Per 
Canticum Canticorum
Item #: SCP-5004
Clearance Level 3: Confidential
Object Class: Keter
Disruption Class: 3/Keneq
Risk Class: 4/Danger
Special Containment Procedure: SCP-(5004)-1 must be kept in a wax-based laminated cover, then submerged under room temperature water with black coloring, thus obscuring view of (5004)-1. When in contact of SCP (5004)-1 for transportation purposes, personnel must wear provided blindfold. Recording devices are prohibited within 30 feet of containment locker. If one shows symptoms of SCP-(5004)-2 transformation, immediately execute or remove all appendages and tongue. If the latter procedure is followed for experimental purposes, place SCP-(5004)-2 in suspended sound proof cell to prevent percussive noises. Disable and remove all surveillance microphones or recording devices from the vicinity. Any staff member currently researching SCP-(5004)-1 may not interact with any O5 personnel until the conclusion of their research and a custom Rorschach psychodiagnostic test are completed.
Description SCP-(5004)-1 is a 21.59 cm x 27.94 cm (8.5 in x 11 in) piece of singular paper with front and back music staffs with unknown notes of an unknown instrument. All attempts to neutralize or destroy SCP(5004)-1 have been proven unsuccessful. Due to its anomalous nature, (5004)-1 reverts to an unknown elastic rubber material preventing shredding, burning, or liquidation through acid elements. Freezing has also been proven unsuccessful. SCP(5004)-1 was recovered from Kickapoo, IL in 20██. When SCP(5004)-1's musical notes are viewed by humans over 25 years of age, they briefly experience visual discomfort before going through a psychological transformation. Said transformation erases all individuality of the viewer, thus making SCP-(5004)-2. (5004)-2, or aptly named "Affected" will proceed to perform a certain musical piece continuously until one can physically no longer perform. Most common condition of halting performance is tearing of the larynx. Even after tearing the larynx, (5004)-2 will proceed to sing until asphyxiation from excess blood; therefore killing the victim. If Affected are mute or have no vocal ability, then they will perform using percussion with limbs or other objects until breakage in said subject's bones or removal of appendages. Affected do still require basic human necessities, such as sleep, food, and water.
Affected commonly think as a hive mind, moving as one. Crowds often act and move in large numbers. When tasked as a whole, the horde will move to accomplish goal as one, and will not stop until said task is completed.
If Affected meet resistance from Unaffected with no way of SCP(5004)-2 transmission, Affected will then become hostile. Hostiles appear to have no sense of pain tolerance, and lose all ability to reason until target is eliminated or become Affected. Most common form of Affected hostility is in form of biting of the jugular or using blunt objects to neutralize Unaffected and disable protective gear for SCP(5004)-1 spread. Some Affected have shown signs of intelligence and self-restraint, thus having the ability to make rational decisions. Intelligent Affected (IA) have the ability to infiltrate the population, then spreading SCP(5004)-1 through performing the musical piece, therefore creating more Affected in large numbers. IA have also retained independence, acting separate from the hive mind, but having the ability to control large numbers of Affected. Speculation has lead to IA being the leaders of the hive mind.
To neutralize a SCP(5004)-2, prevent Affected from producing noise, by tranquilization or by removal of tongue and/or larynx. Transport to containment cell for custom electroconvulsive therapy. Due to the electric currents, the amygdala is temporarily relieved of SCP(5004)-1's effect. Successful procedures have lead to successful interviews with previous Affected. Subjects after therapy have stated to vaguely remember their reoccurring thoughts of SCP(5004)-1. Subject 2a stated she felt a primal need to sing a tribute to the "greatest song in the world". Subject 2b claimed to not remember SCP(5004)-1 exactly, but they sang in memory of a "music masterpiece of such divine beauty that even Beelzeboss himself feared it". Even fewer subjects remember exact words from SCP(5004)-1. Lyrics were translated from different languages to fit historic speech from old cultures and ideas. Italian speaking subject 2h recalls the song being in Latin, while English speaking subject 2c recalls the song to be in Gaelic. The only prominent translation from every case is a singular word: tribute.
