JASON BLAKE - A CONFUSION SEQUENCE FEATURING MARCO MINNEMANN

While this album is a direct descendant of Subsequent Ruins, I feel like Marco and I have refined our sound and are even tighter on this album. I also approached the song writing a little differently with Marco specifically in mind. Ultimately, it takes the sound established previously and pushes it into new territories. The basis of every song was created with my Warr Artisan guitar to create an acoustic more natural sound. The album was mixed by Amery Schmeisser at Gravel Road Recording and mastered by Andy VanDette at Evolve Mastering. Artwork was handled by frequent collaborator, Hajo Mueller. To be released 11.15.24 on 7d Media.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Awakening to Questions / 2. Memory Variations / 3. Pretending to Breathe / 4. Dormant Visions/ 5. Lucent Eyes / 6. A Prophecy of Recollections

JASON BLAKE - ETHEREAL DIALOGUE

In between work on Candles Burn and my next rock album, I set out to create an ambient guitar album that mixed what I was doing on my live shows with progressive rock elements. I created structures over ambient soundscapes that could be used as the starting point for live improvisation. Each of the songs takes on the personality of different aspects of life. The album was mixed by Amery Schmeisser at Gravel Road Recording and mastered by Dave Luxton at Cosmic Wave Studios. Artwork and design was done by frequent collaborator, Michal Karcz. Released 06.21.24 on Wayfarer Records.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Diminishing Time / 2. Pluvial Thoughts / 3. Contentment With Others / 4. Lambent Purity / 5. Inconsequential and Mundane / 6. What Was Left Unsaid / 7. With and Without Regret

JASON BLAKE FEATURING RAPHAEL WEINROTH-BROWNE - CANDLES BURN

One of my first bands was a string trio and I have always wanted to return to this sound. This music is an exciting closer step into the world of classical chamber music. I really liked how the music had a natural flow to it. It told its own musical story. I also thought that it sounded interesting by itself and only needed the addition of a single instrument. Being a fan of cello music and specifically the work of Raphael made it an easy choice for the direction the album should take. Working with him was perfect because he was able to match the exact mood that I heard for these songs. The album was mixed by Amery Schmeisser at Gravel Road Recording and mastered by Andy VanDette at Evolve Mastering. Artwork was handled by Robert Booth. Released 04.05.24 on 7d Media.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Dredged Memories / 2. Rift and Reckoning / 3. Leaving Only Embers

JASON BLAKE - SEEMINGLY QUIXOTIC

After recording the track, “Seemingly Quixotic” from the Radiant Dusk album, I had the idea of writing more music in this Spanish vibe. Having spent a lot of time there recently as it is my wife’s homeland, I thought that it would be nice to do an almost tribute-like album to this beautiful country and people. The title track includes percussion along with the three new tracks, including one song that has my wife playing castanets. The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Amery Schmeisser at Gravel Road Recording. Artwork was created by frequent collaborator, Hajo Mueller. Released 12.08.23.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Seemingly Quixtoic / 2. Of Desert and Sea / 3. The Road Between / 4. Plastic Towns

JASON BLAKE - SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PATHS

During the recording sessions for Radiant Dusk, began experimenting with the idea of adding drums to some of the songs. Once Amery recorded one track, I liked the outcome so much that we decided to do more and make a second disc that included these “new songs”. I wanted there to be something unique to the EP so I included an additional song which became the title track. The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Amery Schmeisser at Gravel Road Recording. Artwork was created by frequent collaborator, Hajo Mueller. Released 11.17.23.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Slightly Different Paths / 2. Without a Murmur / 3. An Errant Pawn / 4. Radiant Dusk / 5. An Aversion to Fervor / 6. Trivial Colloquy

JASON BLAKE - RADIANT DUSK

While writing and recording music for the Subsequent Ruins album, some of these shorter, less proggy songs were developing. As I finished up that recording, I turned my attention to these shorter, pop song structured tunes. The sessions for this music spawned a lot of material that eventually became two separate EPs. The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Amery Schmeisser at Gravel Road Recording. Artwork was created by frequent collaborator, Hajo Mueller. Released 10.20.23.

TRACK LISTING: 1. An Aversion to Fervor / 2. Without a Murmur / 3. Misplaced Moments / 4. Radiant Dusk / 5. A Perverse Rumination / 6. What May Ensue / 7. Trivial Colloquy / 8. Seemingly Quixotic / 9. An Errant Pawn / 10. At Last Resolve

BACKWARD SKY FALLING - A PERIOD OF CONSEQUENCES

Instrumental progressive rock with my friends from Wisconsin, Joe Kopecky on guitars and Craig Walkner on drums. We wrote the material on and off for many years and finally got around to recording it in late 2022. Released 08.23.23.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Mouth’s Failing Words / 2. Forever Never Sleeps / 3. Discordant Objects / 4. A Period of Consequences

JASON BLAKE - SUBSEQUENT RUINS FEATURING MARCO MINNEMANN

I composed some progressive rock music that did not sound like Aziola Cry so I made it my own. The album features Warr guitar as its sole melodic instrument with accompaniment by Marco Minnemann on drums. The music is meant to be the soundtrack to a modern retelling of the Pied Piper with screens playing the title role. The album was recorded at Gravel Road Recording and Lakeshore Studios, mixed by Amery Schmeisser at Gravel Road Recording, and mastered by Andy VanDette at Evolve Mastering. The thought provoking artwork was created by Hajo Mueller. Released 03.17.23 on 7d Media.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Obsolete Perception / 2. Pretense of the Herd / 3. Follow I (Emanated Hook) / 4. False Streets of Entanglement / 5. Follow II (The Coercible Leash) / 6. A Bleak Outcome

JASON BLAKE - DREAMING IN NUMBERS

While I may explore this type of ambient drone music somewhere down the line, this was meant as my third and final in a series that began with The Darkness Found in Shadows and continued with The Perfect Fallacy. For this one, I intentionally explored more major key movements to give it a less dark feel. The album is meant to be a musically representation of numbers as they occur in our dreams. The album was mixed and mastered by Dave Luxton. Josh Brockett provided the accompanying artwork. Released 01.27.23 on Wayfarer Records.

TRACK LISTING: 1. A Birth of Innocence / 2. The Duality of Breath / 3. Forseeing Paranoia / 4. This Downward Climb / 5. On the Cusp of a Whim / 6. Deception of the Obvious / 7. Tomorrow Hides / 8. Approaching Perpetuity / 9. Edge of Uncertainty

JASON BLAKE - THE COMPROMISE RATIONALE

This is part two of his Ternary Instinct trilogy. Whereas Fictional Mirrors represented the superego, The Compromise Rationale tackles the ego. The album takes on a much more heavy and dark tone as compared to its predecessor. I wrote this music similar to how I compose for Aziola Cry. I begin with Warr guitar parts in odd time signatures and layer heavy guitar parts throughout. The album was mixed at Gravel Road Recording by Amery Schmeisser and mastered by Bob Katz at Digital Domain. Michal Karcz once again created the amazing artwork for the digipack release. Released 09.23.22 on Wayfarer Records.

TRACK LISTING: 1. A Certain Balance / 2. Euphoria with Repercussions / 3. Deforming Reality / 4. Practical Methods of Gratification / 5. The Compromise Rationale / 6. Secondary Influences / 7. A Moral Impasse

JASON BLAKE - SUBLIMINAL CONFINEMENT VOLUME ONE

I wanted to explore the idea of improvised ambient music. I used an open weekend to setup my gear like I would for a live show and hit record. What transpired was a simple one track recording with lots of pedal stomping, knob twisting, and Warr guitar playing. I intentionally left everything as is and made no changes including a few moments that I wish that I could take back. This first volume was a free download for those people that joined my mailing list. Released 06.07.22.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Subliminal Confinement: Volume One

DAVE LUXTON/JASON BLAKE - GHOST OF A SMALL CHILD/GHOST OF A SMALL CHILD II (ONE FINAL ENCOUNTER)

When Dave Luxton first presented his idea of a remix album to me, I immediately thought of one of his songs. Ghost of a Small Child stood out to me as I was always attracted to it’s darker tone and somber melody. As the song began to take shape, it was clear that what I had created was a sequel of sorts, the continuation of the story. I spent a lot of time developing the video concept for this song. Released 04.28.22 on Wayfarer Records.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Ghost of a Small Child / 2. Ghost of a Small Child II (One Final Encounter)

JASON BLAKE - IMAGINARY CAGES

I had this idea to explore the theme of loneliness insides of one’s mind. Then, the lockdown occurred and I felt that this was the time to begin composing the music. This is the first time that I have recorded an entire album for solo Warr guitar and it features no overdubs. Tyler Rice from Transient Sound mixed the album and mastering was done by Bob Katz at Digital Domain. This release was the first time that I worked with Hajo Müller to create the artwork and layout of the digipack design. This is my third release on the Wayfarer Records label. Released 02.25.22 on Wayfarer Records.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Abstractions of Thought / 2. Obscured Clarity / 3. Drawn and Distrait / 4. Buried in Contemplation / 5. Lost Reveries / 6. Denouement of Logic

JASON BLAKE - THE PERFECT FALLACY

Recorded after The Darkness Found in Shadows, this was meant to be the second release planned until I was signed by Wayfarer Records. At the time of the signing, we decided that Fictional Mirrors would be the first release for the label and thus this album was shelved for a bit. The music is the soundtrack to a reoccurring dream and was recorded using all analog pedals. Tyler Rice from Transient Sound once again handled mixing and mastering duties. This release is the second of my collaborations with Hajo Müller as he created the wonderful artwork. This is my second release on the Wayfarer Records label. Released 11.19.21 on Wayfarer Records.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Necessary Bait / 2. Uncertain Numbness / 3. Suspended Motion / 4. Eyes Above / 5. Blank Awareness / 6. Unheard and Unnoticed / 7. A Spectral Embrace / 8. Awakened by Repetition / 9. Inroads

JASON BLAKE - FICTIONAL MIRRORS

This album marks the debut of my blending of ambient and progressive metal music. Each of the six tracks retain elements of ambient music while being in odd time signatures and using sounds not typically found on this type of music. For this album, I used an assortment of analog pedals along with sounds from my Fractal Axe-FX III. The album was mixed at Transient Sound by Tyler Rice and mastered by Vijay Tellis-Nayak. Michal Karcz created the amazing artwork for the digipack release. This is my first release on the Wayfarer Records label. Fictional Mirrors is part one of The Ternary Instinct Trilogy. Released 06.25.21 on Wayfarer Records.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Shortcomings in Opposition / 2. The Criterion of Guilt / 3. Fictional Mirrors / 4. A Disposition to Virtue / 5. Ethos of the Swarm / 6. Antecedents and Consequences

AZIOLA CRY - THE IRONIC DIVIDE

A long time coming, this album marks a new beginning for Aziola Cry. Musically, I feel as though this is our strongest collection of songs yet. Sonically, this is where I always wanted Aziola Cry to be, a heavy progressive metal band. This album marks the first appearance of Tommy Murray, which adds a huge layer to the overall sound. The album was recorded once again by Jim Siwek at Transient Sound and mixed by Steven Gillis. Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound handled the mastering responsibilities, while Micka Klauck once again supplied the band with her wonderful artwork. This is the band’s first release on the Sensory Records label. Released 03.26.21 on Sensory Records.

TRACK LISTING: 1. And Cowards / 2. Hollow Reflections / 3. The Ironic Divide - Premonitions - A Torment of Reason - Distort Persona - One Final Collapse / 4. Scars Now Rest Where Once Bore Wings

VARIOUS ARTISTS - ONE MINUTE COMPOSITIONS

I contributed a track to a compilation album released on AEMC Records. The requirement was that the song had to be exactly one minute in length. Thirty-seven different artists are represented with each having a very different sound. I went for a ghostly soundtrack vibe for my piece. I am quite pleased with how it turned out and find the whole album to be a very interesting listen. Released 11.23.20

TRACK LISTING: Alone With Others

JASON BLAKE - THE DARKNESS FOUND IN SHADOWS

I have always enjoyed both listening to and playing ambient music. I have incorporated moments of it into bands that I have played in, but always wanted to truly explore this art form. Recorded between April and June of 2020, this is the debut album in a series of ambient releases planned for release. All music was written and performed by manipulating the Warr Guitar sound with an assortment of guitar effects and loopers. Unlike the other music that I play, the pedals sit up on a stand were I am able to tweak them constantly in order to achieve some of the unique sounds. I have fallen in love with Chase Bliss pedals and used them extensively on this album. I found so much inspiration in their endless sonic capabilities. I began with the album title, knowing that I wanted the sound to be dark with a sense of the unknown. The song titles are meant to imply one of each of the seven deadly sins. Released 11.13.20.

TRACK LISTING: 1. The Curious Allure of Decoys / 2. Devoured by Weakness / 3. Temporal Urges of Sadness / 4. Apathy and Solitude 5. / A Violent Conclusion / 6. Sorrow Gifts Hatred / 7. Echoes of Desire

E.K.W.B. - IRRESOLUTION

Guitarist, Joe Kopecky, and I had been writing music for Backward Sky Falling when this group came together. Consisting of Roger Ebner on saxophone, Joe Kopecky on guitar, Craig Walkner on drums, and myself on Warr Guitar, this album was entirely improvised in a studio one day in Racine, Wisconsin. We set up in the morning and played all day long. My life was beginning to change at this time and therefore, I wish that I had been more a part of the process. Having said that, I am proud of this album and believe that we created something quite special for having only been in the same room on one other occasion. Many of my soundscapes were the jump off points for the material as well as spontaneous Warr Guitar lines based on the drums. Released 01.20.15

TRACK LISTING: 1. Irresolution / 2. Dissolution Part 1 / 3. Evolve Within / 4. Daughter / 5. Dissolution Part 2 / 6. Carnival / 7. Awaken Suite / 8. Dissolution Part 3 / 9. Drastic Measure

AZIOLA CRY - GHOST CONVERSATIONS

With the success of Ellipsis, and a new drummer (Tim Stickradt) being added to the mix, the band wanted to capitalize on their growing popularity and release new music. It was decided to take the unique approach of releasing an E.P. as a stopgap until the next full length album could be released. This time, all recording and mixing responsibilities were handled by Jim Siwek at ultralownoise studios in Chicago. This album marks the third and final release on the Translation Music label. This is also the last recording using the Grand Stick as I moved to Warr Guitar during the promotional cycle of this album.

Ghost Conversations is the final chapter in the Ellipsis story. This is the aftermath of the events as told in Ellipsis and featured a more ambient yet heavy approach to the Aziola Cry sound. All three parts of this song have typically remained a part of the Aziola Cry setlist, while on occasion, Ghost Conversations III is played as a standalone piece.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Ghost Conversations I / 2. Ghost Conversations II / 3. Ghost Conversations III

AZIOLA CRY - ELLIPSIS

After the Jason Blake Band had run its course, I began writing for a new album. I had recently switched from Stick Bass to Grand Stick which allowed me to play a different role with the music. It also became clear that this music was for a different band, one that was heavier and more progressive. After adding Mike Milaniak on guitars, we decided to go into Gravity Studios in Chicago to begin recording what would become the debut album by Aziola Cry. Feeling more confident in my mixing abilities, I spent quite a bit of time reworking this album until I was entirely satisfied with the results. This album received many positive reviews and opened doors for the band as we gigged quite a bit to support the album.

Ellipsis tells the evolving story of loss. “The Trembling Edge” and “When Soft Voices Die”" remained staples in the Aziola Cry set for many years. Also worth noting, the Ellipsis trilogy of songs was performed only once as a continuous piece. This album marks the beginning of a lasting relationship with artist, Micka Klauck, who has provided the artwork for all Aziola Cry releases.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Ellipsis I / 2. The Trembling Edge / 3. In Your Dissolving Arms / 4. Ellipsis II / 5. Shadow Lies / 6. When Soft Voices Die / 7. Then Wake to Weep / 8. Ellipsis III

JASON BLAKE - THE ABSENCE OF COLOR

Released in 2002, this album marks the beginning of my recording using a touch style guitar (Stick Bass). I had set up a record label called Translation Music and had a friend help me record this first release. Eric Yacula provided accompaniment playing drums. While I still like most of the music contained on this album, I wish that I knew what I now know about recording as this was also my first venture into mixing. I spent a couple years promoting this album with the Jason Blake Band consisting of myself, along with cello and drums.

After seeing the Darren Aronofsky film, Pi, a friend commented that the film really benefited from the absence of color. These words stuck with me for years. I felt that it was the perfect title for this album since the instrumentation consisted solely of Stick Bass and drums. Immortal Hours was the first song that I wrote to be played in this setting and so it seemed fitting to begin the album there. The cover is from a picture that I took nearby where the album name was born.

TRACK LISTING: 1. Immortal Hours / 2. Two Absolutes (intro) 3. Two Absolutes / 4. Threnody / 5. Desire of the Moth / 6. Wake the Angels / 7. Strange Portraits 8. Anahatanada / 9. Pillory / 10. A Dream of Spoons