Album number nine from one of NYC's most prolific bands. This newly-remastered 2LP edition comes as a great relief to Michael Gira who allegedly hated the mastering of the original pressing: "For whatever reason things drifted out of hand at the time, and there was never enough time or money to untangle the sonic knots created by the original unsatisfactory mastering that took place until now." Like any good Swans record, you get a balanced mix of nihilstic art rock, tempestuous industrial grooves (you can thank Ministry's Bill Rieflin for those) and beautiful atmospheric passages. "I Am The Sun" is the most well known song here but also check out "Blood Promise," "Killing For Company," "My Buried Child" and the very Sonic Youth-sounding "Celebrity Lifestyle." Black double vinyl pressing available for the "first time in centuries." Includes download of the full album plus Gira's Drainland album (also remastered) which is considered a companion piece. 

• black double vinyl pressing
  
• remastered sound
  
• gatefold jacket with printed insert + fold-out poster
• includes code for digital download of full album plus Drainland
• music label: Young God Records 2017

reviewed by Big Salad 12/2019