In an exploration of the influential yet often misunderstood band Swans, the narrative journeys through their inception in the early 1980s New York music scene. Spearheaded by Michael Gira, the band starts as a minimalist and brutally abrasive ensemble, continually evolving its sound and line-up over decades. The film delves into the band members' lives, their creative processes, and the intense relationship dynamics that fuel their harrowing music. Through archival footage and intimate interviews, viewers witness the band's paradoxical existence—its sheer power and beauty emerging from relentless darkness and noise.

The story captures the relentless drive of Gira, whose uncompromising vision pushes Swans to both artistic heights and personal lows. It details the transformative phases of the band's journey, highlighting their disbanding in the late 1990s and subsequent triumphant resurgence in 2010. The narrative is punctuated with testimonials from contemporary musicians who have drawn inspiration from Swans’ groundbreaking work. While chronicling the band's history, it also poses fundamental questions about creativity, resistance, and the never-ending quest for transcendence through the medium of sound.