Swans – The Great Annihilator

Surface noise and some popping occasionally (probably due to the marks on the record), packaging is pretty nice and record sounds about as good as I would want it to be.

Overall, 3.5/5

Bought this off the Young Gods site. Came with the Drainland digital . I’m convinced that much of the hoopla concerning OG pressings can be chalked up to what one has grown accustomed to hearing (that or someone’s trying to boost sales for an OG, which I’ve seen on here more than once). Having gotten heavy into Swans post-remaster, I think this version completely smokes the OG. I’m definitely with Gira on this one. There’s a good chance I’d feel differently had I grown up on the original sound, but I think this thing sounds great on vinyl—better than I expected honestly. The original sounds kinda like it’s coming from the inside of a tin trash can, which I know some people like but I definitely prefer it mastered this way, no question. I have a few Swans LP’s and they are *very* hit or miss, so I was just kinda hoping for a able copy to listen to on wax, but this sounds really really great to me considering the way it was recorded, the band’s sound at the time etc. As pleased as could be

Finally got a copy of this. Noticed the “Young God Records” on the back isn’t embossed like in the photo on this Discogs entry.

Good press. Clean, no noise or pops - sounds great.
Also no drop outs as reported below...

In the words of M. Gira regarding the original 1994 master:

"I have long been uneasy with the sound of the mastered version of The Great Annihilator (and it's companion, contemporaneous solo album, Drainland, included here in this new release). 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. It was with the utmost alacrity that I received the news recently from my friend Bill Rieflin that he had discovered the original (after much digging), unmastered mixes for both albums in his archives. We were able to proceed now with lovingly mastering both Great Annihilator and Drainland from these virgin sources, with our right hand mastering man Doug Henderson in Berlin, . I have to say I'm rather pleased with the result. It's one of those instances where it's like hearing the thing for the first time again. I hope you enjoy the experience."

Regarding pressing plants, the quality standard and consistency at RTI (2017 release) is at least as good as that of MPO (1994 release).

I bought the original TGA cd upon release and thought it was absolutely stunning, and consider it their creative peak.

Though I've never heard the original MPO vinyl release, I am fairly certain it must sound very good given the reliability of MPO pressings. However, regardless of the cost for an original 1994 pressing, I immediately bought the RTI remastered reissue upon release at YGR, because:

1) it was sourced from the original unmastered source recordings and,

2) I've never come across an RTI pressing that wasn't superior in every way, and

3) compared to most other musicians, I very much trust M. Gira's integrity regarding the oversight of sound mastering and vinyl pressings for YGR.

And thankfully, to my ears, the remastered reissue sounds as spectacular as the subject matter deserves, with top-notch gatefold packaging, insert w/notes, and poster to boot, so it's very difficult to imagine a better version in vinyl format.

Not sure if its just me, but my copy has some...errors? Not sure how to phrase that. Like, the sound will cut out for a fraction of a second in either the left or right speaker, happens on almost every song. Really fucking annoying, but sounds good otherwise. Also, i think Mind/Body/Light/Sound is a different take than the original, but maybe im just mising. EDIT: Got the opportunity to hear an original press, sounds significantly better.

Can anyone tell me how this RM pressing compares to the original vinyl pressing...?

so she found a box of records under her bed and realised if she did a bit of a custom paint job on them she could sell them for a higher price? that's capitalism for you :)

Top pressing. A big improvement compared to the original CD. Sounds uncompressed and harmoniously balanced. Free of any noise. I am really happy to finally enjoy my favourite tracks "Blood promise" and "Mind/Body/Light/Sound" with great sound quality. All swans reissues have been carefully done and with great quality but this is the best. It has restored and highlighted to the maximum this amazing album.