The Great Annihilator

Updated on Nov 25, 2024

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Released January 23, 1995 The Great Annihilator(1995) Die Tür ist zu(1996) Release date 23 January 1995 Producer Michael Gira		Length 68:06 Artist Swans Label Invisible Records

Recorded February, 1993 – June, 1994 Genres Post-punk, Post-rock, Experimental rock, Industrial music, Art rock, Gothic rock Similar Soundtracks for the Blind, Love of Life, Children of God, White Light from the Mouth of I, The Burning World

Swans the great annihilator

The Great Annihilator is the ninth studio album by American experimental rock band Swans. It was released on January 23, 1995, through record label Young God. The album has since been described by Gira as a companion album to his solo album Drainland; the two will be remastered and re-released in April 2017.

Critical reception

The Great Annihilator received a generally positive reception from critics, though was seen in a less favourable light to the band's previous work. AllMusic called the album "an epic, incredible work of art." Trouser Press, on the other hand, wrote that the album "reveals [...] that the band is running out of ideas", commenting that is "unlikely to satisfy long-term followers. A more accessible Swans may also be a less cathartic one."

Track listing

All songs by Michael Gira except "My Buried Child" (lyrics: Michael Gira, music: Michael Gira, Jarboe) and "Out" (Michael Gira, Jarboe).

Personnel

Michael Gira – sounds (1-3, 5-16), vocals (2-4, 6, 7, 10-15), 12-string electric guitar (2-4, 10, 11, 13, 14), electric guitar (1, 5, 7, 8, 12, 15), acoustic guitar (3, 6, 9, 12), production

Jarboe – backing vocals (1-5, 7, 8, 10 - 16), organ (3, 7, 10, 11, 13), vocals (5, 8, 9, 12, 16), keyboards (6, 14, 15), sounds (1, 6)

Bill Rieflin – drums (1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13 - 15), sounds (2, 3, 10, 11), percussion (2, 11), 12-string acoustic guitar (3, 13), loops (15)

Algis Kizys – bass (1-5, 7, 10, 11, 13-15)

Norman Westberg – electric guitar (1-7, 10-15)

Clinton Steele – electric guitar (1, 2, 5, 9, 10, 13-15), acoustic guitar (11), drone guitar (12)

Ted Parsons – drums (3, 4, 15)

Songs

1In2:28
2I Am the Sun3:23
3She Lives7:01

References

The Great Annihilator Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA