Final Fantasy VI - Dancing Mad

[@hatsunemikusleftnostril]

I remember a comment on the old rip that really stood out to me. It was something like "Uematsu composing such a masterpiece using the SNES soundchip would be like if Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel with crayons". I think that describes it pretty well.

[@omerozel4716]

If i remember it correctly it was more like "For composer the SNES sound chip is like using crayons. Uematsu used crayons to paint the Sistine Chapel". That is if i remember it right

[@HylianHero69]

I think that was from the original IGN review but I can't find it anymore.

[@yujiandou4658]

@@omerozel4716 good memory

[@andreavasquez4355]

Give the SNES some slack. It's more like markers.

[@good1005inhighdefinition]

Everytime I thought of Dancing Mad I always had that comment in my head. Glad I'm not the only one that feels this way about it.

[@613-f1v]

The game that made me bilingual. No joke. My native languge is french but i studied english a ton just because i wanted to understand FF VI dialogue and story. And it was 100% worth it

[@tomatoshadow]

same

[@budakbaongsiah]

I learned English from video games, too! Although I learn it more from Age of Empires 2 and Civilization 2 more than from Final Fantasy...

[@--_--_--_--_]

i did something similar, i really began seriously learning english when i decided to play FF I to VI and earthbound

[@barbs8851]

If you consider music a language, this masterpiece got me into classical music! I'm self-studying the piano for more than a year now (I finally got my own keyboard!) but I've been a sucker for classical music since 10 years ago after doing a replay of this game back in high school.

[@flufftroopers1197]

tres bon!

[@aidyplays1013]

It has Kefka's laugh. My joy is immeasurable and my day is completed.

[@patrickgrace1330]

Isn't it amazing

[@BlackSailPass_GuitarCovers]

14:35

[@patrickgrace1330]

Ahhh, that's the stuff

[@jonnyb5701]

It's so.... Bruh!

[@elijahbradley704]

the uploader hearted this after 11 years of it being up, that's dedication.

[@hypernova_119]

So long as Square doesn't find out about this one, we're safe.

[@ahumpierrogue137]

I can't believe someone else is trying to find dancing mad today lol.

[@hypernova_119]

@@ahumpierrogue137 OMG SAME. I can't find the OG on KZbin anymore without searching deep.

[@arthur_morgan___1899]

@@hypernova_119 surprised that the Awesome Video game music one is still up. Probably because it’s divided into parts?

[@yuyaricachimuel555]

And I just discovered this video not 10 minutes ago

[@bloodmaged]

was wondering what happened to the original lol

[@fromthatonemovie]

This one song has to be like 30% of the cartridge's memory.

[@chrismichaelgardner]

Nah. The power of MIDI.

[@suezuccati304]

Nah, the samples are all reused from the game. The thing with snes sound chip is that to store note sequences it's fairly good at it and that doesnt takes up much space. To store actual instrument samples thought it's a lot harder

[@stueyman2099]

@@suezuccati304 You know, thinking about it now.... I wonder which came first, the opera or this? They undoubtedly use the same voice sample.

[@suezuccati304]

@@stueyman2099 impossible to tell, but most games just have the compositions done then they pick a sample set so they dont need to tweak the music too much Snes sampling is a very complicated topic since sfx interfere with music

[@Jacksynth]

old game composition methods are so cool. this file was probably less than 5MB

[@travisbaez8430]

Playing a cartridge version I bought for $90 with my 12 year old. This is the first time I've played in 28 years, and I'm seeing this game for the first time with adult eyes. And he's never played it before. What a time to be alive.

[@jemdragons3120]

That sounds magical

[@saltiney8578]

It really holds up, still one of the best rpgs of all time its got all the ingredients great story music characters setting atmosphere and gameplay its all still so good. 10/10 imo

[@mundart9824]

i played ff6 3 times, i thinking to playing again

[@Cynderfan35]

@@mundart9824 do it, always worth it :)

[@c.a.r.n.a.g.e4288]

“And time will destroy all of those as well. Why do people insist on creating things that will inevitably be destroyed? Why do people cling to life, knowing that they must someday die? ...Knowing that none of it will have meant anything once they do?”

[@comedyclownsstudios]

"It was your broken heart- you were trying to fill it with destruction...(This misery must not be repeated-ever). I must keep moving forward"-Terra(?)

[@nickpieper5839]

Kefka makes the most sense of all FF villains.

[@melovespoon]

@@nickpieper5839 ironic, as he also makes the most nonsense

[@CantusTropus]

@@nickpieper5839 Yes - he's basically just a nihilist taking nihilism seriously, instead of distracting himself with pleasure or deciding to avert his eyes and ignore the problem until it's too late. While I don't agree with nihilism, being a Christian, if I didn't have my faith, I'd need to agree with him, because he'd be right, if there weren't anything beyond the material world.

[@thesnatcher3616]

​@@CantusTropus But even viewing his philosophy from secular lense, it doesn't hold up. Just because all the things in life will cease to exist, that still won't take away from the glory and joy they once had while they EXISTED. The beauty of romance, friendship and familial bonds, despite their tempeorary nature(as with all life ), will have one point been very real and impactful to those that had seen and felt it even if they no longer exist.

[@gart4575]

This is the main reason Kefka is my favorite ff villain. This song basically provides for us his entire life’s story without any dialogue.

[@theinherit116]

Just a theory but The demon form.: His life in the empire. The limbo form: his life as a soldier. His goddess hybrid form.: His life descending into godhood. His angel demon form.:His life as a god.

[@gart4575]

@@theinherit116 for me the demon section is the torture that broke his mind. The limbo section was yes, his soldier life, and the godhood section was his ascension part as well. And the angel demon part is what he’s feeling right now as he battles. The song grows somber as he realizes he’s going to lose and perhaps he’s looking back at his life and realizes how hopeless he is. But it ends with him laughing.before repeating itself again.

[@theinherit116]

Gart4 Well said.

[@ChristineTheHippie]

@@theinherit116 Mind. Blown

[@Spaced92]

The music carries a lot of characters in FF pretty hard if you play the scenes without the music. Kefka's entire backstory is basically a couple of lines from some random dude in a semi-hidden pub, it's the music that actually tells the story.

[@josecuestas7246]

Phase 1 0:01 Phase 2 4:31 Phase 3 8:13 Phase 4 11:33

[@lilknox2225]

Thanks😄😄

[@LadyYautjaSpacePirate]

Phase 2 is more upbeat! 😁 Also phase 4!

[@iquemedia]

ty saving for later

[@axelmadrigal3115]

👌

[@TheBanishedWind]

Phase 5 12:04

[@WhiteSnap]

The way that this boss fight and its theme are set up is insane. More games need to realize that if they want their final bosses to make an impact, they need to make that final battle seem like the fight is all or nothing. Saving that one last time before stepping into the SNES's own gates of hell before fighting through Kefka's multiple grueling phases is an experience like no other. And then, at the beginning of the very end, you hear the chords you've been listening to every time you booted up the game. It feels like Kefka's gained the power of the game itself and is using it against you. I hope more game devs are able to produce masterpieces like these in the future.

[@mooganify]

well said

[@islandboy9381]

The final guantlet is awesome but it wasn't really that hard unfortunately (6 is prolly the top 3 easiest), if only there were new game plus hard modes for those games back in the day.

[@AguyInACrazySuit]

I have noticed most final bosses these days are pretty underwhelming

[@JanFlamage]

100%

[@wilhemtehlynx]

Phase 1: You are fighting a monster. Phase 2: You are fighting a madman. Phase 3: You are fighting a god. Phase 4: You are fighting Kefka.

[@mundart9824]

i love the third phase because the church atmosphere song

[@user-lx9tl3lc5f]

Are they all not one and the same?

[@emanuel_616]

phase 1 + phase 2 + phase 3 = Kefka.

[@LampreyKisses]

i've heard rumors that everything before kefka is the seven deadly sins... even though it doesn't add up.

[@ddg9]

@@LampreyKisses The 3 steps actually depicts Hell, purgatory and heaven, in order

[@bigsmiles768]

Hardcore punk orchestra smashed through technology and into my ears. It's really in my top all time favourite audio experiences.

[@MarceloKatayama]

Punk?

[@bigsmiles768]

@@MarceloKatayama If you cannot see the punk action in this artwork and sound, it is not my place to convince you, but I will try. These artists were ahead of the popular culture in their thoughts and feelings. Our Earth is dying. They already were screaming about it before it was a trendy media topic. The artists involved in this project made great efforts to express their souls within the confines of the technology available to them. It is an exceptional piece of work, but it is not like today when you can just program the sounds in software or make the graphics easily. They drew each pixel and arranged each piece of music. The artists worked very hard with limited resources and difficult deadlines, yet they created a wonderful theatre. Many of them did not have 'professional' training. They were just artists. So they made a story for us, to pass very complicated feelings and thoughts along to new generations. While having such struggles with their limited tools, and such huge dreams and ideas to share. That is punk to me. Making art with limited resources, a lot of passion, and sending a strong message. It is something we see less often now, with the evil system controlling our art.

[@MarceloKatayama]

@@bigsmiles768 I see. I was confused as to what you meant by punk, it is typically used in very different contexts, many antithetical to what this composition is (considering its progressive rock inspiration). Very much agree on the artistry and creativity required to make things work within limitations, that was a very important thing to do back in the day, which is why early videogame music is so melody driven, and does not feature many solos. This is still one of the great musical achievements of the 16 bit era.

[@MarceloKatayama]

@@bigsmiles768 KZbin deleted my comment. Thanks, youtube. I basically said that I was initially confused as to what you meant by punk, as that subcultural movement and musical style is typically antithetical to the style being presented, mostly because of the progressive rock inspiration. But I do get why you are using it that way now. I also agree on what a monumental achievement this work is, and that working creatively within limitations is something that solidifies this as one of the finest moments in the 16 bit era of gaming.

[@bigsmiles768]

@@MarceloKatayama It is just a different understanding of the word, for you it is more of a genre and style of composition where for myself it is more of a movement or style of creative process. :)

[@splitjawjanitor5369]

The original version of the second half of movement 4 fascinates me. Most interpret it as the song heralding Kefka's inevitable death and pitying his wretched existence, and most future versions of the song also take that approach, and end it on a dramatic climax. But here, the song slams right back into the main melody when it ends, accompanied by Kefka's laughter. Also worth noting that this is not an easy fight - it may be his final phase, but you still have to fight tooth and nail not to get wiped out. With all that in mind, what was this version of the second half really saying: is it mourning Kefka's pitiful last moments before descending into the madness again as Kefka simply _does not care,_ or is it Kefka figuratively playing the world's smallest violin to mock your struggles to defeat him, only to laugh in your face as he decides he's had enough fun toying with you?

[@KillBlackrock]

When you get hurt, and instead of processing the hurt try to laugh, but if your contriving it too much and trying to milk it too hard...the laughter turns bitter in your mouth and your true feelings burn you

[@DoctorWhoKage]

If your interpretation is correct, then that would indicate that Kefka is desperate as fuck to get the fuck out of there, and recuperate elsewhere.

[@spaceycaveco.698]

I look at the second half of Tier 4 to represent Kefka on the verge of unleashing his ultimate attack, Goner.

[@JCDadalus]

His laughter is the laughter of pure evil. No matter how hopeless things have become he knows he already won even if the party defeats him now, it doesn't matter to kefka. He is a rabid dog to be put down. A human if he ever was human gone completely mad.

[@no.402]

@@spaceycaveco.698 *Forsaken

[@MarioMaccaDesign]

At one time in the future we will finally have a Final Fantasy VI Remake, and people will finally understand why this is one of the greatest RPG of all times.

[@ViddyWellSA11]

I mean... isn't the game already seen as one of the greatest RPGs ever? It's got quite the legacy

[@Mingodough]

I think one of the dudes at square said he’d love to but ff7 remake took them almost 20 years (ff 7 remake started dev, around 2008) and it’d probably take that long as well according to an interview

[@finesseandstyle]

@@Mingodough well if they decide to make a part 5 saga of ff6 yeah it's gonna take that long. tho they really don't need to make a huge production remake like they're doing with ff7, just enough to put into a singular 40-60 hours game.

[@Mingodough]

@@finesseandstyle I mean I’d love that but square said they want to make it like ff7 remake if they’re doing a remake

[@Pilaf-Sama]

ff9>>>

[@joshuasolomon5038]

To a newer generation, this was created on a cartridge around the size of your hand. Packing this much story and music into a cartridge is insane.

[@edgytoucan3444]

Back in the day they did everything they could to cram things into cartridges. Now we can cram so much more into even tinier things! That’s rad

[@liquidsnake6879]

The entire game was packed into a filesize smaller than most pictures on your phone lol

[@madatarchives8725]

And the game had more content then most triple A games nowadays

[@mandlecreed02]

I'd also add that this game packed in a 60 hour run time and over three hours of music in 24mbit (3 megabytes) of cartridge.

[@braddivens5179]

​@@edgytoucan3444Technology just keeps accelerated. Watch what will happen with AI in the years to come. Some of it bad, some of it good.

[@avalonjustin]

Kefka wanted to destroy all of existence, and in true Italian opera fashion, the final battle is legendary!

[@KahurangiSteez]

i've never even played final fantasy. i listen to this because it's just that good. polyrhythmic masterpiece.

[@malik87breaker]

The journey is even better in final fantasy vi. Hope you might enjoy it someday. Great story. Great ost

[@frokydafroakie]

@@malik87breaker i only played 7 and 9 and man FF9 is fucking awesome

[@malik87breaker]

@@frokydafroakie 9 is pretty awesome. But you should check out 6. It's quite amazing.

[@Official_KC]

@@frokydafroakie There are so many good ones. 8 has the best sound track to a lot of people. The rest of the game has flaws, but that overall sountrack is amazing

[@Zraknul]

6 is a classic game with a great cast of characters and has some other banging songs (not this scale epic though). Go play it.

[@ignorantfoolartur9242]

13:27 this part makes me tear up a little. It gives off the "all hope is lost" vibe so well

[@bizznick444joe7]

I associated that with Kefka himself. He has lost all hope but you can't see it behind his facade of laughter

[@thaneros]

I don't even have to use your time stamp to know what part you are talking about.

[@isaacguerra7888]

One time... I lost in that moment and kefka laugh... that was pretty ironic 🤣🤣🤣

[@SirAuron777]

*The end comes beyond chaos*

[@CellarDoorx06]

Best part of the finale's music. Otherwise, every other bit of Kefka's boss music SUCKS!

[@squadalaguydc]

Tier 1: Brave against the terror of the beastly demon that judges your sins. Tier 2: Fight against the might of the banished souls that were once good men. Tier 3: Repent against the purity of the angelic prophet that cares for no one. Tier 4: Defy against the insanity of the maniacal god that wants you all *dead.*

[@ivanlopezgarcia2521]

Victetas

[@TheBanishedWind]

Tier 5: Time to kick God's ass

[@suspectrum.2259]

No way, I follow you on twitter lol

[@HamtarOso]

It's just incredible this is coming from the Snes sound chip.

[@Bloodreign1]

That sound chip was extremely capable of doing stuff like this, even more actually. Give a listen to the Plok soundtrack, the soundtrack for that game is insanely good.

[@Max-eg7nx]

Pokey Means Business from Earthbound is probably the craziest song from the SNES chip

[@MegaTheman25]

You tim folin fans are insufferable​@@Bloodreign1

[@islandboy9381]

@@MegaTheman25 sounds like a you problem

[@megasean3000]

This will always be Nobuo’s greatest masterpiece. He made a full blown symphony to go with the battle against a maniacal god. One-Winged Angel, The Extreme and Necron’s theme are all awesome, but none can match the theme, complexity or length of Dancing Mad.

[@superiggybros7005]

and he made all of the music in this game in like 9 months

[@Neo-Metal17]

@@belladrystone9095 and also with these limitations

[@strahinjagov]

@@Neo-Metal17 and he's self taught.

[@sigurdtheblue]

Comparing this song only to final final boss themes is dumb.

[@craiglanyon7752]

A contest of aeons if the best one he did so far.

[@Deletaste]

When you think it's done, it goes even higher and beyond. Truly amazing.

[@lukamagicc]

This is why classic 16-bit era video game music is goated to me. Think of how much we praise the David Wise’s of the world but mostly because the music is amazing. Not even taking into account how much harder it was to do this back then. Truly in a league of their own.

[@GiordanDiodato]

Tier 1: Kefka's evil heart (Hell) Tier 2: Kefka's insanity (Pugatory) Tier 3: Kefka's narcissism (Heaven) Tier 4: Kefka's a god (God)

[@AdrianMartinez-en1nb]

More like Kefka's narcissism (Limbo) and Kefka's a god (Heaven)

[@s0larisyt]

Kefka's demonic heart Kefka's thirst for power Kefka's Narcissism Kefka's Ascension

[@LampreyKisses]

Kefka's hunger Kefka's doordash order Kefka's patience Kefka's order showing up 30 min late and having multiple errors.

[@santabakure6264]

Kefka’s arrival to McDonalds Kefka’s order (strawberry ice cream) Kefka’s waiter telling him ice cream machine is broken Kefka’s insanity

[@GiordanDiodato]

@@AdrianMartinez-en1nb Purgatory is basically Limbo

[@zeebooboo9663]

This is the greatest final boss music of all time. I never get tired of listening to it, i love all four phases, it accurately describes the antagonist, fitting for a great finale.

[@GreyWolfLeaderTW]

I'm pretty certain this is the longest final boss theme in any video game. 17 minutes to play through two loops for every movement of a four movement symphony, composed of combining Baroque and Romantic eras Classical genre music (complete with a Bach organ and soprano opera singer) with a final, subversive Emerson, Lake, & Palmer styled Progressive Rock movement to end it. Not even Noburo Uematsu's excellent final boss themes from the other Final Fantasy's come close in length, most of them being up to 7 or 8 minutes at longest.

[@humblebee5575]

The full theme of Kirby Star Allies' boss Void Termina comes close, if not edging out as I believe it's closer to 19 in total.

[@jclkaytwo]

each segment of this song is played twice, so the song is technically half the length seen here. void termina's theme is longer; it's 10 minutes long with no looped segments.

[@islandboy9381]

There probably are final songs now as long but not as consistently great for that long amount of time as this.

[@NeoArashi]

At just a little over 8 minutes, it's by far the longest music track you'll find on any 16 bits games, save for the occasional credit themes (and even then, I'm not sure)

[@PepperElDev]

@@humblebee5575 I didn't expect Kirby, of all things, to be mentioned here. LMAO I'm gonna search the song as soon as I finish listening to this one.

[@rickastley6035]

Just finished this game for the first time this year, what a banger to end the game with

[@jadensmith3012]

Question did you get Shadow as a permanent ally and did you get everyone so that would be Celes Sabin Edgar Seltzer Cyan Gau Terra Locke Realm Strago Mog Shadow Umaro Gogo Did you get them all

[@SHIRAORI_NOUSAGI]

​@@jadensmith3012personally I did, I wanted to have three perfectly balanced teams for Kefka's tower and wanted to have the whole party for the dragon's den.

[@koumeiseidai]

this track will live rent free in my head forever

[@emceeunderdogrising]

Same. Special little corner in my head. All to its own.

[@liliannakifflin6343]

No matter how many decades that passes by, Kefka is Still stands above all the rest Of the villains and succeeded in destruction. He truly made history in the final fantasy Franchise, even to this day.

[@slamshift6927]

Sephiroth is the most sympathetic of the villains in FF, Kefka is the most insane.

[@TonyGearSolid]

Kefka remains the most terrifying villain of the series, he just nanchalantly destroys the world and carries on like it didn't matter.

[@DevoutSkeptic]

@@slamshift6927 I disagree. I think Emet-Selch is the most sympathetic without contest.

[@djdsakas4985]

​@@DevoutSkeptic I would argue that Ardyn also is someone you can be sympathetic with after seeing the entirety of the story and his side of things.

[@blastortoise]

Ardyn achieved his goals for the most part while being heavily sympathetic and one of the better villains on the series. Kuja I'll always love the most just because he down the spiral of insanity until his dying moments

[@Sliverism]

Uematsu sure likes Bach. i mean everyone should but i love how clear the inspiration is :)

[@superbrain99999]

Reminds me of Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.

[@CharlesUrban]

​@@superbrain99999 Really? I heard more of the Little Fugue in G Minor in some places.

[@twotribes9919]

I definitely hear some Purcell in there too

[@abonnybunny6647]

Something I think really sets this apart is it's not just a great final boss theme but an emotional rollercoaster in itself. Swings between threatening, exciting and even joyful or melancholy all in the span of a single fight.

[@XDenyDefendDeposeX]

The fact this man made this on an snes is insane.

[@rhaspados666]

And he was self taught

[@ramonxr2623]

@@rhaspados666 what listening to prog rock does to a mf

[@radbuster4403]

back then it was a shock to hear this song and also the opera song because it sounded like real voices singing, that wasn't something we were used to back then

[@emceeunderdogrising]

It pulled you right in too.

[@silviacostaguta2710]

OMG. I'm a huge fan of the FF OSTs, I haven't played all games but I know most songs, but this one somehow eluded me, I never listened to it before, I ended up here because so many people suggested listening to it to a guy who does reactions to music, and oh man, this track is just AMAZING. I can't stop listening to it, truly amazing! I love Nobuo Uematsu!

[@Zraknul]

It's a great game and Nobuo Uematsu put together another heck of sound track.

[@mammothplant]

Life, dreams, hope... Where do they come from? Where do they go? Where do they come from, cotton-eye Joe?

[@ahumblepotato9801]

>1 month old Very excited to hear what the final boss theme of Mirrored Soul will sound like

[@mammothplant]

@@ahumblepotato9801 so far it's been through about six drafts, I'll say that much.

[@mooganify]

lmao i read this when the music changed, perfect

[@CrimsonDevil_Rias]

All of these things... I SHALL DESTROY!!!

[@Fueyer-Foxloyal-heart4heart88]

she wish it had no hope

[@TheHedgememe]

this is the reason I want to play FF6 at some point in my life

[@Normal-Person]

You should! It's awesome!

[@julianzarco6403]

You won't regret it

[@iquemedia]

whats ur steam i'll buy it for you

[@TheHedgememe]

@@iquemedia tysm, man! I'm excited to finally play FF6! Currently I'm playing Xenogears, but I'll get to playing FF6 when I finish it! seriously, you have no idea how much this means to me. hope you are well!

[@iquemedia]

@@TheHedgememe 🤙🤙

[@kabukimanindahouse]

went to the store today and in line in front of me there was some dude with his gf. he told her some dumb joke and she suddenly burst out in a loud kefka laugh. it sounded identical. my first thought "the end draws near..." 😂

[@mammothplant]

"hey babe, life dreams and hope amirite?"

[@beavisbunghole]

Just tell her not to move any statue EVER

[@emceeunderdogrising]

Crazy in the head...............

[@LampreyKisses]

don't body Ghestahl, babe

[@EERIEBANDANA]

Kefka here

[@juliogomesdesouza9035]

Japanese composers creating the 21st century beethoven symphony for a videogame: Edit: 10 mainline games later and we still getting some of the best songs in video game history. Common final fantasy ost W.

[@juliogomesdesouza9035]

@@leninvasco Oh shit, that's true.

[@lordofhostsappreciator3075]

*20th century

[@MetaKiteZX]

beethoven ain't got shit on uematsu

[@lpstweetytv5242]

Actually that makes sense, because a lot of classical pieces were created for a play, opera or some kind of production. This like the modern equivalent :)

[@alderweghier3935]

Nobuo uematsu has to be one of the greatest masterminds of music of our time

[@kirimusse]

Nintendo fans: why won't Nintendo stop taking down music that it could monetize on YT? Square Enix fans: *histerical laughter of insanity for every 1X year old video with millons of views that ceases to exist*

[@ChunkyPhattz]

This, Advent OWA, and Oto-wak lives on in my heart

[@Willowisp927]

People with logic: This isn't about monetization nor being a fanboy or a hater, but about copyright infringiment which is going rampant. Basically lazy people are using other's works to gain fame/money nonstop.

[@kirimusse]

@@Willowisp927 KZbin has a copyright detection system that stops people from monetizing videos containing music that isn't their own; thus, the risk of people gaining money from others' music in KZbin is pretty low. And of course, people wouldn't have to resort to uploading videogame music to KZbin if these companies did it themselves; I hate having to use them as an example, but look at Konami, now you can listen to most Castlevania OSTs without having to resort to 12-year-old uploads done by others.

[@robotron6420]

​@@Willowisp927The reallity: Why they deleted the music video that isn't for gaining money with their work??

[@raegune]

It's somewhere between Bach's Toccata and Fugue in Dm and Tarkus by Emerson Lake and Palmer, but somehow on an SNES. In other words, it's a piece of genius.

[@thefloatingcontinent9897]

Damn that’s perfect.

[@wilhelmorangenbaum]

I would say the part 3 is more Handel-esque

[@psych0185]

just listened to Tarkus and damn you're spot on. sounds like Uematsu made a cover of Tarkus and turned it into final boss music

[@Aidan_B_Young]

I’d say it’s closer to a mix between Karn Evil 9 and Tarkus, but the ELP influence is still very apparent.

[@raegune]

@@Aidan_B_Young you may be right!

[@GentleGiantAudio]

This is sooooo metal. MY GOD. Uematsu could really thrash in a really elegant and cohesive way thematically with his rpg soundtracks. He always hit the right themes and the right notes at the absolute perfect time. CLIMAX ENSUES

[@LampreyKisses]

climax in sue

[@unknown6390]

It's called progressive rock

[@GentleGiantAudio]

​@@unknown6390 Thanks for pointing out something that all are already completely aware of. It's 'Metal' in the sense that it shreds. Sorry if that part was a bit too complicated for you.

[@emanuelebartolini6047]

​@@GentleGiantAudioholy soy

[@unknown6390]

@@GentleGiantAudio Did you take offense to that? Not as many people are aware of that, especially when you start talking about metal. You thought I was insulting you then you actually insult me back? Grow up

[@Sliverism]

14:00 dude predicted trap beats holy shit

[@bloodmaged]

LMAO

[@gyahahalol]

top tier comment

[@IPITYTHEFOOLZ]

You should probably... idk.. maybe end your existence

[@emceeunderdogrising]

Rapid fire high hats. Dude was ahead of his time.

[@Mythical444]

I mean rapid fire hi-hats were in Hip-Hop in the 90’s. 90’s Memphis Rap created it.

[@mo533]

Truly a timeless classic, a masterpiece in music, videogame or not. You can't deny the intelligence & creativity that went into this piece. The composer is incredible.

[@BlackSailPass_GuitarCovers]

13:05 Love this brief callback to Kefka's theme.

[@SlapChopMyShamWow]

Listen, I get how great Sephiroth and One-Winged Angel are, I really do. But imo, Kefka and Dancing Mad, for what they were at the time FFVI came out and even now, are one of the greatest final boss/final boss theme combos in video game history. To make a whole boss themed around something like The Divine Comedy after Kefka succeeds in his quest and quite literally becomes a god is such an art nerd’s wet dream

[@Sashowindfeather]

Kefka is the best final fantasy villain because...He won.

[@ImPrettySureThisIsMax]

Yeah, even though I prefer One Winged Angel and Sephiroth as a song and villain, I can’t deny that Kefka actually managed to WIN

[@banzaialex5984]

​@Sashowindfeather also he develops the most out of any of the villains considering his whole thing is a descending further and further into deeper madness as the plot progresses (Kuja is a close second though and Sephiroth is a good 3rd)

[@LadyYautjaSpacePirate]

As a kid, I played this game and this makes me miss my childhood. 😥 This takes me back! Damn! This battle was long!

[@angeloffluffiness]

Got good news for you! Someone did! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXfEp6t5or-VoMk

[@LampreyKisses]

Yeah it also takes me back to when you were a kid.

[@superiggybros7005]

i dont know if its just me but i absolutely destroyed kefka

[@Bobfermasan]

@@superiggybros7005 It's not just you. I personally haven't played FFVI but i've seen some weird shit be done in other titles by a friend of mine. In FF9, this friend managed to beat Necron by having it spell locked on a petrified Zidane in the matter of 3 minutes. Necron would cast the absolute fucking entire unholy bible of spells on the poor, harmless, petrified dude while the rest of the team just bashed the everloving fuck out of it. Once you master the subtle art of making the game cheat itself even Final Fantasy bosses will look ridiculous.

[@superiggybros7005]

@@Bobfermasan You HAVE to play ff6 even though it's old i love the way it looks, and it's my favorite game of all time.

[@polohuracan1113]

11:32 Julián Omar Maruca presente!

[@Instafail]

I don't have the musical verbiage to specifically compliment this piece. It's such an enchanting and haunting piece. It's frenetic, somber, furious and awe-inspiring.

[@VoltaDoMar]

Uematsu was out of his mind when he made this

[@gloweye]

0:00 - 12:04 Fucking Around 12:04 -17:40 Finding Out

[@brilurz]

This was before I entered the gaming world. I began my journey with FF7, yet letting my ear carry me to stay and listen to all of it, this piece is phenomenal!

[@c0sm1c-d0ll]

I don't even remember how I discovered this piece, I didn't have this game nor have I ever really been into Final Fantasy. But it's shaped my music taste.

[@brianwalters7855]

"Life... Dreams... Hope... Where do they come from, and where do they go? Such meaningless things... I'LL DESTROY THEM ALL!!!" [laughs like a complete psychopath] Kefka "God" Palazzo.

[@josecuestas7246]

"Some men just want to watch the world burn."

[@thenutella1895]

Literally just cuz he was bored ! ..😨

[@MrG360oneX]

Is it wrong to agree with such a statement? I see our world burning and i feel we deserve it

[@trmasterzero8943]

Square in a nutshell.

[@LadyYautjaSpacePirate]

@@MrG360oneX same

[@zeeepicyoutuber8971]

There are plenty of people in the world that are the main reason why 90% of villains want the entire world to burn. Just watch the joker movie and it’ll all come full circle

[@dnj79]

Finished FF6 for the first time yesterday (top 6 game for me no doubt)!!! Despite having known just how Kefka would turn out going into the game, he is easily one of my favorite villains in any rpg and also one of my favorite final bosses due in no small part to this song. Don't think I've played many games where the big bad was such a lunatic, he was a blast everytime he was on screen! I don't really know what to say about the song itself, sounding like a broken record here but it might just be my fav boss theme in any game. Thanks FF6 you were such a fun time :)

[@budakbaongsiah]

This, Plok's Boss Battle theme, and Pokey Means Business are the Trinity of battle themes on the SNES.

[@Pokaroquai]

Don't forget Pokey Means Business from Earthbound. That shit is banger.

[@budakbaongsiah]

@@Pokaroquai didn't you read what I typed?

[@DrPanda-wl4js]

12:05 of this video is literally the best part

[@xXMasterForceXx]

''The end comes... beyond chaos.''

[@twotonedearly]

12:04 "Life....... Dreams.......Hope.. Where are they coming from? and where are they headed? Such meaningless things... I'LL DESTROY THEM ALL!!!" *kefka laugh*

[@loudsilence377]

My interpretation of the fight Phase 1, Hell: Kefka tries to obliterate his opposition using raw power and malice. He uses his hatred and evil to try and overpower the heroes. Phase 2, Purgatory: Kefka is becoming slightly more desperate, attempting to drive the heroes mad with sorrow and grief, since raw power didn't work. He taunts and teases, eager to break their minds rather than their bodies. Phase 3, Heaven: Kefka, becoming ever more impatient, now resorts to deception to defeat the heroes. He poses as a godly, warm figure that they can trust, offering to soothe their souls and provide divine healing, while instead he is a heartless monster who attempts to poison and mislead their spirits. In the end, they see through his false divinity and warmth, striking down the beast that dwells within. Phase 4, Kefka: Kefka finally descends to annihilate his opposition with his bare hands. He's done with pretending to be an elegant and godly being, now finally revealing the sad, twisted clown who was always beneath. He returns to his true, chaotic nature, dropping the godly behavior, hence the more chaotic music in this phase. He's prepared to use every ounce of his power to win, but in the end, hope defeats him. As Kefka fades slowly into death's embrace, he realizes that he was just as mortal as those innocent lives he carelessly obliterated. As this cruel realization dawns on Kefka, and he begins to see how much he wasted his life, his last bit of consciousness fades with a hollow, empty laugh, same laugh as always, one last time.

[@bizznick444joe7]

The very definition of hauntingly beautiful. Kefka is the perfect embodiment of handcrafted chaos

[@rodentofthewoods679]

What about Chaos from the 1st game?

[@bigbossiswatchingyou4624]

Tier 1: Hell Tier 2: Purgatory Tier 3: Heaven Tier 4: God

[@ChunkyPhattz]

Tier 4: Dancing Man in Horse mask cooking wild mushrooms

[@TheBanishedWind]

@BigBossIsWatchingYou (OP) Tier 5: Deicide

[@CristiandeViedma1995]

12:11 "Hay que saber comprender y entender"

[@kentuckycryptid]

I remember playing this on my uncle's SNES ages ago. I had already beaten the first three parts of the final boss, and then the part at 11:33 started up, and Kefka descended from above, the music swelled, and then became prog rock (or rather, what the SNES soundchip would consider prog rock,) and Kefka said possibly his most iconic line... _"Life... Dreams... Hope... Where do they come from? And where do they go? Such meaningless things... I'll destroy them all!!"_ ...and then let lose his sickening laugh. I proceeded to spend however long it took to beat his crazy ass. This moment will forever live on in my heart as the first time I ever beat a JRPG. I will always remember how amazing Final Fantasy VI (or III, as it was the US SNES release,) is.

[@cyrahomega]

8:12 - Ears Entering Heaven

[@yourweirdplant]

My favorite part has to be at 9:32, where it does the regular FF rise that symbolizes a battle, followed by a long, heavy, tense chord that makes you think that surely the next phase is coming on, only to immediately return the somewhat light-hearted tone and continue on phase 3. Kefka is actively teasing you.

[@bobfromjanitorial2]

I remember playing the original aa a kid and the anthology when it came out. WHY DID I NOT REMEMBER THIS SONG?!

[@yuyaricachimuel555]

Did you make it to the final boss or no?

[@battleclocker]

so that you'll experience it with fresh ears every time

[@LampreyKisses]

you smoked too much weed. we all did. it's okay.

[@melonazzo403]

Its the Final Battle, that's ok, everytime I face the tower of Gods and Kefka, I finish them in less than a minute every phase, so its natural we did'nt listen entirely this song XD

[@AndreTheFinalDragoon]

Una delle colonne sonore migliori nei videogiochi ❤

[@maurycyoseka1057]

0:00 - Part 1 4:30 - Part 2 8:12 - Part 3 11:33 - Part 4

[@balanceherosmt7170]

"Life. Dreams. Hope. Where do they come from and where do they go? Such meaningless things... I'll destroy them all!!!"

[@darkmessengerofanotherworl2840]

*INSERT KEFKA'S EVIL LAUGH*

[@Fueyer-Foxloyal-heart4heart88]

waittt it over world … why it has life - hope it belong in wishes from fantasy 8.

[@Fueyer-Foxloyal-heart4heart88]

@@darkmessengerofanotherworl2840no mix… It was crying while “can all laugh..?!”

[@Fueyer-Foxloyal-heart4heart88]

@@darkmessengerofanotherworl2840unknown…. but it blue wish

[@Fueyer-Foxloyal-heart4heart88]

boss that wish show can rip blue how to keep wisher… as dreamer would done meaningless… it good time for dance practice. After having a “copied 4f14… it look shadow tomato in fantasy 6. wish that must have keeper in part3… before her dreamer takes.. she bet dreamer has a dream: needs a keeper… when wisher finds out that causes forever… “phrases in- depth better than sending & figure life-style

[@adampierce7468]

My mom mostly played Tetris and Doctor Mario on NES. As soon as she heard the final boss music of FF6,...("son,...this is epic! This ain't Dragon Warrior)

[@alancarr1056]

5.5k views in 11 years is a travesty. This is a fucking masterpiece

[@SirAuron777]

There was one with 2 million views but got taken down

[@ehoraida5900]

This one survived because of that, the famous ones were taken down

[@memebranemoran4943]

To be fair, I'd say it's probably because this version exists: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4CQaoiVhrCbnaM A fan made full symphonic arrangement, which honestly is fucking majestic lol. Its the single best version I've heard of it, and that includes all the professionally created ones like Distant Words/FFXIV

[@CiderVG]

Blew up to 20k views in a month

[@TrueCrouton]

@@memebranemoran4943 That version is too poorly mixed for me to properly enjoy it. I literally came to find the original just because of that.

[@Kaptnkey]

I’m so happy it still exists, with the laugh. God I miss playing this game.

[@louisminati]

True but he kind of just took a lot of what Ghastahl already worked towards for so long. Compared to Sephiroth, who is flat out so rouge that you, and the main antagonists of the game, in Shinra, are both trying to stop him.. It's a toss up. I feel like this vs OWA is also too tough to call both are so damn good..

[@SirAuron777]

What a shame that the video with I think 2 million views was either blocked due to copyright or forced to be put on private for the same reason, all those comments are gone smh

[@zekeiwa5837]

So nothing of value was lost, good to know

[@flyingstonemon3564]

Sad I know right?

[@robotron6420]

​@@zekeiwa5837The party pooper :p This theme is pretty good, and is sad that video got deleted.

[@sLasHeRxXx07]

Playing this currently and still baffled to this day on how the SNES can produce this kind of sound. Same with Tales of Phantasia JPN, Super Metroid and Super Castlevania

[@budakbaongsiah]

If this baffles you, check out Plok!'s soundtrack. It'll blow your mind.

[@sLasHeRxXx07]

@@chikkin.salad.sandwich I thought genesis had the better sound chip since most of its sounded more advanced.

[@OldEnemy1]

don't forget Majin Tensei.

[@bizznick444joe7]

This song is so impactful but you can also hear tragedy in it.

[@olavi_liikanen]

I have no enough words to describe how much i love this mastepiece! I LOVE AND ADORE IT SO VERY MUCH!! ❤

[@Avatar_of_Chairness]

This ominous yet beautiful movement of music will be studied and performed in the centuries to come, just as we are doing today with the compositions of Bach and Rachmaninoff

[@IMINSIDEYOURMUM]

The castle on this box art is underappreciated. It’s batshit insane to look at.

[@noahmeyer9756]

That's Yoshitaka Amano for you. His art never disappoints. (If you live in the US, the film he made with Mamoru Oshii, "Angel's Egg," is coming to theaters next year.)

[@IMINSIDEYOURMUM]

@@noahmeyer9756Neat, I’ll check it out.

[@RoninAgain]

Playing at the funeral for at the very least, 2 reasons: 1) Because it's Epic End-game music. 2) To make those attending to appreciate a good tune, unplug from devices and to make then sit there for 17 minutes. The last hurrah.

[@MarceloKatayama]

Not to step on your parade, but do you seriously think that the attendees would stop using their devices whilst a 17 minute composition is playing? Seems a bit too optimistic.

[@RoninAgain]

@@MarceloKatayama Good Point!

[@MarceloKatayama]

@@RoninAgain On the flipside, at least someone is sure to like it, so I still support the idea. Don't let me get you down.

[@grandguppy]

genuinely enjoy this more than one winged angel, I love gauntlet themed bosses and this one is absolutely no exception

[@sLasHeRxXx07]

That unskippable Sephiroth special move was long and annoying af

[@IdkAkaIdk]

@@sLasHeRxXx07 Supernova.

[@froakie1404]

just finished this game for the first time and goddamn what a final battle and what a boss theme

[@Fritz1457]

What a long piece and what a long fight, but I must say, this is indeed very good.

[@bizznick444joe7]

This is like wondering how someone took a piece of stone block and turned it into such intricate designs you see in museums.

[@teldoroteldoro4476]

Out of all the final boss fights against gods and deities or whatever, this is one of the very few OSTs that makes it feel like you’re actually throwing down with a god in heaven

[@Alamyst2011]

Ill say it. FF6 is probably the pinnacle of art in gaming.

[@dominicguye8058]

That's tragic if true. That art in gaming peaked in the early 90s.

[@scottydu81]

@@dominicguye8058 Hey, that means that the best gaming has to offer happened in your lifetime!

[@dominicguye8058]

@@scottydu81 Nope, I was born in 1999

[@_Tzer]

live a live being that one square game everyone forgets:

[@mopbrothers]

Something about Kefka was more epic than Sephiroth. Like the psycho had more tools and minions at his disposal than Sephiroth. Sephiroth had Jenova and cave of monsters. Kefka had the whole world as his own with a huge army, powerful bosses, and three gods (as statues). Sephiroth had a cave. Kefka had a mechanized fortress. Kefka's theme is stronger than Sephiroths.

[@A.J.Castle]

Kefka had also a cult who worshiped him.

[@MegidramonX]

This whole song, honestly, has 'Epic Grand Finale' written all over it.

[@flufftroopers1197]

I just imagine everyone fighting while someone is just playing an pipe organ in the corner

[@vgf64-27]

I wish I have played these Final Fantasy games a lot sooner, or I could've at least explored comment sections to see how people think of a certain OST outta any of them. Too bad Square doesn't want such a thing, it feels lame not being able to read them when they were on KZbin for years. Hope this upload stays up for as long as possible but doubtful it'll last forever.

[@kolz4ever1980]

That's your fault for being a fake fan band wagon jumping on games ages old and you're crying about the big bad company... 😂

[@vgf64-27]

@@kolz4ever1980 LOL, didn't know being late to the party is grounds to being called a "fake fan". You internet folk are hilarious. Keep at it with this drivel I'd love to see you bemoan me more.

[@robotron6420]

​@@vgf64-27He did delete the comment lul

[@vgf64-27]

@robotron6420 Actually, it's still there. KZbin hid the comment from "Top". You can still see it if you sort to "Newest". Btw, I'm surprised this video is still up. Thought Square Enix took it down by now lol

[@robotron6420]

@@vgf64-27 Lets hope it does last long, forever is impossible sadly...

[@shawnathanm1152]

Music that draws a crowd, a show that blows their minds.

[@Guuzaka]

I decided to check this out when someone said that Super Mario 64's Ultimate Bowser theme bares are strong resemblance to this. 🤓 Wow, I am honestly blown away with how EPIC this song and its phases are! 🤯👏🏾🎵

[@diornodiovanna1151]

A laugh that echos through time.

[@ianpaige1099]

Dancing Mad: The song of a deranged Mad Man named Kafka Palazzo,the villain who won

[@TenchiSparkLP]

The villain who really did it! Destroy the World

[@Shlante]

The villain who won, then became a God and lost to a Moogle, an old fart, a little girl, and a Yeti

[@ChunkyPhattz]

@@Shlante the damage he caused is already done

[@zaishijunior9455]

I know this game is old and I should not be in the comments If I am worried about that but... SPOILERS!!!

[@nikolaikolev8433]

He didn't destroy it, he damaged it. After the end, the game showed that the world returned to normal.

[@Laileb8888]

The best final boss theme of all time. Period.

[@devzozo]

Really got a lot of mileage out of that choir sample.

[@CameronMcCaffrey-e7p]

The best final boss theme of all time!!!

[@yuikodai4469]

12:04 best part

[@mathelgar]

An actual masterpiece

[@Paultimate7]

A masterpiece of music, let alone retro gaming.