Some of the BEST MMO Music Out There Right Now is In FFXIV

[@kuronaialtani]

The lyrics tell a very clear story of what Ul'dah should be, but has fallen from grace to where it is now Balance, justice, the worth of something to someone, the fire of life Nald'thal may be the patron deity of Ul'dah, but it's Ul'dah that needs a newfound faith in Nald'thal, if these lyrics are anything to go by Soken is a musical goddamn genius

[@diersteinjulien6773]

wait, I just realized... If "in the balance" is thematicaly Ul'dah Will the other two raids be themed around Gridania and Limsa? ... please tell me Limsa will be a pirate song

[@kuronaialtani]

@@diersteinjulien6773 more specifically the theme for the boss But usually a unique theme per boss is only in the final, third raid I really really want to see halone in the final third so we can get a sweet ishgard theme But yeah a pirate theme for llymlaen the navigator would be dope

[@ChallengeIdeas]

@@kuronaialtani If the pattern holds true, the second raid will be Nophica, Althyk, Halone, and Menphina in that order, and then the third will be Thaliak, Nymeia, Llymlaen, and finally Oschon. If you look at the wheel of the Twelve's symbols on the Sanctuary (the wedding chapel in East Shroud), you'll see that the bosses of Aglaia followed clockwise.

[@kuronaialtani]

@@ChallengeIdeas That's definitely the leading theory right now

[@imaran1303]

Not entirely wrong, but not entirely right either, the song praises wealth and shows that the merchants got that right, but where you are right that they also are judged in how they use their wealth. The song praises Nald'thal and prays for wealth and prosperity. In fact, I would say that... Lolorito? I think it's Lolorito, who embodies these teachings best, he is a world class merchant and is willing to help others... if it doesn't come at the cost of harming his business, he explained it best with his conversation with the Sultana.

[@coolyeh1017]

What I also love about the instrumentation in "In the Balance" is the shaking of the bag of coins you can hear in the baseline. Given that the gods you are fighting are Ul'dah's patron gods, the merchant city-state, it means complete sense, even further, they are the gods of balance and fortune with the scales as their iconography. The scales are not only associated with merchants, as in the older times, scales are commonly used to determine the "worth" of coins since a lot of coins minted were precious metals and people would frequently shave them, but also judgment, as in the scales of justice. It certainly feels like Ul'dah lost its way and became more of an exploitative corrupt merchantile oligarchy than what their patron gods would have agreed to (but since they didn't intervene I guess they shrugged).

[@MarcoMeatball]

Absolutely agreed! I missed the shaking of the bag of coins! Going to relisten now because I’m obsessed

[@F34RDSoldier805]

There's also a shift of a coin being dropped into a pile of coins. At least that's what it sounds to me.

[@MarcoMeatball]

@@F34RDSoldier805 yup. I’m so sad I didn’t notice this till right now 😂

[@gradientforce761]

Nald'thal are the twin gods of DEATH and coin, which is what makes the scales even more prominent since many religions state the gods weigh your soul when you die

[@rektl2036]

Where are the coins? Around which lyric lines? Edit: is it the sand shaker sound?

[@FF-tp7qs]

The Twelve are alot nicer than the Greek gods they're greatly inspired by

[@MarcoMeatball]

For sure lol

[@ChallengeIdeas]

First appearance: "Mwahahaha! MUHUHAHAHAHA!" Second appearance: "Hey, GG! Great fight, thanks so much, we all had fun, including the sourpuss over there."

[@AdmrScheer]

They saved the 'nastiness' for the 8 man raids. Agdistis was a Greek/Cybelene god associated with uncontrollable power and madness. In myth their very presence once drove an entire wedding insane to the point that everyone present mutilated themselves. The FFXIV story behind their Agdistis and lyrics to 'Scream' seem to draw inspiration from the real life mythology.

[@marcoaraiza9381]

​@@AdmrScheerI mean, the ff14 main character is basically on par with Hercules so I don't think they're at risk of madness. Even the other animal gods in game explicit corrupt people's minds but not the main character because like I said, they're basically a demigod

[@itsyaboiherman]

Yes😂

[@thalesn]

One fascinating thing about In the Balance is that... Each of its halves represents one aspect of Nald'Thal. The first half talks about the beginning of life and one's ambitions in life. Which, of course, represents Nald (keeper of the living). "Stoke now nascent flame, brighter burn, dance with souls afire May ember catch and red-gold spark rise to new heights May we want for naught coin can buy Never see wealth's river run dry May we find fortune after life" The second half talks about death, asks for a fair judgement in the afterlife and prays that those who lost their way find their way back. Which, of course, represents Thal (keeper of the dead). "Stoke now kindled flame, hotter burn, sing till breath expires May those who wander paths in the dark find firelight May we all as true equals die Never fear unjust favor's bite May we be judged by what is right"

[@MarcoMeatball]

Yup!

[@IslandFenix]

10:26 - No apologies needed. That's pretty much everyone when we run the raid LOL. One thing I'll cross link from Alex's analysis (found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppOzpohjhMipfbs) was noting how each city had its own musical identity. Ala Mhigo and Ul'Dah, being more arid region/desert cities, had their particular sounds that just worked SO well here. We were already speculating what the other wings would sound like, with Gridania (Earth) and Ishgard (Ice) being up next, then we close out with Sharlayan (Water) and Limsa Lominsa (Wind) if we follow the elemental cycle. Only four months to wait!

[@MarcoMeatball]

Yea that’s definitely true :)

[@elijahgrimm8052]

I'm thinking Limsa Lominsa HAS to be bagpipes. It fits too well for it to not be the case.

[@KirionF]

Halone Orchestral Metal waiting room. If she's the final boss, that's 100% the only thing that would fit her.

[@SerenEirian]

Your comment aged like wine, my friend.

[@Jadenyoung1]

12:45 precisely. In the fight they also congratulate you after you do the balancing mechanic right. They aren't hostile, more testing you and having fun while doing that

[@MarcoMeatball]

Ya!

[@Oktulp21]

This song has read to me like a extremely bombastic version of an Ul’dahn folk song. You know, something that is a keystone event at major festivals in the city with the best dancers on all of Thanalan absolutely cutting a rug to those drum beats. A song that invokes pangs of nostalgia in the old and inspires wonder in the young. Such a juicy song to sink your teeth into.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Ya! I agree

[@JubsGaldino]

It sounds like an anthem, I love it

[@ChrisMajors]

One of the things I love about "In The Balance" is the time signature change that nobody even notices, and it adds so much "funk" to the song. The verse is in solid 3/4, and then when the chorus kicks in at "Stoke the ancient flame..." it slides smoothly into 4/4 at the same tempo. (Soken, the genius, hides it in exactly seven beats of not much happening except a harp glissando.) That 4/4 releases all the tension he built up by leaning on the third beat of each measure of the verse. It's the equivalent of a bass drop without having a bass drop.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Hell yes. Thanks for adding this element to the video!!!

[@musicmage4114]

You’re absolutely right, though I feel like at least the first part of the verse must be in something like 12/8 or 3/2, since the rhythm feels closer to 1-2-3 1-2-3 1-2 1-2 1-2 or 1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4. Each phrase does fit neatly into a slow, steady 3/4, but notating the vocal line in that time signature seems like it would be a nightmare.

[@dafire9634]

You could also argue that the signature change, is to underline the 2 different gods

[@Ito132]

It’s the same for Pilgrimage. It’s such a nice slow waltz until the switch to 4/4. It’s also nicely done in Pilgrimage. :)

[@ChrisMajors]

@@musicmage4114 There's a piano transcription out there that punted on the whole question and put the entire song in 6/4, but even there it's pretty obvious that the verse is two groups of three beats in each measure and the chorus is three groups of four beats spread across two measures. The "1-2-3 1-2-3 1-2 1-2 1-2" you're hearing is two dotted eighths and three eighth notes, which is the driving bass line in the 3/4 verse. Once the chorus hits, it spreads out to four-on-the-floor straight quarter notes.

[@ninjafoxgamesgeekery]

Everyone is so blown away by "In the Balance" that I feel "Radiance" is getting overshadowed. Radiance is an absolutely amazing piece and is drawing on the opening cinematic music from A Realm Reborn and most people I talk to haven't even realized it!

[@JackVTWorld]

Radiance is underrated. I like it a lot more than In the Balance. Surprised that Radiance wasn't part of the focal points touched upon in the video. When the three unique pieces all come together beautifully. They all fulfill the purpose Soken intended for and I appreciate all of them.

[@holmesholmes.8784]

it hits home more when you aware of the ARR bits in it

[@joey6347]

@@holmesholmes.8784 Alot of endwalker hits hard and is exactly how you treat your fans from day 1. The way they tie so much together and have it make sense not just fan service, but while also doing fan service to older games like FF4 ❤ FF14 is amazing and I'm glad the steam continues even with the new story.

[@holmesholmes.8784]

@@joey6347 That also mean It wont hit hard if you dont know much about ARR, or pay attention to it

[@gbtygfvyg]

Radiance felt like a jam at first and then Odin's theme kicked in and then I REALLY started jamming. I fucking love Corpse Hall

[@ashaman1]

I know music effects everyone differently, for me "In the Balance" hit really hard and is special to me. My mom died in 2015 and as I was listening to that song she came back to me so vividly. I ran this dungeon over and over all day just crying when I got to the final fight. I don't know why I associate this song to her but this song is very special to me and they did too good of a job.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Thanks for sharing this with me. I’m glad it hits you that way. Music is so amazing.

[@bolladragon]

“May those who wander, left in the dark, find firelight.” That lyric moved me. My first WoL, made when 2.0 was launched, was a Ul’dahn GLD with Nald’thal as her patron. Hearing this theme being a huge celebration of that land and the god(s) that I chose to influence her hit me like freight train. Especially after the events of Endwalker and this being the start of that new adventure. God. I love it all so much.

[@corvidaegudmund1186]

Yeah, I love how “In the Balance” sounds almost like a song you would hear at a festival. It’s everyone, even the gods, just having fun. The gods we see quickly blow their own cover story with how much they are enjoying our battles. A fun detail: the fight mechanics actually sync to the music to a degree. It’s especially noticeable if you have a group that is on point with mechanics. They have done music syncs for other boss fights, but players synchronizing with each other really turns this battle into a dance.

[@smward87]

It's especially noticeable in solo duties, like the Zenos duel at the end of 6.0. Whether you skip the cutscene or let it sit for 10 minutes, as soon as the fight proper starts, the music crescendos and starts over from the beginning of Footfalls.

[@holmesholmes.8784]

most mechanic are time based so it synchronizes well

[@joey6347]

Guaranteed if you analyze all fights most of the music syncs up with something in the fight. Whether just simple graphical changes to mechanics even animations.

[@projecttakehaya1197]

Ffxiv is the new DDR confirmed lol

[@midlanderhyur6035]

When I ran Aglaia with my friends, the part "Stoke the kindled flame" perfectly synced with the sound effect when Nald and Thal were revealed in their separate bodies and also the following seconds after that like the sound of the inflicted raid wide damage on beat with the music. I was amazed! I kept a recording of the entire duty and watch that part every once in a while coz that part was so good. Too bad my friends' voices can also be heard coz we were on discord during that run lol

[@MrKanooe]

I just love Pilgrimage, ( the first song mentionned, the very calm one) it's so aery...i have this in my FFXIV home!

[@MarcoMeatball]

Im OBSESSED with it. I listen to it on repeat.

[@Jaredskoll]

Somehow I love pilgrimage even more while listening to it in the heaven of fire area. It's perfect after azeyma when the sun rises and you get this absolutely sublime horizon of golden spires and a boundless desert

[@Krescentwolf]

Pilgrimage is Soken and crew going full Enya. I love it.

[@Elerigo]

Just seeing your vibeing durring "in the balance" its just pure joy!

[@MarcoMeatball]

😂😂😂

[@spirto1279]

In the Balance is so amazing from a thematic perspective, because it's this idealized view on Ul'Dah. It presents the city as this desert ruby, center of commerce, where every person is equal before the eyes of Nald'thal, where money is an intrinsic concept not exclusive to anyone, but actual Ul'Dah is anything but, it's a corrupt, dark place, run by the syndicate, who grind the poor under their heel, the antithesis of the song. It's a false anthem of sorts, it basically shows us what Ul'Dah *could* have been, if not for the greed and corruption of the Syndicate

[@SampoPaalanen]

It's even more insidious then that not only does it show what Ul'Dah could have been, it also shows what many (especially wealthy) people in Ul'Dah think the City is, "equal in the eyes of Nald'Thal" doesn't after all mean everyone gets equal amounts of wealth but "each according to what they deserve" without bias. This false equality is the thinking that has poisoned Ul'Dah and is the source of a lot of the inequality there, the idea that the poor are poor because that's what they deserve and not because the cards are so badly stacked against them. If everyone really got what they deserved Ul'Dah would be the jewel of the dessert it's claimed to be, but one doesn't have to spend long in Ul'Dah to see that's not the case and there's a very strong pro-wealthy bias in Ul'Dah and things are very much not in the balance (pun intentional).

[@DiMacky24]

This song is not about the ideal of equality in life, but rather about finding equality and fair judgement in death "May we all as true equals die" not live, since everyone, rich and poor must face the judgement of the just scales by NaldThal, "may we find fortune after life" . If you read the song, it presumes hardship in life "on our backs we carry our dreams" "Four hands our fortunes mend." while praying for good fortune that may not have yet been seen. For the wealthy this is a song of thankfulness, for the poor it is a prayer for good fortune and a song of comfort that even if life was less than ideal, in death all will be made right. Certainly Uldah doesn't reflect the ideal of a uncorrupted scale, but this song heavily implies that life is unfair until death levels the playing field, matching Uldah quite well.

[@vladitsvar]

In the balance surprised me, especially with that chorus. Beautiful. It's ok to get carried away with music, it's paying respect to it.

[@MarcoMeatball]

I know :)

[@erikvickers4865]

Soken is a genius. I haven’t been this excited by a composer in a long time. Thank you for your gift.

[@MarcoMeatball]

He sure is

[@ArchieBlacke]

I'm so glad you analysed Pilgrimage, it's relatively overlooked by most because it's pretty subdued but I agree that it sets an amazing mood for the raid.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Without it in the balance would be less good imo

[@joey6347]

@@MarcoMeatball agreed the whole thing from entering to end fits perfectly together and makes it work.

[@luc1ferous]

By the time this expansion is over we are going to have so many SSS class bangers. The clinking of coins in In The Balance makes me think of the clock ticking in Neath Dark Waters, just wonder bits of thematic texture that some people don't even consciously pick up on but still feel. I'm hoping that for the other two wings of this raid series we get equally appropriate songs for Gridania and Limsa Lominsa (Nophica and Llymlaen respectively), I mean it's Soken, the man doesn't know how to disappoint.

[@joey6347]

Agreed Endwalker has had the best music so far for me.

[@IslandFenix]

Gotta remember that even if Soken isn't directly responsible for composing a song, he is the lead Sound Designer. Just like how Ishikawa isn't just a writer, but a scenario designer. A lot of what makes this stuff so good is the attention paid to those little details that they make come to life.

[@dreamingoutintheblue]

god, your absolute love for music is so contagious, you radiate true passion when you speak about and jam to the music. so fun to watch, it fills me with warmth. im so glad youtube recommended this to me

[@MarcoMeatball]

I’m so glad you like the videos :) I love them and this channel very much

[@cnkclark]

Seconded, the music in FFXIV is literally an extra layer of the storytelling and worldbuilding, and Marco has the knowledge and the passion to further enrich the experience for all of us.

[@RikkuTakanashi]

I like how the scales are also a callback to Egyptian mythology, which is extra fitting considering the desert domain and their wealth. egypt was very wealthy in it’s day. The scales were also used to weight one’s heart against a feather. If one’s heart weight too heavy… say goodbye to your very existence as your heart was fed to the beast. If you did weight lighter or even, you could pass on. It made aure people followed their good virtues. Virtues the song talks about. Nald-thal also kinda calls back to amun-ra who was originally two deities that were briefly combined into one for a time. One also helps Ra fight apip to get to the afterlife after the scales.

[@bloodmoon0746]

I watched Alex Moukala's breakdown of this. He points out that the modulation suddenly gives the song a darker tone. I think that's a brilliant touch given the context. We get Nald with the lively upbeat song, then we get Thal with the modulation and sudden darkness in the song. It's like a reminder that they also oversee death. That's my interpretation of it at least. Also the references to fortune, life and death. Stoking a nascent flame, being new life, Day beckons night, being a life/death cycle. Living a life filled with riches and and finding riches after you departed.

[@birdjericho]

This felt like a big collision of the Steppe, Ul'dah, and Ala Migho all cramed into one, it was excellently done. I can't wait to hear what Soken has in store for the Fury, Halone. Heavensward music ALWAYS hits me hard, and the possibility of combining choral magnificence and big organ sound with a tempo like this...I already know it's gonna be good. :D

[@SevoraLF]

When Marco uploads a FFXIV video it's a good day

[@MarcoMeatball]

😩❤️🥹🥹🥹😗😗

[@SevoraLF]

@@MarcoMeatball lol I just got to the part where you took out the Encyclopedia Eorzea. I just got the two volumes recently. They’re soooo good. The type of material we wish would be made if they didn’t exist. Last December in a Chinese fan fest Q&A a third edition was confirmed to be in the works covering 5.0-6.0.

[@MarcoMeatball]

@@SevoraLF oh I cannot wait for that haha

[@raulinhentchel1237]

When I realized that "In the Balance" is a hymn to Nald'Thal from the people of Ul'Dah I got chills. I would love to hear hymns to Azeyma, and Byregot, and Rhalgar too (Soken is a god but I don't expect this of him) so I look forward to the other gods we hopefully get hymns for. Also side note, the base of the center of the hub area shows all 12 of the gods' symbols and it so happens that they are in order of how we face them in Aglaia and the pairs of heavens match the other gazebo areas so we can maybe theorize who we will be facing in the next two tiers and in what order.

[@martonszentkiralyi2251]

I love how the raid's aesthetics are based on the astrologian cards, I can't wait to see the Bole, heaven of earth, mainly because of Nophica, goddess of abundance and matron deity of gridania, I expect some dream like forest scenery there, for the music I have no clue what to expect, maybe something like "Fierce and free" from Il'mheg

[@joey6347]

Can't wait to see the full story to. They have me hooked now they need to stick the landing.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Yup..

[@MarcoMeatball]

Ya!!!

[@acgearsandarms1343]

If the legends are correct in her appearance, then she’s likely going to fight us with a big silver scythe.

[@Hgdrifter]

Pilgrimage I think is under rated because of in the balance. Its such a peaceful song, I can listen to it for hours. In the balance also reminded me of music from Aladdin.

[@MarcoMeatball]

It sets up in the balance which is the coolest part

[@HakaishinCat]

Truly deeply love the tracks in this raid. the peaceful feeling of the opening song is incredible. It feels vast and curious and godly as you said and in the balance speaks for itself lol. The part where the "....nascent flame..." line comes in always gets me moving during the fight without fail

[@MarcoMeatball]

Absolutely 🥰

[@TeeRells711]

I love how every segment of the song just gradually gets better and better as you listen despite being completely different than the other .. that's how you make a song.. I have a hard time rewinding the song because I can't find a reason to...

[@neotailz]

I love the insert of Prelude - Remembrance/Rebirth in Pilgrimage. Beyond the fact that it's a callback to ARR, it really makes you wonder what the connection between Hydaelyn and the Twelve are.

[@SteffenskyXD]

I doubt I'm the only one who can vividly imagine an animated music video for this song that seamlessly cuts between scenes of the fight against Nald Thal and a grand Street performance of it in the streets of Ul'da.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Ya!!!

[@lysandermorgensonne9850]

I thought I was alone with that sort of idea! I'm doing something similar for a writing project I'm tinkering with to keep myself creative, and HECK, this piece makes me wish I could draw (and animate) so bad, because words just can't do the mental visuals justice

[@ryanschulte3742]

I feel like I could put a baby to sleep with the first half of this music, very soft feelings to it.

[@XMAXEL]

Just don't forget to stop it before In the Balance starts 😜

[@Evethedragon]

when this first came out, I ran it with a huge group of first timers as well. We got to that fight and we were all like 'YO THIS SLAPS! WHY DOES THIS SLAP SO HARD!" We were all blown away by it! Now ever time I get to this boss I always go "TURN THE VOLUME UP FOR THE MUSIC!" I have been caught mouthing the words to this song in my living room, and I always explain "the boss song is amazing!" I can't wait to hear the next final boss song in the next raid!

[@buddhafied]

Love your little dance break during In The Balance!

[@Sollarious]

As tradition states! All players and PC's must dance when this music starts playing. DF demands it! So it shall be~

[@MarcoMeatball]

IT JUST HAPPENED

[@Sollarious]

@@MarcoMeatball As is Tradition.

[@elijahgrimm8052]

I can just imagine a massive parade through the streets of Ul'Dah. Dancers on top of floats, marching and dancing in front and behind them to the tune of a grand band, merchants on top tossing coins out to the crowds gathered around, everyone singing and enjoying the festivities, silk banners lining the streets and everyone out in their best clothes. The Thaumaturges firing off their best, most spectacular spells as fireworks... truly a grand spectacle of celebration not only of the city, but it's gods and the people who call that place home.

[@1jidion]

man i love aglaia, pilgrimage is beautiful and well so is in the balance, and i love how it basically sings about uldah and thanalan

[@TheAsvarduilProject]

The Menphina theme is amazing. It's literally if Sailor Moon was a Greek love goddess. Honestly the Endwalker alliance raids so far are amazing, as both a musical and gameplay experience. I've recently been taking dance, and getting my teacher to dance one of these tunes is something I really want to have happen. The audience will be blown away by the music, and my teacher really is into choreography. Aww hell I nerded out too!

[@metalfingers2129]

Loved this raid, and that final song had no business being as amazing as it was. Same with the main raid series with "Scream" as well. This game has music that just goes in directions you will never expect but you will be so glad it did.

[@MadCabbit]

Soken always goes hard. We had Aglaia/In the Balance last patch. This patch, we have FFIV remixes and Scream, which is completely awesome. Scream all you want, 'cause we're all mad here.

[@MagdaRantanplan]

I love that you devolved like all us simps and just jammed to the song and forgot all about doing your vid 💜😅

[@MarcoMeatball]

HHahaha IT IS HARD TO NOT

[@corvidaegudmund1186]

I have yet to see a single person that doesn’t just take a moment to jam when In the Balance starts!

[@Yilue]

Oh wow thats lovely. I actually kinda needed to listen to it lol. Just put my head into a nice and peaceful state. Then the second half was really awesome.

[@goldenrose85]

I love this raid series so, so much. The music, the glams, the mechanics, boss design. All of it is top tier FFXIV! Atleast for me. Also, as a healer main since HW, it makes my heart extra happy to see you run white mage! ❤ Keep up the stunning work Ser!

[@shikuchronos6779]

The raid was a treat and the music was just the cherry on top of it all. It’s hard to not be jamming out while during “in the balance”

[@bri-guy894]

i still get goosebumps when zoning in and that music starts

[@Narlaw1199]

...Dammit, I was cured of having to listen to "In the balance" on repeat all day, now I'm sick again because of you 😂

[@MarcoMeatball]

welcome to my heaven and hell

[@serinahighcomasi2248]

@@MarcoMeatball To hells and heavens both!

[@JunbiHosa]

I love how “In the balance” wouldn’t have happened unless Michael Fox (English Translator for FF XIV) wanted to created the swear, “Thal’s Bloody Balls!” and created twin gods to allow it to work. Edit: Found a link to his statement about creating the gods: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYSQXpywiNOVhM0

[@MarcoMeatball]

Omg What 😩

[@joey6347]

@@MarcoMeatball yeah there's an interview floating around where he was part of the English translation and they had nothing ready but they needed words to pass the rating. So he had all npcs just say Thalls Balls to get it listed lol.

[@CrashB111]

@@MarcoMeatball So the English localization lead Michael Christopher "Koji" Fox, loves to put puns and jokes everywhere in the game. When XIV was being developed and the lore was being written, he really wanted there to be expletives that the characters could use in-universe like people in real life might swear on their gods. They had 1 god, Naldthal written up, but Koji convinced the team to split them so it was 2 twins worshipped as a single deity Nald and Thal. So he could have the in-universe swear of "Thal's Balls" or "Thal's Bloody Balls" and indeed you can catch a lot of Ul'dah native NPCs using it like a person in real life might swear. Similarly Gridanian natives might be heard saying "Matron's Teats!" as a swear. Because the female Nophica the Matron is their patron deity. Twitter link to the Nald'Thal story panel where Koji talked about it: twitter.com/nocheamarga/status/1517423551933870083

[@acgearsandarms1343]

It’s funnier because it’s also a game mechanic. Giant, flaming balls raining down. When you see Thal’s balls, everyone is running away.

[@edtazrael]

It's the best part in all of this.

[@lokid.3043]

In the balance brings me almost to tears it geniunly makes the fight feel like one where everything is on the line

[@melanclock]

This raid gave me the feeling of faith rewarded. I was expecting a dark twist when we finally meet the twelve like they are primals or evil or something but this went the opposite way

[@MarcoMeatball]

Agreed!

[@sydneywilcox792]

I loved this video, your joy and excitement really warms the heart!

[@MarcoMeatball]

Thank you Sydney!

[@PhantomSinger1]

"In The Balance" hits me like a joyful hymn, a song of celebration. An oasis in a desert, full of people who can find gold among the sand. Brightly colored clothes of silk worn by merchants and people dancing with their souls bright as fire. Singing until breath expires. Of course there's a dark side to this gilded city. Those with enough money to throw away can tip the scales too far in their favor, and some people will obsessively hoard money by depriving it from others. "May we want for naught... May we find fortune after life." because some people can only dream of a life of comfort without being worked to death. "May we be judged by what is right." because a society obsessed with money will inevitably favor those who have it all.

[@zeehero7280]

My favorite part is when Thal's Balls was an actual mechanic

[@j0vian_796]

I love how "In the Balance" feels. To me it invokes the feelings of a grand festival in the name of the gods

[@profanegaming2829]

11:20 at points in In The Balance, a nod to commerce and Uldah being a city-state of currency exchange, you can hear the clacking of coins as percussion. It's easiest to pick out during the "and when we reach our ends" part. Subtle and I love it.

[@danh8804]

"In the balance" is even better if you imagine that it's F'lhaminn singing it.

[@Final.Family]

i had just the widest grin watching you have fun listening to the great music from this raid. 😁 Thank you for bringing that blast of joy into my day!

[@MarcoMeatball]

Aw ya :)

[@shadeblackwolf1508]

I feel like i understand Ul'dah better because of In the balance. It feels like the people's genuine religious song for the twin gods, as would be performed in public ceremonies. It also fits the nations so beautifully.

[@ali-j2608]

This song really got to me when i first heard it. Especially since i started in Uldah and it felt like a home away from home for me. With how its arranged it really feels like you can see traders or merchants singing this song to celebrate their gods and its just really cool to see/hear that kind of immersion.

[@hammsuke3981]

Aglaia music is my most favorite music, it's indeed so freaking good! Usually alliance raid are boring for mr because of the length, but aglaia just hits different, and now that the weekly restrictions armour drops is already lifted, i can play more aglaia as much as i want

[@MarcoMeatball]

Yea that’s exactly it for me as well

[@joey6347]

Square enix music has always been amazing. I remember playing FF11 in the early days and having the holiday music playing through my surround sound and my mom be like woah what is that it sounds great!

[@MarcoMeatball]

Right?!?!?!

[@StellaKagami]

Love this music as well!! Thanks for your awesome reaction and explanation!!!

[@MarcoMeatball]

❤️❤️

[@kelmirosue3251]

Aglaia's "In the Balance" was so good that on release when people heard it we didn't start the boss fight for like a solid 5 minutes. We just wanted to hear the music. Such a banger song

[@MarcoMeatball]

😂

[@SerenEirian]

I always suggest a dance party while waiting for whoever's still in the middle of a cutscene.

[@FerrumAnulum]

God In the Balance has to be my stand out song for 6.0 so far. It's just so good and I could have it on repeat all day. I think a cool video idea would be to react to every FF's Crystal Prelude and see if you can pick out an over all theme of each game by just its Prelude.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Yahhhhh good idea!

[@kikukat8780]

Always a joy to watch you enjoying yourself cause this song really slaps lol

[@MarcoMeatball]

:)

[@nicholasgraves3149]

I like how the meter changes from 3 to 4 when the reprisal of the In the Balance theme comes back around with the reduced instrumentation with the harp. Soken not only writes lovely melodies, but is a fantastic orchestrator and really knows how to use simple compositional tools to their maximum effect.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Great point! These subtle things are really what makes him such a genius imo.

[@cerebralisk]

I feel like In the Balance also really helps understand how Ul'dah works culturally, because while they value treasure and wealth as the blessings of Nald it's tempered by the fact that you will inevitably visit Thal who doesn't care how rich you were and judges only whether you did what was right.

[@hectorguzman3805]

Am i the only one who was vibing with him near the end? 10/10 vibes

[@MarcoMeatball]

Hehehe

[@NekuGrandChase]

NGL the first time the raid smacked Pilgrimage into my eardrums, my face contorted into similar angles just like your face fr fr Then it had my head bopping with In the Balance XD

[@MarcoMeatball]

😂😂😂❤️

[@M0narch1024]

DAMN WHY DOES FFXIV HAVE SUCH GOOD MUSIC MAN, it's insane how they manage to make it sound so familiar yet new also Day sixty-eight of recommending Stay Gold from the Arknights OST

[@alaaranaranoya1499]

I’m so flattered that you listened to it! I never actually expected it to happen when I suggested it, and when I got your reply I was blown away that someone whose videos I’ve so quickly come to adore listening to actually responded.

[@MarcoMeatball]

:) Of course :)

[@ChaseYojimbo]

Soken can't keep getting away with this! He just keeps creating masterpieces!

[@MarcoMeatball]

Truly!!!! He’s a genius

[@PlazDreamweaver]

After the mindless grindy nightmare of pf savage, Aglaia was just what I needed. It was fun, creative, beautiful, had amazing music, and truly was a spectacle. It's so nice to see you do a video on it.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Yup!

[@Athreous]

Some music make can make my eyes get full of tears, and "In the Balance" is an example of that! I dunno why... I just get emotional...

[@ShadowNight808]

I did the alliance raid SUPER late (I took a break in 6.0 and came back for 6.2), but I remember everyone on twitter losing their MIND over this song when the raid released and I was so particular about avoiding any spoilers I just never looked at anything..... When I finally did the raid and got to hear In the Balance I was like "Okay, I get it now." I love how the music feels like Nald'Thal is just having a grand old time testing us, like they're just so thrilled to have this moment with us. I know there's the whole ruse they do in the quest going like "we're the rightful rulers of this star now, you must fight us to prove mankind is worthy" sort of threat, and the boss music for the first 3 feels fittingly like we're battling and it's something to take serious, but when this music hit I felt like the veil of that ruse was being lifted because the music is so upbeat and animated and Nald'Thal never really came across as wanting to seriously harm us (to me at least), just kind of curiously watching what we do and being delighted in how we overcome what is thrown at us

[@tallyho836]

I will NEVER get sick of the animation where Nald and Thal spin to swap sides it is infinitely creative and fun

[@Junebug89]

Happy to see Pilgrimage getting some love too. Don't get me wrong, I adore In The Balance and it rightfully gets all the accolades it does, but Pilgrimage is really special too and doesn't get as much attention.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Big fan

[@deviljhodan9082]

To me 'In the Balance' sounds very much like a prayer song sung at a festival dedicated to Nald'Thal in Ul'Dah. Like we're hearing this Festival prayer unto Nald'Thal. And I cannot stop jamming to it.

[@flamelash8668]

Something that struck me is that Nald'Thals them feels very much like a song that makes the fight feel more like a dance than a fight

[@KZorander]

"Pilgramage" is SO underrated. I could sit and listen to it forever.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Ugh me too

[@lukoscreyden]

Honestly, I'd be happy if this whole raid series had no sinister happenings; just a festival of combat hosted by the Gods. The WoL has earned it.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Im hoping that is how it goes tbh

[@thatsnomoonprism]

I love how into the music you got there. ❤ That was charming af.

[@KosmosUnity]

FFXIV... it's amazing how much they manage to make more and more incredible music over time, and this one is among the best !

[@Snark_x]

Super solid combination of musical analysis and JUST PLAIN VIBIN' to a banger!

[@MarcoMeatball]

:)

[@Tackleberry61]

Music is the soul's voice. And it's always great seeing you FEEL the music. Thank you for doing what you do, Marco. :)

[@MarcoMeatball]

My pleasure :)

[@RY-mt5si]

Oh boy now I'm wishing if there is a vod of your first experience in Aglaia, I'd like to see that

[@MarcoMeatball]

Sadly no!

[@TheIndigoEclipse]

It figures the patron god of Ul'dah is two lalafels in a trench coat XD

[@MarcoMeatball]

Haha

[@onyx.avenger]

Seeing how much you've enjoyed the variation on the various leitmotifs in the game (and also just watching you rock out the music as you react to it), I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the music from the final 6.0 trial ("The Final Day" and "With Hearts Aligned"). TFD does interesting work remixing several themes together and I'd love to hear hear some discourse on that because I didn't fully listen to the FFXIV OST until Endwalker, so I only picked up pieces here and there. ALSO I've seen several streamers grooving to With Hearts Aligned when it kicks in and die because they stopped paying attention to everything else (with one explicitly blaming Soken for his death, lol), so it'd be interesting to hear your experience. For me, personally, the intro to WHA hit me especially hard because it was the only part of Footfalls that I hadn't heard yet in Endwalker, and I felt like Soken had been saving this one up his sleeve for the most dramatic climax of the game. The overall tonal shift from TFD to WHA gave me relief, and a sense that "Oh yeah we got this!"

[@MarcoMeatball]

I’ve been listening to wha for a week straight. That’s my next big ffxiv video ;)

[@onyx.avenger]

@@MarcoMeatball Awesome, looking forward to it!

[@emerald6182]

Pilgrimage is my favorite of the bunch in there. Absolutely stunning!

[@belld.s5276]

Pilgrimage is wonderful. It reminds me of “Continued Story” from Code Geass. Angelic, peaceful…full of hope.

[@balcanoy]

You got some sweet moves Marco! Honestly who can help but dance with this track?!

[@MarcoMeatball]

Thanks! I’ve been practicing

[@aurumvale9908]

8:55 one of the best things about this game. ppl actually waiting for someone to finish their cutscenes. sure not everytime but most times this is the standard

[@Garyof11]

That moment when you started FFXIV years ago and your patron deity is Naldthal and this banger suddenly happens.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Amen hell ya

[@edtazrael]

I was and still am blown away how good this song is.

[@CatastropheX0]

Yeah, this song gave me chills the first time I heard it. It is sooooo good!!!

[@MarcoMeatball]

So so so good

[@fai4743]

11:40 The words I use to describe the tune of In the Balance is 'a celebration'!

[@MarcoMeatball]

Yup!

[@Badlynamedchannel]

Don't mind me just here to support ma boi(s) Nald'THal

[@MarcoMeatball]

Hahaha we love to see itn

[@erfarkrasnobay]

After Lucy Pyre "cover" I can't hear in the balance without laughing (FFXIV players are sick - video)

[@FunnyGinMan]

The best part of this video? The enthusiastic dance number!

[@MarcoMeatball]

HAHA yas.

[@GimmeTOKYO]

I’ve been loving this new style of video you’ve been doing lately, Marco! Also the beard is looking very good, my good sir 👌🏻

[@MarcoMeatball]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@hgjfkd12345]

In the Balance is so good. I was listening to this video in the background while playing a game, and I forgot I was listening to it, and when you cut off the music to talk I got scared because I was so consumed by the music.

[@MarcoMeatball]

HAHA sorry

[@hgjfkd12345]

@@MarcoMeatball Nothing to be sorry about! It's just a testament to how captivating the music is

[@garion128]

EACH TIME in tha balance start I'm vibing like you, i spend the whole fight clicking in rythm ^^"