Music Reviews

Swans

Swans Are Dead

Young God/Atavistic

A banshee screams while the Vikings swing hammers and swords into their enemies. I sense sweat pouring from faces. Every soul being destroyed from within the shell it lives. The anger, resentment, and rawness cuts through even the hardest heart. No one ever does it like Swans. Even through the CD, I get goose bumps. I can’t explain it. When I watched Swans in Atlanta for the last time, my body went numb. Every hair stood on end. I was waiting for lightning to come through the ceiling and ignite my body. So I ask why? Why must I suffer? Why are they doing this to us? Why does it have to end? They were, are, and will always be the most powerful band in the world live. We have only two CDs to remember them, but they exhibit nothing but perfection. It is Swans. Gira mixed both live recordings and “bootlegs” from fans to capture the emotions. I have never heard a live recording capture “live” like this before, and probably never will again. The songs included do not matter, because they are perfect. The first disc is the final 1997 tour, and the second the 1995 tour. I cannot promote illegal activities to gain possession of this release, but any fan will be happy. Now all that is left is the final reissue sets, and SWANS ARE DEAD. Atavistic, P.O. Box 578266, Chicago, IL 60657; http://www.atavistic.com


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