The Black Mages are a Japanese instrumental rock band formed by Nobuo Uematsu, composer for various video games in the Final Fantasy series. The band arranges Uematsu's musical compositions in a rock style often similar to progressive metal, achieved with the additional use of synthesizers.
The band has released three studio albums, the first containing only combat-related instrumentals. It was released eponymously as The Black Mages in 2003. The second album—The Skies Above—was released in 2004 and features a wider array of pieces. Guest vocalists Tomoaki Watanabe (as "mr.goo") and Kazco Hamano appear on separate tracks, and an original track titled "Blue Blast - Winning the Rainbow" was created for Japanese K-1 fighter Takehiro Murahama. The Black Mages have appeared on several other video game-related (mostly Final Fantasy) albums. The band released their third album on March the 19th 2008.
Live performances are rare, with only two concerts that celebrated album releases. The first—"The Black Mages LIVE"—was held in Shibuya, and later released on DVD exclusively to fanclub members. A second concert—"LIVE above the sky"—was held in Kawasaki City and similarly released on DVD to fanclub members. However, The Black Mages have made appearances in various Final Fantasy-related concerts, such as "VOICES" and "More Friends."
On March 1, 2008, it was announced at the Distant Worlds concert in Chicago by Arnie Roth, that the Black Mages have completed their third recording that will include a version of Maria and Draco. Nobuo Uematsu later said there will be a concert in Japan for the third album sometime in August 2008.
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