THE PRIMALS - Dark Decades: Everything You Need To Know About The FFXIV Band's New Album And 2025 Budokan Tour
The Primals are back, and they are ushering in a new era of rock-infused Eorzean sound with their latest album, Dark Decades. As of December 16, 2025, the excitement is palpable among the *Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV)* community as this new release not only delivers fresh, hard-hitting arrangements but also sets the stage for a major 2025 tour, culminating in a legendary performance at Budokan. This article dives deep into the tracklist, the band's legendary members, and the impact of their new sound on the global gaming music scene.
The album, officially released on July 16, 2025, through Square Enix Music, is a critical component of the soundscape for the *FFXIV: Dawntrail* expansion, specifically focusing on the music from the challenging Arcadion raid series. It continues the band's tradition of transforming Masayoshi Soken's iconic compositions into high-octane rock anthems, proving once again why they are considered the gold standard for video game live music.
THE PRIMALS: The Official Band of FINAL FANTASY XIV
THE PRIMALS is not just a cover band; they are the official rock ensemble for *FINAL FANTASY XIV Online*, led by the game's visionary Sound Director and composer, Masayoshi Soken. Formed in 2014, the band’s mission is to bring the epic, high-energy battle themes of Eorzea to life on stage. Their dynamic performances and raw passion have cemented their status as a global phenomenon, bridging the gap between game music and mainstream rock.
The band’s lineup consists of five core members, each a powerhouse in their own right, combining the talent behind the game's music with seasoned rock veterans:
- Masayoshi Soken (Guitar & Vocals): The driving force and leader, Soken is the primary composer for *FFXIV*. His unique vocal style and electric guitar work define the band's sound.
- Michael-Christopher Koji Fox (Vocals): Known to the community as Koji Fox, he is the lead English localization writer and a key vocalist. His powerful voice provides the English lyrics for many tracks.
- GUNN (Guitar & Vocals): A highly respected session musician and collaborator, GUNN provides essential guitar riffs and shares vocal duties, notably on tracks like "Bee My Honey."
- Eikichi Iwai (Bass): A phenomenal bassist who lays down the heavy, complex rhythms that anchor the band's signature rock sound.
- Tetsuya Tachibana (Drums): The rhythmic backbone, Tachibana's intense drumming drives the energy of every track, perfectly translating the urgency of in-game boss fights.
The Dark Decades Tracklist: A Deep Dive into the Arcadion Raids
The Dark Decades album is a concentrated blast of rock energy, featuring five newly arranged tracks directly inspired by the music from the *FINAL FANTASY XIV: Dawntrail* Arcadion raid series. These arrangements take the already intense in-game music and elevate it to a stadium-rock level, ready for the band's massive 2025 tour. The album also features the fan-favorite track "Give It All."
Here is a breakdown of the key tracks that define the sound of the Dark Decades:
1. Ride the Rhythm
This track is the album’s opener and a perfect example of THE PRIMALS' style. It is a rock arrangement of "Arkadía: Cruiser Tier" (至天の座アルカディア：クルーザー級), a theme from the *Dawntrail* raid content. The track’s title suggests a relentless, driving pace, capturing the feeling of a desperate, high-speed battle.
2. Back to the Drawing Board
A track title that resonates deeply with the raid community, symbolizing the endless cycle of wiping and strategizing that defines high-end *FFXIV* content. Musically, fans can expect a complex structure with heavy guitar work and a powerful vocal performance that embodies the frustration and resolve of the Warriors of Light.
3. Not Afraid
This is likely the anthem of defiance, a track designed to pump up the adrenaline before a major fight. It showcases the band's ability to blend orchestral elements (a staple of the original *FFXIV* score) with raw, distorted rock, creating a sound that is both familiar and fresh. The lyrics, often penned by Koji Fox, typically convey themes of courage and overcoming impossible odds.
4. Unleashed
“Unleashed” has been a staple of the album's promotion, hinting at a track that breaks free of all restraints. Given its placement on the tracklist, it could be the most aggressive and fastest track on the album, featuring blistering guitar solos from Soken and GUNN and a thunderous performance from Tachibana on the drums.
5. Bee My Honey (Masayoshi Soken & GUNN Vocals)
This track stands out due to the specific mention of shared vocals between Soken and GUNN. It suggests a more collaborative or perhaps a lighter, more rhythmic tune compared to the heavy metal focus of the other raid themes. The title itself is a playful departure, indicating a surprising and memorable track in the band’s repertoire.
6. Give It All
The inclusion of "Give It All" ensures that the album offers a complete experience beyond the new raid tracks. This is a known, high-energy staple of THE PRIMALS' live performances, making the album a must-have for both veterans and newcomers looking to experience the band's best work.
The Dark Decades Tour: From Zepp to Budokan in 2025
The release of Dark Decades is intrinsically linked to THE PRIMALS' highly anticipated 2025 tour, their first major tour in seven years. This series of live events is set to electrify audiences across Asia, culminating in a historic performance at one of Japan's most revered venues. This tour is a massive undertaking, solidifying the band's global reach and the enduring popularity of *FFXIV* music.
The tour schedule for 2025 is a testament to the band’s commitment to their fans, featuring multiple stops at the legendary Zepp venues before the grand finale:
- KT Zepp Yokohama: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
- Zepp Sapporo: Friday, July 25, 2025
- Zepp New Taipei: Sunday, August 03, 2025
- Budokan (Nippon Budokan): Monday, September 29, 2025
The Significance of the Budokan Finale
The Budokan performance on September 29, 2025, is a monumental event for THE PRIMALS and the *FFXIV* community. Nippon Budokan is a venue steeped in history, often considered the pinnacle of live performance in Japan. For a video game band to headline this venue speaks volumes about the cultural impact of *Final Fantasy XIV* and Masayoshi Soken’s musical legacy.
The Budokan show is not just a concert; it is a celebration of the game’s decade-long success and a major milestone in video game music history. Fans who cannot attend in person are expected to tune into the confirmed live stream, ensuring that the "Dark Decades Tour" reaches a global audience of Warriors of Light.
Topical Authority: The Primals' Impact on Video Game Music
THE PRIMALS stand at the intersection of gaming, metal, and rock, providing a unique musical experience that goes beyond simple soundtrack arrangements. Their work on Dark Decades continues to elevate the profile of video game music (VGM) as a legitimate and powerful genre.
The band’s success is built on the foundation of Masayoshi Soken's compositions, which are legendary for their complexity and emotional depth. By transforming these themes into live rock performances, THE PRIMALS give the music a new, visceral energy that resonates with fans who have spent hundreds of hours battling the game's powerful entities, or "Primals," in Eorzea.
The album's focus on the *Dawntrail* Arcadion raids—the pinnacle of the expansion's endgame content—ensures that the music is associated with the highest stakes and most memorable moments in the game. Tracks like "Ride the Rhythm" and "Unleashed" are not just songs; they are auditory memories of overcoming immense challenges.
With the Dark Decades album and the subsequent 2025 tour, THE PRIMALS are not only cementing their own legacy but also setting a new benchmark for how video game soundtracks can be celebrated and experienced live. The anticipation for the Budokan show alone proves that the enthusiasm for this official *FINAL FANTASY XIV* band is stronger than ever.
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