The Black Mages - The Black Mages Review

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Tracklist:
Battle Scene
Clash on the Big Bridge
Force Your Way
Battle, Scene II
The Decisive Battle
Battle Theme
J-E-N-O-V-A
Those Who Fight Further
Dancing Mad
Fight With Seymour

Ranking: #105 for 2003

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4
excellent

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4.0
excellent

Adam Jones is GOD USER (14 Reviews)

2005-01-14 | 34 comments | 12,680 views

7 of 8 thought this review was well written

Im sure that most people who have played any form of RPG
have played or at least heard of the Final Fantasy series.
This CD is recreated tracks put into a more modern rock form

The Black mages are:

Tsuyoshi Sekito -- Guitar
Michio Okamiya -- Guitar
Keiji Kawamori -- Bass
Nobuo Uematsu -- Keyboard (Lord of all, he produced it)
Kenichirou Fukui -- Keyboard
Arata Hanyuda -- Drum

Now for the review:

Battle Scene
Not having played the first on YET I had no prior judgement.
It starts with a familiar keyboard sound, but at about 0.17,
the guitar/drums/bass is introduced in a very
Machinehead - Imperium way. The rest of the song continues
with this soon to be standard guitar riff + keyboard melodies
fashion. The fusion between the two works better than it should,
as both are distinctively different on their own. Has the first
solo 'fight' around about 2.00 in, with both keyboard and guitar
playing licks alternating. Good intro song, nothing too big yet,
and a simple beat
3/5

Clash on the big bridge
Same formula as the first song intro, but this time at 0.20,
the song kicks off into a quick pace. Lots of sustained notes
on the lead guitar and a good backing keyboard which takes the
front stage at 2.16. Another solid track that doesnt stay still
for long, and that ever amiliar main riff that is present in
most FF games (you'll know the one im on about)
3 and a half/5

Force your way
The best piece of music from FF8 and it stays true to the
format of it, although sounds so much better with the re make.
The additions of keyboard/guitar solos gives it new life, but
it still stays true to the original while encorporating them.
If ANYONE can find a tab, plz tell me, because this is one
of my personal favourites off the album.
5/5

Battle scene 2
Currently playing this one (FF2, not the music) and it is
great to hear it in non midi format for a change! Slow start
as with the original, nice building guitars, nice bass line
and very progressive. It follows the same pattern, until
2.14 where it goes into a mad quick keyboard piece, with the
smooth bass. Its then solo time again, a good keyboard one,
followed by a nice sustaining GnR reminisent one. Great bass
all the way through, but a slower tempo track compared to the rest.
3/5

The Decisive battle
Best into of the lot! Starts off with a nice spanish guitar
intro (well thats what comes to mind when I hear it), but
then kicks in with full pounding drums, and big guitar sound.
The guitar's the star here, some amazing harmonics, and a
flange solo fits in nicely. The keyboards get their say around
that magic 2.00 mark. Strangely I dont remember this piece of
music from the original, either I have bad memory or they
reworked it so much it sounds completely different.
4/5

Battle Theme
Another stunner, good guitar union, and it stays true to the
original again. Simple drum beat, but its the melody as usual
that makes FF songs so good. Obligitary solos again, these
guys can really play! Another one that can easily take the
place of the MIDI file you may have sitting on your PC.
4/5

J-E-N-O-V-A
BEST.TRACK.EVER. Well, at least from FF music. For those who
don't know the original, go download the midi now, that was
awesome. For those who do, they did full justice to the original,
and then increased its greatness. The guitars sound fantastic
all the way through, great licks and riffs appear throughout
while the keyboards play the original score with better effect.
Although the drum beat is weird for it, its still the best
on the album. No other explanation needed, hear it for yourself
5/5

Those who fight further
The most well know piece of FF music, this comes from FF7 and
is the reason why boss battles tended to get dragged out, players
wanted to listen to the music more. This is another that is
true to the original, but they added little solo sections which
go very well. The pace is constant, and, and, oh god do I ever
love this track. If you are reading this review and have never
heard any FF music before (one, why not?) this should be the
track you hear first, it'll win you over.
5/5

Dancing Mad
Think Third eye (Tool) + Phanthom of the opera + Queen's
Bohemian Rhapsody and you may have this song. It has a big
operatic organ intro and continues in this style with the
Black/Death metal sustained chords from the guitars. At
6.34 it has a complete change of heart and becomes a quick
paced, almost upbeat sound, which then reverts back at 8.00 to
the starting sound, but includes a very 80's solo this time,
that Slash would be proud of, as it does go on for a good while,
but is pretty kick ***. Longest track obviously on the album,
but it is a tough listen, more of a one off, although it has
incredible parts, its just too long! Especially on the back
of the two amazing tracks before, its just a bit tiresome in
places.
3/5, but 4/5 for the solo part

Fight with Seymour
Don't remember this music that well, I had beat him before I
could even notice it (Yeah I pwn FF10). Interesting song,
strange blast beats (not too hot on drumming, but I think
hats what they are called. For a change, the keyboard takes
the centre stage for this one. Very lively piece of music with
lots of changes and a nice breakdown at roughly 3.40
3/5

Although if you haven't played any FF games, reduce it to 4/5.
A good listen for those who haven't As for those of us that
have, its one way to get the memories of past Weapon
smashing/materia hunting/chocobo riding days back and pay
homage to them. These guys should tour dammit!

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