The Swans - The Great Annihilator (CD 2002)

Between 1991 and 1994 Michael Gira’s Swans released three landmark albums, ‘White Light From the Mouth of Infinity’, ‘Love of Life’ and ‘The Great Annihilator’, which set a new standard in intelligent, adult, powerful, accessible rock music yet also pursued an uncompromising artistic vision.

Of the three, ‘1994’s ‘The Great Annihilator’ seems to be the least celebrated. I would like to help put the record straight because I believe this to be one of the finest rock records ever made.

Similarly to ‘White Light…’ ‘The Great Annihilator’ runs to an epic length, just short of 70 minutes, and is capped with two short instrumentals. The music between ‘In’ and ‘Out’ is breathtaking: dark guitars, pounding drums, swirling sound and keyboards are incredibly atmospheric. Long-time musical collaborators Westberg, Parsons and Kizys demonstrate their expertise in bringing Gira’s visions to life.

‘I Am The Sun’ features a punishing drum and guitar rhythm which would not sound out of place on 1987’s uncompromising ‘Children of God’; this is immediately and effectively followed by ‘She Lives!’ where Gira’s drawled vocals and sparse musical backing create an atmosphere of pure menace.

Ironically, the two most ‘commercial’ tracks musically (if such a word can ever be justifiably applied to Swans) feature some of the most disturbing and acerbic lyrics. ‘Celebrity Lifestyle’ is even more pertinent in today’s ‘Big Brother’-fixated society of brain-dead halfwits than when the album was released, whilst ‘Killing for Company’ is slickly executed and drips with obsessional, murderous imagery.

Jarboe’s vocal contribution has never been better or more varied. On ‘Mother\father’ she is brutal, angry and sneering; on ‘My Buried Child’ hushed and half-spoken above intense tribal-style drumming; she harmonises on the gorgeous, semi-instrumental ‘Warm’ and is spare and hauntingly beautiful on ‘ Mother’s Milk’.

The quality of the music here never drops over the entire length of the album, a feat which is beyond most artists. ‘The Great Annihilator’ is a thrilling, challenging yet accessible listen and is recommended to ALL rock fans without hesitation.