Swans

One of the most uncompromising bands, Michael Gira's Swans make music that alternates between bleak, brutal noise-rock and dark, ambient, moody folk coupled with intense live performances. Emerging from the downtown New York no wave scene, the group's confrontational shows supported dissonant, repetitive records including 1983's Filth. The dirge-like industrial of 1986's Greed introduced a more atmospheric sound as well as the addition of vocalist/songwriter Jarboe. 1991's White Light from the Mouth of Infinity was significantly more melodic and elaborately produced, even as t...