Swans has launched an extensive archival campaign that will see its 30 years worth of records remastered and re-released on vinyl. Coming from frontman Michael Gira’s own Young God Records, the series will kick off with, fittingly enough, the band’s 1983 debut, Filth.
Set for release on October 28th (on the 29th via Mute outside of North America), the reissue will be the first time in 24 years that Filth has been available as a vinyl LP. Doug Henderson — who handled mastering duties for Swans’ latest, To Be Kind, and 2012’s The Seer — remastered the album for the fresh release. The vinyl will come packaged with the original cover art and reproductions of a pair of concert posters from the early ’80s.
“This is all slabs of sound, rhythm, and screaming/testifying,” Gira stated in a press release. “What more do you need? In a way, it was a reaction against Punk (and just about any other music you can think of), and the conservative notion that 3 chords were somehow necessary.” He went on to discuss the influence for the band’s original sound: “I used to deny it vehemently at the time, but No Wave (I ‘hated’ that scene too, for some reason I can’t remember now) played a big role as the germ from which this music grew, along with The Stooges and Throbbing Gristle, of course. I wanted Swans to be ‘heavier’ though – I wanted the music to obliterate – why, I don’t remember! I think it just felt good.”
Swans’ lineup at the time of recording Filth included Gira, Norman Westberg, Roli Mosimann, Harry Crosby, and Jonathan Kane. Pre-orders for the reissue are currently ongoing, and you can find the full tracklist ahead, followed by the album’s opening track, “Stay Here”.
Filth Reissue Tracklist:
01. Stay Here
02. Big Strong Boss
03. Blackout
04. Power For Power
05. Freak
06. Right Wrong
07. Thank You
08. Weakling
09. Gang
Below, watch our recent interview with Michael Gira.
