ReMix:Final Fantasy III "The Dark World (Crystal Abyss Mix)" 6:57

By RocketMermaid

Arranging the music of one song...

"The Dark Crystals"

Primary Game: Final Fantasy III (Square , 1990, NES), music by Nobuo Uematsu

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.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
avatar
Necrox
on 2016-01-01 12:16:54

I'm fine with the extended intro; I find it atmospheric. The samples are showing their age but don't ruin the song; quality samples would make this fantastic. Speaking of atmosphere, I would say this is one of the more interesting techno mixes on the site. The lush harmonies sit over the driving drums and watery bass to make something otherworldly sounding. Pretty good mix.

avatar
nitrozsz
on 2015-12-31 21:53:14

I remember downloading this the day it was posted on this site. For my ears, it has always been a standard for how to take an original track, and improve it by about ten-fold while making it your own. I cannot listen to the original without thinking of this arrangement. There's a story to be told here. The intro is a set up to the final stage, 1:05 - 3:53 is the final stage, 3:54 - 5:56 is the final battle, and the rest writes itself. It still remains one of the most cinematic trance arrangements you'll find here.

avatar
TillyFun
on 2014-04-06 08:55:46

Sad yet strong and hopeful. Perfect final stage music. Don't even have to cut to battle music with this! ^_^

avatar
Liontamer
on 2010-09-21 10:50:41

Can't believe I didn't comment on this. I could see why someone wouldn't like the synths here, but I've always been a big fan of this track. There's nothing else like it on OCR. It makes great running music.

avatar
OA
on 2008-02-11 12:56:21

It took awhile to get through that super extended intro, and so I can see what people mean by getting bored. Once it picks up it's better, but the high end synth sounds pasted onto the soundscape, rather than living in it, and the choir sample is pretty weak.

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.

avatar
Bummer
on 2005-10-03 13:23:59

FF3 is the only game I never have completed, plus FF8 but my bro completed that one for me so I know how the end is. ANYWAY, I recognize this song, and yes, it does has some lovely trance sounds to it. It´s one of the better ones on this site, some cool synths with beats and techno stuff making their sounds in the background, it´s techno alright, and for those who adore that style, no need to hesitate for them, this one is solid.

avatar
redchlorine
on 2005-05-12 12:56:46

Oh yes, a definite hit on my err.. rather small trance list.

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.

avatar
prophetik music
on 2004-04-21 12:30:42

I love this remix - except for the soundfonts. If Ubik used better sounds on this (as in a better vocal samplings, for example) but I love his style. I'm a fan of the mellow drum cuts he's got in here, and definately like Ubik's style - keep it up!

:twisted:

avatar
HumpteeFree
on 2004-02-27 01:59:52

I find this remix emotional, there's a unique nostalgic touch to it, even though I've never played ff3. It's even sad. Which is good.

avatar
Gwilym
on 2003-06-30 18:52:42

i really like ff3j's soundtrack, and it's nice to see it getting some well-deserved attention.

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.

avatar
Akai Suisen
on 2003-06-20 04:26:55

Great work on a great song! I was totally taken aback by the smooth transitions..it starts out calm, then progresses to something that got my toes a tappin. Definately locked into the playlist!

avatar
Kadosho
on 2003-06-20 02:52:06

Very nice remix.

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.

avatar
Sherv
on 2003-06-19 18:09:17

I played FF3j a long time ago, right after the NeoDemiforce patch came out for it and there were only a few songs that really stood out for me...this remix, however, is phenomenal! Incredibly mellow but with a driving beat, the tune starts out soft then begins to swell around 2:00; it never gets overwhelming, and the choice of instrument/voice is very fitting.

Great job man, this is a remix that's gonna stay in WinAmp for a long time!

avatar
Kamikaze Noodle
on 2003-06-14 00:07:51

This is a fantastic song. Goes from a soft little diddy to a full-blown rockin' tune. Granted, SGX is right in that that first synth (sounds phased) doesn't really do anything too amazing, but I think it gives the song more movement. The harp also helps in this area. The synths overall are well used and not bad by any stretch. The drums do their job well and REALLY get goin at 4:25, with those Bass Drum Hits of Doom. DJP's right in that there's no strong bassline. Occasionally I hear some low end noise, but I can't even tell the notes. Good ending though. Overall, this song knows what it's doing, and never really lets down, making for a good listen.

Kudos to you, Ubik. :nicework:

avatar
Cyber
on 2003-06-13 22:26:23

I hate to brag, but I was the one on GameFAQ's to plead with Ubik to submit this mix here. I found it a while back on vgmix.com and was surprised not to find it here.

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.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Final Fantasy III (Square , 1990, NES)
Music by Nobuo Uematsu
Songs:
"The Dark Crystals"

Tags (1)


Genre:
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Additional:
Time > Duration: Long

File Information


Name:
Final_Fantasy_3_The_Dark_World_(Crystal_Abyss_Mix)_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
8,427,285 bytes
MD5:
7cd1315690d547268a546b7108553ebf
Bitrate:
160Kbps
Duration:
6:57

Promotion

8-bit Jazz Heroes - Press Start
View All

Latest Albums

View All

Latest ReMixes