Raised alongside his twin brother, Finn, and older sister, Aurelia, Blake's childhood was marred by the specter of abuse, with his father, Balthazar Sawton, wielding a heavy hand over their household. Despite being considered the "golden son" by his father, Blake found himself burdened by the weight of expectations, as Balthazar harbored hopes of seeing his son follow in his footsteps to achieve greatness.

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At the age of 14, Blake made the courageous decision to flee the oppressive confines of his family home, accompanied by his devoted sister, Aurelia. Opting to forge their own path away from the toxic influence of their father, the siblings embarked on a journey of independence and self-discovery, navigating the challenges of life on their own terms.

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With Aurelia's unwavering support, Blake pursued his education, determined to carve out a brighter future for himself despite the shadows of his past. For his 16th birthday, Aurelia bestowed upon him a cherished gift - an old Stratocaster guitar, igniting a passion for music that would shape the course of his destiny.

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Immersed in the vibrant local metal scene, Blake found solace and inspiration within the walls of the town's music store, where he crossed paths with a kindred spirit - Dante Stavig. United by their shared love for music and a desire to transcend the confines of their upbringing, Blake and Dante forged a profound friendship that would alter the trajectory of their lives forever.

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In the 1980s, Blake embarked on a creative journey that would lay the foundation for his enduring legacy in the world of black metal. Drawing inspiration from his tumultuous upbringing and vivid imagination, Blake began crafting what would become the universe of the Death Prince - a dark fantasy realm teeming with intrigue and mystery. Through his evocative lyrics, Blake spun tales of a young prince destined to rise from the shadows and claim his rightful place as king of the underworld, locked in a fateful struggle against his own father.

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These lyrical compositions, recovered by Dante Stavig following Blake's untimely death, would form the cornerstone of Malediktum's inaugural album, Tales of the Death Prince, released in 1993. The album, a haunting ode to Blake's creative vision and artistic prowess, captivated audiences with its atmospheric soundscapes and compelling narrative, solidifying Malediktum's status as a pioneering force in the black metal genre.

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However, the legacy of Tales of the Death Prince was overshadowed by tragedy, as Blake's sudden and violent death in 1992 cast a pall of sorrow over the metal community. In the aftermath of his passing, allegations of intellectual property theft surfaced, with Tim Arnesen, Spellcaster's bassist, prosecuting Dante Stavig for the rights to Blake's lyrical compositions. Despite the legal turmoil and personal anguish that ensued, Dante steadfastly maintained his innocence, preserving Blake's memory as a cherished friend and creative collaborator.

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While allegations and suspicions swirled in the aftermath of Blake's untimely death, Dante Stavig, his former bandmate and close friend, steadfastly maintained his innocence, refuting claims of involvement in the tragic events that claimed Blake's life.

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"I had this feeling that something awful happened to him, that's all. I wasn't leaving Sawton Manor that morning after killing him! Why would I..? Even though we had our problems, Blake still meant the world to me. And he still does." - Dante Stavig, in Cursed Inferno, A Malediktum Story, by Magnus Ildøye & Stanislas Nordlund (available in the Infernal Shop)