Forgiveness I + II

"Forgiveness I + II" is a song by Canadian punk band Billy Talent. The song was initially released on November 27, 2019, as a standalone single, but was eventually included as the first single on their sixth album, Crisis of Faith. The song was written by Ben Kowalewicz, Ian D'Sa, Jonathan Gallant, and Jordan Hastings.[1]

"Forgiveness I + II"
Single by Billy Talent
from the album Crisis of Faith
ReleasedNovember 27, 2019
Genre
Length6:42
LabelSpinefarm
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Ian D'Sa
Billy Talent singles chronology
"Ghost Ship of Cannibal Rats"
(2016)		 "Forgiveness I + II"
(2019)		 "Reckless Paradise"
(2020)

Background

The song is broken into two sections; the first being "a badass, heavy, prog song", as Kowalewicz describes it, followed by a softer section that incorporate a horns section alongside the band. Part I was primarily written by D'Sa, which evoked feelings of "riding through a desert on horseback" from the rest of the band. Eventually taking inspiration from Paulo Coelho's novel, The Alchemist, the band leaned into these feelings more as they continued to develop the song. Kowalewicz described Part II as having more of a space rock feel to it, specifically comparing it to Pink Floyd.[2]

Release and reception

"Forgiveness I + II" released on November 27, 2019 alongside a lyric video.[3] Following the song's release, it was revealed that it would not appear on the band's next album, however, it was included in the track listing for Crisis of Faith when the album was announced in 2021.[4][5]

The song was met with mostly positive feedback, with many critics praising the guitars and vocals of the first half of the song. Mark Sutherland of Kerrang! called it a "six-minute prog rock odyssey", favorably comparing it to Muse for its electronic riffs.[6] Ben Rayner of Toronto Star compared it to Rush, calling it "a multi-staged metallo-prog epic", and the band's most ambitious song to date.[7]

Short film

Alongside "Forgiveness I + II", the band partnered with Canadian director Michael Maxxis on a short film titled Forgiveness. The film stars UFC fighters Rose Namajunas and Donald Cerrone, and is set is a dystopian desert.[8] The film was originally released in three parts on the band's YouTube channel, but the videos were later removed ahead of the film's premiere at the Santa Fe International Film Festival on October 21, 2022.[9] The first two episodes break the songs into its respective parts, while the third episode uses the band's following single, "Reckless Paradise."[10]

Personnel

Billy Talent

Additional musician

  • Dennis Passley – tenor saxophone
  • Bruce Mackinnon – alto saxophone
  • Ernesto Barahona – trombone
  • Tom Moffet – trumpet

Production[11]

Charts
Chart performance for "Forgiveness I + II"
Chart (2019) Peak
position
Canada Rock (Billboard)[12] 40

References
  1. Childers, Chad. "Billy Talent Take Journey With New Song 'Forgiveness I & II'". Loudwire. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  2. "Billy Talent: Ben Kowalewicz' track-by-track guide to Crisis Of Faith". Kerrang!. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  3. "Billy Talent have returned with a new two-part single, 'Forgiveness I & II'". Upset. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  4. "Billy Talent have shared the first teaser from their new album, check out 'Reckless Paradise'". Upset. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  5. Punknews.org. "Billy Talent announce album, release song with Rivers Cuomo". www.punknews.org. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  6. "The big review: Billy Talent – Crisis Of Faith". Kerrang!. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  7. "Billy Talent is going for it with big statement album 'Crisis of Faith'". Toronto Star. January 25, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  8. Price, Jason (December 13, 2019). "Billy Talent Drop Episodic Film "Forgiveness" Featuring UFC Fighters Rose Namajunas and Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone". Icon Vs. Icon. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  9. @billytalentband (October 22, 2022). "Very honored to announce that our short film, Forgiveness, starring @Cowboycerrone & @rosenamajunas and directed by @MichaelMaxxis will officially premiere at the Santa Fe International Film Festival tonight!" (Tweet). Retrieved December 23, 2022 – via Twitter.
  10. Peacock, Tim (April 9, 2020). "Watch Chapter Three Of Billy Talent's Short Film, 'Forgiveness'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  11. Forgiveness I + II, retrieved October 23, 2022
  12. "Billy Talent Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
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