text: The Great Annihilator
  
  The Great Annihilator is the ninth studio album by American experimental rock band Swans. It was released on January 23, 1995, through frontman Michael Gira's own record label, Young God. The album has been described by Gira as a companion album to his solo album Drainland (1995); the two were remastered and re-released together in April 2017.
  
  Critical reception 
  
  The Great Annihilator received a generally positive reception from critics. AllMusic called the album "an epic, incredible work of art." Trouser Press, on the other hand, wrote that the album "reveals [...] that the band is running out of ideas", commenting that is "unlikely to satisfy long-term followers. A more accessible Swans may also be a less cathartic one."
  
  Track listing
  
  Personnel 
  Credits adapted from The Great Annihilator liner notes.
  
  Swans
   Michael Gira – vocals, guitars, sounds, art design, production
   Jarboe – vocals, sounds, organ, keyboards
   Bill Rieflin – drums, percussion, sounds, additional sequencing
   Algis Kizys – bass
   Norman Westberg – guitar
   Clinton Steele – guitar
  
  Additional musicians
   Ted Parsons – drums (tracks 3, 4, and 15)
   John Sarfell – piano (track 9)
   Nicky Skopelitis – guitar (track 9)
  
  Technical personnel
   Martin Atkins – additional mastering, drums (tracks 8)
   Martin Bisi – engineering, mixing
   Bryce Goggin – engineering
   Larry Seven – engineering, double bass (track 16)
   Scott Ramsayer – engineering, additional sequencing
   Fred Breitberg – engineering
   Van Christie – engineering
   Jay O'Rourke – mastering
   Doug Henderson – remastering
   Jim Marcus – additional sequencing
   Mark Falls – layout
   Phil Puleo – artwork
  
  References 
  
  Category:1995 albums
  Category:Swans (band) albums
  Category:Young God Records albums
  Category:Albums produced by Michael Gira