Filtering by Tag: #warrguitar

Dysphoria Ritual

February 19, 2026  /  Jason Blake

Chicago trio AZIOLA CRY unveils their incoming fourth album, Dysphoria Ritual, which is now confirmed for release this April through 7D Media, the label founded by former King Crimson member Trey Gunn.

AZIOLA CRY is an instrumental progressive rock trio featuring Warr guitarist Jason Blake, guitarist Mike Milaniak, and drummer Tommy Murray. Known for blending technical precision with dynamic, composition-driven writing, the band has carved out a distinctive voice within the modern progressive music landscape. Their music has been praised as “extraordinary” and “something special,” showcasing a level of musicianship that is both cerebral and emotionally charged.

The band released their debut album, Ellipsis, in 2005, followed by Ghost Conversations in 2007. A nearly fourteen-year gap followed, but AZIOLA CRY returned in 2021 with their triumphant The Ironic Divide full-length, released on US progressive label The Laser’s Edge, earning widespread critical praise, including Sonic Perspectives naming it Top Instrumental Progressive Metal Album of the Year. In support of the album, AZIOLA CRY performed alongside The Aristocrats and appeared at prominent festivals such as ProgDay and ProgStock.

AZIOLA CRY now returns with Dysphoria Ritual, a release that bandleader Jason Blake describes as their most ambitious and mature work to date. Dysphoria Ritual is the story of one person’s gradual retreat into isolation. What begins as instinctual behavior slowly descends into confinement, blurring the line between happiness and misery. Recorded and mixed by Steven Gillis at Transient Sound (Los Lobos, Naked Raygun) with additional recording by Amery Schmeisser at Gravel Road Recording, and mastered by Grammy Award–winning engineer Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound (The Eagles, Lamb Of God, Gojira), Dysphoria Ritual is complemented by artwork from renowned visual artist Travis Smith (King Diamond, Opeth, Riverside), further solidifying the band’s commitment to depth, detail, and artistic cohesion.

Dysphoria Ritual’s lead single, “Pervasive Sameness,” highlights the precision and diversity of the new record, and makes its debut through a video created by Fuman Studios. “This song was one of the first that I wrote for this album,” explains Blake. “It helped set the tone for how this album was going to sound. I wanted each song to have its own uniqueness while still sounding like us. This song also features one of my favorite solos by Mike.”

Watch AZIOLA CRY’s “Pervasive Sameness” video now at THIS LOCATION and stream the song HERE.

Fans of King Crimson, Tool, Liquid Tension Experiment, Haken, Derek Sherinian, Scale The Summit, Animals As Leaders, Intervals, and Stick Men should not miss AZIOLA CRY’s Dysphoria Ritual.

Dysphoria Ritual will be released on CD and digital platforms through 7D Media on April 17th. Find preorders HERE.

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tags / #warrguitar, #aziolacry, #progressiverock, #newalbum, #dysphoriaritual

RADIANT DUSK

November 17, 2023  /  Jason Blake

Jason has released a new solo Warr guitar album entitled, Radiant Dusk. The physical CD comes with the accompanying EP, Slightly Different Paths (a reworking of some of the songs to include drums). Both albums may be streamed everywhere. Buy the album or read the press release below:

https://jasonblake.bandcamp.com/music

https://thebandwagonusa.com/collections/jason-blake

https://www.earsplitcompound.com/jason-blake-radiant-dusk-and-slightly-different-paths-double-album-cd-from-chicago-based-instrumental-warr-guitarist-out-today/

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tags / #warrguitar, #solowarrguitar, #touchstyleguitar, #radiantdusk, #newalbum

WARR GUITAR RECORDING SESSIONS

December 28, 2022  /  Jason Blake

Day Four:

A fifth song was completed today along with overdubs for a previously recorded song. That leaves one more song to go and it’s the epic of the album. Tomorrow, I take a break and resume on Saturday with a longer session. The plan is to finish everything then. This has been very enjoyable to record. As of late, my recording output has been a lot just me. It felt like such a relief to simply have to play one role with just an overdub or two.

 
 

Day Three:

I mentioned to Amery as I walked in today that I felt like I was just there which was almost the truth. Today, I brought a second guitar today to experiment with sounds and found that I may end up using my Raptor more often than I originally planned. I took a different approach by recording both the basic tracks and overdubs for song four. The song sounds complete for my part which allows me to get this track to the guys sooner. The part that I wrote for the chorus section of this song seemed to simplistic for an Aziola Cry song so I reworked it today and feel much happier with the results. I also added a cool new section to this song late last night as I was practicing. These changes have made a big difference to to the overall sound of the song. This one will also mark a first for the band, but I’ll share what I mean later when the guys record their parts.

 
 

Day Two:

I finished up song two and song three today. I consciously tried to write shorter songs this go around, but a few of them still ended up being in the ten minute range. Two of those songs are now complete. I am now half way done with the basic tracks. I also spoke with Mike today about the next steps for guitar. I will be back tomorrow for track four and maybe five.

 
 

Day One:

The recording process for a new Aziola Cry album has begun. I will be recording my parts at Gravel Road Recording before moving to Transient Sound to record drums, guitar, and finish up the album. Today, I completed the basic tracks for song one and got 3/4 of the way through song two. The plan right now is to record my “bass” Warr guitar lines first so that I can get the guys this audio to start working with. Next, I will add some overdubs as needed. The recording will be spread over the next month or so with me putting a lot of my recording time in over the holiday break

 
 
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tags / #warrguitar, #warrguitarist, #warrguitarplayer, #aziolacry, #new album, #sensoryrecords

Jason's "The Compromise Rationale" Out Today

September 23, 2022  /  Jason Blake

Jason’s album, The Compromise Rationale, part two of the Ternary Instinct trilogy (Fictional Mirrors was part one) was released today. It continues the sound of the previous album while incorporating more metal elements into it’s sound. The album may be purchased at https://jasonblake.bandcamp.com or streamed everywhere.

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tags / #thecompromiserationale, #theternaryinstinct, #wayfarerrecords, #warrguitar

Jason's "A Certain Balance" Video

September 15, 2022  /  Jason Blake

The Progspace is premiering the new video by Jason Blake, “A Certain Balance” from the upcoming album, The Compromise Rationale (out 9/23). Check out the press release, article, and video below:

https://www.earsplitcompound.com/jason-blake-the-progspace-premieres-a-certain-balance-video-from-progressive-warr-guitarist-the-compromise-rationale-to-see-release-via-wayfarer-records-next-week/

https://theprogspace.com/jason-blake-premieres-a-certain-balance/

https://youtu.be/T1YF96DWfPg

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tags / #newvideo, #wayfarerrecords, #theternaryinstinct, #thecompromiserationale, #warrguitar