Crawling out of the same noisy, arty New York underground that sired Sonic Youth and Lydia Lunch, Swans created a dark, abrasive, murky, slowed-down noise-rock that served as a starting point for their ruminations about alienation, depression, depravity, and the disturbing side of human nature. Singers Michael Gira and Jarboe have been the group's only constants over the years; Gira has taken the group from its early confrontational shock tactics to a more varied, mature attack. The band first appeared on record in 1982 with a self-titled EP, and its early releases document their search for the musical vocabulary to express their ideas effectively. Female singer Jarboe joined the group for 1986's Holy Money and brought a gentler, more relaxed dimension to Swans' sound. They disbanded in 1997 with both Michael Gira and Jarboe pursuing various musical projects, including Angels of Light and more experimental and abrasive Body Lovers/Body Haters.

Discography

Studio Albums

* Filth - (1983)
* Cop - (1984)
* Greed - (1986)
* Holy Money - (1986)
* Children of God - (1987)
* The Burning World - (1989)
* White Light From The Mouth Of Infinity - (1991)
* Love of Life - (1992)
* The Great Annihilator - (1995)
* Die Tür Ist Zu - (1996)
* Soundtracks for the Blind (1996)

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