ReMix: Final Fantasy III 'The Dark World (Crystal Abyss Mix)'
- Game: Final Fantasy III (Square, 1990, NES)
- ReMixer(s): Ubik
- Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu
- Song(s): 'The Dark Crystals'
- Posted: 2003-06-13, evaluated by djpretzel
This is one that gets progressively better as you listen - from newcomer Ubik comes a techno ReMix from FF3 that features some interesting sounds that aren't your everyday FruityLoops presets and nice choral harmony work as well. Introing with a distant, watery harp and bringing in respectable choir samples, at about seven minutes there are some issues with mp3 compression, but the arrangement is very pleasant, and the introduction of cellos rounds things out until a very mean, processed, heavy synth riff takes over - this is a good, different, raw sound that's a fresh change from ubiquitous detuned trance saws and portamento mono-square leads. A beat enters, along with some nice rhythmic synth backup, and the original arrangement from the intro sort of sits on top. We then get a short break, and go back in with a nicely animated harp doing some backing triplets - not sure if this alone was enough of a change to warrant a reiteration of the refrain, but it does switch to halftime at portions to mix things up. There's then a dropout, where we segue into a funky synth+drums breakdown - well done, and deserves to be blasted very loudly with reckless abandon for neighbors and/or family members. Things end as one would expect, with more of the main refrain with all techno elements going full steam, then a subtler outro where the strings carry more weight than other pads. There's an absence of a strong bassline, though the afforementioned processed synth riff has some lowend to it, that gives the piece an open feel to it. I think the strength of this mix lies in the initial arrangement, and the way Ubik turns that into a techno piece using some less common sounds & styles, avoiding the cookie-cutter techno stamp with a bit of individuality. FF electronica fans should definitely check out this strong first sub from Ubik.
- Liontamer on September 21, 2010
Pretty decent textures, and the source is a nice melody, but the production issues and overly-extended intro make it sound more like a decent work in progress rather than a polished, finished work.
The breakdown was pretty cool with the super-compressed drums, and then back to the same chord-chord-chord legato progression. Not really my style; sorry dude.
- OA on February 11, 2008
- Bummerdude on October 3, 2005
This is like the second or third trance I have that isn't from starfox, that seems to be all everybody wants to trancify.
Nice job.
- redchlorine on May 12, 2005
:twisted:
- prophetik music on April 21, 2004
- HumpteeFree on February 27, 2004
unfortunately i don't really enjoy this track. frankly, it bores me. it's all done fairly well, there's nothing to complain about; i just find it generally uninteresting. after the first few minutes, it's pretty obvious where the song's going to go, and it doesn't really deviate from that. which is not a crime in itself i suppose, but it's just ...'not enough' for me. there's nothing in the track that makes me want to listen to it; it just takes up seven minutes of my life, during which time i find the track to be too flat/weak for it to make me get up and dance, and too obvious for me to sit there nodding wistfully and going 'oh yeahhh.' ;)
respectable effort, however. aside from 'hooks', it's not really missing anything major, so it's not an uncomfortable listen. just a long one, and not one i want to repeat many times.
i've listened a few times, and tried to get into it, but for me it's not a keeper.
- Gwilym on June 30, 2003
- Akai Suisen on June 20, 2003
FFIII needs alot more remixes.This an excellent take on the "Dark World" theme.Every part of the song hits at the right time.
Plus it goes to show that the recent FF titles have a ton to learn from their past.
- Kadosho on June 20, 2003
Great job man, this is a remix that's gonna stay in WinAmp for a long time!
- Sherv on June 19, 2003
Kudos to you, Ubik. :nicework:
- Kamikaze Noodle on June 14, 2003
I'm glad he finally submitted it. It's premium stuff and djp sums it up quite well.
It's also the second FF3J remix on this site. A game, IMHO that deserves MUCH more recognition.
- Cyber on June 13, 2003
3 order eye rolls outta 5 :roll: :roll: :roll:
- order on June 13, 2003
- sgx on June 13, 2003
It seems like there's two parts to this mix even though the harmonic melody just comes back after the short break, which invites all those variation junkies to come for a visit. It is definitely an improvement upon the 8-bit wonder sounds and is a fresh song that I've never heard before and don't think has been mixed. I would so no reasons why this wouldn't be on OC.
Oh yeah, I have some of other Ubik mixes from VGmix 1.0, and they are also great and would gladly like to see every mix he has done =)
- AnotherOneBitesTheDust on June 13, 2003