The Extreme is one track from this album that I enjoyed as well, I think largely due to its fidelity to the original version. There is enough variation in tone during the song to make the improvisational riffs on guitar and keyboard not seem too out of place.

The mixture of "darkness and light" on the song I think gives it an energy that I too found missing in “Opening – Bombing Mission.” This is one of my favorite songs from FF, but even recently the theme has received more complex orchestration in the opening credits of Crisis Core and for the live concert Distant Worlds.

I totally agree with you on The Extreme. The opening minute alone had me sold. Makes me want to listen to the entire FFVIII OST, but up-sampled through the powers of Black Mages. :)