The Black Mages - Disappointment

[Eriol]

This album is not dethroning Konami Battle albums or Falcom JDK anytime soon.
Some tracks have synth that forces the guitar work into the background, which was a total disappointment.

Decisive Battle is the strongest in the guitar department, but the original melody got a bit muddled. It took me some time to figure out where the music originated.

[Naka]

I have yet to listen to it, but after reading all the disappointing comments, I am not as excited as I originally was. We shall see shortly enough...

[Eriol]

The album is decent, but not as powerful as Konami Battle, Falcom JDK, or Guilty Gear.

It's not a total loss, but those of us who have listened to better rock music will be disappointed.

[Rince]

Hmmm, I think this was too hyped up (wrong expectations). I personally LIKE most of the arrangements there if you don't view it from a "Battle Contestant" point of view. The melodies are VERY recognizable, and you feel yourself back to the time you had to actually FIGHT those damn battles.

The guitar may be a disappointment to those who expected too much out of it. For me it's not. Nubuo Uematsu and Co did just not go to the same lengths as Kukehia Club did for the Battle Albums. They definitely had more instruments involved, and possibly double the time and money.

For simple listening pleasure, Black Mages is something different than the thousandth "Orchestra Arrange" Album.

[Eriol]

If you advertise a battle album or rock album, I would expect good guitar work and percussion work.

Well, I just answered with my wallet. I'm getting Guilty Gear XX Sound Alive (live concert recording) in March. "Heaven or Hell, Let's Rock!"

[Sir VG]

All of the tracks with the word "battle" in the title were a disappointment to me.

Faves? J-E-N-O-V-A, Those Who Fight Further, Dancing Mad, and Fight With Seymout.

I think Those Who Fight Further wins the "Best on CD" award.

[TheLastOne]

I think you're nuts ;).

Force your Way is definately the best track.

Fight with Seymour wasn't very changed at all.

Overall, this album was a let down for me, as well. Although, I knew it from the word go.

[Grass-eatin'me]

No dissapointment. Basicly because I didn't expect anything from it. And that's why I haven't heard it untill now. Force Your Way got a very cool original composition and is therefor great. The last part of Dancing Mad is also good. A guitar solo instead of chorus was certainly a great idea. But the only track which could in any way be classified as Hard Rock would be Clas on the Big Bridge.

[inforcer]

An average album in my opinion. Nothing to go O_O over.