In recent years, Jason Blake has established himself as one of Warr’s most distinguished technicians. For those unaware, the Warr guitar is a unique twelve-string instrument that incorporates the range of a guitar and bass and is played by touching the strings, a technique known as touchstyle.

Known primarily for his work with the progressive metal instrumental band Aziola Cry (Sensory Records), Jason Blake began to build an impressive resume as a solo artist.

In this work, Blake pushed the boundaries of the instrument by incorporating elements of progressive rock, ambient and classical. After releasing a varied series of instrumental albums under his own name, Blake returns with his most ambitious album yet.

Subsequent Ruins (out March 17th via 7d Media) is the title of Jason Blake’s forthcoming instrumental progressive rock album, featuring Warr guitar as the sole melodic instrument along with Marco Minnemann on drums.

The songs are a modern retelling of Rattenfanger von Hameln (The Pied Piper), with screens playing the title role.

1. Obsolete Perception (3:46)
2. Pretense of the Herd (9:54)
3. Follow I (Emanated Hook) (4:42)
4. False Streets of Entanglement (5:07
5. Follow II (The Coercible Leash) (5:05
6. A Bleak Outcome (10:33)

This beautifully sculptured, wholly embodied, magnificently organic new album opens on the powerfully fluctuating Obsolete Perception and then follows those up with the strength of decisiveness within the near ten minute Pretense of the Herd and the veritably shimmering Follow I (Emanated Hook).

Along next is one of my own personal favorites from this new recording, the free flowing, drum-led melodic spirals and curves made within False Streets of Entanglement which is itself backed seamlessly by the forthright, yet clutched Follow II (The Coercible Leash), the album rounding out on the ten minute musical tour de force of A Bleak Outcome.

Musicians:
Jason Blake - Warr guitar
Marco Minnemann - Drums

The six-song album was mixed in Chicago at Gravel Road Recording by Amery Schmeisser and mastered by Andy VanDette (Rush, Porcupine Tree). Hajo Mueller (Steven Wilson, Mariusz Duda) completed the thought-provoking artwork.

Says Jason, When I started writing the music for this album, I kept thinking about how phones and other screens have become so addictive and controlling to the minds of young people today. This led me to the idea of creating a soundtrack for a modern retelling of Rattenfänger von Hameln (The Pied Piper).

I saw the screens as the main character in the story, as they symbolically lead children blindly down a cliff. I also worked with Hajo Mueller, my frequent collaborator, to create an elaborate CD package that serves as the lost art book of one of these children. Once I had the idea for the album, I started writing the music that I felt would be appropriate to tell this story.

I usually start with song titles that help guide the direction I want to take. I knew I wanted some longer songs as centerpieces of the album, along with some shorter pieces of solo Warr guitar that would function almost as interludes. During the writing process, I wanted to create music that sounded great with the use of overdubs, but could also be performed on its own in quieter settings.

Once the music was written, I knew I wanted a drummer who could take the music to the next level, so I turned to Marco Minnemann who provided the perfect accompaniment. The music was then recorded on and off during the summer of 2022.

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