Candles Burn by Jason Blake

Warr guitarist Jason Blake (Aziola Cry) has teamed up with cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne (Leprous, Musk Ox) to create a modern string duo album unlike any other. One part progressive rock and one part classical chamber music, Candles Burn tells a tale of redemption.

Blake began composing material for what was going to be the follow up to 2023’s Subsequent Ruins album (featuring Marco Minnemann on drums and out on 7d Media) when he realized that this music could be something different. He elaborates, “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.”

The three song EP works as a bridge from Subsequent Ruins to what Blake has in store for his next progressive rock album.

For this music, Blake used his semi-hollow Artisan Warr guitar in order to match the acoustic tone of the cello. The album was recorded in both Chicago, USA and Ottawa, Canada, while mixed in Chicago at Gravel Road Recording by Amery Schmeisser. Andy VanDette (Rush, Porcupine Tree) once again mastered the album while the artwork was supplied by Robert Booth.