ReMix:Final Fantasy VIII "Beyond the Shores" 6:57

Happy 25th U.S. anniversary to Final Fantasy VIII! We just posted a fun FF8 DoD collaboration earmarked for pixelseph's birthday yesterday, but for today, to honor one of the PS1's classics, we've got a bold vocal track with history behind it as Marc Papeghin and Egyptian newcomer LadyReemz dream "Beyond the Shores" of Fishermans Horizon! For arranger Marc Papeghin, this effort was a decade in the making since his ambitious FF8 mega-medley:

"10 years ago, "The Epic Final Fantasy VIII Medley" was released. :-D

And to celebrate this anniversary, LadyReemz and I are very pleased to offer you the long-awaited full-length version of our "Fisherman's Horizon" song!!

We truly had a fantastic time creating it, and we're especially excited for you all to hear it. :-)

There will always be a little touch of prog in my arrangements, I can't help it."

For lyricist & vocalist LadyReemz, this piece was equally as important, a full circle moment nearly 15 years since she first tackled the classic theme:

""Beyond the Shores" is a collaboration between me and Marc Papeghin. Marc found my solo "Fisherman's" cover way back in 2009, and we're in 2024 and look where we are. :'-( It is indeed one very special song, definitely one of Uematsu's best, definitely a childhood song favorite too.

I wrote original lyrics for the song, envisioning a young fisherman's hopes for the future in the town of Fishermans Horizon. I also sang lead vocals on the track. Marc Papeghin arranged the music, and sang parts during the chorus of the song. So sorry it took us so long! But better late than never! Thank you for listening!"

You really can't go wrong arranging "Fisherman's Horizon". :-) Solid performance and production on Reemz' vocals, which of course are a highlight. I appreciated the layering of the vocals during the chorus section and the second verse. Quite the different dimension to the source here, going the vocal route, which in turn made judge Hemophiliac quite a happy man:

"Vocal harmony!! I want more vocal harmony in the world, thank you for giving me some here. I'd not expect it to come from Fisherman's Horizon, awesome :) [...] LadyReemz's timbre works very well with the style and fits like a glove.

This arrangement is fantastic and really takes us on a journey with a lot of development and orchestration throughout. I honestly didn't realize this was 7 minutes long until after it was over and saw the time at the end. [...]

The final reprise is a great payoff for the track bringing in as many elements as you did including a bigger vocal stack including Marc joining in.

FANTASTIC!"

A high compliment when a lengthy track feels like it breezes by! The closing section after 6:22 was a very cool second resolution on top of the initial resolution around 6:04, a genuinely viable double ending! I'm scratching my head wondering if a tactic like that's ever been employed so well in OCR history; impressive! For judge prophetik music, the entire presentation captured his attention:

"this is a great arrangement! what a fun adaptation of such a timeless, beautiful original. ladyreemz does a great job with all of the various harmonic elements throughout [...] marc, the arrangement is excellent and you do a great job of keeping the arrangement moving and creative throughout [...] what a great addition this will make to the site."

A great addition indeed from Marc Papeghin and LadyReemz, and a perfect way to joyously celebrate Final Fantasy VIII's milestone anniversary!