Overview

The Fire Emblem The Blazing Sword Premium Soundtrack was a first print bonus for ordering the Japanese version of the Game Boy Advance's Fire Emblem: The Blazing Sword. It features just five themes from the game, but they're good ones and have even been remastered with high quality instruments. Like always, the composer is Yuka Tsujiyoko, who has been the main Fire Emblem series composer to this day. Nevertheless, The Blazing Sword is one of the strongest Fire Emblem soundtracks to date and some extra effort seems to have been put in given the game was to be released worldwide. Though short, this album is the closest to seeing the original intention of the music before it was downgraded for the game and main soundtrack release.

Body

As with series' tradition, the album starts with the Blazing Sword version of the series' main theme. The Fire Emblem theme is in great quality and the high fidelity orchestral samples are appreciated. However, the composition has been recycled many times just like the Dragon Quest overture, so there's nothing special to hear. The Path of Radiance version is much more interesting. It is followed by a rendition of the opening theme. While the original was a simple composition for harp, strings, and synth vocals, this is massively enhanced by the use of beautiful vocals and some gorgeous nuances. It's a pity it's not longer, but I guess things were constrained by the length of the FMV itself.

There are a couple of character themes also featured on this album. "Wind Across the Plains" is an arrangement of Lyn's theme. Her style involves much more woodwind instruments and less brass, but still features a grand and catchy melody. The remastered version works well since the woodwind samples chosen are very expressive, though there are occasional balance issues. Eliwood's theme "One Heart" is featured at the end of the album and, with its blend of emotional influences and classic Fire Emblem feel, it feels like a victorious finish. I like the extra bells that were added to this version as well as the subtle interludes.

The soundtrack also gives a sample of some of the nifty battle music to expect in The Blazing Sword. Though short, the player battle theme "Strike" is fun and catchy. The action feel is really enhanced with the remastering through the punchy brass and racing strings. It's a little on the short and repetitive side though. I personally would have preferred "Rise to the Challenge" to feature instead, but beggars can't be choosers.

Summary

This is a good sampler of the music for Fire Emblem: The Blazing Sword. It captures the grand orchestral feel of the franchise while also offering a gorgeous opening theme, two very personal character themes, and a bold battle theme. The track selection was effective and the remastering is sensitively done. It's just a real pity that a full-length remastered soundtrack or arranged album wasn't released with this sort of quality. This album will be difficult to find, but is still worth a listen, even though the Fire Emblem The Sealed Sword & The Blazing Sword Original Soundtrack is the definitive soundtrack release for this game.