concerned, this is a collection of some very essential releases from a very essential band.

© 2000 boris