“I am matter… I am antimatter… I can see your past… I can see your future… I consume time… and I will consume you!”

fun fact: He was designed by Tetsuya Nomura Later on, he was influenced by Mario and created Kingdom Hearts with Sora as the main character.

Man I remember when I was a kid and thought this tune was the coolest thing for a mario game… AND IT STILL IS!

I didn’t ever expect this cause you’ve already done the Final Fantasy 4 boss theme years ago. But wow, you did an entirely new take on this song and I think it came out absolutely amazing. Massive props!

Man, Crystal Crusaders was brutal. One of the few fights in Super Mario RPG where I needed to actually strategize instead of spamming Timed Hits and healing with Toadstool if necessary

When I heard this theme as a kid, I had never played a Final Fantasy game in my life, and even later when I did, my first Final Fantasy I ever played was 7, so it wasn't until my teenage years that I finally played Final Fantasy 4 and realized where Culex's theme had come from. Even then I was surprised to hear the opening riff in the battle theme from Final Fantasy 1 when I played that on my GBA, which sadly literally died in a fire.

3:50 I appreciate the clever use of the "Shredder" attack in the game window right when you began to shred. Nice touch!

These SMRPG remixes are too good man. Fantastic job!

Way back in the summer of 2005, I was helping my next door neighbor move some boxes out of her attic. One of the boxes was full of her son’s “old video games.” Super Mario RPG was one of the games in the box. I asked her if it was okay if I borrowed it, and she let me take it home. I remember facing Culex for the first time and thinking “Who the heck is this guy?” This would be my first exposure to Final Fantasy. This cover takes me back.

Keeping this a secret for an entire week from the other patrons was a true test of endurance but MAN it was worth it! I already knew this was gonna be awesome, and you STILL blew me away with this arrangement! Tossing in the Smithy Gang boss battle theme is AAAAAAAGGHHHH HOW DO YOU KEEP DOING THESE BIG BRAINED THINGS YOU MAGIC MAN AND you're using the cover art as the thumbnail, sheesh, SHEESH, I am so honored, man.

I may be a full grown man and combat vet but damn this made me cry just a little bit thanking back to the days of playing this and switching turns with my brother. Lost him 4 years ago thjs coming Halloween and this game holds something I can’t quite describe for me

"I am matter and antimatter. I am past, present, and future. I will consume all of time and space! My evil power is in harmony with this three-dimensional world. And now, it will crush you!"

That slow build up was fantastic ! Then to hear it transition into the real song! As well as the Battle Against an Armed Boss bit! Love how you guys put your own little twists on these tracks, keep up the awesome work! Doing a great job at making us all even more hyped for the SMRPG Remake!

This rocks hard!

I was not expecting two Four Fiend Remixes from you, but especially considering this remake coming soon I'll consider this a very happy exception! *M&L Bowser Laugh*

This has been a long time coming. Forever love your renditions and can't wait to hear more. CULEX THEME RULES!

I was wondering how you'd tackle this given the obvious reference this theme is referring to. From the first 20 seconds I can already tell this will be good. Keep these Mario RPG tracks coming man, I'm loving them

Your SMRPG remixes are absolutely fresh, dude. Keep them coming! 🎶

Another truly outstanding SMRPG remix! I’m especially looking forward to seeing Culex return in the Mario RPG Remake!

Wow, I'm so glad this is definitely not the boss theme from Final Fantasy IV. Excellent work, seriously!

As a kid I played SMRPG before any FF (it was my first RPG, I was 5) and had no idea wtf was going on with Culex. I thought he was just another random optional boss like Jinx. Anyway, this is a legendary arrangement. I haven't heard the original in a minute and I remember it sounding this awesome (even though I know I didn't). Super faithful.

1:36 That freaking bassline gives me the chills every time! It might be SMRPG but it's also the Boss Theme for FF 4!

Hell yes, this is a classic. Absolutely beautiful multi-phased banger, love the graceful atmosphere of the first phase, followed by the fantastic riffs and bass in the second, the frantic, incredible drumming of the third, the seemless switch to the fourth and the way it feels like all previous phases come together in the end. Fantastic banger

Oh yeah, Culex! That big lipped alligator moment of a boss fight!

I’ll never forget when I first faced Culex. I heard that theme play and I was like, “Hey, that’s from Final Fantasy 2 (the SNES release of the game at that time)!”

I love your music SO FREAKING MUCH DUDE AAAAAAAAAAA THIS COVER IS SO FREAKING INCREDIBLE Man, the sheer amount of talent you have at making covers like this will just never fail to absolutely amaze me. And this cover is far from an exception to that, you did an absolutely _spectacular_ job on it!!! I'll definitely be having this on loop for a while!

I will admit, I was expecting to see a certain butterfly knight show up and take center stage in their own cover, but this was really good as well! It perfectly fits the intensity of going up against the hardest boss in the entire game, as well as just being a fantastic cover of FF4's boss theme as well! You nailed this one and I can't wait for what's next! Anyways, for requests: 1. Awe of She (Guilty Gear X) 2. Balrog's Theme (Street Fighter 2) 3. Airship Fortress (Mario Kart DS) 4. Barok van Zieks ~ Grim Reaper of the Old Bailey (The Great Ace Attorney Adventures) 5. Morpho Knight (Kirby Star Allies/Kirby and the Forgotten Land) 6. Smart Race (Deltarune Chapter 2) 7. The Almighty (Persona 4) 8. Pure Furies ~ Whereabouts of the Heart (Touhou 15: Legacy of Lunatic Kingdom) 9. Rage Awakened (Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix) 10. Soul Ablaze (Mega Man ZX Advent) 11. Ekoroshia (Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair) 12. Battle! Zero Lab (Pokemon Scarlet & Violet) 13. Unexpectancy (Pizza Tower) 14. World Tournament Theme (Dragon Ball Fusions) 15. Bust a Move! (Ginga Force)

I appreciated the narrative editing on the gameplay, right down to the sequential popping of the crystals. Here's to the Dark Knight of Vanda!

woah woah woah, I WASN'T EXPECTING MORE SUPER MARIO RPG MUSIC!! At this point GO ALL IN! I want this whole soundtrack from you!! Top Tier cover! Loved this boss fight when i fought him recently, hard as heck but fun too!

The way I laughed and said "wait isn't that just.." when I saw this in my notifs. AMAZING. The first phase somehow has big Red Wings energy and GOOD LORD THE SMILE ON MY FACE AT THE BEGINNING OF PHASE 4. You are such a gift. I think people are probably greatly anticipating Smithy at some point. (secretly and quietly hoping for a mini of shopping in seaside town

Two final fantasy IV songs on so little time!? Awesome

Can’t wait to see how this will look in the remake!

This song is so incredible that it surpasses all limits and transcends to the 4th Dimension, a way that Culex could only dream of

This is amazing!! Dramatic start, epic build up, kick-ass main theme, BRUTAL guitar solo, perfect finish!!

Wow glad you got to this amazing song that originated in Super Mario RPG and never appeared anywhere else in any way before or after SMRPG's release. Definitely.

I'm always blown away by the creativity and skill of your covers! Fantastic work here! I'm even more hyped for the remake now

Did anyone else catch that when the move Shredder was used Johnny just unleashed on his guitar.

You need to know about insects to get the connection between culex and golbez

Aw man, I love -Final Fantasy IV- I mean Super Mario RPG music!

Ooh! You should do “And my names Booster” one day if you’re doing all these SMRPG themes that kick ass.

When I saw/heard Culex (and his music), I definitely thought he was from Final Fantasy even though the only other “Final Fantasy” content I ever knew about beforehand was Cloud in Smash

The "it's culexing time" killed me xD

Looove that thumbnail art, hoo baby. This cover is absolutely nuts, I love how all out you went for the cover with all of the parts, your passion always shows through.

It's been so so fun to see you finally get the chance to go back at SMRPG after the remake's announcement!! You seem to be enjoying it a lot

Blew my mind, my socks, my ears and all my hit points off... THIS ONE ROCKED HARD!

“Bear witness to the true power of POST GAME CONTENT!”

This remix foreshadowed what to come in the Super Mario RPG remake. Doubly good stuff.

“Shredder” was so clever 😂 incredible stuff as always man!

2:40 definitly...he says: _it's Culex time_ and he Culexing as ever was

This is fantastic music, as always, but I want to commend you on your video editing as well. The quick jump cuts on the big hits really help sell their impact, and the transition effects as you move into new phrases or sections are well placed and don't break the flow. Really good stuff!

リメイク版のクリスタラーに期待ッ!!

Oh dude, love how you broke this into different phases, going from slow and plodding when you begin to downright frantic and chaotic in the second, then we got the militaristic and determined in the third, and then the playful additions not present in the original along with the pitchshifting in the final phase. Brilliant job arranging this and truly making this iconic battle theme your own.

This is my favorite song from Final Fantasy 14 to be honest…. Wait what do you mean it’s not from FF14? /j

I almost clicked off because i wasn't a huge fan of the slow pace for phase 1, but MAN am I glad i saw there were multiple phases. sorry for doubting

YEEEEEEEEEEEA I LOVE THIS ONE (even though it's basically the final fantasy boss theme) 🔥🔥🔥 I really loved the dramatic slow intro, those always make metal songs amazing. Great cover!

I would absolutely love some long, clean loop versions of these covers for DnD boss encounter purposes! So amazing!

I'm not sure what I'm impressed with more: the actual musical performance, or the fact that he beat Culex.

I guess it only makes sense to do this after The Final Battle of Final Fantasy IV. Just didn't think you'd do it since you already did the Boss Battle theme from that game before... But this isn't just a boss battle theme, THIS... is the Fight Against Culex! (Will it be Pizza Time sometime soon, though?)

Red sun, red sun over paradise. Red sun, red sun over paradise. Johnny Atma is amazing.

I love when you do Mario RPG remixes! These covers rule, man! Keep up the great work!

God, I hope this is in the Super Mario RPG Remake, if not it will not be complete. Plus how can you not love a game that had 3 of the greatest composers of all time in 1 game. Shimomura, Kondo, and the God King Uematsu all in one game. Of course, now was have to add Johnny Atma to the list.

I've been waiting for centuries for you to do this! Thank you and praise you! This is so dang on better than any other versions!

OK, who spiked my Mario with Final Fantasy? GIMME SOME MORE OF THAT, PUH-LEASE.

Funny thing, this song is also in FFXIV and I was thinking it would be nice to hear the original again and then you show up with this one.

I need that Mario RPG shirt almost as much as I need figures of Mallow and Geno. Love it.

I have no words to describe the awe i was in while listening to this. You are matter. You are antimatter. You will shred time... And you will shred us!

Crystallier! He has returned from the two-dimensional world to conquer ours!

Break out the Rock Candy. Seriously looking forward to this fight in the remake. Keep on rocking, sir.

Ok wow, you really made this it’s own thing and that’s awesome. Prolly gonna blast this when I fight culex in the remake

I am matter... I am antimatter... I can see your past... I can see your future... I consume time... and I will consume you!

SO GOOD!! Uematsu would be proud :)

This absolutely awesome remix makes me wonder if this fight will be in the remake with a new take on FFIV's boss theme by Shimomura. Love the addition of Armed Boss in the final segment.

You had...a _lot_ of fun with this one. Requesting Ark Mall from Astral Chain.

Man, I was a teenager when SMRPG came out, and when this theme kicked in I remember thinking "oh crap, this Mario game just got serious!" Beautifully done, of course. That march section at the beginning was also quite nice while also being a sort of "gotcha" lol

Those different versions back to back, love it! Again, you did a masterpiece! Keep it on! 🤘

Somehow... I dream that we fight Culex in the last Endwalker dungeon...

Sneaky Armed Boss reference at the start of part 4, and the little Mario theme reference at the end! This was almost like a mini Dancing Mad version of the song lol

Monster's FP is gone, but Jonny will always be able to cast Shredder.

Ah yes, that one time a FF reference showed up in Mario

As a long time fan and beginner guitar player, I have to absolutely commend you for how easy you make this sort of thing look. I'm not even talking about technical skill- it's so hard finding guitar tabs for Nintendo songs (especially Kirby). You sir are an absolute guitar hero!!

Now I wanna see a cover of Tutankoopa from Mario Pinball Land.

Thank you for covering this classic. 😊❤️

Look, I've got nothing to say, you surprised (well pretty much everyone) with this one, this is phenomenal, take your celebratory cookie and enjoy the rest of your day you madman!

I have a mighty need! I must haves ones of those super Mario rpg shirts!

sooo dramatic, i love it

Omgoodness that bass!!! Badass bro. THIS TRACK BETTER BE IN THE REMAKE!!!!

Amazing job. Totally the theme of Culex and not the boss battle from Final Fantasy IV.

A once in a lifetime cross over

definitely the best cover of this song I have heard from this game and not any other!

You got the bass line on point though. The OG Culex theme had a more noticeable bass line than FFIV's Boss Fight.

I didn't realize I've been waiting for this for so long until I saw this video

One of the best Remixes you've done so far this year!

You should do the Final Fantasy IV boss theme next!

A perfect way to end my sunday and start a new week and month....

Final fantasy fans, sit back. We Mario fans own this one

“Definitely not from Final Fantasy IV” 😂 Great job on this cover of a ‘cover’

4:05 I swear to christ I can hear the noise’s lemotif faintly in the background while listening with headphones

Oh yeah. When that wind Crystal pops, you feel a gushing sense of relief wash upon you

Woo! Best surprise superboss! Amazing job.

Being the die hard ff4 fan I am this made me really excited to listen too, and what a rendition it is! It makes me excited to see what they actually do with culex in smrpg but I hope it’s a awesome remix like this and not just the normal 4 boss theme