Swans are one of the most influential groups in the history of rock music, inspiring countless bands playing heavy music, from grindcore to sludge to drone metal. After a long hiatus, Swans came back with a new sound exploring further the aspects of trance, ritual and repetition. They have released three new studio albums, including “To Be Kind” - widely heralded as one of the year’s essential albums - and they have carved out a reputation as one of the best live bands in the world.