ReMix:Final Fantasy VI "Agony of Obscuration" 4:43

By Danny Baranowsky

Arranging the music of one song...

"Shadow"

Primary Game: Final Fantasy VI (Square , 1994, SNES), music by Nobuo Uematsu

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.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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WesternZypher
on 2015-05-26 13:19:59

How'd I miss this early gem? It sparkled, and caught my ear. Reinvigorating.

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RiverSound
on 2014-08-13 22:40:31

Classics never lose their charm and magic, and this song is one of them. Always a joy to return to this one and drive into the night with this playing in the background.

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cipher_nemo
on 2013-07-19 13:05:18

Great remix! :) The intro is a little too long for my taste, but still a great job.

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Melbu Frahma
on 2011-12-19 15:59:16

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.

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Darklink42
on 2009-12-30 17:52:08

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.

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Sir_Downunder
on 2009-12-03 23:32:16

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:

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OA
on 2009-09-25 11:24:25

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

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HoboKa
on 2007-01-24 02:06:46

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.

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The Reverend
on 2007-01-23 21:44:13

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.

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Audity
on 2006-04-19 23:23:14

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.

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zpeterz63
on 2006-03-05 22:45:32

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.

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Bummer
on 2005-10-04 15:45:20
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

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Baruch - Vampire Lord
on 2005-08-10 15:30:56

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:

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Lizzardx
on 2005-07-15 15:27:48

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.

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SamuraiFoochs #Reload
on 2005-01-23 21:55:08

I really like this. I've always loved Shadow's theme, and I feel like this mix does it justice. ^_^

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Final Fantasy VI (Square , 1994, SNES)
Music by Nobuo Uematsu
Songs:
"Shadow"

Tags (4)


Genre:
Mood:
Aggressive,Dark
Instrumentation:
Electric Guitar,Synth
Additional:

File Information


Name:
Final_Fantasy_6_Agony_of_Obscuration_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,574,993 bytes
MD5:
88c0164057748d089570ac3eb941fbec
Bitrate:
155Kbps
Duration:
4:43

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