ReMix: Final Fantasy VI 'Deadly Promises'

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God bless Michael Boyd for finding a new way of covering the staple food FF6 Terra theme, the undisputed 'Freebird' of the unofficial game music arrangement world. Darangen had some stuffs to say so let's cover that first:

"This was my entry for March's Dwelling of Duels competition. I was always afraid of remixing this track, it's been done so many times before, and some have done it so well, but alas, here it is. The other day a friend of mine and myself were resolving a conflict that has been going on for a few months now, and some promises were made. Now, if these promises were ever to be broken, the results would be catastrophic, even deadly (in a non-literal sense). Anyways, after that conversation, this tune started rushing through my head and not much later I had the basis of my next remix, hence the name "Deadly Promises". This is also a vocal mix. Not a lyrical mix, but there are vocals in there which I performed myself."

This has classic rock epic written all over it, from the cleanly articulated and processed minute long intro to the wall of self-harmonizing vocalizing that enters immediately following. At 1'23" Terra busts out recognizably, but CHECK them hi-hats out - very tasty pattern, great arranging decision, and makes (instead of breaks) the introduction of such a familiar melody. Things then go wah with some mad-skillz guitar hero noodling that works around the melody instead of just meandering outside its periphery. Tripartite acoustic guitars close out the mix, with rhythm and dueling, counter-panned melody - again, really solid arrangement ideas coupled with effective mixing/production decisions to bring them out. I have to return to the hi-hat pattern used at 1'23", because it's fairly key in distinguishing this arrangement not just as a great, guitar-driven take on the original theme, but specifically as Michael's great, guitar-driven take on the theme. It's nigh impossible to escape the legacy of Terra ReMixers and ReMixes that have come before ye when attempting to add yourself to the long list, and attention to details and distinguishing decisions like these make a significant, cumulative difference. Like The Eagles' Hotel California, no matter how overplayed Terra is, it's still a great tune, and it's still great to hear someone imaginatively and elaborately interpret it, as Michael's done here. Very accessible, and a no-brainer for FF or guitar fans - if you know and like Darangen's work, it's a done deal, if you haven't head his stuff yet, this is a GREAT place to start, and if maybe you heard one or two of his pieces and for whatever reason weren't into them, now's a great time to turn yourself around.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.

Truly awesome guitar work, great job.

- Lucentas on December 6, 2008

Make the intro into its own song. Terra's theme seems thrown in and out of place.

- Bobwillis on November 29, 2006

Whale on that V-king baby. You would make red beard(dimebag darrel of Pantera) proud.

- Soapy on June 30, 2006

This is one of if not my favorite songs on OCR. Really awesome stuff as with all your mixes.

- Atmuh on June 11, 2006

this is hands-down one of the best songs on OCR. Amazing guitar work, good use of vocals. This will always be at the top of my playlist, good sir.

- your the man now dog on April 25, 2006

This is a Great ReMix. Although I didn't exactly like the exact opening to the drum area at 0:57, After it passes that one area, its great. I loved the guitar part.
Overall: 8/10

- SakakiAzu on November 12, 2005

Okay, seriously a a great tune. When you kicked in some harmonizing vocals, that was great, but it was like a tease. Once i heard a little bit, I wanted more. It would be great if someone wrote some rock lyrics to this tune also. Even though they're both great comps, this one is much closer to the original theme of Terra than Ailsean's 'Terra In Black'. That's what put this over the top for me. Great song.

- wolfdude359 on November 11, 2005

Hmmmm.... a quality tune: decent recording, composition and playthrough. It certainly does rock. Although a fresh perspective on a classic, I think it misses the emotion of the original. Needs more vocal.

- meccaneer on October 2, 2005

This is real heavy dude. The drums, cymbals, and, of course, the electric guitar, it´s just...wow.
I mean........nah I´m speechless. This really just
kicks ass. Truly worth a download.
Darangen, you rock. 8)

- Bummerdude on September 19, 2005

i friggin loved it, great guitars and harmony. its my favorite version of "Terra" that ive heard

- BlueTardCaboose on August 3, 2005

Wow, this is a really great remix. The lovely tune of Terra kicks in at 1:23, and it's just awesome. But is it better than Ailsean's "Terra in Black"? In my opinion, not quite, but very close.

- Zero_ on August 3, 2005

Dang, this is awesome. I didn't think there were any fresh perspectives on Terra's theme. I was very wrong.
I'd love a tab of the beginning.

- Itinerant on June 25, 2005

I have to say, I was a little worried at first, not having heard anything by this remixer, and also having it be a Terra remix. But I have to say that I found it to be pleasantly refreshing. The whole song was so differant from any Terra mixes I've heard that I didn't feel like I was listening to the same song....again.
Anyways, I have to say that this was quite well done. 10 out of 10, for sure.
~Lord Syruss

- Lord_Syruss_Khalai on June 23, 2005

Wow, my favourite tune from Final Fantasy VI has been done again. And I might add that it's an excellent remix. A completely new approach to the already many remixes of the song. I might like to add that the vocals do fit and this whole remix is almost at par with Death On The Snowfield.
Love the use of guitars throughout the whole song, my only complaint is the last part (which is almost unnoticable) but the guitar felt a bit flat. Otherwise its awesome! Definitely recommended!

- Meji on June 18, 2005

This is great. Like the pretzel said, thank you for finding a new way to do Terra. FF6 was a great game, so is the music and so is this. Weird thing, is that when I tried to listen to this on the site, there'd be holes, where it would just play nothing and start again. I just downloaded it and theres no problem now. Weird, anyone else have this happen? Probably just me >.>

- ChaoticTheorem on June 13, 2005

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