Close In The Distance/Utima Thule (FFXIV: Endwalker) Full Cover

Well, this one's a little different, isn't it?
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In terms of the games I've played this year, there are a few that really left a mark on me. Atelier Ryza and it's sequel Ryza 2, all the Ocarina of Time Randomizers, some others. None came to close the one everyone seems to love once they dip their toes in: Final Fantasy XIV. The soundtrack of this game, especially it's expansions, really is an achievement in how music can bring all sorts of emotions within us. This song, which plays in the final zone of Endwalker, is a perfect example. I won't spoil any details as to why but just know; there's a reason your friend says "bring some tissues" when you hit this point in the story. And considering the end of '22 being so near (I right this less than an hour to midnight on New Year's Eve), I figured this song would be a good sendoff.

As for the production, this is easily the most difficult cover I've ever produced. There are some obvious reasons, like how this one features clean vocals that are very much NOT written for a voice like mine (sorry, I did my best), but there's also the fact that this song isn't what you'd call "very metal." I mean don't get me wrong it's an absolute banger, but a headbanger? Not so sure. It's very calm and clean and kind of subdued in the first sections, something I had to learn how to do properly pretty much on the fly. Heavy reliance on piano and strings to fill out the space and even a little bit of synth for extra flavor. The heavy drums came later with a bit of clean "acoustic" guitar as the song builds up, with the heavy rhythm guitars coming in last for the big climactic, well, not chorus but you get the idea. I think I got most of it right, but let me know if I missed anything or need to explore some of this style a little more to really figure it out!

(Note: You know how this goes, this is not my composition. FFXIV belongs to Square Enix, and the original soundtrack to Endwalker is published under their own label. Give the free trial a try if you're interested! You can find me on Faerie.)

Composed by: Masayoshi Soken
Lyrics by: Tom Mills
Performed and Produced by: EmoShep

=== Instruments, Gear, & Other Fun Stuff ===
- Lead Guitars: Schecter Omen Elite-6 w/ Archetypes: Petrucci & Nolly
- Rhythm Guitars: Schecter Damien FR w/ Archetype: Petrucci & BIAS FX 2
- Bass: Schecter Omen Extreme-5 w/ BIAS FX 2
- Drums: The Perfect Drums VST
- Piano: Spitfire Audio Glass Piano
- Strings: Spitfire Audio String Ensemble
- Synth: Synth1 VST

- Audio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett Solo
- DAW: REAPER
- Camera: Lumix G7
- Video Editor: Adobe Premiere Pro
- Beverage: Mostly hot chocolate but sometimes a ginger ale

Hey hey, you read this whole thing! No way, you're like the coolest in all the Reflections. Say, how about you comment "this was nice but who was that weirdo singing and why hasn't he done the one piece rap yet? to let me know how cool you are! Oh, and have a Happy New Year! \M/

#ffxiv #ultimathule #cover #sortofmetal #idontknowwhatimdoing