ReMix: Final Fantasy VIII 'SeeD Mission'

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Final Fantasy VIII

In 2001, we ditched orange for blue, debuted our new logo, and were featured on *television* (omg!)...

... and we posted 231 ReMixes, while we were at it. While plenty of great new artists joined our ranks, I've gotta give a shout out to the one-and-only Mazedude, who on February 11th, 2001, kicked off a looooooong series of amazing ReMixes. Read our interview with him and bask in his eternal glory!

Next up, the brothers Johansen follow their impressive guitarsplosion debut mix with some FF8 action. TDD write:

"It's a track that has been requested on numerous forums online and it hadn't been done as a Metal version so we went ahead and did it after in won the poll on our website.

Power to the people; I'm actually a little surprised FF8 won a poll, as it often lurks in the shadow of VI, VII, IX, and X, but it DID have some great music; methinks there is still quite a bit of room for intrepid artist to explore its wonders. Judges had a few more crits than with the Lost Odyssey track; Cain writes:

"This is a very creative arrangement with some nice time signature work. It's definitely prog'o'clock wherever you are. Mixing is a bit muddy, not hearing a huge amount of highs, but nothing too bad. The effects are bordering excessive in spots as noted, I think the delay on the leads is a bit overwhelming, especially from 3:15 onwards. I think the arrangement is outweighing the negatives in the production for me."

Shariq adds:

"I think this is pretty rockin'. It felt a little thin in the first half, but when those synths hit around 1:50 I was totally into it. Percussion work is great; really locks in nicely with the rhythm guitar. A lot of folks just put the drums on autopilot and wank over 'em, I like that you guys did a lot with them with ride and cymbal work accenting what's going on with the rest of the piece."

I concur on the drums; good stuff, love to see the attention to detail. Basically, a solid proggish metal FF8 mix that, while it has some EQ issues, still rocks the house.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
While The Landing feels like it's serious in making history with proper military strategy, SeeD Mission jumps right into the thick of the action. In other words, this mix's tone feels more accessible. Every bit of the source is comfortably niched together in one way or another, employing smooth and unorthodox twists. Examples:
0:34-0:47 and 2:04-2:17 - Echoing bleeps and bloops make for a happy/silly interlude.
1:38 and 3:14 - Energetic high notes follow a down-the-scale run from the source in a surprise-attack turnabout.
3:40-end - The somber orchestral fadeout seems to say "the real battle's not being fought here, and is not yet won..."
Pumps me up like Zell ready to throw some punches.

- Polo on January 13, 2010
I hate to be a dick, but why does it seem as if both of the songs they've posted have been megacompressed?

- 454Casull on December 28, 2009
Emunator;621909 wrote: I particularly thought the way you segued from hard rock and gradually broke down into something more electronic and mellow was expertly done!

Though I do like the transitions between the different sections, none of the elements of the remix really stand out. However, this also means that the 4 minutes are filled with variation, keeping the remix from getting stale.
Overall, good job.

- Martin Penwald on December 25, 2009
As a huge fan of 8, I was pleasantly surprised. "The Landing" is an excellent song, and this remix truly brings out some of the better aspects of the song. The synth, guitar, and drumline go together very well, and the addition of more classical instrument samples just gives it a more original feeling.
This work of art, as is, captures the essence of traveling the streets of Dollet and the heat of battle very well. Everything flows smoothly from one transition to the next, and it brings back the feelings the original brought for me.
The only thing I feel like this is missing is a bigger opening sequence. I couldn't feel the tension Squall felt as he looked out across the water; the beating heart and slow intro sequence adds such ambiance and emotion to the song, I couldn't possibly envision the song without it.
In conclusion: lacking a little bit in the beginning, but truly an excellent arrangement. This song is drips emotion and feeling from every note.

- blackbelt on December 20, 2009
This was always one of my favorite tracks from FF8 and I absolutely love your remix. The nice guitar work combined with the synth is awesome.

- jintoreedwine on December 17, 2009
Real good stuff. I've always liked The Landing because it always got me pumped up but you guys took it to a whole new level. I really love the drum work you guys got goin' here. Keep it up!

- kitty on December 16, 2009
Another Dual Dragon's mix posted so soon? Yes plz!
Interesting take on the song, especially around 2:37 with the changeup to a more mellow/creepy section. Otherwise, I do have to say that I felt like this was too short. It's a nice surprise seeing a second submission though, and would be glad to hear any other music they have!

- Bahamut on December 14, 2009
I'm not feeling this one as much as others, but it's still a cool song. I feel like there isn't as good of a mesh between the orchestral elements, the synth elements, and the rock elements. They feel a bit too separate to me, which is a shame, because the arrangement itself is pretty nice. One example is the delay on the strings at 2:19 vs the rhythm guitar which has very little delay.
The arrangement rocks, though, and there were more than a few moments that I was lost in some good sound. I think this one overall could have had some more tweaking to polish up and make it sound more awesome, but still a keeper for me.

- DragonAvenger on December 13, 2009
Good arrangement and all, but is it just me or are the fruity loops programmed metal drum patterns just getting boring? I felt the drums sounded like little bursts of air being blown from a straw really close to your ear. If they were crunchier and less overkilled in terms of arrangement I think this mix would be much more of a winner.
Yea this game did have some rocking tunes didn't it?

- Doni on December 13, 2009
Oh...great!
Really, thanks for this remix!

- Dunther on December 12, 2009
Great work as usual. FF8 has great music. The guitar work is really gooood:<
I want more.

- metalsnakejuice on December 12, 2009
I was expectin this to be wylin out with straight up metal but that wasn't the case I think I have the meaning of metal mixed up lol xD. Sweet remix, honestly I'm not familiar with the FFVIII soundtrack but I though this was tight. I like that abrupt ending to the slower section that was cool definitely wasn't expectin that lol. Good shit man.

- BlackPanther on December 12, 2009
I've always loved FFVIII, and it's great to see that this song was given proper rawk justice.

- Sir_Downunder on December 11, 2009
Very nice.
Although I don't really listen to a whole lot of metal, I can't quite comment in that respect, but on the whole it feels very polished and nicely intense.
O.K. I was completely not expecting that sudden change at 2:40, which, now knowing it's there, I admit I like it. Also the ending feels kind of cop-out-ish... but still, this mix is slowly growing on me.

- 42 on December 11, 2009
Holy Crap
I heard metal and was prepared for the usual riff-raff, with too much distortion and not enough musicality. You guys totally blew me away, this is the cleanest, most inspired piece of metal music I've heard over the short time I've been listening to it. If that makes it obvious that I'm not into metal in the slightest, then so be it.
Regardless, arrangement is totally solid. Not crazy about the synth you're using for a string ensamble, but it suffices mostly. Great work, can't wait to hear more from you.

- thegamefreak0134 on December 11, 2009