Two 22 minute epics from 2025 from IQ and Swans

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   While I already did a 2025 epic-length from Swans and Dream Theater each of about 19 minutes, here is another epic poll comparing two of very similar length.  I would expect IQ to get considerably more votes (very popular band at PA).

Both IQ and Swans were formed in 1981. IQ's first release was in 1982, and Swans first release was in 1983.  Swans has 17 studio albums to date and IQ has 16 studio albums (including that remixes album).  Both have many live albums.  

Birthing through the unknown door:  The portal, so to speak, at the end of the birth canal when coming into this wider world might be described as an unknown door by a fairly eloquent new-born.

Again, both are apples and oranges, so to speak, stylistically. There is no both or neither option. If either of these are at all to your tastes, which do you prefer?

IQ - The Unknown Door 22:33 (Dominion)

Swans - Birthing 22:20 (Birthing)

Poll Question: If either of these are at all to your tastes, which do you prefer?
Poll Choice	Votes	Poll Statistics
IQ - The Unknown Door (off Doiminion)	11	[73.33%]
Swans - Birthing (off Birthing)	4	[26.67%]
You can not vote in this poll

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Logan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum & Site Admin Group Site Admin Joined: April 05 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 38849	Post Options Post Reply Quote Logan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Two 22 minute epics from 2025 from IQ and Swans Posted: June 09 2025 at 11:58
	While I already did a 2025 epic-length from Swans and Dream Theater each of about 19 minutes, here is another epic poll comparing two of very similar length. I would expect IQ to get considerably more votes (very popular band at PA). Both IQ and Swans were formed in 1981. IQ's first release was in 1982, and Swans first release was in 1983. Swans has 17 studio albums to date and IQ has 16 studio albums (including that remixes album). Both have many live albums. Birthing through the unknown door: The portal, so to speak, at the end of the birth canal when coming into this wider world might be described as an unknown door by a fairly eloquent new-born. Again, both are apples and oranges, so to speak, stylistically. There is no both or neither option. If either of these are at all to your tastes, which do you prefer? IQ - The Unknown Door 22:33 (Dominion) Swans - Birthing 22:20 (Birthing)
	Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me.

Cristi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Crossover / Prog Metal Teams Joined: July 27 2006 Location: wonderland Status: Offline Points: 46777	Post Options Post Reply Quote Cristi Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 09 2025 at 12:13
	IQ - The Unknown Door 22:33 (Dominion)

Logan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum & Site Admin Group Site Admin Joined: April 05 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 38849	Post Options Post Reply Quote Logan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 09 2025 at 12:19
	Birthing is much more my thing, but I do like that IQ track especially from about 12 minutes to about 14 minutes. At about the 13 minute mark, I could be mistaken for that being Swans. Atmospheric ambience for the win!
	Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me.

verslibre Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: July 01 2004 Location: CA Status: Offline Points: 19405	Post Options Post Reply Quote verslibre Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 09 2025 at 13:52
	IQ
	eBay

Saperlipopette! Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: December 20 2010 Location: Tomorrowland Status: Offline Points: 13041	Post Options Post Reply Quote Saperlipopette! Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 09 2025 at 15:40
	I recognize IQ as quality music - quality music that I just don't care for. Swans is a differnt kind of musical expression that I genuinely do care for. "Birthing" seemed a little by numbers at first to me, but grows with each listen. Expepc for its epic length, it reminds me of the Swans I fell for in the 1990's. So no contest for me, but at least this I time I bothered to give the former epic a try.

Logan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum & Site Admin Group Site Admin Joined: April 05 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 38849	Post Options Post Reply Quote Logan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 09 2025 at 16:11
	^ It's great to see that someone else has checked out both (which is not to say that others who voted have not, but one can't tell from the votes alone or the other posts) and has a vote to join mine. I actually loved "Birthing" from first listen because it is of that Swans ilk that I love. I adore 90s Swans, and long tracks like "Helpless Child" and "The Sound" played a big part in making me a fan. I too recognise the quality of the IQ track, but it doesn't really speak to me/ resonate (other than around the 13 minute mark, I guess). Of course it's a very popular band at PA. At RYM, incidentally, currently Birthing is at number one, and at PA it is at 74 (we also do have algorithmic differences). At PA, currently the IQ is at number 5 and at RYM it is at 104. I commonly do find that my tastes do align more with RYM than PA based on the charts as I have often said. Edited by Logan - June 09 2025 at 16:14
	Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me.

MikeEnRegalia Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: April 22 2005 Location: Sweden Status: Offline Points: 21817	Post Options Post Reply Quote MikeEnRegalia Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 10 2025 at 03:35
	The Swans release is giving me a hard time because of the often out-of-tune main vocals. I realise that it's part of the signature style, but it is difficult to listen to for musical(ly trained) ears. Will listen to the IQ track after lunch, but I'm leaning towards voting for Swans. Good thing you "skipped" the first two long tracks for this poll
	Release Polls Listened to:

Saperlipopette! Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: December 20 2010 Location: Tomorrowland Status: Offline Points: 13041	Post Options Post Reply Quote Saperlipopette! Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 10 2025 at 04:08
	^ I hear it (out-of-tune), but every once in a while, I don't mind. In similar ways as I like Leonard Cohen and Lou Reed's voices, I like the tone in Gira's voice to begin with. To me the (maybe only partly intentional) out-of-tune vocal delivery of a 71 year old man, actually suits the music. That said, I'm glad I saw them live in 1996 and in 2010 where I found his voice to be genuinely powerful and rich. I wouldn't expect that in 2025.

Mormegil Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: January 03 2010 Location: NE PA Status: Offline Points: 8017	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mormegil Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 10 2025 at 09:37
	My ears dig IQ.
	Welcome to the middle of the film.

Logan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum & Site Admin Group Site Admin Joined: April 05 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 38849	Post Options Post Reply Quote Logan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 10 2025 at 10:02
	^^ & ^^^ I have become more accustomed to his vocals in this, and it's the first Swans album I have taken issue with his vocals. I would have liked more of his wife, Jennifer Gira, in this. I often like the contrast of his voice with female vocals (and still I think the Gira/Jarboe period is my favourite overall, but I do love later releases). I actually kind of feel that his older man gruff vocals give lines like "Show me an ocean and I'll fart as it boils" off "I Am a Tower" more gravitas, or actually it's more like it makes it more sour...
	Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me.

richardh Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: February 18 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 30304	Post Options Post Reply Quote richardh Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 11 2025 at 02:50
	Huge IQ fan so of course I vote for Swans. I just don't get this latest Auto Pilot By Numbers AI release from IQ. Come on lads try a bit harder. Edited by richardh - June 11 2025 at 02:51