Former Swans frontman Michael Gira took to the band's MySpace page on Saturday to announce that the pioneering New York postpunk band will reunite for a new album and "tour(s)". Thanks to Shane Lange for the tip.

The band, which Gira started in the early 80s, began as a particularly dark and noisy product of New York's clattering downtown art-punk scene. Their early records had tremendous, widespread influence across the underground rock spectrum, making an impact on indie, goth, industrial, and metal. Later on, the band's sound became subtler, taking on ideas from pop and modern classical. Swans broke up in 1997, and Gira went on to lead the more pastoral and folk-influenced (though still absolutely intense) Angels of Light.

According to Gira's MySpace announcement the new Swans lineup includes two original members, Gira and guitarist Norman Westberg, as well as guitarist Christoph Hahn and drummer Phil Puleo from later incarnations of the band. Flux Information Sciences' Chris Pravdica and Shearwater/Angels of Light member Thor Harris also join the new Swans. Gira also promises "many special guests".

Via his own Young God Records, Gira plans to release a limited edition CD/DVD package called I Am Not Insane, proceeds from which will "raise money for the swans recordings/offset the huge costs involved". The package will include two live shows on the DVD and a CD of rough versions of songs that may make the Swans reunion album. Gira is only making 1000 copies of I Am Not Insane, and he's handmaking all of them himself.

Gira posted one of those songs, a homemade acoustic demo of a track called "Jim", to the band's MySpace page. If you've been keeping up with the Angels of Light, it won't surprise you that Gira's elemental baritone is still in fine form. Gira also points out that the Angels of Light are now on hiatus so that he can concentrate on this Swans thing.

Click here to read Gira's announcement and here to stream "Jim".