ReMix:Final Fantasy VI "The 6th Kingdom" 5:03

"The Crossroads" is one of my favorite tracks from Voices of the Lifestream, so I was glad to see Jovette returning with a contribution to Balance and Ruin. While this mix is instrumental and quite different from the artist's FF7 arrangement, there's still the hallmark maximalist aesthetic & abundant energy that have characterized his previous mixes. Here, dubstep blends with dance, and both are informed by a nice variety of Asian instrumentation, lending a "21st Centrury Samurai" vibe. The artist writes:

"It's been 6 years since the release of the highly praised FF7: VoTL, so when I was approached to remix for the long awaited FF6 project, I knew it had to be something special. I also knew immediately which song it had to be. Long has Terra's theme been one of my favorite video game themes, and was none other than my very first remix contribution to OC ReMix back in 2002. So the choice was clear.

Keeping in theme with my "over-the-top" production here at OC ReMix, I decided to stay true to that but tweak it of course. No vocals (A FIRST!!). Asian themed elements such as the koto, shakuhachi, taiko drums all play a major role. There's even a raging battle in the mid-section if you listen closely! Oriental orchestral dubstep metal club soundtrack......sounds about right. A big thank you to the OC ReMix and FF6:BaR staff for this wonderful project. I've got more remixes in the works for even more projects coming soon!"

Definitely looking forward to hearing more - that's great news. This piece should be more accessible to any vocal-haters out there, although I personally loved the combination of rapping & singing on JR's Voices track. Tons of styles vie for supremacy in this action-packed ride, which starts off almost feeling like a hip-hop track, but gets more club-friendly as the beat picks up, and then later segues into more of j-pop/rock vibe. A very dramatic & cinematic choral ending ends things with conviction, even as much of the underlying detail is more revealed as the beat falls away with a roar of thunder. Jovette's certainly got the touch for musical melodrama, and it plays itself out on a stage that he sets flamboyantly AND with craftsmanship. Great, enjoyable stuff with an infectious enthusiasm!