Swans announce live album, The Gate, preparing “final Swans album”

Swans have been touring for more than a year behind their 2014 album To Be Kind, and just released a massive, 3xCD reissue of their debut album Filth. And now, they’re getting back to work. On Facebook, the group announced an upcoming live album called The Gate, which—like 2013’s Not Here/Not Now—will be a fundraising vehicle for their next studio album, and will be out later this year. And that studio album, leader Michael Gira says, will be “the final Swans album (and subsequent tour) for this version / iteration of Swans. Not really sure what the next step will be after that, but that’s perhaps a good thing…”

Here’s the full statement, as posted on Facebook:

Just got home comatose after finishing up the final leg of our 14 month tour for Swans To Be Kind album. We have come to your town, though it’s doubtful we have partied down. It has been a privilege to be inside the sound that on some nights seems to create itself of its own accord, and it’s gratifying that many of you have conveyed to us that it’s been a positive experience for you too… Next step: Sept 1 we commence a new Swans album. This will be the final Swans album (and subsequent tour) for this version / iteration of Swans. Not really sure what the next step will be after that, but that’s perhaps a good thing… We’ll be making a live album/fundraiser (called The Gate) soon, in order to raise the necessary – somewhat daunting – capital for the studio album, which is bound to be an insatiable beast… more soon, Thanks and Love! – Michael Gira

Read our Beginner’s Guide to the music of Swans.