20s A Difficult Age (Album)

The "20s A Difficult Age" 2021 album cover remake by artist Francisco Ichazo.

***20s A Difficult Age*** (full name ***A Peplum Epic: 20s A Difficult Age***) is the second studio album by recording artist and entrepreneur Marcus Orelias. The album was released by ROTU World exclusively on August 26, 2017, by way of being sent out via a SuperPhone text. *20s A Difficult Age* would later be released to streaming service, TIDAL, and other streaming platforms such as YouTube and SoundCloud.

Unlike previous debut release *Rebel of the Underground* (2013), the album was not proceeded by any singles or videos. *20s A Difficult Age* features production from main producer Sulyiman (who also makes a vocal appearance), A DOT THE GOD, San Francisco based producer Big Kevin Davis, Keith Dixon, and veteran Virginia producer Lee Major and contains 15 songs each heavily conceptual, featuring sound effects via Skywalker Sound and sound designed by Orelias, himself.

Music features credited on the album include Sulyiman, Stephan Marcellus, OZZIE. and lyre player, Michael Levy.

The album spawned the creation of the brand series of the same name.

## Recording

#### **Recording Process**

The writing and recording of *20s a Difficult Age* began immediately after the release of the debut album *Rebel of the Underground* in 2013; The first song being written *Aset* originally titled *Guadalupe,* a one verse versionwas released in 2014 via SoundCloud. In the same year, Marcus would begin working with Chicago-based producer and native, Sulyiman.

On January 16, 2015, the first full single from *20s a Difficult Age* was released titled *ASET* produced by West Chester, Pennsylvania music producer AdoTheGod. In the following two months, Marcus Orelias revealed the album title would be called *20s a Difficult Age* via Twitter.

On April 6, 2016 via his website the album's cover was revealed, the cover featured a fresco painting of the Capitoline Wolf with ancient and modern graffiti written around it, along with the design credits in Latin. Marcus stated he designed over 100 drafts for the cover in photoshop. Two time Grammy-nominated music producer Lee Major was also announced as the main producer for *20s a Difficult Age*. Heavily conceptual, many of the songs on the album feature "scenes" accompanied by heavy sound effects, many provided by way of Skywalker Sound in Marin, California. Voice talent was also cast to portray the characters of the peplum epic including Ray Hurd, Tina Marie Murray, Suehyla El-Attar, and more. No full singles or videos were released prior to the album's release. On August 1st the tracklist was revealed via Twitter and snippets previewed August 20, 2017 six days before the album's release.

## Plot

**A Peplum Epic and the Message**: The album *20s A Difficult Age* opens with "The Peplum Theme" to give the feel of opening credits. Harnuphis (voiced by Suehyla El-Attar) rides into a military camp searching for the Emperor, Verus Antoninus on her mount (horse) Cursor. It is revealed in the opening title visual for the song that Harnuphis was sent by Antoninus to deliver the message of Avidius's betrayal.

**Elysium**: the album jumps to a destroyed camp, where crows peck on deceased bodies and Avidius Cassius (voiced by Sulyiman by way of additional vocals) is giving a speech to his legions. Back in Latium, Marcus Antoninus (Who's perspective is rapped by Marcus Orelias) speaking to the senate before departing off to war. Simultaneously Avidius concludes his speech by affirming his leadership will be different than the fallen and deceased Emperor, Marcus Antoninus (whom he presumes to be dead), his wife Volusia (Rachael Messer) draws a sword and tells the soldiers to prepare for war.

**Blackouts**: In Latium, Marcus speaks to his troops as they depart to the First Frontier Wars, the speech ends with a commander (Stephan Marcellus) delivering closing words.

**Twenties**: Jumping to the battlefield, Marcus and his troops arrive at their destination, the same camp Harnuphis arrived at in the beginning. Pertinax (Paul Bellantoni) enters Marcus's tent, he informs him of Harnuphis's presence. Marcus tells him they will meet with her after he, the general and commanders all celebrate their victories. Celebrating the get so drunk, Marcus beings to hallucinate, passing out - crashing over a table, unconscious he comes in contact with Ego the Demon, an entity that lives inside of him. Ego convinces him to do the wrong thing by remaining in a state of inebriation. Hearing the voice of Somnus guiding him, he quickly comes back to a conscious state.

Focused, he commands his fellow officers, commanders, and generals to pause their vices and focus on military strategy. In between this, Harnuphis is presented. He, Harnuphis, Pertinax, and Didius - discuss war strategies. **Cut to the war**. Surrounded, injured, and outmanned - at the Empire's border Latium's forces are depleting and headed towards defeat. Didius commands Harnuphis to use her powers. She agrees - and the remaining soldiers do everything in their power to protect her while she summons the rain, pulling it off the surrounding enemies are washed away. Marcus on his horse declares "victory by rain is ours!". He commences to tell the legionaries they will be remembered and they have one more war to win back in Latium (referring to the hostile political climate).

**Prelude: Martyr** - Returning home with a homeless Harnuphis, Marcus Antoninus invites her to stay at his family villa. She accepts. The celebration of the battle commences as gladiator games at the colosseum are held. During the middle of the games, we meet Valerius, a gladiator who is fighting for his life. Once the games proceed, the crowd rules on the gladiators' fate based on thumbs up or thumbs concealed gesture. Ultimately for celebration, he is condemned to death, if he fights his way out is unknown.

Later that evening the Antoninus family eats together. Coming into the dining space, Annia Antoninus (Hillary Hawkins), Marcus's younger sister is introduced by poking fun at her brother and asking if the silent Harnuphis is his "new girlfriend". Harnuphis taken back. Domitia embarrassed steps-in asking where Annia was while her brother put on a show at the colosseum. Annia responds dumbfounded as if she doesn't know what her mother is talking about.

Later that night Marcus speaks to his mother, Domitia on the balcony of the Antoninus villa. She reassures him and insist that he leave and go to the club. Before concluding their conversation, in the distance he sees a flashing light in the sky which Domitia misses.

**Trichotillomania:** Marcus Antoninus goes to the private club, Ostia. There he meets his unnamed wife. Meanwhile that night in the Black Forest, the Mysterious Man arrives on Earth. Soldiers, Hugo and Aper are sent by Marcus Antoninus to investigate the light (seen the concept art).

**Aset:** While at the private club Marcus meets his unnamed wife.

**Atrium:** Harnuphis returns to Latium to celebrate his wedding, she steps outside where she's met by Marcus Antoninus. She gives him the message that his mother gave her. The message came from on old comrade. He kisses her on the the forehead as the two bid their farewell. Harnuphis mounts her horse and rides off in the night.

## Composition

#### **Musical Themes**

The *20s A Difficult Age* album introduced a few musical themes into the 20s universe, these themes include the "Peplum Theme" which opened the album, the "Light Motif" introduced in the album's initial trailer, and others such as "Arrival in Latium", "The Mysterious Man Motif", "Epilogue" and "The Danube River" which followed the Peplum theme. All of the musical themes were composed by Sulyiman and co-written by Marcus Orelias.

## Music Videos

In 2018 videos for *Aset* and *Blackouts* were confirmed to be filmed via R.O.T.U. World's Instagram. *Aset* was confirmed to be directed by director Luis Montoya and snippets shown in his 2018 music video reel and *Blackouts,* directed by Marcus Orelias.

On Saturday, July 7, 2018, the official video for *Aset* was released on August 17, 2018, the visual for Blackouts was released.

Following, b-side single, *Pompeiii* also received visual treatment, the official video was released on November 8, 2018. The visuals for *Pompeiii* showcased stock footage of the actual city of Pompeii through the lens of a super 8 camera.

On October 15, 2019 - *Portraits* received a visual treatment. The video featured ancient "paintings" or portraits of deceased and ancient ancestors. It ends with Marcus Orelias, etched in the wall as a portrait, himself.

The following year, January 17, 2020 - a movie-like video was released for *The Impending War and Epilogue*, it featured end credits for the *20s A Difficult Age* album.

## Art Direction

The album's cover was designed from scratch "over 100 times" in photoshop by Marcus Orelias and features the She-Wolf, Rome's iconic representation of the origin story of the city on a blue decaying fresco wall in the Antoninus villa as explained in the song *Twenties Pt. II*:

> **"*Let me tell you the story of Rome. I'll bring this up again when I'm home.***
> ***Matter of fact, Imma paint it on a fresco.*" - Marcus Orelias (as Verus Antoninus)**
>
>

Packaged with the album were three concept art pieces. Originally drawn by Orelias and later released in the album booklet, the three concept art pieces were touched up, polished, and handled by senior film industry concept and visual effects

artist Chris Bonura. Also packaged with the album were character portrait concepts that were referenced by Marcus Orelias and professionally completed by visual artist Cristina Bencina, the characters highlighted were Harnuphis, Domitia Antoninus, and Avidius Cassius. The concept art was released altogether with the packaging of the album. Each piece of the concept of art done by Chris Bonura focused on a central act in the fifteen track album, *Mercy of the People*, *Intermission: The Arrival in Latium* and *the Antoninus Villa* and gave visual aid to the scenes that occurred between songs and sometimes in the middle of the songs.

March 8th, 2021 - *The Album Booklet: 20s A Difficult Age* was released, the booklet accompanied the album and featured unreleased concept art from Marcus Orelias, Chris Bonura, Cristina Bencina, Amey Todkar, Paulette Sorhaindo, Stanley Obende and Eelco Siebring.

#### 2021 Cover Re-release

On December 13th, 2021 the new album cover for the *20s A Difficult Age* re-release was posted on Instagram. The album art was designed by graphic / visual artist, Francisco Ichazo.

## Marketing

*20s A Difficult Age* was marketed movie-like, given its movie-like nature sonically. Various posters were designed like a movie release.

## 2017 Tracklist

##### **ACT I**

1. The Danube River.....2:39
2. Elysium (Feat. Sulyiman).....5:16
3. Blackouts (Feat. Stephan Marcellus).....3:40
4. Twenties (Feat. OZZIE.).....9:40
5. Prelude: Martyr.....6:06

##### **ACT II**

1. Trichotillomania.....6:34
2. Aset (Feat. Michael Levy).....3:41
3. Intermission: The Arrival In Latium.....4:05
4. Prelude: Capitol.....5:33
5. Pompeiii.....2:33

##### **ACT III**

1. Atrium (Feat. Stephan Marcellus).....4:41
2. Prelude: Spring (Feat. Michael Levy).....4:35
3. Portraits.....5:28
4. Fate (Feat. Stephan Marcellus).....4:00
5. The Light and Epilogue.....4:41

## 2021 Tracklist

##### **ACT I - The Message**

1. A Peplum Epic and The Message.....2:37
2. Elysium.....5:16
3. Blackouts (Feat. Savnt).....3:40
4. Twenties (Feat. Ozzie.).....9:40
5. Prelude: Martyr.....6:06

##### **ACT II - Arrival in Latium**

1. Trichotillomania.....6:34
2. Aset (Feat. Michael Levy).....3:41
3. Intermission: The Arrival In Latium.....4:05
4. Prelude: Capitol.....5:33
5. Pompeiii.....2:33

##### **ACT III - The Impending War**

1. Atrium (Feat. Savnt).....4:41
2. Prelude: Spring (Feat. Michael Levy).....4:35
3. Portraits.....5:28
4. Fate (Feat. Savnt).....4:00
5. The Impending War and Epilogue.....4:14

##### **Scenes**

1. "Harnuphis and the Emperor"
2. “Avidius’s Speech”
3. “Harnuphis Arrives at the Camp”, “A Rebellion’s Rising”, “The First Frontier War” and “Victory By Rain”
4. “Mercy of the People” and “The Soul of Latium”
5. “The Mysterious Man”
6. “History Report”
7. “Latium Wasn’t Built In One Day”
8. "Harnuphis Leaves Latium"
9. “Somnus Vision”
10. “The Closing Argument”
11. “Meeting of the Minds”

##### **Notes**

* "A Peplum Epic and The Message" was formerly titled "The Danube River".
* "Elysium" features uncredited vocals from Sulyiman.
* "Twenties" was renamed "20s" in the 2021 re-release of the album.
* "Prelude: Capitol" features uncredited vocals from Selena, Raaginder and Ragini Momi.
* "Prelude: Capitol" features uncredited vocals from Raaginder and Ragini Momi.
* "The Impending War and Epilogue" was formerly titled "The Light and Epilogue".
* In some versions of the track listing the songs that include "prelude" in the title, are placed in parenthesis.

## *20s A Difficult Age (The A-Sides)*

### Released

* September 26, 2018
* March 8, 2021 (Rerelease)

### Label

* R.O.T.U. Records
* R.O.T.U. World

### Producers

* Sulyiman
* ADOT THE GOD
* Big Kevin Davis
* Lee Major
* Keith Dixon

On September 26, 2018 an extended play of the album was released and featured the album's strongest "A-Side" songs and removed the scene elements. Much shorter in run time the E.P. only consisted of six songs total. March 8, 2021 - the E.P. was re-released via R.O.T.U. World's official site and distributed to streaming services as ***20s A Difficult Age (The A-Sides)***.

1. *A Peplum Epic and the Message*...2:26
2. *Aset* (Feat. Michael Levy)...2:03
3. *Blackouts* (Feat. Stephan Marcellus)...3:40
4. *Trichotillomania*...2:24
5. *Pompeiii*...1:38
6. *Atrium* (Feat. Stephan Marcellus)...3:27
7. *Fate* (Feat. Stephan Marcellus)...4:00
8. *The Impending War and Epilogue*...3:43

## Voice Over Cast

In the last addition up and coming voice actors were hired to perform the "scenes" that trailed songs and often occurred in the middle of songs as well.

Marcus Orelias.....as Verus Antoninus

Suehyla El-Attar.....as Harnuphis

Sulyiman.....as Avidius Cassius

Ray Hurd.....as The Mysterious Man

Tina Marie Murray.....as Domitia Antoninus

Paul Sanders.....as Fronto

Paul Bellantoni.....as Pertinax

Chris Hecht.....as Didius

Hillary Hawkins.....as Annia Antoninus

Nate Buursma.....as Junius

Kate Marcin.....as Somnus

Rachael Messer.....as Volusia

Raaginder (Uncredited).....as civilian 1

Ragini (Uncredited).....as civilian 2

Marcus Orelias (voice).....as Ego the Demon and The Portrait Maker

## Accolades

In 2020, *20s A Difficult Age* charted #146 on the iTunes charts in Germany and peaked on August 30, 2020 at #79.

## Continuity and historical accuracy

Due to the ongoing changes throughout the five years, *20s a Difficult Age* has subtle detailed nuances because people are listening and not visually seeing the album. Examples:

* In the opening monologue of *Elysium*, Avidius Cassius refers to the city of "Latium" - where the album is set - as "Rome" to indoctrinate modern geography so the location is easily known.
* During the dinner scene after *Prelude: Martyr*, Annia Antoninus uses the word "books". The word "books" was used to add weight to what was being said. Books weren't actually called books at the time. Instead, they were called "codices" or modernly known as codexes which were pieces of papyrus or wax tablets bound together at the spine.
* There are three time jumps in the album. During and after the song *Twenties* leading into *Prelude: Martyr* and between *Intermission: The Arrival at Latium* and *Prelude: Capitol*.
* Annia Antoninus's name is correctly pronounced (Ah-Nee-Ah) but is also pronounced quickly as (Ahn-Yah) by Tina Marie Murray, this was left in the album.
* Harnuphis is not heard from again until act III because she leaves the Antoninus villa a day or two after the dinner scene and goes to find Iya the Agutan as shown in *The Blue Madjai.* She returns for Marcus's wedding then leaves indefinitely as heard in the scene after *Atrium*.

## Gallery

Final album posterAlbum Promotional PosterSecond Album*20s a Difficult Age* (Italian Poster)*20s a Difficult Age* (Italian Banner)*20s a Difficult Age* (Banner)3-D brand logo2-D brand logo featuring the Pre-Title*20s A Difficult Age* Back Cover
## References

1. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/Marcus-Orelias-20s-A-Difficult-Age/release/10759625
2. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CMIpnk1LCcO/
3. ↑ https://www.allmusic.com/album/20s-a-difficult-age-mw0003285131
4. ↑ https://www.rotuworldcompany.com/rotu-world-store/20sadifficultageep
5. ↑ https://www.top-charts.com/r/20s-a-difficult-age-marcus-orelias
6. ↑ https://kworb.net/itunes/artist/marcusorelias.html