Chrono Trigger - Black Omen (Orchestral Remix)

An orchestral remake/remix/cover of Black Omen from Chrono Trigger using high-end sample libraries.

Video Game: Chrono Trigger
Title: Black Omen/Black Dream (黒の夢)
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda (光田康典)
Orchestration: Malcolm Robinson
Software Used:
Cubase 7.5
EWQL Hollywood Strings (Diamond)
EWQL Hollywood Brass (Diamond)
EWQL Hollywood Orchestral Woodwinds (Diamond)
EWQL Hollywood Orchestral Percussion (Diamond)
EWQL Hollywood Harp (Diamond)
EWQL Pianos (Platinum)
EWQL Symphonic Orchestra (Platinum)
EWQL Ministry of Rock
Spitfire - Albion One, Iceni
8Dio - Claire
Embertone - Friedlander Violin
Embertone - Fischer Viola
Embertone - Leonid Bass
Best Service - Mystica
NI - Studio Drummer
Kontakt Factory Library
HALion Sonic SE 2

[@MugiwaraCrono]

Oh, I remember that feeling as a kid playing this when 0:39 starts, that you know that this is it! We need to save the Earth!

[@orealvinny]

@Lavos hands down, this one, magus theme and lavos battle theme after entering the shell (i forgot the name) are the best tracks 👌

[@rukhtalos8587]

@Lavos to add to that list Undersea Palace, Tyran Castle, and Brink of Time

[@Enigma1788]

@@orealvinny I assume you're speaking of the Lavos form in between the shell and the core. The one that takes design cues from Imperfect Cell? That would be World Revolution.

[@orealvinny]

@@Enigma1788 yeah, now i knew that, great soundtrack, but thanks 👍🏼

[@EnjoySackLunch]

Wrong

[@VGMJunkie]

Usually I stay away from most orchestral remixes since they tend to sound anemic, but this sounds both powerful and foreboding. Great work!

[@LavosTheOneEyedTick]

I know people LOVE the Undersea Palace theme... but for me, this takes the cake. That bass says it all!

[@clydedropout8283]

I love how Lavos is visiting every single Chrono Trigger musical video

[@notaripspiderman]

He’s an evil tick. If even he likes the music he gets his butt kicked by, then I have no gripes other than what happened in Zeal.

[@clydedropout8283]

@Lavos Same thing here. I guess Lavos and I agree on something

[@Tony-xz7bo]

My favorite Chrono Trigger track. I really appreciate how true to the source to keep your covers.

[@HeWhoEnjoysTehVids]

ooh, nice remix~ always was fond of this place

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+HeWhoEnjoysTehVids Thank you! I always liked it too.

[@HeWhoEnjoysTehVids]

Malcolm Robinson Music it was a nice touch to have it constantly loom over the world, and serve as one of the cooler post-game areas.

[@mattdarrock666]

+Malcolm Robinson Music Hello! I have an awesome suggestion for a violin and/or orchestra remix: The end theme of Mega Man X (when X is standing on the cliff, altough when he runs on the highway would be good too...). Hope you'll consider it. Great work on your covers, btw.

[@PontusHultgren]

Man, I love this song. You're doing a great job with the Chrono Trigger OST!

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+Pontus Hultgren Thank you! It's taken a really long time, but I feel I've learned a lot while working on them. Eventually, I'll get to my planned total of 30 tracks and I'll be free to focus on other soundtracks.

[@hianerawr81]

+Malcolm Robinson Music Please Do Chrono trigger Battle 2 Theme at some point there is not enough Remixes of that yet

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

Hiane Rawr It's not on my list because it wasn't in the original game, but I might do it in the far future.

[@hianerawr81]

boo it's one of the better songs on the game in my opinion Your boss battle 2 always comes up when i'm looking for remixes of it XD I look forward to when you make it though ^.^

[@razernaga14]

Speaking of music which wasn't in the game, are you ever doing/have you ever done Singing Mountain?

[@acidtux]

Rarely do I get to listen to an orchestral remix that achieves to respect the original piece at all, and this one not only does it, but also achieves to underscore all the parts that make me vibe as well. I can't say if it's objectively the best possible reorchestration, but it could hardly be better for me at least. Hats off!

[@Durrpadil]

I feel this song so deeply. It feels like a part of me. It's so hard to describe... But this life was never meant to be easy... So quickly it can turn on you and change you into something more... That innocence taken and molded into something greater...

[@etiennecharbonneau3592]

I know it doesn't seem to be particularly important, but listening to the drum and the timpani is so awesome! It makes the music really strong and powerfull and make you understand that the part where you are in the game is really serious, lol! And the intro is really cool as well! As always, great job!!

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+Étienne Charbonneau (La Strana Nota) Thanks! I think the instrumentation is really what makes this piece special. There's something really interesting about the piano-drums-bass-timpani combination, so I didn't mess around with it.

[@kevincassidy2632]

WOW! I've always been a big fan of your work, and I think this and Secret of the Forest are my favorites. I wish you had more recognition; these are the best remixes I've ever found and most surpass the originals. Keep up the good work!

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+Kevin Cassidy Thank you! I also think Secret of the Forest turned out surprisingly well. There's still a lot more Chrono Trigger left for me to do, so I'll keep at it!

[@Isteak80]

Oh man, this triggers some pretty old memories of Chrono Trigger. Was it really 1995? >_

[@gmatixxx]

Yep ! So ahead of its time on so many levels

[@jesuschrist.official]

@@gmatixxx Wacky, right?

[@acorn3810]

Pun Intended?

[@lapthom]

I wish myself a gate Key to travel back to 1995

[@Puffytosser]

This brings shivers down my spine. You raise the bar with stuff like this.

[@rockit3817]

I love how many amazing Chrono Trigger tracks you have. Keep doing what you're doing dude it's good!

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+Rockit381 Thank you! I'll be sure to keep it up.

[@SliverofNope]

Fantastic job, and extra props for listing the tools you used! 👏👏

[@TheAdvertisement]

Someone pointed it out on the original OST video, and I love how this song incorporates parts from the different times. It’s also much less of wonder of this strange place, it’s more familiar, considering how much it is like the Undersea Palace, now floating. The whole mood of this area is that you have a mission and you just have to get through. The area is much like that, with a huge boss rush as you race through. The beginning with the harp, chorus and violins, is beautiful, and leads excellently into the extremely catchy and rhythmic main portion of the song. The bass, snare/cymbal and piano, with their bouncy, racing melodies fit well with the more mysterious brass, woodwinds and the rest of the percussion. It’s an awesome serious, mysterious, and “I’m on a mission” blend. Come to think of it, it kind of feels like mission impossible.

[@girafarig5370]

Very great remix, with the perfects instruments. Great job :D !!!

[@caleron0]

your remixes are amazing!

[@callaghancylke7078]

Fantastic as always! I really like the way you chose to end it.

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+K. Callaghan Cylke Thanks! Fortunately, it was pretty easy to make that ending since the only thing I had to add was that low harp note, soft timpani hit and chime tree.

[@DevoteeofMamaRaikou]

I'm shedding tears of joy. ;_; So beautiful.

[@silverancient7840]

Man this is sooooo spot on......

[@OutlawMantis]

Beautiful.

[@toshiie541]

This gave me the chills! It's really faithful to the original and i love it!

[@mellowjellow332]

Perfection. Been waiting for this one. : p Love it a lot! ( A comment I wanted to post a while ago :3. )

[@hamzilla2801]

............................ (speechless) never did I think someone could recapture this classic like it did back in 95.... but Malcolm the Great has done'r...... I am blown away..... wow

[@WaldoIsahider]

I got goosebumps throughout this song back then....and now this version. Subbed \o/

[@retrometroid2377]

wow! this remix tho :O i freaking love it!!

[@samm.8052]

You nailed that 90s cool vibe of the original! I love this dungeon theme. It's not the final area, but it's still feels important!

[@paulgrotebeverborg1119]

Wdym, not the final area? It very much is

[@bumblebrah]

one of my favorite themes in the whol game and awesome job with this

[@noeditbookreviews]

I just wanted to come on here and say this. Music... It's closely linked to memory and dream memory. Certain musical nuances can trigger latent dream memories. I must have fallen asleep while running the black omen a lot as a kid because THIS song triggers dream memories like no other for me. This whole game does but this song in particular. While hearing this song, places I've been in my dreams decades ago will surface in my mind in the form of pictures, feelings and subconscious senses that we don't use consciously. I find that very interesting

[@EssenceofPureFlavor]

I agree. Even the fact old dreams can be recalled is pretty amazing itself. And sometimes they feel so real you almost forget they didn't actually happen.

[@actinid14]

Where could I legally download this masterpiece? You deserve it!

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

Thank you! It will be available on all major online music vendors and streaming services later this year.

[@KnjazNazrath]

Obligatory comment to stalk when the release comes out GO!

[@eseerianknight0386]

@@KnjazNazrath exactly, sign me up

[@JMESIX]

NICE I'M GLAD YOU ACTUALLY DID IT! It's amazing!

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+Sasuke Uchiha Thanks! I was surprised when you asked about it because it was almost done.

[@JMESIX]

+Malcolm Robinson Music I have a game I'd like you to remaster music from. It's called terranigma if you haven't played it I really suggest it

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

I've already done two tracks from Terranigma. Check it out: kzbin.info/aero/PLTHOcnhIuPOsGB13o3QKuPun4q5AZi9OQ

[@SnakePoisonStudios]

Oh my god! Just perfect! You, sir, are amazing.

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+SnakePoisonStudios Thanks! :)

[@SnakePoisonStudios]

+Malcolm Robinson Music Wow! I didn't think you'd actually reply! Well I guess I might as well use this opportunity to ask you a question. Where can I buy and/or download your music? (Including the Undertale Orchestrations.)

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+SnakePoisonStudios I try to reply to all my comments, though KZbin's comment system makes it really hard to keep track of them. My first Chrono Trigger album is licensed through Loudr and it's on their website (ldr.fm/WyDXG), but it's also available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, etc. Volume Two, which includes this track, will be up sometime this year. I'll eventually release my Undertale tracks as an album too.

[@SnakePoisonStudios]

+Malcolm Robinson Music Sweet, thanks so much. I'm definitely buying your Chrono Trigger album and others as they come out.

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

SnakePoisonStudios Much appreciated! :)

[@stressmac]

So, so, so perfect!

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+Jessica MacKenzie Thank you! :)

[@IwoketheDEMON]

I was wondering when you were gonna do this one! holy shit man this was perfect!

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+Colin Roan Thanks Colin! I just did the same thing with this as I did with the other CT tracks. Glad you liked it.

[@IwoketheDEMON]

+Malcolm Robinson Music There isnt a single Chrono track of yours I don't like man, it always just hits the right amount nostalgia for me. Also, I know you said you weren't goin to do Ayla's theme, but you at least have to do Magus' theme. Right?

[@detheavn]

I've just been listening to most of your remixes and I have to say I'm amazed. The choice of instruments makes them sound like I would have expected them to sound if the game was made today. I would love to see what you could do with songs like FFIV's Zeromus' battle theme, or FFV's Clash on the Big Bridge :) Anyway, subbed and waiting for more ;)

[@SolitarySword]

Playing the Timpani on this track sounds like it would be the most satisfying thing!

[@andresquezada121]

It's because of exquisite music like this that I use the loop function way too much. But with no regrets. Omen-zing

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+Andres Quezada R Thank you! I really like the pun!

[@VengefulNonsense]

Nice cover

[@doscuramenos]

Masterpiece!...

[@LinkDaBoss]

Oh wow, sweet.

[@vav90]

Damn that one was always one of my favorites

[@N64_Rumble_Pak]

YO, this remix is HOOOT!!!

[@nickdragon4565]

The Black Omen...it's beckoning us...

[@Jefferow2]

Great big ice aged neon ship high above the stratosphere!

[@NoHandleThisIsntTwitter]

For a super old futuristic magic flying space underwater palace, they have a good taste in music

[@kiddolink]

My favorite!

[@nofuture9971]

yay new video :)

[@Sebastian-xy3xk]

Somebody needs to make your Compositions and make them into an MSU-1 Patch to play on flash cart on an SNES!

[@jacobsmash1]

I don't think the snes would be able to play music THIS high of a quality

[@recklesflam1ngo968]

jacobsmash1 That and also you have a 64kb rom limit for samples

[@Guts_Brando]

The first 40 seconds are soooo good

[@Guts_Brando]

@Lavos yeah but theres something about that chill part that i love the most of this theme

[@eseerianknight0386]

Hours of grinding lol. So nostalgic

[@eseerianknight0386]

That bass is so strong :D :D :D

[@thelastsidewalk]

I too remember levelling up here. I have vague recollections of continually fighting some enemy that ran across the screen, and using Ayla to defeat them quickly..

[@hiroyuki648]

Hey, Malcom, after you finish your current projects, can you consider doing some musics from Genealogy of the Holy War Ost? I personally love that game and its music, and I also would be very pleased if you did at least one or two songs. Of course it's just a suggestion.

[@mcihay246]

It'll be nice, definitely... However, the thing is with Video Game Music... The gameplay experience plays a part in the music. They'd actually have to play the game or learn the plot to understand the context of when the piece is played, and this is an issue considering that Genealogy isn't easily and legally accessible for Western players. Knowing the plight of Eldigan for example, would let the arranger know exactly how to do "Eldigan the Lionheart".

[@guest2007]

cool

[@xAreuto]

I wanna request a Magnus battle theme but it's honestly been orchestrated billion times already.

[@suprememingus6877]

Would you take a billion other remixes, or one by this unbelievably talented man?

[@xAreuto]

+whats up my ningas I gotta be real there are some equally up to his level

[@kinazura590]

Magus battle theme is up, you should check it out and revaluate your opinion.

[@xAreuto]

Goran lol i was the first comment on the video kid

[@marcusbullock630]

Oooh pairing a flute with the string did a good job emulating the synth choir ahhs

[@Xorcrupt]

Hiatus over? It seems your're Back in Black... Omen! :D

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+Alex K Great pun as usual! It's more of a slowdown than a hiatus, but I'll try to get a lot more tracks out in the near future.

[@miguellavariel1348]

YEEEEEHAAAAAAAAW!!!!!

[@srownel]

I've just discovered your channel and I saw you had quite a lot of chrono trigger in there but no chrono cross remix. Why is that so? I'd like to see some one day if possible but since I like everything I've heard on your channel so far, I guess I'll enjoy whatever comes next. Keep up the good work.

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+Srownel Good question! For some reason, I never actually played Chrono Cross, so the soundtrack isn't as meaningful to me as Chrono Trigger's. As a Yasunori Mitsuda fan, I have listened to it quite a bit, but I know nothing about the game itself. I'm still planning to do at least a few tracks from Chrono Cross though after I finish all 30 of my planned Chrono Trigger tracks.

[@srownel]

+Malcolm Robinson Music Well then I can only advise you to play it if you can save some time for that. Thank you for taking the time to answer me, I'll be hanging around to see what comes next and hopefully one day a nice chrono cross remix will pop on my browser ;)

[@Lpslirasipo2314]

This is perfect! Ah, have you ever tried doing World Revolution? I bet it would sound AMAZING! :D

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+Lilyarumi Thanks! "World Revolution" is on the list. I'll do it sometime this year.

[@JCDadalus]

O_O YES

[@DissonantZero]

Mal, its not perfect, congrats. You are indeed a human! great job on black omen just wish it had bass guitar in it even I know your not in that genre yet :P take my critique with a grain of salt its awesome!

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+DissonantZero Thanks, but it does have a bass guitar in it. It's one of the most important things about the instrumentation of this piece, so I didn't leave it out. Perhaps the speakers/earphones you're using didn't pick it up.

[@DissonantZero]

Malcolm Robinson Music Really weird, maybe I perceive how bass sounds differently, glad to hear yo stuff as always.

[@TedShatner10]

Has feeling of dark mysticism mixed with dark technologym

[@AyinVillagra]

Are you planning on putting any more Chrono Trigger songs on Spotify? I'd love a Vol. 2 with these songs and a few others on there!

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

I'm planning to finish Vol. 2 this year and it will be available on Spotify. There will be 15 tracks, just like Vol. I, for a total of 30 Chrono Trigger tracks.

[@AyinVillagra]

+Malcolm Robinson Music awesome! can't wait

[@pierrelallart7542]

❤

[@johnsans534]

Do you have plans to complete the entire Chrono Trigger OST? There's still a few tracks I'd love to hear you cover.

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+john sans I'm planning to do 30 tracks in total. I'm going to cover all the memorable tracks minus one or two.

[@porquetimas]

When I heard 0:17 as a kid I knew that something big was coming.

[@soak_n_fused7276]

When's Corridors of Time? Please. I need it.

[@latiosfreak2000]

awesome remix! but i want to ask you something, what track will you post next?

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

+latiosfreak2000 I usually avoid saying what I will upload next because I work on several projects in parallel, and I like having the freedom to change my decision. Having said that, my next upload will be from Undertale.

[@wiifitt]

+Malcolm Robinson Music Is it Battle Against a True Hero? blink once for "no" and twice for "yes".

[@poseselaiti2606]

+Malcolm Robinson Music do a Dark Darker Yet Darker Orchestra, I think it'll be fun and crazy to hear!

[@neidhardtderblitzschnelle4943]

Hello. I've been here before to ask permission to use some of your work for a fan game I'm planning, there's no charge in muns. Please reply, I'd love to use some of your stuffs :)

[@szymonwarsocki3942]

ahh it original music in game had these tracks

[@imp_raziel]

Oh my... о.о

[@jrw630]

His Theme? ... I know, I'll stop.. but seriously, great music.

[@urenmaximus4353]

will you ever do sachalas theme?

[@MrVariant]

Wow, I could really work out to this

[@user-qr8fp6jw8u]

ベースラインが好き

[@klavair8978]

Charm

[@carlosDDF]

I can use their music in videos if I put the credits ?

[@Taktikflows]

1:07-1:20 really needs some Opera like singing goin on the background. Love the remixes though.

[@gbotanimations2197]

Alguém veio aqui pelo "crube da bolacha"? Se alguem veio, em que episódio toca isso?

[@Calebe311]

how can we download your musics despite downloading from youtube?

[@MalcolmRobinsonMusic]

Eventually, this will be on iTunes and most other online music vendors in volume 2 of my Chrono Trigger cover album. I just have a little more work to do before it's ready.

[@cradisorn3184]

could you do spider dance (undertale)?

[@gabrielnogueira7794]

More

[@amvsandopenings]

Did you stop?

[@sammonkitsammon1524]

We cant down load

[@mattdarrock666]

This was always my least liked song in the game, but had it been this version, I would've loved it a lot more.

[@niceveraert1000]

should remix corridor of time

[@suprememingus6877]

:D

[@EnjoySackLunch]

This could Have been an mf doom beat

[@vksasdgaming9472]

As intimidating as Black Omen was it really did not feel as eldritch and alien as it should have been. Music luckily is nicely contrasting to other songs of game so it has that part. One of few actually disappointing locations of gane, but final encounter with Queen Zeal and releasing her from millennia of insane solitude as Magus is so cathartic.

[@alchemistofsteel8099]

I mean the reason it doesn't feel alien is because you've already been there back when it was the ocean palace

[@vksasdgaming9472]

@@alchemistofsteel8099 Then again it IS Ocean Palace. Just flying in the sky for millennia. I would have expected place with Lavos' influence being most powerful being much more bizarre and strange. It mostly feels like a rehash of Ocean Palace. Maybe time runs slower in there?

[@alchemistofsteel8099]

@@vksasdgaming9472 Yea that is dumb I don't understand why nobody acknowledges, its just accepted as a fact of life

[@vksasdgaming9472]

@@alchemistofsteel8099 If only info of Black Omen is (maybe) ancient folklore of palace rising to sky and something dark (in color) floating in sky for millennia you do accept it as fact of life. Then again it might have existed only so short period (if tackled at Dark Ages) that nobody remembers it existed. Time travel makes this kind of thinking quite likely case.

[@alchemistofsteel8099]

@@vksasdgaming9472 I feel like things weren't as well thought out towards the end of the game. Nobody in the dark ages acknowledges Magus not even if you go to the king with him at the front of the party

[@tentales10]

I must know................. how is this going to be used in the musical?!

[@taylorelliott7761]

Bonetrousle? :D

[@Abigdummy4life]

This place....reeks of greed, self-sustain...and destruction. Let's destroy this abomination....and free the whole universe of this wicked product of galaxian nature.

[@israelreveles956]

kets

[@benjimanvaughn6819]

intro is wildly haunting - the rest is pretty damn cheesy though

[@TKDKicks100]

Play this at 1.25 Thank Me Later

[@astroceleste292]

i̾s̾ t̾h̾a̾t̾ w̾a̾t̾e̾r̾f̾a̾l̾l̾ f̾r̾o̾m̾ u̾n̾d̾e̾r̾t̾a̾l̾e̾...? l̾o̾l̾ 0:10

[@paulgrotebeverborg1119]

Shame the track doesn't keep playing during enemy battles

[@randanse7208]

Fff

[@Othermage]

Ahem. Four months? Really?