Razia's Shadow: A Musical

Last updated
Razia's Shadow: A Musical
Fordurraz.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 28, 2008
RecordedOctober 2007 – July 2008
Genre
Length64:03
Label Fueled by Ramen
Producer
  • Casey Bates
  • Kay Richardson
  • Patton Thomas
Forgive Durden chronology
Wonderland
(2006)
Razia's Shadow: A Musical
(2008)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AbsolutePunk 86% [1]
Highbeam Review9/10 [2]

Razia's Shadow: A Musical is an album by American band Forgive Durden, released through Fueled by Ramen on October 28, 2008. It is a musical featuring members of popular bands such as Saves the Day, Panic! at the Disco, Say Anything, The Matches, mewithoutYou, Portugal. The Man, The Hush Sound, An Angle, The Dear Hunter, and Gatsbys American Dream among others.

Contents

The album was conceived by Thomas Dutton and co-written by his brother Paul Dutton. [3] The album also features Rudy Gajadhar of Gatsbys American Dream on drums. [4]

The full album was released for streaming on the band's website on October 24, 2008, [5] and was subsequently leaked via torrents that same day.

On November 29, 2012, a new version of the musical was debuted as a live performance at Joe's Pub, with significant changes to the characters, songs, and storyline featured on the original album. Two new characters named Rivka and the Mysterious Man were introduced while all of the original characters were removed except Adakias, Nidria, The Oracle, and the King. [6]

Production

Writing for the album started in approximately January 2006, with Thomas Dutton writing and recording the first demo with then-guitarist Thomas Hunter. Dutton had originally envisioned the album as a side-project, without the involvement of drummer Andy Mannino and bassist Jesse Bauer. [7] In the months that followed, Hunter, Mannino, and Bauer all quit the band due to personality conflicts, leaving Dutton as the sole member. [8]

At this point, Dutton decided the album would be released under the Forgive Durden moniker and enlisted the help of his brother Paul, a music composition major who was still in school at the time. The brothers would collaborate on weekends while Paul was still in school, with Thomas writing and demoing their ideas during the week. Thomas drew much influence from musical films such as Moulin Rouge! , Newsies , and many of Disney's animated musical films such as Aladdin . [7]

Recording began in October 2007 with Rudy Gajadhar recording drums. Due to budget limitations, Thomas elected to primarily use software for the orchestral parts rather than hiring musicians. More than half of the guest vocalists were recorded in person, while the remainder of the vocalists were sent electronic files with Thomas singing their parts. The vocalists then recorded their parts and returned them electronically. [7]

Recording was finished in July 2008. The album artwork was created by Blaine Fontana. In addition to the standard version, a limited deluxe edition of the album was also available; including the album in a DVD-sized case with a copy of the full script and artwork. [9]

Story

In an interview with Alternative Press , Thomas declined to go into great detail about the album's story, stating only that the story is split into two halves: "The first half is the creation and ultimate division of the world. The second half is the story of destined love and the world being reunited as one." [7] The Fueled by Ramen product page describes the album as follows:

The album tells the story of a world divided in two by the selfish actions of a powerful and egotistical, yet insecure angel. After generations of darkness, the world is eventually brought back together by the love and sacrifice of a couple brave enough to fulfill their destinies. [10]

Characters

The official Razia's Shadow website lists the characters with accompanying pictures. A new character was added to the site every weekday starting in mid-September until September 29, 2008. The characters are as follows:

Story by song

"Genesis" (featuring Casey Crescenzo)

O the Scientist creates the world in which He will live with His angels. The Narrator explains that His two purest cherubs are Ahrima and Nidria, who both believe in love and hope. The Narrator explains that Ahrima is very frustrated at the thought that his skills are being misused and ignored, but Nidria is there to calm his frustration.

"The Missing Piece" (featuring Lizzie Huffman)

Although still frustrated that O the Scientist does not appreciate his unique skills, Ahrima confesses his love to Nidria, who tells him she has fallen in love with him too. She alone can soothe Ahrima's ire at O's failure to notice him. Nonetheless, Ahrima goes to O the Scientist to complain about not being able to show his gift. O dismisses him with a few words.

"Life Is Looking Up"

Ahrima dreams of the day O and the other angels will realize how he can change the world and all the compliments they will give him. He creates the Lamps, both to show his skill and as a monument of his love to Nidria. The people of the world adore the lamps, but not in the way he had hoped. Ahrima goes to O to see his response but only replies in a smile. Discouraged and angry, Ahrima retreats to the darkness.

"The Spider and the Lamps" (featuring Max Bemis)

Barayas the Spider lands on Ahrima's shoulder in the darkness and, through flattery and trickery, gets Ahrima to destroy the lamps and bring them to him. Ahrima's rage and destruction terrify the gathered crowd, and Toba the Tura is sent to hold Ahrima responsible. [11]

"Toba the Tura" (featuring Chris Conley)

Toba the Tura opens Ahrima's eyes and shows him the ashes of what was the world he helped to create. Ahrima apologizes, but Toba the Tura all the same banishes Ahrima to live in the ashes while the rest of the angels travel to a better place. Ahrima calls out, "Oh, what have I done, please make me your son!" while Toba sings of Ahrima's betrayal. Ahrima's family builds a wall to separate themselves from him and the darkness he has created.

"The Oracle" (featuring Danny Stevens)

The Oracle and the angels tell Ahrima about a prophecy that says one day will come two people whose love (and one's sacrifice) will be so strong to reunite the Dark and the Light as one.

"A Hundred Year, Minute-Long Intermission" (featuring Danny Stevens)

100 years pass between The Dark and The Light.

"The Exit" (featuring Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco, Dan Young of This Providence)

Adakias is prince of the Dark, along with his elder brother Pallis (Brendon Urie). Despite his life of privilege, he longs for a world and life like in the stories he has heard. Sangara, his butler, and the townsfolk ostracize him and insist he be more like Pallis. He, however, feels that his destiny might be outside his kingdom and may in turn fulfill the prophecy, which is now disregarded as fiction. Tired of his brother's attitude, Pallis says that, if Adakias leaves, he will hunt him down and make him suffer the consequences. While Adakias tries to convince him that his feelings could be tied to his destiny, Pallis asserts that it will lead him to destruction. Adakias leaves, despite his brother's objections. The Narrator then tells of Adakias in the city of Light, where disguised as a citizen he sees Princess Anhura (Greta Salpeter), who is Adakias' spiritual twin: just as sad and dissatisfied with her world. [12]

"It's True Love" (featuring Greta Salpeter)

Adakias and Princess Anhura confess their love for each other, sharing their feeling of being destined for something bigger. Adakias does not tell Princess Anhura that he comes from the Dark, afraid that this might scare her and make her run away from him. Deciding to marry, Adakias and Princess Anhura go to her father, so that Adakias can ask him for his daughter's hand.

"Meet the King" (featuring Greta Salpeter and Nic Newsham)

Even though Adakias tells the King he loves Princess Anhura and is not interested in his throne or jewels, King Malka forbids the marriage, afraid Adakias might rob him. In addition, King Malka senses a darkness in Adakias. Denied approval, Adakias and Princess Anhura decide to marry in secret, but suddenly Anhura starts to feel nauseous and weak. Adakias knows why she is ill: it is his presence, the Dark in him affecting Anhura's body. Still keeping his true self secret, he seeks out a specialist on the other side of the levee.

"Holy the Sea" (featuring John Gourley and Kris Ayana)

Adakias and Anhura encounter the Bawaba Brothers, who can see that Adakias is descended from a boy who destroyed part of the world, splitting the world into the Light and the Dark. Adakias understands this is the prophecy he has heard about and is now sure he is the one who will fulfill it. The Bawaba Brothers tell them to beware of people who are beloved but, really are wicked. Adakias and Anhura leave the Bawaba Brothers and finally meet with Doctor Dumaya, who, although cordial, arouses an unidentifiable suspicion in the lovers.

"Doctor Doctor" (featuring Shawn Harris)

Doctor Dumaya concludes that Anhura's illness will kill her if a cure is not found. The Doctor, however, admits that he can heal Anhura, but only if he can keep her forever for his pleasure. Anhura refuses, but Adakias convinces her that it is the only way she can be cured. Doctor Dumaya then administers a potion that heals her. Suddenly, Pallis, having tracked Adakias' every movement, bursts through the door and challenges Adakias to prove his love for the Princess.

"The End and the Beginning" (featuring Greta Salpeter and Brendon Urie)

Resolved to force Adakias back to his old life, Pallis reveals to the Princess that Adakias is from the Dark. Adakias explains to Anhura that he wanted to tell her and that this new information should not change their love. Pallis, furious that the revelation has not affected their love, lunges at Anhura with a dagger. Adakias, however, trying to protect the Princess, is stabbed. Pallis immediately regrets his actions and repents for not seeing his brother as the chosen one to fulfill the prophecy. Adakias, before dying, forgives him and tells Pallis and Anhura that his gift to them is to "Live for your love everyday." The story complete, the Narrator tells how the mountain disappears and the two halves of the world finally reunite, implying that Pallis and Anhura mutually combined the kingdoms in Adakias' honor. He ends his narration telling who is listening to pass on the story to other people and to never stop believing in love and hope.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Thomas Dutton and Paul Dutton.

Razia's Shadow: A Musical track listing
No.TitleFeaturingLength
1."Genesis" Casey Crescenzo 4:19
2."The Missing Piece"Lizzie Huffman4:46
3."Life Is Looking Up"Thomas Patton III (as Patton Thomas; producer)5:21
4."The Spider and the Lamps" Max Bemis 5:11
5."Toba the Tura" Chris Conley 4:25
6."The Oracle" Danny Stevens 5:23
7."A Hundred Year, Minute-Long Intermission"Danny Stevens1:02
8."The Exit" Brendon Urie, Dan Young 5:39
9."It's True Love" Greta Salpeter 5:38
10."Meet the King"Greta Salpeter, Nic Newsham 5:24
11."Holy the Sea" John Gourley, Kris Ayana 6:05
12."Doctor Doctor" Shawn Harris 4:57
13."The End and the Beginning"Greta Salpeter, Brendon Urie5:53
iTunes bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
14."Genesis" (acoustic demo)3:29
15."Toba the Tura" (acoustic demo)3:23
16."Meet the King" (acoustic demo)3:40
17."Genesis" (alternate ending)1:07

Personnel

Related Research Articles

Gatsbys American Dream is an American indie rock band from Seattle, Washington. Since their founding in 2001, they have released four full-length albums and one EP. The band's self-titled fourth album, their second on Fearless Records, peaked at number 22 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart and number 28 on the Top Independent Albums chart. The band drew their name from F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panic! at the Disco</span> American pop rock band and solo project

Panic! at the Disco is the solo project of American musician Brendon Urie. It was originally a pop rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2004 by childhood friends Urie, Ryan Ross, Spencer Smith, and Brent Wilson. They recorded their first demos while they were in high school. Shortly after, the band recorded and released their debut studio album, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out (2005). Popularized by the second single, "I Write Sins Not Tragedies", the album was certified triple platinum in the US. In 2006, founding bassist Brent Wilson was fired from the band during an extensive world tour and subsequently replaced by Jon Walker. The band's second album, Pretty. Odd. (2008), was preceded by the single "Nine in the Afternoon". That album marked a significant departure from the sound of the band's debut. Ross and Walker, who favored the band's new direction, departed because Urie and Smith wanted to make further changes to the band's style. Ross and Walker subsequently formed a new band, the Young Veins, leaving Urie and Smith as the sole remaining members of Panic! at the Disco.

<i>The Tale of Despereaux</i> 2003 childrens fantasy book by Kate DiCamillo

The Tale of Despereaux is a 2003 children's fantasy book written by Kate DiCamillo. The main plot follows the adventures of a mouse named Despereaux Tilling, as he sets out on his quest to rescue a beautiful human princess from the rats. The book won the 2004 Newbery Medal award and has been adapted into a film, a video game, and a stage musical.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss Jackson</span> 2013 single by Panic! at the Disco featuring Lolo

"Miss Jackson" is a song by American rock band Panic! at the Disco, released on July 15, 2013, as the first single for the band's fourth studio album, Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! (2013). The song features vocals from Lolo. A music video directed by Jordan Bahat accompanied the song's announcement as well as the album's title and release date, and headlining tour dates. It was the band's first release since 2011, and the first release to feature Dallon Weekes on bass. The Butch Walker-produced track has been described as "darkly anthemic". It reached the top 10 on iTunes on its release and sold 56,000 digital downloads in its first week to debut at No. 68 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 27 on Digital Songs. It also became Panic! at the Disco's first top ten hit on the Alternative Songs chart since "Nine in the Afternoon" in 2008. In January 2015, it was certified Gold by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Ross</span> American guitarist

George Ryan Ross III is an American musician, singer, and songwriter best known for his work as the former lead guitarist, backing and lead vocalist, and primary songwriter of the American rock band Panic! at the Disco before his departure in 2009. He alongside former Panic! bassist Jon Walker formed The Young Veins later that same year, in which Ross was the lead vocalist and guitarist. They broke up in 2010.

<i>The Day of Revolution</i> Japanese manga

The Day of Revolution is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Mikiyo Tsuda. The series was serialized in Shinshokan's manga magazine South between April 1998 and February 2001. The manga is licensed in English by Digital Manga Publishing and has been released in North America in 2006. Two drama CDs based on the series were produced, the first in July 2001 and the second in March 2002. The story mainly focuses around a boy who starts to live as a girl and how his group of friends changes due to his new lifestyle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Conley</span> American musician (born 1980)

Christopher Lane Conley is an American musician who is the lead-singer/rhythm guitarist of the rock band Saves the Day. He was the only remaining original member as well as major artistic contributor throughout their career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brendon Urie</span> American singer and musician

Brendon Boyd Urie is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is best known as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist of Panic! at the Disco, of which he is the only remaining member.

Forgive Durden was an American indie rock band from Seattle, Washington, United States. They got their name from the novel Fight Club. They were signed to Fueled by Ramen. Fueled by Ramen released Forgive Durden's first full-length album, Wonderland, on May 9, 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What a Catch, Donnie</span> 0000 single by Fall Out Boy

"What a Catch, Donnie" is Fall Out Boy's second digital download single and third radio single from their fourth studio album Folie à Deux (2008). It was first released as part of the buildup to the new album on iTunes on October 14, 2008, and charted on the US and Canadian singles charts. The track features numerous musicians performing cameo appearances in the song, singing lines from past Fall Out Boy songs. It is to date the band's longest song. Bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz has said that he wrote the song to remind himself of vocalist and guitarist Patrick Stump. Fall Out Boy played the song live on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Ballad of Mona Lisa</span> 2011 single by Panic! at the Disco

"The Ballad of Mona Lisa" is a song by American rock band Panic! at the Disco, released February 1, 2011 as the first single from the group's third studio album, Vices & Virtues (2011). Vocalist Brendon Urie wrote the song to express personal struggles and convictions many years prior to its official production for Vices & Virtues. The song impacted radio on February 15, 2011. The song has received positive critical reviews upon its release and reached number 89 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<i>Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!</i> 2013 studio album by Panic! at the Disco

Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! is the fourth studio album by American pop rock band Panic! at the Disco. The album was released on October 8, 2013 on Decaydance and Fueled by Ramen. Recorded as a trio, the album was produced by Butch Walker, and is the only album to feature bassist Dallon Weekes since he officially joined the band in 2010. This was also the final album to feature drummer Spencer Smith, thus making this Panic!'s final album as a rock band, with further releases being made as a solo project fronted by Brendon Urie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girls / Girls / Boys</span> 2013 single by Panic! at the Disco

"Girls / Girls / Boys" is a song by American rock band Panic! at the Disco. It was released as the third single from their fourth studio album, Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!, on October 7, 2013. The music video for the song, directed by DJay Brawner, was also released on the day after. It peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart. It was the final single released with drummer Spencer Smith and bassist Dallon Weekes, as well as the last song released by Panic! at the Disco as a band, with further music being released as a solo project by Brendon Urie.

<i>Death of a Bachelor</i> 2016 studio album by Panic! at the Disco

Death of a Bachelor is the fifth studio album by Panic! at the Disco, and their first as a solo project, released January 15, 2016 on Fueled by Ramen and DCD2. It is the follow-up to the band's fourth studio album, Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! (2013), with the entire album written and recorded by vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Brendon Urie, who collaborated with other writers including Jake Sinclair, Morgan Kibby, Lolo, and Sam Hollander. It is the band's first album to not feature drummer Spencer Smith and also follows bassist Dallon Weekes' departure from the official line-up, subsequently becoming a touring member once again.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death of a Bachelor (song)</span> 2015 single by Panic! at the Disco

"Death of a Bachelor" is a song by American rock band Panic! at the Disco from the band's fifth studio album of the same name. The song premiered during an Apple Music broadcast hosted by Pete Wentz on September 1, 2015. A music video for the song was uploaded to Fueled by Ramen's YouTube channel on December 24, 2015. It was later sent to alternative, hot adult contemporary and pop radio as the album's fourth and final single.

"LA Devotee" is a song by American rock band Panic! at the Disco. It was released as the first promotional single from the band's fifth studio album, Death of a Bachelor, on November 26, 2015 through Fueled by Ramen and DCD2. The song was written by Brendon Urie, White Sea and Jake Sinclair and was produced by Sinclair.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardiknox</span>

Cardiknox was an American indie pop band. Formed in 2013, the duo consisted of Lonnie Angle (vocals) and Thomas Dutton. The group's singles were reviewed by magazines and newspapers including Billboard, MTV, The A.V. Club, and The Guardian. Cardiknox signed with Warner Bros. Records in 2015 and released their debut album Portrait in March 2016; they also reached number 13 on the Billboard Spotify Viral 50 chart with the song "Wild Child".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love in the Middle of a Firefight</span> 2014 single by Dillon Francis featuring Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco

"Love in a Middle of a Firefight" is a song by American electronic music producer Dillon Francis, featuring vocals of American singer and Panic! at the Disco member Brendon Urie. The song was written by Dillon Francis and Brendon Urie, with production handled by Dillon Francis, Billboard and Ammo. The song is the sixth single of Francis’s debut album, Money Sucks, Friends Rule, and was released for digital download on 16 October 2014. The song was originally intended to be the final single, however the song Not Butter took the place, released on 22 June 2015.

"Molly" is a song by American recording artist Lil Dicky from his debut studio album Professional Rapper. It was released along with the album on July 31, 2015, and it features guest vocals from American singer and lead vocalist of Panic! at the Disco, Brendon Urie. The song was produced by STREETRUNNER.

The Wild Swans is a 1977 Japanese anime fantasy film produced by Toei Animation, based on the Brothers Grimm's fairy tale The Six Swans, and on Hans Christian Andersen's variation The Wild Swans. The film was first shown in Japan on 19 March 1977 in the Toei Manga Matsuri.

References

  1. Beringer, Drew (October 27, 2008). "Forgive Durden – Razia's Shadow: A Musical". AbsolutePunk . Retrieved January 8, 2021 via Chorus.fm.
  2. "Highbeam Review". Highbeam Review. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  3. "Finally!" Forgive Durden blog post by Thomas Dutton. September 29, 2008.
  4. "Forgive Durden overhauls lineup, records new album". Punknews.org. January 31, 2008.
  5. "Album Stream". Forgive Durden blog post. October 24, 2008.
  6. Live @ Joe's Pub tab on the Razia's Shadow website. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "A conversation with Forgive Durden's Thomas Dutton." Alternative Press website. Retrieved October 6, 2008.
  8. "Open the floodgate." Archived 2011-09-29 at the Wayback Machine Forgivedurden.com. January 27, 2008.
  9. "i almost forgot!" Forgive Durden blog post by Thomas Dutton. September 29, 2008.
  10. Razia's Shadow product page at the Fueled By Ramen webstore. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  11. Absolutepunk.net Exclusive "The Spider and The Lamps (ft. Max Bemis)" stream. October 21, 2008.
  12. Alternative Press Exclusive "The Exit (ft. Brendon Urie of Panic At the Disco, Dan Young of This Providence)" stream. October 21, 2008.