The Black Mages, and remixing videogame music, in general

[Syntax Error]

Hey Richadrd, I think you posted the Black Mages version of CotB and not the FFV one.

 

[Syntax Error]

as Impressive as OWA is, and it IS impressive, I still say that when it came to final boss music, Otherworld blew it away, while OWA had this orchestra epic theme, Otherworld was just hard down grit, rock, brutal. I don't think I have to explain why I think it's an awesome final boss song.

Also Auron's theme... yeah, one of the best character themes in the history of FF.

I still go by the belief that Dancing Mad trumps them both.

 

[Grampy_bone]

Ah yes, the Black Mages. My favorite D&D battle soundtrack ever. Well that and Shadow of the Colossus.

 

[Lvl 64 Klutz]

as Impressive as OWA is, and it IS impressive, I still say that when it came to final boss music, Otherworld blew it away, while OWA had this orchestra epic theme, Otherworld was just hard down grit, rock, brutal. I don't think I have to explain why I think it's an awesome final boss song.

Also Auron's theme... yeah, one of the best character themes in the history of FF.

I still go by the belief that Dancing Mad trumps them both.

DM wasn't even a remix, hell it was barely an arrangement. The Black Mages' first album was great, and then it just went downhill from there. The third album is utter crap, and if you can look past the nostalgia factor, you'd probably agree.

Project Majestic Mix, now there's a remix team that can do no wrong.

 

[Theo Samaritan]

www.ocremix.org is a really good place to check out for game remixes.

I second this! Some really really good stuff on there, and the bad stuff never makes it through their screaning process.

And for a very short while their FTP to the music database was open to the public. Deliberately I might add, not hacked or screwed up. Managed to get about 10 gigs of stuff then

These days there is a two-part torrent you can get from their site which has about 1300 tracks.

And how can a videogame remix topic last this long without mention of Machinae Supremacy? They did a 20 minute long metal medly of c64 videogame soundtracks, amongst a few other good covers of videogames (giana sisters is the one I can name off the top of my head) and their own stuff is very well done to.

 

[Syntax Error]

I'll confess that I grew up to Final Fantasy, so I'm really biased toward The Black Mages. The first time I heard Blue Blast, I was wondering which game I heard it from. Turns out it was an original composition. It still remains as one of my favorite instrumentals today. I really hope they do the Battle Music from FFIX. God I love that song.

 

[Ultrajoe]

I agree that there is no golden age and the bile you're receiving right now is mostly because of nostalgia

But that's the problem, people aren't attacking the flaws of a game. They are going after the game as a whole because of nostalgia. Im sure you can see where this becomes a problem, if FF doesn't change it becomes stagnant. Change is the strength of the series, not it's weakness.

And the characters in XII aren't that bad. I'll admit there have been better, but in terms of gaming characters across the board? I'd say their still comfortably ahead of most of the protagonists you will find out there.

 

[Syntax Error]

But that's the problem, people aren't attacking the flaws of a game. They are going after the game as a whole because of nostalgia. Im sure you can see where this becomes a problem, if FF doesn't change it becomes stagnant. Change is the strength of the series, not it's weakness.

And the characters in XII aren't that bad. I'll admit there have been better, but in terms of gaming characters across the board? I'd say their still comfortably ahead of most of the protagonists you will find out there.

Not to add fuel to what might become a flame, but when Koromaru (Persona 3 character, heck, most of the NPC's in that game can stand toe-to-toe against those three in terms of personality) has more personality then Vaan, Penelo and Ashe COMBINED, there must be something wrong, especially since it was a Final Fantasy to begin with. That was my only real problem with XII, but as a GAME, I would put that as the best, if only for the brilliance of the Gambit System.

Let's get back to music though, 30 posts in and the thread is getting derailed.

 

[GenHellspawn]

That is all.

 

[Space Spoons]

That is all.

That song was actually written for the movie. It's based on the game, so I guess it still counts, but it's a stretch.

On topic, I'm a huge lover of video game music in general, and remixing even more so. The Overclocked ReMix forums are probably among the communities I visit most. I'm heading up to MAGFest (Music and Gaming Festival) next year, too, to check out some of those live concerts I've heard so much about and meet some of my favorite video game music composers.

If you're looking for good rock remixes, I'd highly recommend Overclocked ReMix, and to a lesser extent, the Newgrounds Audio Portal.

 

[PlasticPorter]

You should check out ARMCANNON
they do metal versions of videogame, movie and TV show music

 

[Mstrswrd]

Now, for the plug.
http://www.ocremix.org/
Video game remixes for free, done by remixers who do it because they want to.
End plug.

Anyway, yeah, the site's awesome, but beware, because there is a lot of techno remixes (specifically in the Megaman section), but a lot of awesomeness as well (Rock, Metal, Classical, Lyrical, etc). I love video game remixes, covers, originals, etc. It's pretty much the only type of music I listen to.

Oh, and if you ever get the chance, go to VGL (Video Games Live). It's amazing. I've seen it once in Manhattan, and then, by some stroke of luck, they happen to be playing a concert about half a mile from my college, so, I'm seeing them again. Worth it in every way, hearing some of the most beloved themes (and excellent themes that are not yet beloved, but, I guarantee you, will be), and some of the most awesome themes, played by a full orchestra.

 

[Syntax Error]

I almost shat bricks the first time I heard the announcement of Dear Friends: Music from Final Fantasy concert about 3 to 4 years ago. Too bad that those kinds of things can't be played here (no one will pay attention to it).

 

[Buffoon]

I know it's been mentioned before, but yeah, www.ocremix.org has some fantastic stuff.

If you're a fan of FFVII music, you MUST check out the Voices of the Lifestream [http://www.ocremix.org/album/id/1/final-fantasy-vii-voices-of-the-lifestream/] album, I've never heard a better collection of remixes of anything, ever. And this tune [http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR01626/] in particular really blew my mind. As did this one [http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR01636/] in a totally different way. The J-E-N-O-V-A theme is one of Uematsu's most enduring IMO, and I've always been interested to see what people are going to do with it next.

On a related topic, the FF piano collections are awesome beyond belief.

 

[GenHellspawn]

That is all.

That song was actually written for the movie. It's based on the game, so I guess it still counts, but it's a stretch.

But it's made by KMFDM, which just makes it awesome by default.