It probably is one of the best final boss themes of all time. I cannot believe that Uematsu pulled that off on the SNES
View: https://youtu.be/lPk_zyRKs1Q?si=mmXDgwy5pULf1m-a
View: https://youtu.be/lPk_zyRKs1Q?si=mmXDgwy5pULf1m-a
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FF6 is 30, so I can’t believe it’s been 30 years and no final boss theme has been more impressive than Dancing Mad, imo.
- Thread starter Phendrift
- Start date
Yup. Still peak final boss music, and it was all made on a little SNES cart. Incredible stuff (and game).
Bro I was an adult when I first heard it and I was floored by it. It's not complicated lol
Was about to post them too, alongside with pretty much all of SaGa Frontier final bosses themes lol
It's interesting because while I ADORE Dancing Mad and how well it fits Kefka, I think I might prefer One-Winged Angel just a bit more. One-Winged Angel has Sephiroth's insanity to be sure, but also his twisted honor and a sense of overwhelming dread. Like, he casts Super Nova, this is blaring, you're just, oh my God I am sooooo fuuuucked.
It's a SUPER tough call, and one of the reasons why Kefka vs. Sephiroth is debated to this day.
It's a SUPER tough call, and one of the reasons why Kefka vs. Sephiroth is debated to this day.
I never got to the final boss on SNES, but I got to the final dungeon.
So there's me, a couple years later, sitting in my little apartment with Anthology and this song kicks in and I'm holding my PSX controller tensely, nervously, and like "let's fucking go".
GODDAMN.
I know I will never be able to objectively compare FFVI to anything else, and I'm okay with that, and this is incredible.
So there's me, a couple years later, sitting in my little apartment with Anthology and this song kicks in and I'm holding my PSX controller tensely, nervously, and like "let's fucking go".
GODDAMN.
I know I will never be able to objectively compare FFVI to anything else, and I'm okay with that, and this is incredible.
I was about to post this myself. Incredible arrangement.
8-Bit Music Theory has done an incredible analysis of some of the FFVI music, including Dancing Mad of course!
View: https://youtu.be/RbeXHTDVX8c?si=Zy40QhjuYCKOGkee
Ok, I guess just don't hear it. Seems like typical boss music to me. Glad you all are enjoying it - I will excuse myself from the thread :)
Check out the 8-Bit music theory video I just posted. I'm not saying you will suddenly start enjoying it, but it might help you understand and appreciate why it's such a beloved musical piece. The way this epic track builds on everything the game presented throughout the entire journey, how it intricately weaves the different themes into each phase... gosh, I get shivers every time Omen brings us into the final phase.
Again, I absolutely get it if it isn't for you. Music can be such a subjective medium. This isn't the most accessible theme. If you haven't played the game, I don't think the track will resonate quite as powerfully. But for me personally, it is easily one of the most impressive compositions out there. I only type all of this out of passion, which I hope comes across in my writing in this response. :)
The multiple movements for the phases that transitions into a more rock opera genre shift for the finale is so impressive for it's time.
It's not my fave final boss theme, but it might be the one I respect the most for sure.
Oh and I didn't play the game until 2012 or so since someone is doing the whole nostalgia only thing
It's not my fave final boss theme, but it might be the one I respect the most for sure.
Oh and I didn't play the game until 2012 or so since someone is doing the whole nostalgia only thing
I played FFVI for the first time a few months ago and Dancing Mad 100% lived up to the hype. Even all these years later.
I'm a huge fan of One Winged Angel, so I don't necessarily agree that it hasn't been topped (or at least equaled). But damn, is it a great piece. I cannot imagine what it would have been like facing down Kefka 30 years ago and hearing that song for the first time.
I'm a huge fan of One Winged Angel, so I don't necessarily agree that it hasn't been topped (or at least equaled). But damn, is it a great piece. I cannot imagine what it would have been like facing down Kefka 30 years ago and hearing that song for the first time.
Uematsu gonna Uematsu. I literally don't even know if I can pick a favorite boss theme between FF4-8, dude was just on it all those games in a row. Never even really tried to bother. As technologically impressive as Dancing Mad is for the SNES, the others still hit like just as hard for me.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nONmVcrZJhc
View: https://youtu.be/7zRNPWYdouA?t=100
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nONmVcrZJhc
View: https://youtu.be/7zRNPWYdouA?t=100
I like Dancing Mad, but XIII's final boss theme is my top pick. It just feels like something that should play when you're fighting a god.
I mean almost all mainline FF final boss themes are GOAT tier.
But Dancing Mad is special, not gonna deny that.
But Dancing Mad is special, not gonna deny that.
GRAND CROSS
GRAND CROSS
GRAND CROSS
GRAND CROSS
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7zGRiDXhCw
It's so good
GRAND CROSS
GRAND CROSS
GRAND CROSS
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7zGRiDXhCw
It's so good
The song is well composed, but I don't see what's "impressive" about it really. Essentially we've got 4 separate tracks that each plays kn a different phase of the battle. It's not really different to the boss rushes in VII or VIII that also have different songs for different parts.
That said, Dancing Mad is a cool piece, but there are many other FF final boss themes that I like much better. It's probably not even in the top 5, or maybe even top 10, for me. If we talk about final boss themes in general Dancing Mad falls down the rankings even more.
That said, Dancing Mad is a cool piece, but there are many other FF final boss themes that I like much better. It's probably not even in the top 5, or maybe even top 10, for me. If we talk about final boss themes in general Dancing Mad falls down the rankings even more.
absolutely
i think Dancing Mad was literally THE gaming song I grew up with that I could show music instructors and they would literally just be an awe with it. in terms of construction and how Uematsu managed to make it with the SNES sound chip, it's the greatest gaming music of all time imo
i think Dancing Mad was literally THE gaming song I grew up with that I could show music instructors and they would literally just be an awe with it. in terms of construction and how Uematsu managed to make it with the SNES sound chip, it's the greatest gaming music of all time imo
the entire song, and thus each of it's parts, is a reference to the overall themes of the game and Kefka whilst simultaneously just flexing Uematsu's skill like playing Bach's Toccata and Fugue (Dancing Mad in of itself being similar to a Bach evolving piece) on a freaking SNES sound chip. it's just perfect brilliance
Yeah, I first played it back in 2018 and, uh, I wasn't ready.
My dream to see this played live at Distant Worlds.
My dream to see this played live at Distant Worlds.
Like I said, well composed, but not in my opinion not really impressive in my opinion. He brought back some leitmotifs like Omen for the first part or Kefka's theme for the fugue, but from a technical pov it's still simply four unrelated pieces that play back to back for each of the phases.
I'm glad you love it. I like many of its parts too, but I simply prefer other final boss themes much more.
I was pretty hum on this one until Theatrhythm, it's so fun to play
It's alright
Its no The Merciless Savior, but its leagues better than OWA's random pomposity.
A good 2nd place candidate.
A good 2nd place candidate.
Uematsu was definitely a BIG fan of the German Prog rock band, Triumvirat. Take a listen to the opening of this song of theirs and compare it to Dancing Mad:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxBQPcfFJnM
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxBQPcfFJnM
One-Winged Angel was great... in 1997. Since then they've overplayed and diluted that song to hell and back. The mistake Square made was to officially make it Sephiroth's "main theme" (not, Dancing Mad is the final boss theme, it isn't "Kefka's Theme", which is a different song altogether). They should've pushed "Those Chosen By the Planet" harder, but, here we are...
I'll give this one to Dancing Mad!
I'll give this one to Dancing Mad!
If you're talking about the song that plays during the fight with Sin, god no!
Incredible score for the final fight, especially the first and last parts, although I prefer at least The Extreme (FFVIII), Lifeclinger (VII Rebirth) and A Contest of Aeons (FFX) to it, and probably some others if I thought about it harder.
Definitely a top-tier final boss theme.
I can't explain why it's good from a musical perspective, but I love how it has a sense of the game coming full-circle with these two elements:
I can't explain why it's good from a musical perspective, but I love how it has a sense of the game coming full-circle with these two elements:
- The first part of Dancing Mad is a variation of the first part of the introductory scene at the game's beginning that speaks of the War of Magi and how magic was lost and dediscovered. So the theme represents the climax of the narrative role of magic.
- Right before you fight Kekfa, you hear the same organ notes that play when the game starts.
You're right, OP. Dancing Mad is absolutely the best. The way it dynamically shifts with each phase of the battle blew me away.
Lived rent free in my head for a good fifteen years.
Lived rent free in my head for a good fifteen years.
Inconditional love for Dancing Mad but .... The Seal is Broken exists.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otT5xlbjpjo
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otT5xlbjpjo
I played FFVI rather late and the first time I've heard Dancing Mad was listening to the Black Mages album instead.
I was floored. A 12 minutes opera-rock masterpiece which constantly evolves until it gets to its emotional climax. Incredible work from Uematsu.
I still think The Extreme is his best final boss theme, but Dancing Mad is a close second for me.
I was floored. A 12 minutes opera-rock masterpiece which constantly evolves until it gets to its emotional climax. Incredible work from Uematsu.
I still think The Extreme is his best final boss theme, but Dancing Mad is a close second for me.
Agreed. Dancing Mad is basically nothing for like 12 minutes. When it hits, it hits. But, eh. OWA kind of hits the ground rolling. And yeah, there's plenty of XIV that has it beat.
The final boss of bravely default along with The final boss killing your 3ds friends worlds is the closest we have gotten to dancing mad. Ending E of Neir automata as well to a lesser extent.
View: https://youtu.be/pRFgviKp5hA
View: https://youtu.be/3Nil0qRve4k?t=61
There is no equal.
I agree with ^ that the closest that jumps to mind is Bravely Default, but it's not in the same tier.
I agree with ^ that the closest that jumps to mind is Bravely Default, but it's not in the same tier.
Yes, I didn't play FFVI or hear this theme until I was 25 and I absolutely love it. I agree that it's one of the best final boss themes I've ever heard. I think I probably have pretty decent taste and a broad enough experience of music and video game music in particular to make that judgment.
I can definitely see how someone could feel each element of the piece is reminiscent of something in the history of music, so in that sense it may not be entirely unique. However, as a whole and within the context of video game music, it's astounding in my personal opinion.
EDIT: Sorry, I missed where you excused yourself from the thread. I hope you've gained some insight into what people are hearing in any case.
