Sad news in the world of Final Fantasy music.
The Black Mages, the band responsible for churning out memorable Final Fantasy battle themes, have decided to part ways without clear reasons for the sudden disbandment. The band was assembled during the spring of 2002 and after that, the band has generated three studio albums namely The Black Mages, The Black Mages II: The Skies Above and The Black Mages III: Darkness and Starlight.
According to Nobuo Uematsu, the band’s composer, producer and keyboardist, difficult schedules made it impossible for the band to rehearse together and with other problems like Kenichiro Fuuki, one-half of the group’s guitarists, university post, it was clear that The Black Mages could never sustain each member’s availability like the one they had seven years ago.
Copyright issues were also Uematsu’s concern as Square Enix could bar the group in playing their own thing for future Final Fantasy musical projects. Uematsu did promise his fans that he’ll still be around and render his genius that had made his former band a force to be reckoned with during those times when it was time to face Necron (Grand Cross Battle Theme) and Ultimecia (The Extreme.)
Well, if Uematsu stays then, that’s at least something to lessen our sadness but, we’ll surely miss the band for making our final boss fights something to remember and relish for years to come.
Thank you, The Black Mages! Here’s one video clip featuring one of my all time favorites, One Winged Angel from Final Fantasy VII Advent Children.
Read More
My Party