I will still never forget the first time I heard The Swans. I thought Death metal was brutal and then A friend introduced the band to me (about '92 on a night shift at work) and my jaw hit the god damn floor:

I've been meaning to listen to the Swans for a while now. Any particular album I should start out with?

Swans are one of my two all time favorite bands. I would recommend "Children of God" (1988) first, because that album still has that slow, heavy, rhythmic sound of their earlier albums, but also paves the way for the more melodic, sprawled, classically beautiful music of their later phase. "Soundtracks for the Blind" (1996) is brilliant as their last album, ending a great career as a kind of a symbolic swan song. It's also their most beautiful album.

But, if you're more interested in an extremely dark, noisy and hypnotic sound "Children of God" will lead you to "Greed" (1985), "Holy Money" (1986), "Cop" (1984) and "Filth" (1983) as their noisiest and angriest album.

If I have too choose, my personal favorite would be SKIN-Shame,Humility,Revenge (1988).

The Skin/World of Skins side-project with Gira and Jarboe is freaking awesome as well. I have not, however, been able to get my hands on Ten Songs From Another World. Anyone have it?

Not long now for the new record (i know it's been leaked but i'm waiting to buy it) and the start of the tour . The early reviews i've seen (Uncut ,Mojo) have been good , both 4 out of 5 star . There's a couple of recent Gira interviews knocking about the net that i tried to link but can't 'cos of the 15 post rule or summat, but check out the New York Times music section and "The Quietus" site if you're interested.
Can't wait for this, it's been a long wait.

I have been listening to it a bit (*cough*) and can say that if you're expecting another Swans-album you'll be disappointed. If you are, however, expecting an Angels of Light-album you'll definately be satisfied.

^I think it's a true Swans album with an Angels of Light experience.

I constantly listen to ''Children Of God'' and ''Soundtracks For The Blind''. Sometimes I have to take it easy though...the brutal tone makes me queasy sometimes, lol.

yeah i've been listening to it quite a bit also....and it really has a feel of Angels of Light release...especially what they did with 'We Are Him'....so a bit of continuation in Gira lyrical process.....but at the same time Norm makes his presence known....and at times shows a glimpse of some of the hardest Swans pummeling....although not for the same length....personally i am having a bit of a love hate relationship with the album at the moment...i am almost positive this will change next month when i see them

i agree with Children of God....and can really get to me at times....but Soundtracks for the Blind....is almost a welcome beating

Right had a good few listens to the new lp and gotta say i'm well impressed . Heavy enough at times to be like latter day Swans but mixed in with some A.O.L elements . And that'll do me . Good stuff .
First live show tonight in Philly . Anyone going ? Tell us what it was like tomorrow will you . Seeing 'em in Manchester in a few weeks and can't wait . Get the feeling from Giras interviews that the live experince is going to pretty 'intense'.