The Black Mages

[Benji]

It's been over three years since the release of The Skies Above, the Final Fantasy rock album by Nobuo Uematsu's band The Black Mages. Looks like 2008 is a lucky year for Uematsu fans, however, as a new website has been launched for The Black Mages III: Darkness and Starlight.

While the site does not contain a track list, the news it contains is even better: the new album will be released on March 19th. The site also features a teaser in the form of a rockin' version of "Bombing Mission" from Final Fantasy VII, which promises to be one of many great remixes of popular Final Fantasy tracks on the album.

Looking forward to this immensely, I'd love for Nobuo and co. one day to do a double album, one of original tracks and one of FF covers. Can't help but hope he covers a few more Final Fantasy IX songs, I'd love to hear the main theme rocked out for some reason. Edited January 23, 2008 by Evil Benji

[Cadet Ember McLain]

Awesome news, and although it doesn't really affect me in any way, I personally hope that's not the cover art. It just seems a little... tacky...

[Benji]

It looks like refined Amano artwork to me, so it's likely it is.

[GoGo Yubari]

Oh my god yes, do want. And what an awesome choice of a song to use as a teaser, "Bombing Mission" is one of my favorite songs from FFVII.

[Skummy]

WANT WANT WANT. Bombing Mission would be immense, and I hope for more FFVII goodness and some sprinklings of FFIX. Has he already done "Man With A Machine Gun" from FFVIII? If not, then that as well please Mr. Black Mages sir.

[stokeriño]

They have already done Man With A Machine Gun, yes.

Never are The Black Mages removed from my mp3 player.

[Skummy]

Then why haven't I heard it?! WHYYYYYY?! How about Shuffle Or Boogie? Or whatever it was called. The card game one, you know, the only other good song from FFVIII >_>

[Benji]

"Shuffle or Boogie" they've not done, "Man With a Machine Gun" is phenomenal, that, "Vamo' Alla Flamenco" and "Maybe I'm a Lion" are pretty much always on one playlist or another for me.

[stokeriño]

you know, the only other good song from FFVIII >_>

Lies! 'Force Your Way' is greatness!

...Or at least, the Black Mages version is...for about 45 seconds after 2:30 has already passed.

One of my favourites has to be 'The Decisive Battle' (FF6). Their version of 'J.E.N.O.V.A', on the other hand, is inferior to the Advent Children version.

Edited January 23, 2008 by stokeriño

[Robsturgh]

They've pretty much done awesome covers of all of my favourite songs apart from Cid's theme from FF VII. This needs to be done. SO much.

EDIT: And FFVIII had no good songs? Maybe I'm a Lion slaps you in the face.

Edited January 24, 2008 by Robster

[Benji]

I only just realised their first album is ENTIRELY battle themes, that's bizzare it took me that long.

[stokeriño]

Third album: 'tis greatness.

Track list for those who are curious:

1. Opening - Bombing Mission (FF7)

2. Neo EXDEATH (FF5)

3. The Extreme (FF8)

4. Assault of the Silver Dragons (FF9)

5. Kurayaminokumo (FF3)

6. Distant Worlds (FF11)

7. Premonition (FF8)

8. Grand Cross (FF9)

9. Darkness and Starlight (FF6)

10. Life ~ in memory of KEITEN ~ (original)

Not many well-known ones, but fuck, it's the Black Mages. Who cares?

Edited March 19, 2008 by stokeriño

[Cadet Ember McLain]

Grand Cross is the Final Battle from FF9, isn't it? If so, that's just epic.

[stokeriño]

Yes, yes it is.

The Darkness and Starlight track also happens to be over 15 minutes long: i.e., epic. >_>

Not really sure why the FF11 got chosen, it has to be said.

[Benji]

Yes, yes it is.

The Darkness and Starlight track also happens to be over 15 minutes long: i.e., epic. >_>

Not really sure why the FF11 got chosen, it has to be said.

Darkness and Starlight is the extended opera scene from FFVI and is fucking immense and glorious.

[Cadet Ember McLain]

Yes, yes it is.

The Darkness and Starlight track also happens to be over 15 minutes long: i.e., epic. >_>

Not really sure why the FF11 got chosen, it has to be said.

Darkness and Starlight is the extended opera scene from FFVI and is fucking immense and glorious.

[Benji]

Yes, yes it is.

The Darkness and Starlight track also happens to be over 15 minutes long: i.e., epic. >_>

Not really sure why the FF11 got chosen, it has to be said.

Darkness and Starlight is the extended opera scene from FFVI and is fucking immense and glorious.

DO NOT WANT!

HAVE! WILL GIVE!

Wait, that sounds wrong coming from me >_<

[Cadet Ember McLain]

Yes, yes it is.

The Darkness and Starlight track also happens to be over 15 minutes long: i.e., epic. >_>

Not really sure why the FF11 got chosen, it has to be said.

Darkness and Starlight is the extended opera scene from FFVI and is fucking immense and glorious.

DO NOT WANT!

[Xero Gravity]

As I expected, this is simply fantastic and as with the others makes me wish it was physically possible for me to have Nobuo Uematsu's children.

[Dont Fear The Reaper]

Oh my god they are doing a version of The Extreme (FF8)!