Big Big Train reveals SCOP Digital EP for The Prog Report
Prog Rock Duo McStine & Minnemann have recently shared their plans for a new album release, announcing the upcoming album III along with the release of their new single “Survive.” The album’s release date and other details have been revealed by the duo.
Released as a companion piece to the re-issue of the band’s third studio album Bard, Big Big Train’s Scop is a digital EP consisting of six tracks, set to be launched on March 21st, 2025. Scop, a term that is an old English word for ‘bard,’ intends to complement the Bard re-issue. Five out of the six tracks on Scop are demos from the Bard recording sessions, including The Sundial, a song originally written and demoed in 2001 but recently re-recorded by three members of the band’s current lineup – Alberto Bravin (lead vocals), Gregory Spawton (guitars, keyboards, bass), and Nick D’Virgilio (drums). The EP has been mixed by Rob Aubrey, the band’s longtime engineer, who was also responsible for extensively remixing Bard.
The EP’s demos shed light on the band’s technical limitations during the Bard era but provide an insight into the evolution of the final studio versions. Two of the demos feature the band’s original singer Martin Read on lead vocals, while the other two tracks were sung by keyboardist Tony Müller. Moreover, Scop features some of the tracks that did not make it to the final cut of Bard for various reasons, contributing a complete picture of that period according to Andy Poole, former bassist and Bard’s producer. Lead vocalist, Alberto Bravin, shared his perspective on celebrating the band’s history while working on newer projects and expressed enjoyment in revisiting the past with the creation of a new recording of The Sundial.
The EP Scop will be released as a digital download exclusively on Bandcamp, while the Bard re-issue will be available on CD and 2LP formats along with high-resolution downloads on Bandcamp. The physical versions of Bard will be limited editions and not be accessible on streaming or other download platforms. The album will include liner notes by Andy Stuart, utilizing material from a recent interview with Gregory Spawton. The vinyl edition of Bard is offered in two versions – 180 gram “shark” blue vinyl and 180 gram black vinyl.
In summary, both Big Big Train and McStine & Minnemann present exciting upcoming releases in the realm of progressive rock, offering fans a glimpse into their musical worlds and expanding their offerings to audiences worldwide.