ReMix:Final Fantasy IX "Crystalline Tempest" 3:34

By Archangel

cinematic classical choir harp orchestral strings woodwinds dark solemn middle-eastern

Arranging the music of one song...

"Crystal World"

Primary Game: Final Fantasy IX (Square , 2000, PS1), music by Nobuo Uematsu

Posted 2015-09-09, evaluated by djpretzel

Final Fantasy IX: Worlds Apart is a diverse album that represents the compositional variety of the game's soundtrack; that's something we pride ourselves on doing often & unapologetically, rather than always sticking to a single genre or strictly more "popular" genres for (perhaps...) more widespread appeal. Testify. At any rate, our flood now moves into haunting, cinematic territory with a gorgeous orchestral, choral, & vaguely Middle Eastern lament from Archangel, who exercises brilliant restraint & sublime detail; Jaka writes:

"The twin track of "Prelude to Fantasy," another of my arrangements on this album. While "Prelude to Fantasy" conveys balance, order, and purity, "Crystalline Tempest" is the soundtrack to distortion, deception, and chaos. The arrangement follows the heroes' journey through the Crystal World as they gaze in wonder at the twisted crystal passageways, battle Kuja's minions, and finally come to the end of the road, where Kuja greets them in front of the Crystal of Memory: "Nice of you to come.""

When I think of musical distortion & chaos, I might think more of dubstep or heavy metal, but to me this conveys the tragedy of ACTUAL chaos, the sadness of deception & distortion on a profound scale. There's evoking the concept itself, and then there's evoking how someone might feel ABOUT the concept, in other words. Archangel does the latter here with a piece that very much deserves your attention; album director Cain McCormack writes:

"Archangel contributed several orchestral arrangements but I particularly enjoyed this one. It sits just before the two rock epics of the final battles and really gets the sense of dread and impending doom going. It's a really sinister re-imagining of the "Prelude.""

The word "evocative" hardly does this arrangement justice; Jaka has taken the prelude/source and created a desolate landscape that paints itself before your very eyes; thunderous, comparatively loud percussion echoes in clouds of rising & falling harpeggios, restrained choral beds, a passionate wind lead (sounds like a duduk?), and tons of subtle details. The artist incorporates modern/electronic components & FX sparingly - they never dominate, only accentuate, maintaining a more organic, old school brand of apocalypse. Superb, utterly atmospheric work.

― djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 7 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Crulex
on 2017-09-03 00:38:06

Okay, wow, that intro is neat with the effects on the first few notes. Almost sounded like it was played in reverse and normally at the same time.Then opening up into that gorgeous soundscape with the duduk, it just keeps building and building right until the very end. It's very cinematic, but instead of grand and adventurous like a lot of other ReMixes going for that feeling, this sounds very solemn and foreboding. Like real "moment of truth" stuff. Distortion, deception and chaos are perfect descriptions of this. I would say you could have even carried on with this ReMix for another minute or two and it wouldn't have overstayed it's welcome, it sound that full and powerful. Those whispering voices at the end was chilling and creepy as well, I love it! Solid mix.

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Master_Yoshi
on 2016-01-13 01:51:29

This mix is absolutely beautiful. The progression is absolutely perfect, and the epic rise with the vocals is a joy to listen to. The only real complaint is that with just over 3 minutes of music, this is abhorrently short! Oh well, the best moments in life come and go, I suppose.

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Black_Doom
on 2015-12-16 13:24:25

Simply incredible - there's just thousands of tons of Prelude arrangements, but this one sticks out due to the artist's approach here. It's a really neat idea to create such a lush soundscape, filled with tension and mystery. I think this tune can perfectly fit Twinkle Park from Sonic Adventure, particulary the music of parts of Amy's stage inside the castle. Very good job here!

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Chernabogue
on 2015-12-13 17:11:50

The intro has an incredible atmosphere. I really like the FX work on the harp -- it's super creepy/eerie and works wonders. The duduk (?) adds a mysterious vibe to the arrangement. And I love how it builds to the more epic second part. Nice arrangement, which is, as said by DimeTower, epic without needing to be bombastic! :)

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DimeTower
on 2015-09-18 23:57:30

Okay, as soon as I heard that bonus high chord above the normal melody at 0:15 I knew I was in for something special. Ladies and gentlemen, give this song some time to develop and it will reward you. It's like being pulled slowly and inexorably into the dark night sky. Holy CRAP, 2:03 and beyond!!!!

Absolutely wonderful. Can this be epic when it's so quiet and non-blowing-your-ears-out? The answer is yes.... yes it can.

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timaeus222
on 2015-09-17 04:43:25

Yep, that is definitely a duduk! ;)

Really cool take on this theme. It's kind of tragedic and lamenting, indeed. :)

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Liontamer
on 2015-09-09 00:05:20

What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Final Fantasy IX (Square , 2000, PS1)
Music by Nobuo Uematsu
Songs:
"Crystal World"

Tags (10)


Genre:
Cinematic,Classical
Mood:
Dark,Solemn
Instrumentation:
Choir,Harp,Orchestral,Strings,Woodwinds
Additional:
Regional > Middle Eastern

File Information


Name:
Final_Fantasy_9_Crystalline_Tempest_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,655,622 bytes
MD5:
97955e0c94d81d22d257830ea6fbc97b
Bitrate:
208Kbps
Duration:
3:34
Featured on album...

Final Fantasy IX: Worlds Apart

album cover
Published 2015-09-09
By OverClocked ReMix
Arrangement

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