"Swans Are Dead" is a live album by the American experimental rock band Swans. Released in 1998, it is a compilation of performances that cover the band's final tours from 1995 to 1997. The album bridges two eras of the band, featuring tracks from pre-transformation and post-transformation. This two-disc release is the band's official farewell statement, signalling the end of the group's original run.
"Swans Are Dead" includes a mix of both previously released songs and improvisations, showcasing the variety and expansive nature of Swans' live performances. The album is typically noted for its effective capturing of both the raw energy and the dark, atmospheric nature of the band's music, thereby rendering a comprehensive image of Swans' artistic output.
Its first disc, "Various Failures", features more ambient and lengthy pieces, while the second, "Other Songs and Drones", is more intense and drone-based. The band's line-up for the performances included key Swans members Michael Gira and Jarboe, joined by a varied roster of musicians. The album effectively marked the end of Swans until the band's revival by Gira in 2010. Upon its release, "Swans Are Dead" was praised by critics and fans alike for its ambitious scope and the band's unabashed, uncompromising vision.
