The Machinations of Dementia

The Machinations of Dementia
Studio album by Blotted Science
Released	September 18, 2007
Recorded	2006–2007, Live Oak Studios, Hell Whole Studios, Doc Z Studios
Genre	Progressive metal, instrumental rock
Length	57:12
Label	EclecticElectric
Producer	Ron Jarzombek
Blotted Science chronology
The Machinations of Dementia (2007) The Animation of Entomology (2011)

The Machinations of Dementia is the sole studio album by the instrumental progressive metal band Blotted Science, released September 18, 2007, on guitarist Ron Jarzombek's EclecticElectric label. It was issued in Japan on June 22, 2011, via Marquee/Avalon. ^[1]

The album had been in the making since 2005, but progress stalled when original drummer Chris Adler had to bow out due to commitments with his band Lamb of God; his successor, Derek Roddy (ex-Nile, Hate Eternal), left over "musical differences" after a six-month tenure.

According to Ron Jarzombek, "75 percent" ^[2] of The Machinations of Dementia was written utilizing the "Circle of 12 Tones", derived from the twelve-tone technique pioneered by Austrian-born composer Arnold Schoenberg in the 1920s.

Track listing

No.	Title	Music	Length
1.	"Synaptic Plasticity"	Alex Webster	5:57
2.	"Laser Lobotomy"	Webster	5:21
3.	"Brain Fingerprinting"	Ron Jarzombek	3:34
4.	"Oscillation Cycles"	Webster	1:38
5.	"Activation Synthesis Theory"	Jarzombek	8:10
6.	"R.E.M."	Jarzombek	1:12
7.	"Night Terror"	Webster	4:51
8.	"Bleeding in the Brain"	Webster	4:57
9.	"Vegetation"	Jarzombek	1:29
10.	"Narcolepsy"	Webster	2:53
11.	"E.E.G. Tracing"	Jarzombek	4:04
12.	"Sleep Deprivation"	Jarzombek	0:37
13.	"The Insomniac"	Jarzombek	3:56
14.	"Amnesia"	Webster	2:24
15.	"Adenosine Breakdown"	Jarzombek	3:10
16.	"Adenosine Buildup"	Jarzombek	3:10
Total length:			57:23

Music theory

"Oscillation Cycles" is composed around a tone row of 12 notes played forward, and then backwards. The song only consists of these two note patterns, which then undergo temporal modulation and rhythmic changes. ^[3]

"Adenosine Buildup" is "Adenosine Breakdown" played backwards. ^[2]

"R.E.M." has a twelve tone row laid out on a clock. When a note is played, the next can either be the same, or one of the notes next to it on the clock.

Personnel

• Ron Jarzombek - guitars
• Alex Webster - bass
• Charlie Zeleny - drums

Production

• Arranged by Blotted Science
• Produced and mixed by Ron Jarzombek
• Guitars recorded by Ron Jarzombek at Live Oak Studios
• Bass recorded by Alex Webster at Hell Whole Studios (editing by Ron Jarzombek)
• Drums recorded and edited by Charlie Zeleny (at Doc Z Studios), with assistance from Ron Jarzombek
• Mastered by Jacob Hansen
• Copyright Spastic Music Publishing

References

1. Blotted Science band page on Marquee.co.jp
2. 1 2 "Ron Jarzombek - Frequently Asked Questions", RonJarzombek.com. "Q. What is the story behind the songs 'Adenosine BuildUp' and 'Adenosine Breakdown'?"
3. Jarzombek, Ron (July 31, 2009). "RON JARZOMBEK - Oscillation Cycles". YouTube.

External links

• The Machinations of Dementia reviews archive @ RonJarzombek.com
• The Machinations of Dementia @ Encyclopaedia Metallum