ReMix: Final Fantasy VI 'Agony of Obscuration'
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- Game: Final Fantasy VI (Square, 1994, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): Danny Baranowsky
- Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu
- Song(s): 'Shadow'
- Posted: 2004-05-23, evaluated by djpretzel
Mr. Baranowsky gives us a kickin' FF6 arrangement with... a really funky title. Obscuration? Obfuscation? Emancipation Proclamation? Whatever your feeling on -ations or the obscure, this is some good tunage with some excellent technique on hand. It's the integration of electric guitar into this electronica mix that really sets it over the top and gives it bite, in addition to already being slick. Electric guitar alone can't save a mix that's got a weak backdrop, but Dan's done a great job of combining a strong arrangement that would have been fine without guitar and added it on top like icing on a cake. Things begin with a swirling, mutated pad and some gurgling resonant filters which create a great, murky atmosphere of tension and kinetic energy. Beat drops at about 0'45" with a clean synth stating the melody and some delayed, pitch-bent, siren-like backdrop synth adding to the vortex. The delayed synth motif that comes in panned hard left is a little 80's for the context, but it quickly gets overtaken by a wailing distorted electric that is downright MEAN and very delicious. Great playing here - not fast notes, not wonderfully amazing articulations, but a fantastic, gut-wrenching sound that's quite organic and textured. More could have been done with the drums, but what's here is nice, and the juxtaposition of synth, guitar, and hip-hop beat all come together for a solid arrangement that's tightly produced and just plain fun to listen to. At 4'42", I looped it more than a few times and never felt like it outstayed its welcome. Transporting.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the This remix is extremely slick, taking Shadow's theme in a totally
different mood and direction from the original. Loved the interplay
of the guitar with the brightness of the synths, sort of mixing the
seriousness of the guitar with the happy, chill synths. It also
definitely has the unknown/mysterious feel of Shadow contained
within its notes, too (somehow). It's next to impossible for me to
listen to with bobbing some part of my body along. Easily one of my
favorite FF6 remixes on the site.
- Melbu Frahma on December 19, 2011
- Melbu Frahma on December 19, 2011
This has to be one of my favorite remixes to listen to while
working or writing. I like how it starts out reserved and quiet and
slowly builds itself up, until you've got the awesome guitar and
bass topping everything off.
I have to admit, I'd never heard the source before listening to this, but it really made me want to go and play through FF6 just to hear it. Still haven't finished the game, but this remix takes a great theme with an almost western tint to it, and turns into a subtle, kick ass vibe that fits the character perfectly.
If I had to pick on anything, I'd say the bass could have been a little cleaner. It has some good counter points but the part where it drags out (growls) seems like it could have been a cool riff as well.
- Darklink42 on December 30, 2009
I have to admit, I'd never heard the source before listening to this, but it really made me want to go and play through FF6 just to hear it. Still haven't finished the game, but this remix takes a great theme with an almost western tint to it, and turns into a subtle, kick ass vibe that fits the character perfectly.
If I had to pick on anything, I'd say the bass could have been a little cleaner. It has some good counter points but the part where it drags out (growls) seems like it could have been a cool riff as well.
- Darklink42 on December 30, 2009
A very different take on shadow's theme. The gurgling at the start
really helped to set the mood the mood for me. Love when the guitar
came into this, the sound on it what great for this track, it had a
mean bite to it which was a great contrast to the lightness of the
synths.
Another kickass track from DannyB! :nicework:
- Sir_Downunder on December 3, 2009
Another kickass track from DannyB! :nicework:
- Sir_Downunder on December 3, 2009
This is a really interesting take on shadow's theme, and definitely
not something i'd have expected. Very well done, it has a sortof
on-the-cusp-of-discovering-something-important feel to it. Like you
are alone in the lab late at night, testing enzymes or
something.
The melody is changed up slightly and pushed to the background, but it is pretty clearly that theme.
Pretty good stuff, excellent soundtrack potential. :-D
- OA on September 25, 2009
The melody is changed up slightly and pushed to the background, but it is pretty clearly that theme.
Pretty good stuff, excellent soundtrack potential. :-D
- OA on September 25, 2009
It's an awesome remix, but i don't remember which song its remixing
in FF6 :S can any1 tell me? lol good job any hoo.
- HoboKa on January 24, 2007
- HoboKa on January 24, 2007
Just so you know your efforts are appreciated... Very, very cool
mix. I hear bits of The Cure in the guitar sound but that may be a
coincidence. One of my absolute favourites.
p.
- The Reverend on January 23, 2007
p.
- The Reverend on January 23, 2007
Listen to the background noises. Just one little section of
Shadow's theme is repeated many times in this one, but if you just
lay back and ignore that fact, you'll hear the greatness in the
cooperation of the other sounds, which actually could be said to be
there only because of the one repeating Shadow part. Plus, someone
mentioned the high sounding whistle sound in the background
reminded him/her of the original.
So it's basically a completely different direction from the original, with good composition, yet still mysterious (and cool) like Shadow. Perhaps stick in the words Mysterious and Cool to replace I Must Listen To Conservative Remix of Shadow's Theme Or Else Fail, and your expectations will not suffer if you float the latter way. Actually, I'm thinking of Shadow's theme every second I listen to this because of that repeating line from the original.
Cool and mysterious composition based on Shadow's theme. I can honestly say this is a really soothing piece at the same time, too. Nothing harsh sounding at all, even during the shreddy "guitar" part.
- Audity on April 19, 2006
So it's basically a completely different direction from the original, with good composition, yet still mysterious (and cool) like Shadow. Perhaps stick in the words Mysterious and Cool to replace I Must Listen To Conservative Remix of Shadow's Theme Or Else Fail, and your expectations will not suffer if you float the latter way. Actually, I'm thinking of Shadow's theme every second I listen to this because of that repeating line from the original.
Cool and mysterious composition based on Shadow's theme. I can honestly say this is a really soothing piece at the same time, too. Nothing harsh sounding at all, even during the shreddy "guitar" part.
- Audity on April 19, 2006
Very cool remix. I love the laid back feel to it and it just all
seems so right. Nothing seems forced, guitar sounds great. One of
my favorite remixes out there, and I've listened to quite a
few--and by quite a few I mean 1-1250 plus some.
4.5/5 sporks.
- zpeterz63 on March 5, 2006
4.5/5 sporks.
- zpeterz63 on March 5, 2006
Baruch, Vampire Lord wrote: AND COME ON! CYAN?! DID ANY OF YOU LOSERS ACTUALLY PLAY THE GAME?! HOW COULD YOU MIX UP THOSE TWO THEMES! THEY SOUND NOTHING ALIKE! :evil:
You don´t need to be so fired up dude, I have actually played the game, so I recognized this right away, but that thing about Cyan, I´ve forgotten how his theme is, but as the original I think they can sound alike, Shadow´s theme is after all a careful guitar with a flute and that western instrument that goes "boing" all the time.
And yes, Daniel, this was a great remix, did not only bring the sad storie of Shadow, but also his darker secrets. Nice beats, awesome guitar, what more can I say? Everyone was scared of him in the game, if he got this one as theme, they´d be terrifyed. Good work, DB. :D
- Bummerdude on October 4, 2005
I must say, that while this is a good piece, it is rather
depressing. When I downloaded this I was hoping to get that
triumphant sounding Shadow's Theme that takes place in the end
credits of the game when Shadow realizes he needs to stop running.
So as far as music goes, it was okay, but before this I thought
anything related to Shadows theme was the number one of all time.
This remix fails to deliver. :cry:
AND COME ON! CYAN?! DID ANY OF YOU LOSERS ACTUALLY PLAY THE GAME?! HOW COULD YOU MIX UP THOSE TWO THEMES! THEY SOUND NOTHING ALIKE! :evil:
- Baruch, Vampire Lord on August 10, 2005
AND COME ON! CYAN?! DID ANY OF YOU LOSERS ACTUALLY PLAY THE GAME?! HOW COULD YOU MIX UP THOSE TWO THEMES! THEY SOUND NOTHING ALIKE! :evil:
- Baruch, Vampire Lord on August 10, 2005
Wicked song. As some have said, not exactly expanding on the
original. It's just got the beginning of the song's melody and it
plays that over and over, but it still delivers. First post yes,
but I've downloaded over 150, and listened to over 200 maybe. I
dunno, who's counting? This song is up there in my top 10. I just
grabbed me and became a favorite that I see myself clicking first
to start my playlist. Excellent job Dan.
- Lizzardx on July 15, 2005
- Lizzardx on July 15, 2005
I really like this. I've always loved Shadow's theme, and I feel
like this mix does it justice. ^_^
- SamuraiFoochs #Reload on January 23, 2005
- SamuraiFoochs #Reload on January 23, 2005
Inspiring. There is little more than can be said about it. The feel
and intensity changes with this piece, yet flows together nicely
from section to section. Very well done.
- Elblai on September 27, 2004
- Elblai on September 27, 2004
8O Wow... I've been stalking OCremix for awhile, but this remix of
shadows theme is absolutely wicked - I had to register and post
lol.
Great work, I love it!
- CinderpawX on May 27, 2004
Great work, I love it!
- CinderpawX on May 27, 2004
