Final Fantasy XI - Distant Worlds [Cover By DAR]

Quite possibly one of the prettiest tracks that I've had the joy of covering here on this channel! Such a wonderful start to the Subscriber-Appreciation-Event covers. Shoutout to Niko for suggesting and also introducing me to this beautiful piece!
I also want to give a shoutout to Megalith for pointing me in the direction of some great new plugins and libraries!
So, this month's been kind of slow for me, plus I felt like I wanted to let this one stew & brew for a bit before really going at it.
It took me a bit to transcribe all the notes. I mostly followed the Black Mages version of the track, but I threw in a few small, rather subtle things from the guitar instr. version. I'm honestly shocked that no one has done a cover of the Black Mages version (at least as far as I can tell). That acoustic guitar solo and that uplifting power-ballad ending were a lot of fun to play!
Speaking of which, I think this is the first time that I've ever done a solo bit like this on the acoustic! I was kind of worried about whether I could pull this part off or not. I definitely needed a bit to get my hands acclimated to playing the acoustic again. I was also worried whether I could physically play it on my acoustic since I knew that I was going to have to play some notes above the 12th fret. Thankfully, I was able to pull it off!
The solo towards the end is one of my favorite styles to play! I love doing all those bends! Stuff like that is enough to make a guy pull goofy guitar faces while playing (I would know). Also, while I did map out the notes for this solo as well, I couldn't resist doing a bit of noodling and bends of my own!
Noodling aside, I tried my best to remain faithful to the original. However, I still wanted to add something "more" to the track to make this cover a bit more interesting. I wanted to really amp up the dramatic and heavenly feeling of the track. I also wanted the melancholic parts to hit harder as well. To pull off the latter, I found that adding one octave lower on the piano really hit the spot. That kind of "growl" of the low piano notes just gives it that special something (at least for me anyways!).
I also added some new, higher notes on the piano in some parts as well. I think the dark, heaviness of the low notes and the light and delicate high notes really made for a nice combo here!
Anyways, I hope you all enjoy my take on this marvelous piece from Final Fantasy XI's second expansion! ~DAR
OPUS DOWNLOAD: www.mediafire....[Cover+By+DAR].opus/file
Originally Composed By: Nobuo Uematsu (植松 伸夫)
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[@NTAD]

I clicked out of Van Halen for this. I wanted to comment sooner but I was too choked up to put my thoughts into words. Ah man...I can't thank you enough for giving your touch to what was a huge part of my younger days. For those that haven't played it, this is the theme for the Chains of Promathia expansion pack of Final Fantasy XI, arguably the fan favorite of the game's many storylines. One of Uematsu's masterpieces that was so moving that it eventually became the namesake of a live performance that spanned 4 volumes. As I once commented on an upload of the first volume of the Distant Worlds concert, while many of the songs throughout the Final Fantasy series were themes of the characters we meet and the different places we visit, Distant Worlds was for us, the players. For we who did and still do travel the lands of Vana'diel, this song is like our anthem. Niko of Asura 2004 - Present

[@konstaCZ]

Wow! I didn't play the game, but I like this beautiful remix.

[@Duhemsounds]

This is beautiful, good work

[@williamkah3724]

Very beautiful!!! The harp and choir have a seren and peaceful essence. 10/10! I see you dressed up for the occasion.

[@DAR-Davester2296]

Gotta dress sharp for the part! 👍

[@BPKPhoenix]

Hey DAR, Not only have I come to say this theme is beautifully done, but I wanted to give you even bigger news! More of your covers were added into the DOOM Radio playlist: "Adrian's Asleep", "Into Sandy's City", "Opening To Hell" and "Into the Beast's Belly" so hopefully, more of your content will be seen by more people! You're awesome, keep it up bro! \o/

[@DAR-Davester2296]

Thanks, Phoen1x! Also, that's great news, =) happy to hear that those four have now made it on to the playlist! \o/

[@Gaia74]

This is just.... beatiful c':

[@ElegantlyEvelyn018]

1:54 is where the song start.

[@zxspectrumv7.157]

I must admit DAR, this song is rather epic, majestic and at times... heartwarming. When it comes to the Final Fantasy Series, I'm impressed on how this plays out. My brother, MasterCharizardX619, has this knack for Final Fantasy and other games that involve the RPG genre. Me? It may not be my cup of tea but I understand on what the Final Fantasy Series is providing let alone presenting what it's offering. Anyways, the second season of ZX Spectrum's GZDoom Adventures will come when things calm down a fair bit. I just got done doing lawn work and it was a definite uphill battle... but nevertheless I emerged victorious. =)

[@zxspectrumv7.157]

DAR, I would like to ask you about having Bones and Archie in the next map and here's why: The second season of ZX Spectrum's GZDoom Adventures is coming and yes... it's been two months since the first season was released. I've got to be honest, two months - in my mind - is long well overdue. I would also like to throw in Pinky for good measure if that's alright with you. To all of the fellow KZbinrs, I'm sorry about the long delays and my lengthy hiatus, I hope this will make up lost time. =)

[@DAR-Davester2296]

Sure thing, ZX! I'm sure that those three would be happy to swing by for an adventure over there. As always, I'm looking forward to the new season premiere of the GZDoom Adventures!

[@zxspectrumv7.157]

​@@DAR-Davester2296 Thanks DAR and believe me, you won't be disappointed.