Swans is a singularly unique band. Even saying that is a cliche. A band that has been around for almost 40 years, released 15 studio albums, and relentlessly toured in the service of the musical vision of Michael Gira, the band’s only constant member, could not help but be unique. Even then, Swans stands alone. Described as the loudest band in the world, they are difficult to box into a single genre, let alone describe.

Birthed out of the same scene that gave us Sonic Youth, Swans formed in New York in the early 80s and was as aggressive a band as they could be. They never shed that intensity as they moved on from “just” aggression and noise to something that encompassed both but also transcended it. As a result, numerous bands – across the spectrum of music – cite Swans as an influence.

For the Swans documentary, Where Does a Body End?, the director, Marco Porsia, spent five years filming the band record, rehearse, and perform. He also had access to archival photos, film, and recordings of the band across its various incarnations. Into this he wove interviews with musicians, friends, former members of the band, critics, and fans.

Mixing archival material with interviews, and diversions here and there into the personal history of Michael Gira, the first part of the documentary covers a history of the band. Jarboe, Michael’s former partner and band member, has a sizable amount of screen time. Interestingly, though, the band’s studio albums get the least amount of screen time, as the film focuses on the live performances and changes in personnel.

In the middle of Where Does a Body End?, an interviewer describes Michael Gira as someone who has sacrificed everything else to make the music he feels he was put on Earth to create. This clarity of vision – and the ability to back it up – alongside an unbridled certainty to follow that vision are awe-inspiring.

Swans’s shift in sound, the misstep of a major label release, and the band’s dissolution and reforming could have made an interesting film. But the director doesn’t stop there. The documentary also tries to capture the feeling of being in the crowd at a live Swans show. Interweaving rehearsals with live footage, the crowd’s immediate reactions, people reminiscing about why they were there, friends and fans remembering the band, and arguments, you’ll be left feeling as if you had actually been at the show.

I sat down with this film as a fan. I can’t say where and when I first noticed Swans. Listening to heavy metal, industrial, and goth music in high school and college, Swans was one of those bands that people always talked about. Still, no one ever seemed to have their albums.

My first true exposure to them was with a copy of Love of Live that I bought used. From there, I searched and found every Swans album I could. This is a band that, in the space of three albums, could become unrecognizable as the same band… but within a few notes, you knew it was Swans.

Admittedly, Swans is not a band for everyone. The same can be said about this film. Yet, with any monumental work, that’s OK. You cannot commit to a vision and please everyone, but both the band and this film stand on their own as impressive creations worth a listen and/or viewing. These are people committed to their arts and performing at the height of their ability. Honestly, that will never not be impressive.

Is the film perfect? No. Anytime you try to explain a nebulous experience that exists on the edge of the spiritual, you risk going too far over that edge. That said, there were a few interviews that just didn’t work for me. A few felt like fanboy/fangirl gushing or delved too far into dime-store new age philosophy.

Capturing the experience of seeing a band live isn’t new. Doing this for Swans, however, is interesting. Partly because the live experience is so visceral for so many people, and partly because we might not see live shows like this again for a while.

They will return, though, and Swans is on my short list of bands I must see. This recording of Swans is special to watch right now. Where Does a Body End? is spectacular and available now on Blu-ray and streaming.