photos by Mike Louis
Respected progressive music source The ProgSpace presents an exclusive stream of Dysphoria Ritual, the immersive fourth album by Chicago-based AZIOLA CRY, ahead of its release this Friday on 7D Media, the label founded by former King Crimson member Trey Gunn.
Dysphoria Ritual is a release that bandleader Jason Blake describes as AZIOLA CRY’s most ambitious and mature work to date. The album tells 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, mixed, and co-produced 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. This is top-shelf listening for fans of King Crimson, Tool, Liquid Tension Experiment, Haken, Derek Sherinian, Scale The Summit, Animals As Leaders, Intervals, and Stick Men.
Jason Blake reveals, “When it came time to begin writing music for what became Dysphoria Ritual, I intentionally wanted more compact songs by AZIOLA CRY standards. Our last album contained four long songs including a twenty-two-minute epic, so my first goal was to try and say as much as possible, but within a constricted length. Next, I set out to push myself on the Warr Guitar and create music that was challenging not only for me but also for Mike and Tommy. The end result is music that I am excited for people to hear.”
Listen to AZIOLA CRY’s gripping Dysphoria Ritual first only at The Progspace RIGHT HERE.
Dysphoria Ritual will be released on CD and digital platforms through 7D Media on April 17th. Find preorders HERE, and watch the videos for “Pervasive Sameness” video HERE and “Denial Patterns” HERE.
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.
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