Hard Psyche

Hard psyche -- or hard psychedelic rock -- is a new movement of bands inspired more by the heavy grooves and blistering volume of 1960s sludge rockers Blue Cheer than the whimsical surrealism of Pink Floyd or the jangly pop of the Paisley Underground. The Japanese label PSF (short for Psychedelic Speed Freaks) is a steady purveyor of these sonic assaults; bands on the roster include High Rise and Musica Transonic, who unabashedly rip through epic, wah-wah infused guitar anthems. The genre extends beyond Japan as well, including American groups such as the Stooges-influenced Fuzzhead and the frenzied Vermonster. Sweden's Dungen is one of the more recently popular psyche-rock groups, as is Chigaco's Pelican.