ReMix:Final Fantasy "Gurgling Desert Pond" 2:29

While not a MEGA-ALBUM like Maverick Rising or Double the Trouble! in terms of sheer disc-count, Random Encounter really holds its own and was probably the biggest surprise of 2012, at least for me. One of the artists who was essential to that success was blackguitar; his 'Fierce Fairground Fight' may have been my favorite cut - I really thought he nailed it, through and through. And guess what? His other track on the album's pretty hot, too - albeit in a different style/direction. Album Director Brandon Strader writes:

"When we were in a pickle and needed someone to cover "Gurgu Volcano" after the original remixer couldn't do it, I decided to ask blackguitar... just out of my own personal wish, deep within my soul, that he would do it. And he did! I was amazed, and I still am. This song sounds legit, and blackguitar's skills cannot be questioned. Totally wasn't what I was expecting at all, I thought it'd be metal - but like I said... legit!"

His skills CAN be questioned, actually, it's just that the answer's always the same: he's got some mad ones. While FFF was indeed a fierce bit of metal that fit the project's unifying aesthetic, this track widened & deepened the variety with a gun-slingin', dust-kickin', dude-rustlin' rock jam featuring noodlin' organ and electric guitar that craps bigger than you. Think Sunset Riders, amigo; the artist writes:

"This is my second contribution to the project. An easy listening country-style arrangement that reminds me of maybe a dry desert or a hot volcano. It has been made in the nick of time, when this track did not seem to be claimed anymore. Hope you like it."

There's a little jazz in them thar hills, too, but it never goes overboard, which would ruin the atmosphere - smart writing. OA makes a good comparison:

"A fun and pretty unique take on the source. If there was a single source that i'd have imagined to be completely METAL'ed out from FF1, it was this one, and then I get this curveball. The style works very well, and reminds me a bit of ilp0's work."

Yes, precisely - in fact, if you'd told me Ilari was responsible for this track, that would have made complete sense to me. Hopefully Julian's a fan and takes that as a compliment - I know I would. There's the confidence to wear multiple hats and try on different genres, and then there's the competence - excellence, really - to pull them off, and this type of mix displays both, along with a tasty dollop of creativity. Fantastic mix from an album that really came together beautifully.