SCUM

Also released in 1992, the second release from BARK PSYCHOSIS was the SCUM EP which ratcheted the band's sound much closer to what would be experienced on the full-length debut "Hex." This is a one-track song type of EP which features the title track extending past the 21-minute playing time.

SCUM engaged in the use of extreme dynamics and the use of expansive space as an element to be implemented. The song mixed jazz guitar chords with unusual acoustic drumming techniques and space ambience for the wild and turbulent atmospheres. The vocals appear randomly and the excursions into cosmic ambient drifting crafts starting soundscapes that implement bizarre uses of the guitar to craft feedback and other noisy effects.

The track was totally improvised and recorded live in the band's studio set up in St John's Church. The track has definitely reached full post-rock status and after a placid first part that lulls you in with an almost lullaby innocence, by the time the track gets half way through the track has built up to strange ambient noise, random reverberations and slow clamoring guitar feedback intensity. The band were masters of crafting sounds that were unrecognizable.

Apparently BARK PSYCHOSIS rented special equipment that would process sounds and twist them into irregular and oft jagged morsels of unrecognizability. The track masters of art of drifting aimlessly through a vast soundscape that maintains a consistent flow but offers new motifs to emerge from those that simply fade away. Whether it's a simple drum accompanied by a slow piano or a chamber jazz section accompanied by a drone effect and field recordings. The contrast is start and utterly unlike anything else that existed at the time.

As the middle part chills out for a while towards the end the harsh noisy effects slowly ooze into the soundscape with the drumming slowly ratcheting up the tempo incrementally. The cyclical guitar loops, the alien atmospheres, the aloof long piano and noisy distortion conspires to craft one bizarre piece of music that is captivating from beginning to end. There's really little wonder why SCUM has become as revered the band's two full-length albums. This EP is simply genius from beginning to end. The ultimate atmospheric slow ride roller coaster.