The cadence of his laugh is actually written into the original sheet music for Dancing Mad. The legendary Kefka laugh is quite literally part of the song, and I absolutely love that.
@@Keithustus ive had the ring cycle collection for a couple of years, but ive never finished. 16 hours of opera music is a lot to get through lol... but yeah it's good shit
For the purpose of depicting a great battle of insanity, despair and depression definately on of the greatest pieces. There are other works from as example from Pink Floyd which are also on that level for some even beyond see meddle or atom heart mother such pieces are very rare in one century you can count such pieces at two to four hands. The big thing is to know them this piece only a few people know which very sad.
Yeah, I still can't believe that this epic piece is composed by someone who NEVER was educated in music and was just "messing around" with it. Nobuo Uematsu is a natural at his profession and my inspiration 😊
This version of dancing mad feels much more focused on the Symbolism of the original song. In a sense, this encapsulates Kefka as an IDEA far more effectively with the additional musical storytelling and environmental focus. The first movement sets the tone immediately. Loud, intimidating presence with ominous wind like choir sections, rising from low to high to build up tension, and when that momentum’s made, the next choir noise is from high to low to keep tension strong and induce a sort of falling feeling. The second movement does an excellent job at everything it’s going for. With the constant timpani’s even rhythm and the rise and fall of the snare in the back, It feels like a madman’s parade. The third movement is absolutely on point. Immediately we get a church bell to kick it off, and from there it keeps up the church theming. Only using choir and organ, and keeping up a very heavenly ambience, only broken briefly in certain moments. (Such as when it goes from major to minor.) And in the finale, everything said previously is all here at once. The introduction feels like you’ve arranged a meeting with a malicious god, and technically you have. The grungy piano baseline clues you in that this is going to get wild, and when it kicks up, the insanity and frantic energy is phenomenal, hammering down the absolute madness that is Kefka. And when we get the slower section of the song, our first go around is quieter, as if allowing you time to contemplate what you’re even doing this for, comprehend the scale of everything going on. Only for Kefka to laugh in your face and drag you back into the insanity with twice the ferocity. The unhinged piano slamming to match the pattern of the melody, the choir _laughing at you._ All of it feels so crazed. And then, we reach the song’s climax. It rekindles the church bell and then far more instruments than you expect. It is somber, yet immensely loud and powerful. Everything about this part is absolutely breathtaking. From reiterating the last little bit of the fourth, to the way it moves to revisiting where this all began just like the black mages rendition, only to end it with a major chord. There are people who will most CERTAINLY be able to explain everything I’m trying to get at far better than I ever could, but I hope I at least got some ideas across. Wonderful show.
Being a kid is thinking Sepheroth is the edgiest villain in the entire final fantasy series Growing up is realizing Kefka is one of the most monstrous villains ever portrayed in the video game format.
He was both a Genius and a Madman. One of the towns folk in Vector hints that Kefka was an incredibly brilliant scientist. It was his pure obsession for Magic, Magi-tech and Espers that tipped him to the edge of madness.
Kefka is proof that is not necessary to have a 20-page essay of tragic backstory to be a EXCELENT villian . A good characterization , charismatic personalty , have a constant participation through the story of the game, success in their ambitions , a well-established motivation (or philosophy ) and EPIC , AMAZING music as his themes really makes him a iconic villian that the player cant help to hate but love at the same time . Edit:Thx you people for the likes , it good to see that people still remeber this fantastic villian AND the game he is in: FFVI.
He also hits at many people’s psyche. He’s a literal clown/jester- lots of people don’t like clowns. It’s that primal dislike that feeds his character even more. He fits an archetype, much like a lot of Batman’s rogue gallery does (which is why they are extremely popular villains that one loves to hate nearly 75 years later.). And like you said he’s charismatic with weird idiosyncratic behaviors. Nothing sells crazed madman like yelling at people about sand on your shoes! He’s just falls into that perfectly evil for no real good reason category. You can’t really relate to him. He’s just dancing freaking mad and all one can do is fight to survive against him. THATS why he’s such an addictive villain.
Well, he has only a few words for his backstory. But somehow it is enough and explains everything about him. He's evil for a reason, but yeah, we do not need a long explanation 🤔
I feel like this whole final battle sequence itself helps a lot with how hard Kefka as a villain hits the audience too, with the way he sequentially mocks numerous important pieces of religious literature and art. He's put you and the party through so much already, and now he twists the knife a bit more by using these works as tools to wordlessly tell you nothing you've done matters. It's all one HUGE final blow to the player, especially when combined with the fact that his god form's arrival is accompanied by none other than the title screen music, making you wonder if this was ever really your game or he was playing you all along.
If you consider the implications of the music in the final battle it's easy to see that the story really is, in some ways, primarily about kefka. If you understand the story you understand kefka. So a giant back story simply isn't necessary. That and sometimes bad dudes are just bad, you don't need an explanation why XD
@@justincombs7433 Indeed, he is like Heath Ledger's Joker. A nihilistic murderous madman in clown makeup who desires only one thing: to see the world burn.
This is Uematsu in his absolute prime, full of confidence, brimming with creativity, and totally unhindered and unchained. Dancing Mad and the entire FF6 soundtrack is a timeless masterpiece that will resonate forever in my mind.
Looking at the FF7 remake... I don't think it's a good idea. 😅 There are some really good mods of FF6 (Steam version) that build the translation, soundtrack, and imagery from scratch though. Haven't looked at them myself, but I believe they are worth a check. Till then, I'm sticking emulators.
Im listening to this with my son, and im pointing out the calming parts of the song that lead into the madness. How intense the music is being played, and im teaching how music can tell a story without a single word being spoken. I never appreciated this song as much as I do now, thanks to this version.
Honestly, it sounds more messy than insane. Which sucks because the entire tower of kefka is done amazingly, even better than any arrangement Uematsu has done. But the last part is just too much. I get what the composer was going for but the original conveyed both madness and cohesion in the madness. This version is just the former. But still, there is a lot that was well done here and if the last part was less focused on beating you over the head with "yeah this guy is nuts" it would have been the best rendition of Dancing Mad so far.
@@natediaz1863 I disagree, that last part was the most genius part of all. Kefka is mad and we know, over the years i've listened to all sort of remakes i've found on the internet, but THIS version, c'mon dude, they nailed it. With that piano slamming part i really could see Kefka before me and laughing when destroying everything
You know, Kefka at doesn't come off as being a multidimensional villain...but if you really think about it: This was a man who was a jester at first, which until other events set in motion, meant his whole life was basically spent making empty and meaningless attempts at giving his superiors quick laughs.. Life was almost entirely a joke for him. If the world was a joke for a Kefka, then the best punchline to that joke was to show everyone how meaningless it is. This song capture his nihilism, frustration, and insanity so perfectly I can't even stand it.
+TBoneTony Yep, pretty much... And honestly, out of all the history of RPG Final Boss Themes, Both These Two Songs (Dancing Mad & One Winged Angel) are the Perfect Encapsulation of, "Yes, you ARE currently fighting & trying to KILL the New "Yahweh/YHWH" of your Universe! Hope You were 100%, ABSOLUTELY Prepared for This!" Although in Sephiroth's case, he's more like the "Ha-Satan - lit. "The Adversary", given Jenova's existence, but still...
When I was introduced to Final Fantasy it was 1987 and neither of those tunes had been written yet. I heard Dancing Mad years before One Winged Angel because I played the games as they were released...
Kefka was another victim of the Empire, quite similar to Terra. Not only did he succeed in vengeance, he remade the entire world to his liking, ascending to godhood in the process. Its hard to think that he really lost the final fight. He was seriously crazy enough to let you win.
Either that or honestly, he could have been filled with so much hatred, for you, for the world, and especially for himself, that he might have wanted you to kill him.
"To do is to be." You are what you choose to be. All that separates Terra from Kefka is intent and Will. Kefka turned himself into a villain, and Terra turned herself into a heroine. There is no call for sympathy, justice or mercy here! How much of the world must be ruined before you will strike?
But going from that, Kefka was d the most powerful human infused with Esperanto. I always wondered who he was infused with, or if he was Terra’s biological brother.
One thing I LOVE about this version the how in the finale as it starts to get further in, it almost sounds like the organist is just smashing the keys at random. Totally fits with the laughing and insanity going on in the background and it just works itself into the madness of the song itself.
I love how the loops on parts get more insane. The first loop in a section is the basic symphonic remaster, then the second loop is the part that has emphasis driven deep in the skin of that section. Making it a remaster of a remaster. Amazing.
I love that too it's so simple and the obvious thing to do but so ingenious at the same time. Made me think how everybody else hadn't come up with that idea already. Brilliant.
@@Prince.Eva.Huepow Best guess, at 17:22, you could just add in another track and just put the song at that time stamp, but I'm not sure if the vocals will collide well, so you could prolly make the volume slowly rise for the first 4 bars of the first movement and remove the ending to the final movement to give that loop illusion. In theory, ofc.
Christ, everything in Final Fantasy VI is so artistic. These forms of Kefka could be in an art gallery and Dancing Mad would fit right next to Beethoven and Bach.
I think that several of Uematsu's compositions can rival a lot of classical music, to be honest - not necessarily in terms of complexity (music shouldn't rely too much on complexity anyway), but more in their strong melodies. For example, themes such as "Cloud's Theme" and "Aeris' Theme" from Final Fantasy 7 are fantastic, and almost anyone can enjoy those compositions regardless of their musical taste.
A lot of it is very good use of the percussion and just plain strong sound mixing skills. So many other versions have this softer tone to them, even the FFXIV version for the Kefka raid fight from Stormblood. This one hits you right away with that thunderous opening note and doesn't let up until the exact moment it needs to. The key tonal feelings of each movement are properly recognized and the levels are all at the right point to really make you feel every moment. It's not perfect - the digitized choir doesn't always hit the best - but it gets damn close.
I do not say this lightly: this is THE BEST cover of any video game piece I’ve ever heard. You took what was already a masterpiece and elevated it beyond what seemed possible, drawing out its essence and fleshing out what no doubt Uematsu himself intended to convey, but for the limits of the hardware of the time. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I agree that this is a great cover and one of the best I've ever heard as well. But have you listened to Time Rock's Orchestra's Last Battle cover (cover of "Last Battle" from Chrono Trigger, of course)
@@miyuki2206 it was quite good! I still think that for my taste, this is as close to perfection as possible, but that cover was also quite enjoyable. 🙂
***** It sure is the best version of my favorite final boss theme in video game history. So awe-inspiring, epic, and downright beautiful. Here's to Kefka Palazzo......one of the best villains of all time.
Every time I come back to listen to this, I ask myself the question "How the fuck does this exist? It's too good. Too damn good". And every time I am shocked by the quality, attention to detail and practically flawless capturing of the best final boss theme of all time. This is by far the king of TH-cam remasters.
It is said that using SNES for music was like using crayons, and the original composer used crayons to paint the Sistine Chapel. This remaster is what happens when you take out the paintbrushes.
The SNES had a dedicated APU and could produce music and sound FX way way beyond what anyone at the time was used to (except for a small handful of high-end PC gamers). At the time, it felt like we had graduated from drawing in dirt with sticks (Atari 2600) to crayons (NES) to paintbrushes (SNES)... but I guess looking back from today it does seem primitive.
0:00 Heed the first movement, remember the destruction of the world. Now, behold the destruction of life, dreams, hope; it is the fate of all things. 4:31 Heed the second movement, and stand in awe. Now, behold your former vain attempts at stopping the inevitable. 8:13 Heed the third movement, this is the power you oppose. Now, behold your savior and god; there is no salvation, prayers fall on deaf ears. 11:27 Heed the fourth movement, the skies are tearing apart. Now, behold the wild dance of a charming star.
A chaotic being, with illusions of grandeur and a tap of infinite power. The psychology behind Kefka is crazy. Reminds me of 616-Thanos and joker rolled into one.
While everyone obviously loves the final movement (Kefka himself), I've always had a spot for the third movement. I can't explain why, but I just love it. And I particularly love what Evergreen did with it.
Thank you for all of your comments. For requests I uploaded the song on bandcamp. Now you can download mp3 on here : evergreen2.bandcamp.com/track/final-fantasy-vi-dancing-mad-symphonic-arrange
To me the experience is the last song.It has so much emotion and meaning.The mad God who sees everything pointless and wants to destroy everything, and the slow part meaning if you don't stop him everyone and everything dies
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+theyears12 really really really thank you. I just love your version of this song. It is perfect to the original.
Im listening to this with my son, and im pointing out the calming parts of the song that lead into the madness. How intense the music is being played, the brilliance of the piano being, and the overall power that this song portrays, and im teaching how music can tell a story without a single word being spoken. I never appreciated this song as much as I do now, thanks to this version.
What I love about this arrangement that I've heard nowhere else, is that during each segment's repeated section has something added to it. I absolutely love the final movement's erratic and truly discordant sound the second time around. I am not exaggerating when I say that this is by far the single best remake of a video game song I've ever heard. It's easy to tell just how much love and detail was put into this masterful piece that captures the quality of Nobuo Uematsu's original version, while adding the exact number of new elements to wholly exceed such brilliance without diminishing or taking away from anything of the original. Something that few remakes of any theme I've heard are capable of.
My brain enjoys this, the fact something is added is very noticeable. It means it's constantly imprinting new data into my mind and it feels surreal how much more productive this is in the endorphin department. Pure brilliance.
This... is absolutely perfect. I'm a *huge* FF6 fan, and I've heard maybe a hundred different versions or covers of Dancing Mad.. and NONE of them can even compare to how perfectly this version shows off Kefka's insanity..Holy fuck. You have truly created a masterpiece.
I think it’s unfair to compare Dancing Mad and One winged Angel. They are both good on their own right and they each have their own purposes. Let me explain, you see in my view One winged angel was made to be “iconic.” As soon as you hear the beginning, you already know who is coming. On the other hand, Dancing Mad was created to give a story in the form of music which makes it a wonderful piece of work. It would be like comparing a hammer to an axe. Both are tools but they both have their own uses. So instead of fighing which is better why not appreciate both?
I disagree on One Winged Angel being made to exclusively be “iconic.” It tells a story about Sephiroth in the same way Dancing Mad is of the fight with Kefka. They both serve an identical purpose.
I mean One Winged Angel was created in a very disjointed manner, actually being done at a pace of 2-3 measures a day and then combined in any order to sound like the same piece. It represents Sephiroth's megalomania and insanity in the same way Dancing Mad represents Kefka's insanity and his nihilism. They are both different, but both portray the insanity of the characters for which they were made. Hell, One Winged Angel in Advent Children opens up sounding like the main theme of Psycho. Which is fitting considering Norman Bates and Sephiroth's connections with their "mothers".
Well said. I do agree that One Winged Angel was designed more with the intent of grabbing immediate attention. Dancing Mad is more of a cohesive "story." While OWA also tries to do this, it's a bit more clumsy, though definitely an iconic song. DM is a little more focused on what it wants to say, so it's a slightly stronger piece, but a little less appealing to the masses. I'd say both represent their associated characters accurately. Both are quite good, and I agree both should be enjoyed for what they are. That said, I am more partial to Dancing Mad, but to each their own.
Because of nostalgia goggles, I'm particular to the Wooley translation. "Life...dreams...hope....Where do they come from? And where do they go? These things...I'm going to destroy!"
Life...Dreams...Hope...Where do they come from? And where do they go? None of that junk is enough to fulfill your hearts! Destruction...Destruction is what makes life worth living! Destroy! Destroy! Destroy! Let's destroy everything!
AkaiAzul Woolsey version went like this: Life... Dreams... Hope... Where'd they come from? And where are they headed...? These things... I am going to destroy!! (Actually had to look it up because of all the fan mods and remasters...)
Ive heard so many boss themes in my life. This is by far the most expressive, magical, terrifying piece i have ever heard. It's easily in my top 3 SONGS of all time. Not just video game music. A masterpiece.
I feel that this is what it would have sounded like if Mr. Uematsu had had today's resources available while composing this. It captures everything about the piece perfectly. All of the additions made to the score are exactly right: the vocal trills, percussion changes, reverb, the sort of hectic "piano pounding" during the Kefka tier... Seriously, I'm blown away.
Now this... this is a masterpiece. One-winged Angel has shone because of it's instrumentation and iconic chants, and I love it to death, but this is an artistic wonder. Nobuo Uematsu managed to create an incredible piece using the limited sounds of the SNES, so if he had the opportunity to create this piece realised in the orchestral glory it deserved then this song would shine even brighter than One-winged Angel has.
Occasionally, I genuinely almost cry while listening to Dancing mad. It is a masterpiece in every sense of the word, and it perfectly conveys everything that Kefka embodies. Goals, power, corruption, insanity, death.
It is said that the final boss for FF6 is supposed to represent the Divine Comedy, and Dante's(The Hero's) journey thru Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. When Dante (the hero's) reach God(Kefka), it is there that God (Kefka)bestows unto Dante(The Hero's) the secret of life. In this case Kefka tells them "Oblivion" :D
It's lovely. He parodies the very concept of religious faith because he believes that faith (just like life, love, happiness) is meaningless. "What is the meaning of life? NOTHING! It's useless and I'm going to destroy EVERYTHING just to prove it"
Kefka's God of Magic form resembles the fallen angel Lucifer, also known as Satan. The similarity was further alluded to with the SNES translation for one of his attacks, Fallen One, one of the names for Lucifer. Additionally, the three stages of his Statue of the Gods first place him in the role of Satan as he appears in Dante Alighieri's Inferno, before having him sequentially mock both Purgatory and Michelangelo's Pietà and at last appear in his final angelic form
This never ceases to impress. Especially love how around the 15 min mark, the piano sounds like it's just getting punched to the beat yet it still meshes with the melody.
I love how the movements in the song spell out exactly how you should be feeling with this boss. 0:00 - "This is it, our final battle and how absolutely epic it is." 4:31 - "And yet, no matter what you throw at him it barely seems to even phase him." 8:13 - "Because this isn't your game. It's his, this is simple entertainment for him. For even gods get bored." 11:27 - "And now he has grown tired of this game."
Yeah that sums it up really multiple continents getting pulverised not to mention he finally wins. Yep the true unfairness of god never had had a greater testament.
@@crimsonbolt9628 Shut the fuck up atheist, nobody cares to hear your preaching. You are no better and you have no proof to back up your belief anyway lol.
@@vrass775 I appreciate your effort, I truly do, my friend. But approaching foolishness with foolishness does not solidify resolute. As all things goes, they'll always be like that, and you'll always be you and I. The only difference is, to know when people are in need of something to put them at ease or not to believe they are willing to take risks and seek personal development instead. Me? I'm just a chaotic fool.
Most epic standoff in FF history to me. A psychopathic god self-made by his own greed and lust for power. You fight him in the heavens. So many biblical themes and references to end times here.
I honestly feel like Sephiroth was better as a personal villain (and a better villain overall) than Kefka, but in all honesty Kefka's final form has a feel to it that Safer Sephiroth just doesn't have. I'm not quite sure what it is, since they're both incredibly similar battles - measly humans fighting against totally insane gods who seek to destroy the world in the heavens - but something about it just makes his form so much more imposing. I'm not sure if it's the music, the sprite, the moves, the buildup, or just the atmosphere, but something about Kefka's last form makes him feel more like a god than Sephiroth.
@@piyo744 Simply put, when you hear “Dancing Mad,” it means that Kefka has succeeded in leaving the world in ruin and is ready to bash you over the head with the very concepts of Hell, Purgatory, Heaven, and God itself. When you hear “One-Winged Angel,” you’ve interrupted an insanely deprived man’s mission to fulfill his mother’s wishes for destruction. The world can wait for its end; right now, he wants to destroy *_you._*
@@piyo744 I'm really not sure if Kefka and Sephiroth are comparable, honestly. Sephiroth has real, tangible, human motivation. He wants ultimate power and will stop at nothing to achieve it. When you fight him, he 's strong, but he isn't all-powerful. That's why his appearance is a one-winged angel when you fight him, he hasn't made it to godhood yet- and it's your job to stop him from doing so. On the other hand, Kefka has no motivation- not one that we can understand, anyways. He wants destruction just for the sake of it. And, then he literally does become a god. He destroys the world. When you're fighting him, you're not fighting a person with human motivation. It would be better to say you're fighting - a demented, nihilistic god who wants death simply because. Reminds me of how the book "Faust" describes Satan (Or, in the books case, Mephistopheles). He has a big speech about how he'll destroy everything- that it would have been better if nothing ever existed in the first place. It sounds a lot like Kefka's speeches, honestly. If Satan is personified as the ultimate avatar of evil, so too is Kefka. I love both villains, but I think that might be where the difference lies. In FF7, you're fighting an evil man. In FF6, you're fighting the idea of evil, in and of itself.
I've been listening to this for a few years now, but never commented (I don't think). This is better than the FF XIV version by _light years,_ all others I've heard (including both Black Mages _and_ Worlds), and dare I say it, the _original_ even. The only thing that could _possibly_ top this, is a live version of this arrange. It truly encompasses all aspects of Kefkas' character and the final battle. I tear up at least once during every listen. Absolutely *_~magnificent~_*
The FFXIV version is far too soft, especially for a revisiting and reimagining of one of the most iconic final bosses in all of gaming history. They really should've put more power behind it like this arrangement does.
most of the takes, covers, etc, they always make the first movement too soft. considering kefkas personality, it should genuinely be way more grandiose and just large. like this cover
This is breathtakingly amazing! I'm a professional classical musician and have my fair deal of experience with this music on a theoretical and musical basis and am therefore astounded by what you did with Ueamatsu's gorgeous music. The way you so effortlessly and naturally incorporated that choir into Bach's fugue and prelude is amazing. It sounds like something dear Johann would have done himself if he had decided to turn this into one of his chorals. The melismatic coloratura - like passages make it seem so darn authentic. Your usage and reusage of certain motifs at different points in the piece just adds to the overall complexity. (Like the incorporation of the main motif of Kefka's theme at 8:44 and onwards) I absolutely adore what you did with the last part; that sequenced and slightly atonal piano melody just really adds to the whole theme of madness (as does the overwhelming amount of different sounds and layers.) It does sound "messy", but it sounds messy in the right way! There's propably just one thing that irks me a bit but that doesn't have to do anything with your musical decisions. It's those male voice staccati at 4:39 and on that sound slightly too "synthetic". Amazing job! I'm sure you have a background in music as you show a great understanding of harmony, rhythm and seem to have a good amount of musicianship. Are you doing something like this professionally? If not, you should definitely entertain the thought!
It was october in 1994 and I heard this for the 1st time. I was 14yo and cried for 2 reasons. The masterpiece pincering my soul and I know the story was coming to an end. And I knew I never would feel the feeling this game brought to me again.
seriously!! The piano playing the melody the second time through using a bunch of conflicting notes was brilliant. Really highlighted the chaotic nature of Kefka.
@@TheDukeOfZill lol yes, the cantata version really screwed up the 4th part. it wasn't the 4th tier at all, it just went back into kefka's regular theme... booo....
Phase 2 is easily the most unsettling, you made it sound like a truly maddening CARNIVAL OF ULTIMATE TERROR. Something about waltzes just signifies horrific, unfair death
11:27 really REALLY expresses the awesome divine cosmic powers and apocalyptic, omnicidal, howling, shrieking complete and utter, utter insanity of the God King Kefka.
@@zekeiwa5837 don't get me wrong, 3m views is good for this specific piece that already got some internet fame, but I said video game music in general. When was the last time you heard video game music in a general discussion that wasn't about something niche?
@@GreatGreenGoo uh... all the time? just look up how many "music composer reacts to video game music" videos with millions of views are out there there's concerts dedicated to videogame music that are huge successes. there's memes centered around a particular videogame track that are massively popular. i fail to see how that's niche
@@GreatGreenGoo also, to say videogame music has some of the best modern classical pieces to exist is just wrong. there may be a few of those, but most of it is derivative and/or inspired by actual classics. videogame music has nothing on, say, john williams, who you could have trouble arguing that has a place among the likes of stravinsky, marquez or husa, let alone tchaikovsky or bach
@@zekeiwa5837Why does it feel like your trying to pick a fight here? Obviously composers like Bach are great, I did say modern classical. Just because I feel like video game music is not respected does not mean I think modern composers like Hans Zimmer are bad. My point was you go up to anyone who isnt interested in video games and say video game music can be on par with composers like John WIlliams and they will raise a big eyebrow at you. That was my point. I cant believe it needed all this to be apparent.
I didn't think I could have so much love for music from games I've never played, and yet I've spent the last 2 days listening to this and One Winged Angel.
@@BLZ231 You stand before the final dimension, and I am the darkness of eternity... All life bears death from birth. Life fears death, but lives only to die. It starts with anxiety. Anxiety becomes fear. Fear leads to anger... anger leads to hate... hate leads to suffering... The only cure for this fear is total destruction. ...Now, the theory is undeniable. All things live to perish. At last, life has uncovered this truth. Now, it is time to end this world. I exist for one purpose... To return everything back to the zero world, where there is no life and no crystal to give life. In a world of nothing, fear does not exist. This is the world that all life desires. Foolish creature... Your fears have already deluded you. One day, you will choose destruction over existence. Now, come... Why defy your fate? Is the will to live that powerful...? This is not the end. I am eternal... ...as long as there is life and death... *SPOOKY*
This is just so nicely arranged. The adding of the choral vocals in the third and fourth mvts really give it realistic depth. And then the addition of the church bells at the end? A sort of literal death knell for Kefka. It's haunting and beautiful. With the wonderful recapitulation tag echoed at the end, doubled both on organ and choir is a fantastic rounding out of the whole piece; followed by a big fat plagal cadence with crescendo really giving it an epic conclusion. I like this VERY VERY MUCH. Well done!
@@altair8514 I don't care to be honest. Characters like Edgar, Sabin and Cyan can translate well to a FF7 remake combat system. I just want the game to get the FF7 treatment and have all the amazing moments from the original game be remade while adding cool new ones.
@@lordquaz7154 well I mean all characters can translate well because of programming but it wouldn’t have the same impact because of how it would be changed. Cloud had very powerful slashes but could only go once a turn. Now you can mash the square button and do as much damage as you want.
Rarely does a remake surpass the original, let alone seldom come close with the original's quality and its foundation. You have, however, made an exception to this long standing fact with remakes and remastered an already near perfect final boss piece. Though still not yet perfect, nothing can ever be, you have surpassed the original's magnitude and made this song what it should be. Square Enix should hire you as the head composer or as a co-composer with the person who wrote the original as your mentor. You have talent. If you can rewrite this into a piece that honors this song as it deserves, you should be able to get a career as a musician. However, do not forget your origins if you choose to do so. Many composers do and their quality collapses into abyssal levels soon after their ego has overtaken them with hubris. Good luck with any future endeavors you so choose to take beyond this composition and future compositions.
Yeah, I'm sure Uematsu could do something like this nowadays (he wouldn't make exactly like this cause he has his own style), but at the time it was difficult dealing with hardware and you weren't capable of being nowhere near the level of this arrangement if you were to put it in a video game... The hard part I consider that it was mainly Uematsu, the work of the arranger is notable, but the act of arranging something that is very present in your heart is not too hard, especially if you are doing a digital arrangement... That being said, the arranger is very good and this took quite a bit of effort, but Uematsu is and will always be the genius in here... Composing like he did, his and will always be something comparable to Mozart, Bach or Chopin in my opinion...
the last act of the song, for some reason seems to be too fast. That is my only criticism. The sadness it's clipped and muted in that part specifically. Other than that, i would agree with you.
There is a saying about villains that goes like this: there isn't a worse villain than the one who thinks he's truly doing something good by doing the wrong thing. And that is right. But when talking about Kefka, he's very different kind of villain. One that was truly monstrous, one that did know that he was doing wrong, but kept doing it just because he could and he liked to do it. When someone mentions evil in videogames, this character is the one that immediately comes to mind. One of the best villains on the whole franchise, and still, this is a very underrated game eclipsed by its "succesor"
Sometimes evil defies comprehension. It looks like madness... if you grasp for reasons, you may come up short. Sometimes evil isn't to be fought, it's to be survived. Kefka confonts us with some horrifying concepts that many other "restart the universe with me as a god" narratives don't. Kefka shows how absurd human motivations and desires really are.
Absurd from the point of view of a complete nihilist. I've met many and they have all been insufferable pseudo-intellectuals, self-loathing yet narcissistic.
This, my friend, was fucking amazing. I'm _extremely_ picky when it comes to arrangements of this song; this pretty much nailed it. The dissonant vocals and strings you added (1:33 and 12:06) give a nice "fingernails on the chalkboard" feel, like screeching fallen angels. The ominous atmospheric background vocals in the fourth movement (13:04), and especially the "sloppy" piano melody in the second playthrough of it (14:47) really drive home the madness and the "fuck everything" of Kefka. Especially the cackling, hooting laughter at (15:38) and ESPECIALLY chilling at (15:45). Added vocals to the third (8:19), as well, give a nice Baroque fugue feel and add to the religious overtones of Kefka's ascent. Transition to the fourth with the bells, heartbeat, thunder and lightning approach (11:23) is epic. Tremendous conclusion at the end, from (16:06), and especially the grand pauses starting from (17:06). Sorry for the long and admittedly bougie comment, but I can't say enough about how good this is. I enjoyed it more than the Distant Worlds version, and even the Black Mages version, which is tough to beat. Really, really nice work, my friend.
not as picky as me it seems cause I dont like how it buried the bass in last part. its just piano here and barely audible. I know its a symphonic remake but even those need to keep the rock elements.
yeah my only problem with this version is that every loop except the last is repeated three times and that's way too much. They should have went with two loops each or been more creative with the variations on each loops. The black mages arangement isn't better but it has a huge change at the end with the guitar solo and it doesn't loop too much, making it more fun to listen to.
The brilliance of the Dancing Mad cover you made was how it's both chaotic/disorganized and controlled at the same time. You captured Kefka's complete insanity in this version in a way the first version didn't. Uematsu is a genius but you elevated this to a whole other level.
I completely agree about, Dancing Mad being a story in music form. If i close my eyes I can see the battle play out. For me the most vivid part is the 4th movement. 11:32 The breaking dawn illuminating the newly born diety 'Kefka' starts by treating the battle as a game. It's energetic, and full of life. I see him bringing party members down to critical but stopping just short of that final hit and giving time for the others to save them because he doesn't want to just kill them, he wants them to give up first to agree with him before he ends their lives; 13:12 is a moment I see him doing just that. The ominous sounding vocals being a moment someone thought they were going to die, but then, Kefka stops before them and does something silly like make a face instead. But then he finds himself starting to get frustrated: he can't kill them even if he does try. Even if they fall below critical and get K.O'd as new party members rush in to fill the gap the fallen are being picked up almost as fast as he can cause them to fall. Than at the apex ( 13:31 ) he is struck. Not a blow he took on purpose and braced for to show the futility of attacking him, not a glancing blow but a solid strike; this one stung. So he falls to feigned death. The singing after I see being representative of budding hope that it was over, that our heroes had won... but it wasn't true. Our heroes with cautious hope move towards, Kefka to check to see if he was truly dead, but at (14:40 ) Kefka springs back up, launching himself into the air with his wings, laughs, and unleashes the Light of Judgement upon his own tower trying to destroy our heroes, but.... they resist. And the deity, Kefka is no longer amused; a furious twitch in his eyes as he starts to unravel. At 15:38 I see his delusions of himself start to crash down, and he hears in his mind the voices of all those that once offered even the slightest criticism as he starts to wonder and fear... were they right? A cold chill goes up his spine as the thought hits: "Maybe... I wasn't playing with them... Maybe I..." but he can't bare to think it. He, a god, cannot kill these people, these insects that dared rise against him and so the voices of all those people like so much laughter in his head as frustration, fear, self-doubt, rise to a boiling point. At 15:47 I see this pushing him into a moment of pure frenzy. He begins thrashing cause wild destruction that is no longer targeted at the many enemies before him but unchained. Several party members fall from the side of the tower at 16:06 as structural damage begins to take it's toll on the tower's peak... Kefka then turns to those that remain, as they brace themselves for what they know will be a losing fight; a smile spreading across, Kefka's lips as he slowly walks towards the party. With his victory so sure in his mind, Kefka fails to see the air-ship diving down quickly at 16:37 to save those that fell. From 16:41 to 17:08 the scene plays out as the air-ship takes all the falling party member's back up to the top of the tower and dropping them off in a concave, a semi-circle around, Kekfa opposite of the party members that did not fall. Kefka spins at the center of the tower in sudden realization: he was surrounded. Then it's a turret of attacks from the party, First Umaro, than Edgar, and each in turn attacking both to distract from the previous attack and to cause serious, actual harm. In fact, a cold, sobering realization; he had lost. He could see the rest play out in his mind like watching a train coming off it's rails. He knew what would happen. And knew there was nothing he could to to stop it. Lastly... Terra, in esper form, blade Ragnarok in hand runs, Kefka though the torso at 17:16. Stumbling backwards life draining from his body, Kefka finally understood. Coughing blood as weak laughter escaped, a numb coldness spreading to his limbs he smiles and falls as his foot steps backwards into air at 17:23. His body weightless, the wind rushing as his body strikes the ground at 18:09. Kefka, the man-turned-diety, was dead.
This one is the only arrangement worth praising in TH-cam. Not even Square could do this well on their Distant World concert. Truly a masterpiece, I love it as much as the original.
This is better than the Distant Worlds version, which was a freaking professionally organized symphony, and possibly, dare I say, better than the original.
I can not sit still hearing this. My body temperature rises and I get agitated while this musics hijacks my mind through a journey through hell and heaven. A truly epic masterpiece. A composition to go kill gods with ...
This whole arrangement just seems so perfect. You have captured the tone of the original so well, and even surpass it in some places. The intensity of the beginning works so perfectly with an orchestra and a choir backing it. The second movement captures the tone of Kefka's corrupt yet jocund nature. The feeling that it's all just a game to him. The third movement is just perfect. The orchestration you used is perfect to emulate the baroque sound Uematsu was going for. It sounds like it came straight from the baroque era. I just want to listen to it forever. The fourth movement is just a perfect remaster of the original with an orchestra setting. I didn't think the fourth movement could get any better, but you proved me wrong. There's so much more I want to say, but it's too much for a TH-cam comment on a video. Amazing job!
Finally, a marvellous symphonic arrangement with an acceptably authentic sounding pipe organ and huge space acoustics. Made my day -- Congratulations to this extraordinary major accomplishment!
Sephiroth is cool but Kefka WON. you arent saving the world by killing him, youre just avenging it. This madman beat you and rubbed it in your face ruining the world. Putting him down just helped a little. Kefka is hands down the best FF villain
I love Kefka as much as the next guy but he didn't win, his main goal was to crush everyone in the entire world's hopes, happiness, and dreams, which he failed in doing so.
Fighting Kefka is the is literal embodiment of that one line from the Avengers movie “If we can’t save the world you can be damn well sure we’ll avenge it.”
To me, what makes this particular rendition one step above all others is the dissonant piano just after Kefka's laugh at 14:45. The beginning of the 4th movement really sells the idea that you are facing a literal god, and the piano really brings out the chaos and accentuates the fact that this god is utterly insane.
13:33 I've said it once, I'll say it again. Doesn't matter what version of Dancing Mad I listen to, one thing is always the same. You can guarantee this part will always sound amazing.
I have a great appreciation for music and art, and when I first heard this Symphonic Arrangement of Dancing Mad, I was absolutely astounded. Music always touches my soul, and this song has become one of my favorites. Every time the music reaches 16 minutes and 40 seconds in, I begin to cry. It is SO BEAUTIFUL. Thank you for making this video. It ranks as my number one favorite.
Absolutely. The chanting sent chills down my spine, combined with the Gothic organ. It also accurately depicts Kefka as a false God, pure evil and malice cloaked in divinity.
I haven’t heard this piece since I last played through FF6, back in my late teens, early twenties. I didn’t actually remember much about it, except, *THE MUSIC* When I listened to/felt this just now (I say that, because anyone who DOESN’T *feel this*, probably isn’t completely human), a whole lot of insanity came back to me. *THIS WAS INCREDIBLE.* I. Cannot. Stress. This. Enough. Thank you for making this, this incredible work, in it I felt every note of madness in Kefka’s head, every blow felt by our protagonists, every loss our heroes endured, every pain, rage, and anguish felt by them. A whole epic story, told by this amazing piece of music. *Bows head solemnly* Thank you.
The Theme song of 2020 Movement 1: Australia Hellscape Movement 2: The Arrival of Covid-19 Movement 3: Gender Reveal Hellfire Final Movement: Heaven Ascended Covid We are in the endgame Lads
![Beyond the Flow of Time | Full Chrono Trigger Album [2021]](/img/n.gif)
Kefka, the Nihilist Who Laughs & The False-Deity of Magic Who Falls Dancing Mad!
Happy 30th Anniversary, Final Fantasy VI
If ‘Ohana’ means “family,” and “family” means no one gets left behind… Then he was a true equal opportunist about ensuring no one was left behind. 😝
Already 30 years ! I fell old suddenly
@@nicocastillo9880 O that's evil as hell considering he poisoned an entire water supply
ENOUGH FROM THE CLOWN!
Included the laugh. Literally the greatest piece of music in existence.
Yes gandalf
The cadence of his laugh is actually written into the original sheet music for Dancing Mad. The legendary Kefka laugh is quite literally part of the song, and I absolutely love that.
Well, unless Der Ring des Nibelungen is considered one piece of music.
@@Keithustus ive had the ring cycle collection for a couple of years, but ive never finished. 16 hours of opera music is a lot to get through lol... but yeah it's good shit
For the purpose of depicting a great battle of insanity, despair and depression definately on of the greatest pieces. There are other works from as example from Pink Floyd which are also on that level for some even beyond see meddle or atom heart mother such pieces are very rare in one century you can count such pieces at two to four hands.
The big thing is to know them this piece only a few people know which very sad.
Even now, I consider this the best version of Dancing Mad that I've ever heard.
Somehow even better than Pixel Remastered version
Check this arrangement out, it’s phenomenal
th-cam.com/video/yuk35frG9Gk/w-d-xo.html
Have you heard the Cantana of Dancing Remix?
@@GrvndMvsterVssvssin No, is it that exact name?, looked it up but not sure which one is it.
@@GrvndMvsterVssvssin its pretty overdone
Yeah, I still can't believe that this epic piece is composed by someone who NEVER was educated in music and was just "messing around" with it. Nobuo Uematsu is a natural at his profession and my inspiration 😊
Well he had already studied and been a musician a long time by then, just not a college-educated one.
Nobuo *
@@Keithustus well said.
@@VeryIntellijent Theres a video explaining how he composed One Winged Angel. He said that Rite of Spring was a big inspiration.
Bruh you can study music theory outside of college, I was transposing compositions at like 14 it's just math
0:00 - 1st Movement
4:31 - 2nd Movement
8:13 - 3rd Movement
11:27 - Final Movement
+Mirlo Thank thee, good sir.
+Mirlo Someone make this the top damn comment.
+Mirlo 3rd movement the best
Ok.
+Matthew Etter fuck off.
This version of dancing mad feels much more focused on the Symbolism of the original song. In a sense, this encapsulates Kefka as an IDEA far more effectively with the additional musical storytelling and environmental focus.
The first movement sets the tone immediately. Loud, intimidating presence with ominous wind like choir sections, rising from low to high to build up tension, and when that momentum’s made, the next choir noise is from high to low to keep tension strong and induce a sort of falling feeling.
The second movement does an excellent job at everything it’s going for. With the constant timpani’s even rhythm and the rise and fall of the snare in the back, It feels like a madman’s parade.
The third movement is absolutely on point. Immediately we get a church bell to kick it off, and from there it keeps up the church theming. Only using choir and organ, and keeping up a very heavenly ambience, only broken briefly in certain moments. (Such as when it goes from major to minor.)
And in the finale, everything said previously is all here at once. The introduction feels like you’ve arranged a meeting with a malicious god, and technically you have. The grungy piano baseline clues you in that this is going to get wild, and when it kicks up, the insanity and frantic energy is phenomenal, hammering down the absolute madness that is Kefka. And when we get the slower section of the song, our first go around is quieter, as if allowing you time to contemplate what you’re even doing this for, comprehend the scale of everything going on. Only for Kefka to laugh in your face and drag you back into the insanity with twice the ferocity. The unhinged piano slamming to match the pattern of the melody, the choir _laughing at you._ All of it feels so crazed.
And then, we reach the song’s climax. It rekindles the church bell and then far more instruments than you expect. It is somber, yet immensely loud and powerful. Everything about this part is absolutely breathtaking. From reiterating the last little bit of the fourth, to the way it moves to revisiting where this all began just like the black mages rendition, only to end it with a major chord.
There are people who will most CERTAINLY be able to explain everything I’m trying to get at far better than I ever could, but I hope I at least got some ideas across. Wonderful show.
Well said and stated!
That final movement is truly god tier.
Especially when everyone is screaming
i see what you did there
The Horror vibe near the end as the Piano playing distorts and all the different pieces begin to melt together is just...sweet jesus...perfection
Being a kid is thinking Sepheroth is the edgiest villain in the entire final fantasy series
Growing up is realizing Kefka is one of the most monstrous villains ever portrayed in the video game format.
I like villans like Handsome Jack from Borderlands 2
Kefka was like Palpatine. He absolutely loved being evil and never apologized or made excuses for it.
True. Sephiroth went crazy after learning a few things...
But KEFKA was pure evil. He didn't give a F*CK; he only wanted to watch the world burn.
He was both a Genius and a Madman. One of the towns folk in Vector hints that Kefka was an incredibly brilliant scientist. It was his pure obsession for Magic, Magi-tech and Espers that tipped him to the edge of madness.
@@EXSkywarp More than that. Kefka wanted to be THE god of magic. He was also super intelligent.
Kefka is proof that is not necessary to have a 20-page essay of tragic backstory to be a EXCELENT villian . A good characterization , charismatic personalty , have a constant participation through the story of the game, success in their ambitions , a well-established motivation (or philosophy ) and EPIC , AMAZING music as his themes really makes him a iconic villian that the player cant help to hate but love at the same time .
Edit:Thx you people for the likes , it good to see that people still remeber this fantastic villian AND the game he is in: FFVI.
He also hits at many people’s psyche. He’s a literal clown/jester- lots of people don’t like clowns. It’s that primal dislike that feeds his character even more. He fits an archetype, much like a lot of Batman’s rogue gallery does (which is why they are extremely popular villains that one loves to hate nearly 75 years later.).
And like you said he’s charismatic with weird idiosyncratic behaviors. Nothing sells crazed madman like yelling at people about sand on your shoes!
He’s just falls into that perfectly evil for no real good reason category. You can’t really relate to him. He’s just dancing freaking mad and all one can do is fight to survive against him. THATS why he’s such an addictive villain.
Well, he has only a few words for his backstory. But somehow it is enough and explains everything about him.
He's evil for a reason, but yeah, we do not need a long explanation 🤔
I feel like this whole final battle sequence itself helps a lot with how hard Kefka as a villain hits the audience too, with the way he sequentially mocks numerous important pieces of religious literature and art. He's put you and the party through so much already, and now he twists the knife a bit more by using these works as tools to wordlessly tell you nothing you've done matters. It's all one HUGE final blow to the player, especially when combined with the fact that his god form's arrival is accompanied by none other than the title screen music, making you wonder if this was ever really your game or he was playing you all along.
If you consider the implications of the music in the final battle it's easy to see that the story really is, in some ways, primarily about kefka. If you understand the story you understand kefka. So a giant back story simply isn't necessary.
That and sometimes bad dudes are just bad, you don't need an explanation why XD
@@justincombs7433 Indeed, he is like Heath Ledger's Joker. A nihilistic murderous madman in clown makeup who desires only one thing: to see the world burn.
This is Uematsu in his absolute prime, full of confidence, brimming with creativity, and totally unhindered and unchained. Dancing Mad and the entire FF6 soundtrack is a timeless masterpiece that will resonate forever in my mind.
This cover is 6 years old already? It still holds up, and this arrangement by itself should make Square wanna remake FFVI!
Looking at the FF7 remake... I don't think it's a good idea. 😅 There are some really good mods of FF6 (Steam version) that build the translation, soundtrack, and imagery from scratch though. Haven't looked at them myself, but I believe they are worth a check. Till then, I'm sticking emulators.
Well, you're getting your wish. And judging by 1 2 and 3's soundtracks, we're in for a TREAT.
@BryceMeyer we have the pixel remaster of I through VI.VI is coming up and you know it it's going to be godlike
@@bloodknight3907 it wasn't lmao
Seriously, give us the remake with ff15 mechanics
jesus christ, the final tier really captures the insanity
Im listening to this with my son, and im pointing out the calming parts of the song that lead into the madness. How intense the music is being played, and im teaching how music can tell a story without a single word being spoken.
I never appreciated this song as much as I do now, thanks to this version.
Honestly, it sounds more messy than insane. Which sucks because the entire tower of kefka is done amazingly, even better than any arrangement Uematsu has done. But the last part is just too much. I get what the composer was going for but the original conveyed both madness and cohesion in the madness. This version is just the former. But still, there is a lot that was well done here and if the last part was less focused on beating you over the head with "yeah this guy is nuts" it would have been the best rendition of Dancing Mad so far.
Just a guy that wants to make his Mother happy 😊
@@robbase5235 I hope your son does some great compositions that would make Nobuo-sama tear up.
@@natediaz1863 I disagree, that last part was the most genius part of all. Kefka is mad and we know, over the years i've listened to all sort of remakes i've found on the internet, but THIS version, c'mon dude, they nailed it. With that piano slamming part i really could see Kefka before me and laughing when destroying everything
You know, Kefka at doesn't come off as being a multidimensional villain...but if you really think about it: This was a man who was a jester at first, which until other events set in motion, meant his whole life was basically spent making empty and meaningless attempts at giving his superiors quick laughs..
Life was almost entirely a joke for him. If the world was a joke for a Kefka, then the best punchline to that joke was to show everyone how meaningless it is. This song capture his nihilism, frustration, and insanity so perfectly I can't even stand it.
*depressed clown dances mad*
Nice analysis
kefka isn't a jester tho he just likes to wear makeup
@@humphrey1059 he used make up so people would think he's just a jester and can't do anything
So Kefka's life was not a tragidy but a feckin comedy as well?
When you are first introduced to Final Fantasy, you discover One Winged Angel.
When you explore Final Fantasy, you discover Dancing Mad.
Fax
+TBoneTony Yep, pretty much...
And honestly, out of all the history of RPG Final Boss Themes, Both These Two Songs (Dancing Mad & One Winged Angel) are the Perfect Encapsulation of, "Yes, you ARE currently fighting & trying to KILL the New "Yahweh/YHWH" of your Universe! Hope You were 100%, ABSOLUTELY Prepared for This!"
Although in Sephiroth's case, he's more like the "Ha-Satan - lit. "The Adversary", given Jenova's existence, but still...
Happened the other way for me
In the end you end up doing music in ff14 while 2 furries engage in cyber sex. What a rollecoaster of emotions.
When I was introduced to Final Fantasy it was 1987 and neither of those tunes had been written yet. I heard Dancing Mad years before One Winged Angel because I played the games as they were released...
This is not just a "arrangement", this is a masterpiece sent by god himself.
You mean Kefka wrote this? Since Kefka *is* god
@@jimhuffman9434 Can confirm.
@@jimhuffman9434 yeah Kefka wrote his song. What a god-boy
He probably personally performed that final piano section.
Sephiroth says to hold his beer.
Dammit, they're both awesome.
14:48 That random piano smacking tho. Shit just got chaotic.
IKR?!
Jeez that piano had a family, and here we have to listen to it get absolutely brutalized.
Kefka would be proud
Sounds like when I play the song.
It's not random, it follows the theme of the final movement plus Kefka's leitmotif in a way that makes it sound chaotic.
Kefka was another victim of the Empire, quite similar to Terra. Not only did he succeed in vengeance, he remade the entire world to his liking, ascending to godhood in the process. Its hard to think that he really lost the final fight. He was seriously crazy enough to let you win.
Kefka was not looking for vengeance. He is a straight up psychopath with zero empathy.
Either that or honestly, he could have been filled with so much hatred, for you, for the world, and especially for himself, that he might have wanted you to kill him.
"To do is to be." You are what you choose to be. All that separates Terra from Kefka is intent and Will. Kefka turned himself into a villain, and Terra turned herself into a heroine. There is no call for sympathy, justice or mercy here! How much of the world must be ruined before you will strike?
But going from that, Kefka was d the most powerful human infused with Esperanto. I always wondered who he was infused with, or if he was Terra’s biological brother.
It simply proves that his godhood was false. He can remake the inanimate world, but he cannot defeat the indomitable human spirit.
Dude I've never even played this game but this song is incredible. 18 minutes of insanity
It really is a good game. Great story. Kefka is a legendary villain.
Play the game!!! One of the all-time greats.
Play it yet? If you're an rpg fan you're doing yourself a huge disservice if not.
your embarrassing yourself with these types of comments
@@meuhey you’re
One thing I LOVE about this version the how in the finale as it starts to get further in, it almost sounds like the organist is just smashing the keys at random. Totally fits with the laughing and insanity going on in the background and it just works itself into the madness of the song itself.
The soprano lady starting at 16:40 is the real MVP of this song.
Organist, but sure, she’d be a medalist too.
THE END COMES BEYOND CHAOS !
I love how the loops on parts get more insane.
The first loop in a section is the basic symphonic remaster, then the second loop is the part that has emphasis driven deep in the skin of that section. Making it a remaster of a remaster. Amazing.
This is probably the best way I've ever heard this piece described.
I love that too it's so simple and the obvious thing to do but so ingenious at the same time. Made me think how everybody else hadn't come up with that idea already. Brilliant.
How would one extend it?
@@Prince.Eva.Huepow Best guess, at 17:22, you could just add in another track and just put the song at that time stamp, but I'm not sure if the vocals will collide well, so you could prolly make the volume slowly rise for the first 4 bars of the first movement and remove the ending to the final movement to give that loop illusion. In theory, ofc.
Christ, everything in Final Fantasy VI is so artistic.
These forms of Kefka could be in an art gallery and Dancing Mad would fit right next to Beethoven and Bach.
I think that several of Uematsu's compositions can rival a lot of classical music, to be honest - not necessarily in terms of complexity (music shouldn't rely too much on complexity anyway), but more in their strong melodies.
For example, themes such as "Cloud's Theme" and "Aeris' Theme" from Final Fantasy 7 are fantastic, and almost anyone can enjoy those compositions regardless of their musical taste.
Laurelindo Agree
true dude because ff vi is MASTERPIECE by Square Soft (Enix)
Definitely one of the best entries in the series.
no... according to fanboys everywhere it's 7 hahahaha
After listening to this version, none of the other versions of this theme hit the same. They all lack the impact that makes this one so good.
True, well, except the original, the original hits by it's own flow.
@@raphwalker9123 meh i’ve heard it but i prefer this one 100%, it just sounds a little better imo
A lot of it is very good use of the percussion and just plain strong sound mixing skills. So many other versions have this softer tone to them, even the FFXIV version for the Kefka raid fight from Stormblood. This one hits you right away with that thunderous opening note and doesn't let up until the exact moment it needs to. The key tonal feelings of each movement are properly recognized and the levels are all at the right point to really make you feel every moment. It's not perfect - the digitized choir doesn't always hit the best - but it gets damn close.
because this is a midi import with some good VSTs plugged in and a little bit of extra colour added
Yeah, this version is just perfecting a song that already was perfect. I still like to listen to the original though, as it has a unique charm to it
14:47 caught me off guard really badly. just shows his madness can still scare anyone at any moment.
and at 15:48 i'd never imagine that being hysterical laughs making fun of you for even trying
0:00 = Hatred (Hell)
4:30 = Confusion (Purgatory)
8:13 = Lunacy (Heaven)
11:29 = Dancing Mad (God)
12:06 = Madness
13:33 = Prayer
14:40 = Insanity
16:07 = Liberation
But.... "You're still hungry...."
This guy gets it!
wow I love Confusion
are those official names or...?
I just named them, so... no.
I do not say this lightly: this is THE BEST cover of any video game piece I’ve ever heard. You took what was already a masterpiece and elevated it beyond what seemed possible, drawing out its essence and fleshing out what no doubt Uematsu himself intended to convey, but for the limits of the hardware of the time. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I agree that this is a great cover and one of the best I've ever heard as well. But have you listened to Time Rock's Orchestra's Last Battle cover (cover of "Last Battle" from Chrono Trigger, of course)
@@WoobertAIO I have not. I will check it out! Thanks
@@Paladin2555 how was it?
If you haven't heard Grissini Project's cover of this song, it is a masterful cover on just a pipe organ well worth a listen.
@@miyuki2206 it was quite good! I still think that for my taste, this is as close to perfection as possible, but that cover was also quite enjoyable. 🙂
This is definitely the best one I've heard.
***** It sure is the best version of my favorite final boss theme in video game history. So awe-inspiring, epic, and downright beautiful. Here's to Kefka Palazzo......one of the best villains of all time.
***** Just found this today. I concur.
I agree! 15/10
***** I'm Dancing Mad for this adaptation!
+joshscorcher if they ever remake final fantasy vi in modern graphics, this needs to be the updated score.
Every time I come back to listen to this, I ask myself the question "How the fuck does this exist? It's too good. Too damn good". And every time I am shocked by the quality, attention to detail and practically flawless capturing of the best final boss theme of all time. This is by far the king of TH-cam remasters.
Hydreigo they made a deal with the devil
Enrico Deliana is also really good
One winged angel gives you that feeling that you’re fighting a mighty final boss. Dancing mad feels like fighting a god.
Well, Kefka is a swaggering tin plated dictator with delusions of godhood.
This!!!
It is said that using SNES for music was like using crayons, and the original composer used crayons to paint the Sistine Chapel.
This remaster is what happens when you take out the paintbrushes.
That's really clever
I remember Jeremy Jahns saying that same exact quote in his FFVI review.
Very clever analogy
The SNES had a dedicated APU and could produce music and sound FX way way beyond what anyone at the time was used to (except for a small handful of high-end PC gamers). At the time, it felt like we had graduated from drawing in dirt with sticks (Atari 2600) to crayons (NES) to paintbrushes (SNES)... but I guess looking back from today it does seem primitive.
Mmm. Very well said
0:00 Heed the first movement, remember the destruction of the world.
Now, behold the destruction of life, dreams, hope; it is the fate of all things.
4:31 Heed the second movement, and stand in awe.
Now, behold your former vain attempts at stopping the inevitable.
8:13 Heed the third movement, this is the power you oppose.
Now, behold your savior and god; there is no salvation, prayers fall on deaf ears.
11:27 Heed the fourth movement, the skies are tearing apart.
Now, behold the wild dance of a charming star.
Nicodapeek2 Can I please use this quotes for a bookmark?
Third movement starts at 8:13, not 8:31
Beautiful
Jesus christ man!
why aren't those phrases in the game?
Magnificent. I certainly hope you choose to use your powers for good.
A chaotic being, with illusions of grandeur and a tap of infinite power. The psychology behind Kefka is crazy. Reminds me of 616-Thanos and joker rolled into one.
While everyone obviously loves the final movement (Kefka himself), I've always had a spot for the third movement. I can't explain why, but I just love it. And I particularly love what Evergreen did with it.
It's always been my favorite part, and this remake is just...goose bumps and tears.
third movement is just full on bach. it's amazing :D
I've always liked the 3rd movement also. It has that Phantom of the Opera sound to it.
The third is my favorite too!!
Every tiers theme is fantastic! The second movement is perhaps my favorite, followed by the final.
I just like the tune the choir sings in the second.
Thank you for all of your comments. For requests I uploaded the song on bandcamp. Now you can download mp3 on here : evergreen2.bandcamp.com/track/final-fantasy-vi-dancing-mad-symphonic-arrange
To me the experience is the last song.It has so much emotion and meaning.The mad God who sees everything pointless and wants to destroy everything, and the slow part meaning if you don't stop him everyone and everything dies
+theyears12 really really really thank you. I just love your version of this song. It is perfect to the original.
+theyears12 Big thanks. You can be proud of this.
+theyears12 may I please use this as kefka's theme in the game I am making? credit will go to you of course for this remake
+Rozwell “Roz” Munchausen Sure. It's my pleasure
Im listening to this with my son, and im pointing out the calming parts of the song that lead into the madness. How intense the music is being played, the brilliance of the piano being, and the overall power that this song portrays, and im teaching how music can tell a story without a single word being spoken.
I never appreciated this song as much as I do now, thanks to this version.
What I love about this arrangement that I've heard nowhere else, is that during each segment's repeated section has something added to it. I absolutely love the final movement's erratic and truly discordant sound the second time around.
I am not exaggerating when I say that this is by far the single best remake of a video game song I've ever heard. It's easy to tell just how much love and detail was put into this masterful piece that captures the quality of Nobuo Uematsu's original version, while adding the exact number of new elements to wholly exceed such brilliance without diminishing or taking away from anything of the original. Something that few remakes of any theme I've heard are capable of.
My brain enjoys this, the fact something is added is very noticeable. It means it's constantly imprinting new data into my mind and it feels surreal how much more productive this is in the endorphin department. Pure brilliance.
@@Krystamyth Pretty much, couldn't have said it like that better myself.
This... is absolutely perfect. I'm a *huge* FF6 fan, and I've heard maybe a hundred different versions or covers of Dancing Mad.. and NONE of them can even compare to how perfectly this version shows off Kefka's insanity..Holy fuck.
You have truly created a masterpiece.
Truth spoken and heard! Couldn't agree with anything more.
I especially love that added outro during the last minute. Wow, that was amazing 😎
Mozart been real quiet since this dropped
I mean, you're not wrong
Should we tell him
Yes
No, we shouldn't.
Closer to Bach though
Before there was a One Winged Angel, a God was Dancing Mad.
Abd after things were extreme
Here comes the Dark Messenger
Sephiroth was a fallen angel, but Kefka was a GOD.
person: do you listen to classical music?
me, a fucking nerd:
Well yes, but actually no
It depends... Like an old guy in diapera
I think it’s unfair to compare Dancing Mad and One winged Angel. They are both good on their own right and they each have their own purposes. Let me explain, you see in my view One winged angel was made to be “iconic.” As soon as you hear the beginning, you already know who is coming. On the other hand, Dancing Mad was created to give a story in the form of music which makes it a wonderful piece of work. It would be like comparing a hammer to an axe. Both are tools but they both have their own uses. So instead of fighing which is better why not appreciate both?
"Both" is good.
I disagree on One Winged Angel being made to exclusively be “iconic.” It tells a story about Sephiroth in the same way Dancing Mad is of the fight with Kefka.
They both serve an identical purpose.
I mean One Winged Angel was created in a very disjointed manner, actually being done at a pace of 2-3 measures a day and then combined in any order to sound like the same piece. It represents Sephiroth's megalomania and insanity in the same way Dancing Mad represents Kefka's insanity and his nihilism. They are both different, but both portray the insanity of the characters for which they were made. Hell, One Winged Angel in Advent Children opens up sounding like the main theme of Psycho. Which is fitting considering Norman Bates and Sephiroth's connections with their "mothers".
they are comrade at arms, no competition both badass
Well said.
I do agree that One Winged Angel was designed more with the intent of grabbing immediate attention. Dancing Mad is more of a cohesive "story." While OWA also tries to do this, it's a bit more clumsy, though definitely an iconic song. DM is a little more focused on what it wants to say, so it's a slightly stronger piece, but a little less appealing to the masses. I'd say both represent their associated characters accurately. Both are quite good, and I agree both should be enjoyed for what they are. That said, I am more partial to Dancing Mad, but to each their own.
HOW DOES THIS NOT HAVE MORE VIEWS?!?!?!
When's Smash? I did not know that. Who made that remake by chance if you remember?
Life... dreams... hope... Where do they come from? And where do they go...? Such meaningless things... I'll destroy them all! -Kefka
Because of nostalgia goggles, I'm particular to the Wooley translation.
"Life...dreams...hope....Where do they come from? And where do they go? These things...I'm going to destroy!"
命... 夢... 希望...
どこから来て... どこへ行く？
そんなもは... この私が 破壊する！あはははは！
Yup, no matter in what language it is it'll always be so iconic 10/10
@El Hermano. Jiren’s older and smarter brother. Who's Joe?
Life...Dreams...Hope...Where do they come from? And where do they go? None of that junk is enough to fulfill your hearts! Destruction...Destruction is what makes life worth living! Destroy! Destroy! Destroy! Let's destroy everything!
AkaiAzul
Woolsey version went like this:
Life... Dreams... Hope...
Where'd they come from?
And where are they headed...?
These things...
I am going to destroy!!
(Actually had to look it up because of all the fan mods and remasters...)
Ive heard so many boss themes in my life. This is by far the most expressive, magical, terrifying piece i have ever heard.
It's easily in my top 3 SONGS of all time. Not just video game music.
A masterpiece.
As someone who is a huge fan of symphonic rock, this is the most absurdly epic thing I've heard *ever*
I feel that this is what it would have sounded like if Mr. Uematsu had had today's resources available while composing this. It captures everything about the piece perfectly. All of the additions made to the score are exactly right: the vocal trills, percussion changes, reverb, the sort of hectic "piano pounding" during the Kefka tier... Seriously, I'm blown away.
Now this... this is a masterpiece.
One-winged Angel has shone because of it's instrumentation and iconic chants, and I love it to death, but this is an artistic wonder. Nobuo Uematsu managed to create an incredible piece using the limited sounds of the SNES, so if he had the opportunity to create this piece realised in the orchestral glory it deserved then this song would shine even brighter than One-winged Angel has.
“Those who were seen dancing were thought to be mad by those who couldn’t hear the music.”
_Friedrich Nietzsche
This quote goes so hard holy shit
Where did Nietzsche say that? I've not been able to find the source since like 3 years 🥺
well now the name of the song makes sense
@@Shura31412 Indeed. I wonder who came up with the song title 🤔
Occasionally, I genuinely almost cry while listening to Dancing mad. It is a masterpiece in every sense of the word, and it perfectly conveys everything that Kefka embodies. Goals, power, corruption, insanity, death.
14:39 I will never get tired of that godlike transition.
It is said that the final boss for FF6 is supposed to represent the Divine Comedy, and Dante's(The Hero's) journey thru Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. When Dante (the hero's) reach God(Kefka), it is there that God (Kefka)bestows unto Dante(The Hero's) the secret of life.
In this case Kefka tells them "Oblivion" :D
Life, dreams, hope...
Where did they come from? And where are they headed?
These things... I shall destroy them all!
*Insert Kefka Laugh*
It's lovely. He parodies the very concept of religious faith because he believes that faith (just like life, love, happiness) is meaningless.
"What is the meaning of life? NOTHING! It's useless and I'm going to destroy EVERYTHING just to prove it"
@Solomona Leiato Goddam it,you just give me the chills! Have a like
Kefka's God of Magic form resembles the fallen angel Lucifer, also known as Satan. The similarity was further alluded to with the SNES translation for one of his attacks, Fallen One, one of the names for Lucifer. Additionally, the three stages of his Statue of the Gods first place him in the role of Satan as he appears in Dante Alighieri's Inferno, before having him sequentially mock both Purgatory and Michelangelo's Pietà and at last appear in his final angelic form
THIS.. makes sense.
i always thought of an analogy for the "divine comedy", too!
Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso, the Primal Sphere
The Divine Comedy.
I'm still wandering.. Perhaps it's with the car keys?
This never ceases to impress. Especially love how around the 15 min mark, the piano sounds like it's just getting punched to the beat yet it still meshes with the melody.
I love how the movements in the song spell out exactly how you should be feeling with this boss.
0:00 - "This is it, our final battle and how absolutely epic it is."
4:31 - "And yet, no matter what you throw at him it barely seems to even phase him."
8:13 - "Because this isn't your game. It's his, this is simple entertainment for him. For even gods get bored."
11:27 - "And now he has grown tired of this game."
i lost the game
Yeah that sums it up really multiple continents getting pulverised not to mention he finally wins. Yep the true unfairness of god never had had a greater testament.
@@crimsonbolt9628 Shut the fuck up atheist, nobody cares to hear your preaching. You are no better and you have no proof to back up your belief anyway lol.
@@vrass775 I appreciate your effort, I truly do, my friend. But approaching foolishness with foolishness does not solidify resolute. As all things goes, they'll always be like that, and you'll always be you and I. The only difference is, to know when people are in need of something to put them at ease or not to believe they are willing to take risks and seek personal development instead. Me? I'm just a chaotic fool.
I feel like it's more 4:31 "why are there suddenly a bunch of naked guys, a lady, and a tiger?"
Most epic standoff in FF history to me. A psychopathic god self-made by his own greed and lust for power. You fight him in the heavens. So many biblical themes and references to end times here.
Don't forget the Moon tossing. This monster tossed a fucking Moon. A MOON.
I honestly feel like Sephiroth was better as a personal villain (and a better villain overall) than Kefka, but in all honesty Kefka's final form has a feel to it that Safer Sephiroth just doesn't have. I'm not quite sure what it is, since they're both incredibly similar battles - measly humans fighting against totally insane gods who seek to destroy the world in the heavens - but something about it just makes his form so much more imposing. I'm not sure if it's the music, the sprite, the moves, the buildup, or just the atmosphere, but something about Kefka's last form makes him feel more like a god than Sephiroth.
@@piyo744
Simply put, when you hear “Dancing Mad,” it means that Kefka has succeeded in leaving the world in ruin and is ready to bash you over the head with the very concepts of Hell, Purgatory, Heaven, and God itself. When you hear “One-Winged Angel,” you’ve interrupted an insanely deprived man’s mission to fulfill his mother’s wishes for destruction. The world can wait for its end; right now, he wants to destroy *_you._*
And don't forget how dancing mad is technically a hymn
@@piyo744 I'm really not sure if Kefka and Sephiroth are comparable, honestly. Sephiroth has real, tangible, human motivation. He wants ultimate power and will stop at nothing to achieve it. When you fight him, he 's strong, but he isn't all-powerful. That's why his appearance is a one-winged angel when you fight him, he hasn't made it to godhood yet- and it's your job to stop him from doing so.
On the other hand, Kefka has no motivation- not one that we can understand, anyways. He wants destruction just for the sake of it. And, then he literally does become a god. He destroys the world. When you're fighting him, you're not fighting a person with human motivation. It would be better to say you're fighting - a demented, nihilistic god who wants death simply because.
Reminds me of how the book "Faust" describes Satan (Or, in the books case, Mephistopheles). He has a big speech about how he'll destroy everything- that it would have been better if nothing ever existed in the first place. It sounds a lot like Kefka's speeches, honestly. If Satan is personified as the ultimate avatar of evil, so too is Kefka.
I love both villains, but I think that might be where the difference lies. In FF7, you're fighting an evil man. In FF6, you're fighting the idea of evil, in and of itself.
I've been listening to this for a few years now, but never commented (I don't think).
This is better than the FF XIV version by _light years,_ all others I've heard (including both Black Mages _and_ Worlds), and dare I say it, the _original_ even.
The only thing that could _possibly_ top this, is a live version of this arrange. It truly encompasses all aspects of Kefkas' character and the final battle.
I tear up at least once during every listen. Absolutely *_~magnificent~_*
The FFXIV version is far too soft, especially for a revisiting and reimagining of one of the most iconic final bosses in all of gaming history. They really should've put more power behind it like this arrangement does.
most of the takes, covers, etc, they always make the first movement too soft. considering kefkas personality, it should genuinely be way more grandiose and just large. like this cover
That's a classic issue with soken, all his revisions are too soft.
Hmm yes very accurate statement here
This is breathtakingly amazing! I'm a professional classical musician and have my fair deal of experience with this music on a theoretical and musical basis and am therefore astounded by what you did with Ueamatsu's gorgeous music. The way you so effortlessly and naturally incorporated that choir into Bach's fugue and prelude is amazing. It sounds like something dear Johann would have done himself if he had decided to turn this into one of his chorals. The melismatic coloratura - like passages make it seem so darn authentic. Your usage and reusage of certain motifs at different points in the piece just adds to the overall complexity. (Like the incorporation of the main motif of Kefka's theme at 8:44 and onwards) I absolutely adore what you did with the last part; that sequenced and slightly atonal piano melody just really adds to the whole theme of madness (as does the overwhelming amount of different sounds and layers.) It does sound "messy", but it sounds messy in the right way!
There's propably just one thing that irks me a bit but that doesn't have to do anything with your musical decisions. It's those male voice staccati at 4:39 and on that sound slightly too "synthetic".
Amazing job! I'm sure you have a background in music as you show a great understanding of harmony, rhythm and seem to have a good amount of musicianship. Are you doing something like this professionally? If not, you should definitely entertain the thought!
mable syrup
bitch lasagna
Nahh this verison is garbage
hahah nerd
@@ugandahater U G A N D A
@@ugandahater ¿Why?
Holy craps the last part! The utter chaos is conveyed perfectly especially in the second half
Absolutely!! The piano part really sells it.
@NeroD_ ... um. ok? LOL
@@TBrawnVideo ikr?
SO GOOD. Doesn't overdo it. Embellishes where appropriate. Satisfying af. Bravo.
Adding a choral arrangement to the third movement was absolute genius.
It was october in 1994 and I heard this for the 1st time. I was 14yo and cried for 2 reasons. The masterpiece pincering my soul and I know the story was coming to an end. And I knew I never would feel the feeling this game brought to me again.
Finally, a Remake that doesn't fuck up the final part.
seriously!! The piano playing the melody the second time through using a bunch of conflicting notes was brilliant. Really highlighted the chaotic nature of Kefka.
Who likes the part when you hear people laughing? ME? :(
@@TheDukeOfZill lol yes, the cantata version really screwed up the 4th part. it wasn't the 4th tier at all, it just went back into kefka's regular theme... booo....
Thought the final part was the weakest.... can hardly make out the different sections. Prefer Uematsu's cleaner rendition of the finale.
Fourth movement is probably my favourite.
This is probably one of the perfectly named songs ever. It is not only beautiful, but the title fits so well.
Phase 2 is easily the most unsettling, you made it sound like a truly maddening CARNIVAL OF ULTIMATE TERROR. Something about waltzes just signifies horrific, unfair death
holy christ! I wrote my comment before listening to phase 3. You are amazing at this! What a savagely beautiful and disturbing remix!!
11:27 really REALLY expresses the awesome divine cosmic powers and apocalyptic, omnicidal, howling, shrieking complete and utter, utter insanity of the God King Kefka.
You know it's good when the music's got you hooked for 18 minutes straight
Video game music is so underappreciated. Video games have produced some of the best modern classical pieces of music to exist
"underappreciated"
"3M views"
@@zekeiwa5837 don't get me wrong, 3m views is good for this specific piece that already got some internet fame, but I said video game music in general. When was the last time you heard video game music in a general discussion that wasn't about something niche?
@@GreatGreenGoo uh... all the time?
just look up how many "music composer reacts to video game music" videos with millions of views are out there
there's concerts dedicated to videogame music that are huge successes. there's memes centered around a particular videogame track that are massively popular. i fail to see how that's niche
@@GreatGreenGoo also, to say videogame music has some of the best modern classical pieces to exist is just wrong. there may be a few of those, but most of it is derivative and/or inspired by actual classics. videogame music has nothing on, say, john williams, who you could have trouble arguing that has a place among the likes of stravinsky, marquez or husa, let alone tchaikovsky or bach
@@zekeiwa5837Why does it feel like your trying to pick a fight here? Obviously composers like Bach are great, I did say modern classical. Just because I feel like video game music is not respected does not mean I think modern composers like Hans Zimmer are bad. My point was you go up to anyone who isnt interested in video games and say video game music can be on par with composers like John WIlliams and they will raise a big eyebrow at you. That was my point. I cant believe it needed all this to be apparent.
I didn't think I could have so much love for music from games I've never played, and yet I've spent the last 2 days listening to this and One Winged Angel.
Hey, me too.
@@BLZ231 Read Necron speech to Zidane after this song ;)
@@BLZ231
You stand before the final dimension, and I am the darkness of eternity...
All life bears death from birth.
Life fears death, but lives only to die.
It starts with anxiety.
Anxiety becomes fear.
Fear leads to anger... anger leads to hate... hate leads to suffering...
The only cure for this fear is total destruction.
...Now, the theory is undeniable.
All things live to perish.
At last, life has uncovered this truth. Now, it is time to end this world.
I exist for one purpose...
To return everything back to the zero world, where there is no life and no crystal to give life.
In a world of nothing, fear does not exist. This is the world that all life desires.
Foolish creature...
Your fears have already deluded you.
One day, you will choose destruction over existence.
Now, come...
Why defy your fate? Is the will to live that powerful...?
This is not the end. I am eternal... ...as long as there is life and death...
*SPOOKY*
This is just so nicely arranged. The adding of the choral vocals in the third and fourth mvts really give it realistic depth. And then the addition of the church bells at the end? A sort of literal death knell for Kefka. It's haunting and beautiful.
With the wonderful recapitulation tag echoed at the end, doubled both on organ and choir is a fantastic rounding out of the whole piece; followed by a big fat plagal cadence with crescendo really giving it an epic conclusion. I like this VERY VERY MUCH.
Well done!
If they remake FF6 someday, the final battle needs to sound like this.
How much do you wanna bet people will go insane if it isn’t turn based.
PC And Switch Gamer I mean alit wear the that bad but I would be worse for 6
I wouldn’t be mad if they used this arrangement for the next remake of FF6.
@@altair8514 I don't care to be honest. Characters like Edgar, Sabin and Cyan can translate well to a FF7 remake combat system. I just want the game to get the FF7 treatment and have all the amazing moments from the original game be remade while adding cool new ones.
@@lordquaz7154 well I mean all characters can translate well because of programming but it wouldn’t have the same impact because of how it would be changed. Cloud had very powerful slashes but could only go once a turn. Now you can mash the square button and do as much damage as you want.
Rarely does a remake surpass the original, let alone seldom come close with the original's quality and its foundation. You have, however, made an exception to this long standing fact with remakes and remastered an already near perfect final boss piece. Though still not yet perfect, nothing can ever be, you have surpassed the original's magnitude and made this song what it should be. Square Enix should hire you as the head composer or as a co-composer with the person who wrote the original as your mentor. You have talent. If you can rewrite this into a piece that honors this song as it deserves, you should be able to get a career as a musician. However, do not forget your origins if you choose to do so. Many composers do and their quality collapses into abyssal levels soon after their ego has overtaken them with hubris. Good luck with any future endeavors you so choose to take beyond this composition and future compositions.
SonicMaster Sword what you mean is an arranger
suman jain Well sort of, he actually did compose custom parts for this song in some areas. Therefore, a hybrid between the two.
Yeah, I'm sure Uematsu could do something like this nowadays (he wouldn't make exactly like this cause he has his own style), but at the time it was difficult dealing with hardware and you weren't capable of being nowhere near the level of this arrangement if you were to put it in a video game... The hard part I consider that it was mainly Uematsu, the work of the arranger is notable, but the act of arranging something that is very present in your heart is not too hard, especially if you are doing a digital arrangement... That being said, the arranger is very good and this took quite a bit of effort, but Uematsu is and will always be the genius in here... Composing like he did, his and will always be something comparable to Mozart, Bach or Chopin in my opinion...
That doesn't mean it doesn't surpass the original
the last act of the song, for some reason seems to be too fast. That is my only criticism. The sadness it's clipped and muted in that part specifically. Other than that, i would agree with you.
There is a saying about villains that goes like this: there isn't a worse villain than the one who thinks he's truly doing something good by doing the wrong thing. And that is right.
But when talking about Kefka, he's very different kind of villain. One that was truly monstrous, one that did know that he was doing wrong, but kept doing it just because he could and he liked to do it.
When someone mentions evil in videogames, this character is the one that immediately comes to mind. One of the best villains on the whole franchise, and still, this is a very underrated game eclipsed by its "succesor"
Sometimes evil defies comprehension. It looks like madness... if you grasp for reasons, you may come up short. Sometimes evil isn't to be fought, it's to be survived. Kefka confonts us with some horrifying concepts that many other "restart the universe with me as a god" narratives don't. Kefka shows how absurd human motivations and desires really are.
Some men just want to watch the world burn.
@@joshuaseagondollar2495 crash and burn you mean
Absurd from the point of view of a complete nihilist. I've met many and they have all been insufferable pseudo-intellectuals, self-loathing yet narcissistic.
This, my friend, was fucking amazing. I'm _extremely_ picky when it comes to arrangements of this song; this pretty much nailed it. The dissonant vocals and strings you added (1:33 and 12:06) give a nice "fingernails on the chalkboard" feel, like screeching fallen angels. The ominous atmospheric background vocals in the fourth movement (13:04), and especially the "sloppy" piano melody in the second playthrough of it (14:47) really drive home the madness and the "fuck everything" of Kefka. Especially the cackling, hooting laughter at (15:38) and ESPECIALLY chilling at (15:45). Added vocals to the third (8:19), as well, give a nice Baroque fugue feel and add to the religious overtones of Kefka's ascent. Transition to the fourth with the bells, heartbeat, thunder and lightning approach (11:23) is epic. Tremendous conclusion at the end, from (16:06), and especially the grand pauses starting from (17:06). Sorry for the long and admittedly bougie comment, but I can't say enough about how good this is. I enjoyed it more than the Distant Worlds version, and even the Black Mages version, which is tough to beat. Really, really nice work, my friend.
not as picky as me it seems cause I dont like how it buried the bass in last part. its just piano here and barely audible. I know its a symphonic remake but even those need to keep the rock elements.
I agree, this is my favorite version of this song and I try to get everyone to listen to it
Agreed, I'm very bougie with music. Big classical music fan. This arrangement was masterfully done.
yeah my only problem with this version is that every loop except the last is repeated three times and that's way too much. They should have went with two loops each or been more creative with the variations on each loops. The black mages arangement isn't better but it has a huge change at the end with the guitar solo and it doesn't loop too much, making it more fun to listen to.
You have fine taste thanks for the comment
The brilliance of the Dancing Mad cover you made was how it's both chaotic/disorganized and controlled at the same time. You captured Kefka's complete insanity in this version in a way the first version didn't. Uematsu is a genius but you elevated this to a whole other level.
I could definently see this as the actual Final Boss theme if Square Enix decides to make a Final Fantasy VI remake.
IKR.
Which they definitely should, imagine this boss in an HD remake.
SIGNED!
This is the only remaster I accept
I completely agree about, Dancing Mad being a story in music form. If i close my eyes I can see the battle play out. For me the most vivid part is the 4th movement. 11:32 The breaking dawn illuminating the newly born diety 'Kefka' starts by treating the battle as a game. It's energetic, and full of life. I see him bringing party members down to critical but stopping just short of that final hit and giving time for the others to save them because he doesn't want to just kill them, he wants them to give up first to agree with him before he ends their lives; 13:12 is a moment I see him doing just that. The ominous sounding vocals being a moment someone thought they were going to die, but then, Kefka stops before them and does something silly like make a face instead. But then he finds himself starting to get frustrated: he can't kill them even if he does try. Even if they fall below critical and get K.O'd as new party members rush in to fill the gap the fallen are being picked up almost as fast as he can cause them to fall. Than at the apex ( 13:31 ) he is struck. Not a blow he took on purpose and braced for to show the futility of attacking him, not a glancing blow but a solid strike; this one stung. So he falls to feigned death. The singing after I see being representative of budding hope that it was over, that our heroes had won... but it wasn't true. Our heroes with cautious hope move towards, Kefka to check to see if he was truly dead, but at (14:40 ) Kefka springs back up, launching himself into the air with his wings, laughs, and unleashes the Light of Judgement upon his own tower trying to destroy our heroes, but.... they resist. And the deity, Kefka is no longer amused; a furious twitch in his eyes as he starts to unravel. At 15:38 I see his delusions of himself start to crash down, and he hears in his mind the voices of all those that once offered even the slightest criticism as he starts to wonder and fear... were they right? A cold chill goes up his spine as the thought hits: "Maybe... I wasn't playing with them... Maybe I..." but he can't bare to think it. He, a god, cannot kill these people, these insects that dared rise against him and so the voices of all those people like so much laughter in his head as frustration, fear, self-doubt, rise to a boiling point. At 15:47 I see this pushing him into a moment of pure frenzy. He begins thrashing cause wild destruction that is no longer targeted at the many enemies before him but unchained. Several party members fall from the side of the tower at 16:06 as structural damage begins to take it's toll on the tower's peak... Kefka then turns to those that remain, as they brace themselves for what they know will be a losing fight; a smile spreading across, Kefka's lips as he slowly walks towards the party. With his victory so sure in his mind, Kefka fails to see the air-ship diving down quickly at 16:37 to save those that fell. From 16:41 to 17:08 the scene plays out as the air-ship takes all the falling party member's back up to the top of the tower and dropping them off in a concave, a semi-circle around, Kekfa opposite of the party members that did not fall. Kefka spins at the center of the tower in sudden realization: he was surrounded. Then it's a turret of attacks from the party, First Umaro, than Edgar, and each in turn attacking both to distract from the previous attack and to cause serious, actual harm. In fact, a cold, sobering realization; he had lost. He could see the rest play out in his mind like watching a train coming off it's rails. He knew what would happen. And knew there was nothing he could to to stop it. Lastly... Terra, in esper form, blade Ragnarok in hand runs, Kefka though the torso at 17:16. Stumbling backwards life draining from his body, Kefka finally understood. Coughing blood as weak laughter escaped, a numb coldness spreading to his limbs he smiles and falls as his foot steps backwards into air at 17:23. His body weightless, the wind rushing as his body strikes the ground at 18:09.
Kefka, the man-turned-diety, was dead.
I dare call this the ultimate version of this arrangement, congrats on carrying such a title!
This one is the only arrangement worth praising in TH-cam. Not even Square could do this well on their Distant World concert. Truly a masterpiece, I love it as much as the original.
played this for new year's eve, most epic way to end a year for me
that final tier transition...
I came
Same. Jesus motherfucking Christ that transition.
It builds a foreboding atmosphere that sends chills right through your spine.
*****
YOUR nickname...
hi
Is that the face you made when it happened, now frozen of astonishment? Also, what's with the name?
This is better than the Distant Worlds version, which was a freaking professionally organized symphony, and possibly, dare I say, better than the original.
Bartholomew Thundercat III This up there, I'm on the third tier right now. completely amazing
The only one that surpasses this is Uematsu's very own cover with The Black Mages
Yeaj, this ones is my favorite
For me it still need a little more realism, but I agree that it's a very nice arrangement, specially the choir sounds unbelievable
This is probably my favourite rendition of this piece.
I can not sit still hearing this. My body temperature rises and I get agitated while this musics hijacks my mind through a journey through hell and heaven. A truly epic masterpiece. A composition to go kill gods with ...
This whole arrangement just seems so perfect. You have captured the tone of the original so well, and even surpass it in some places. The intensity of the beginning works so perfectly with an orchestra and a choir backing it. The second movement captures the tone of Kefka's corrupt yet jocund nature. The feeling that it's all just a game to him. The third movement is just perfect. The orchestration you used is perfect to emulate the baroque sound Uematsu was going for. It sounds like it came straight from the baroque era. I just want to listen to it forever. The fourth movement is just a perfect remaster of the original with an orchestra setting. I didn't think the fourth movement could get any better, but you proved me wrong. There's so much more I want to say, but it's too much for a TH-cam comment on a video. Amazing job!
Finally, a marvellous symphonic arrangement with an acceptably authentic sounding pipe organ and huge space acoustics.
Made my day -- Congratulations to this extraordinary major accomplishment!
This literally sounds like an official orchestral rendition! This is insane!
This arrangement is AMAZING. You can practically hear Kefka tripping over himself as he gloats on organ in the final movement.
Sephiroth is cool but Kefka WON. you arent saving the world by killing him, youre just avenging it. This madman beat you and rubbed it in your face ruining the world. Putting him down just helped a little. Kefka is hands down the best FF villain
I love Kefka as much as the next guy but he didn't win, his main goal was to crush everyone in the entire world's hopes, happiness, and dreams, which he failed in doing so.
Jenova won. Only on a separate planet then her own was she defeated. Sephiroth is her half son thing.
Caius Ballad: Hold my Chaos...if you can
Kefka didn't 'win' and even then you can't compare the two. Sephiroth technically also won, the world post FFVII is messed up
Fighting Kefka is the is literal embodiment of that one line from the Avengers movie
“If we can’t save the world you can be damn well sure we’ll avenge it.”
To me, what makes this particular rendition one step above all others is the dissonant piano just after Kefka's laugh at 14:45. The beginning of the 4th movement really sells the idea that you are facing a literal god, and the piano really brings out the chaos and accentuates the fact that this god is utterly insane.
13:33
I've said it once, I'll say it again. Doesn't matter what version of Dancing Mad I listen to, one thing is always the same. You can guarantee this part will always sound amazing.
Minecraft characters sure do love dying to this
"For a musician, the SNES sound engine is like an artist using Crayola crayons. Nobuo Uematsu used Crayola crayons to paint the Sistine Chapel."
Literally the greatest piece of music i've ever heard,FF6 is one of the highest points of artistic expression videogame medium has ever reached
I have a great appreciation for music and art, and when I first heard this Symphonic Arrangement of Dancing Mad, I was absolutely astounded. Music always touches my soul, and this song has become one of my favorites. Every time the music reaches 16 minutes and 40 seconds in, I begin to cry. It is SO BEAUTIFUL.
Thank you for making this video. It ranks as my number one favorite.
By far THE best Dancing Mad cover I've ever heard!!!
A g r e e d
Best version I've ever heard period
the 3rd movement was goosebumbs. it sounds amazing
Absolutely. The chanting sent chills down my spine, combined with the Gothic organ.
It also accurately depicts Kefka as a false God, pure evil and malice cloaked in divinity.
(A more complete version)
0:00 - 1st Movement
4:31 - 2nd Movement
8:13 - 3rd Movement
11:27 - Kefka Descends
12:06 - 4th Movement
I haven’t heard this piece since I last played through FF6, back in my late teens, early twenties. I didn’t actually remember much about it, except,
*THE MUSIC*
When I listened to/felt this just now (I say that, because anyone who DOESN’T *feel this*, probably isn’t completely human), a whole lot of insanity came back to me.
*THIS WAS INCREDIBLE.*
I. Cannot. Stress. This. Enough.
Thank you for making this, this incredible work, in it I felt every note of madness in Kefka’s head, every blow felt by our protagonists, every loss our heroes endured, every pain, rage, and anguish felt by them. A whole epic story, told by this amazing piece of music.
*Bows head solemnly*
Thank you.
The Theme song of 2020
Movement 1: Australia Hellscape
Movement 2: The Arrival of Covid-19
Movement 3: Gender Reveal Hellfire
Final Movement: Heaven Ascended Covid
We are in the endgame Lads
Gender Reveal Hellfire lmaooo 2020 truly is Dancing Mad
[ COVID OVER HEAVEN ]
Secret Phase | - C O V I D U S B L A C K
COVID isnt even that scary so
Final movement: flash shutting down.
I don't even listen to Dancing Mad anymore. As far as I'm concerned, this is the only version that exists.