Two Steps from Hell - The Epic Music Production Company

Two Steps from Hell was an American production music company based in Los Angeles. It was founded in 2006 by Thomas Bergersen and Nick Phoenix, a pair of composers born in Norway and England, respectively. They created the company to make trailer music demos to be circulated exclusively within the movie advertising industry for the purpose of licensing, and were partnered with Extreme Music, which handled licensing arrangements. The duo were among the most successful in their field, having supplied background tracks for thousands of film trailers and TV commercials. They composed separately but released their creations together. Typically, their music was orchestral and choral-based, but with modern complements and structured similarly to pop songs. The stentorian nature of their works led to the frequent use of a contemporary label, "epic music," to define their style.

Establishment and Success

They established themselves as a major player in the market of the late 2000s, providing tracks to trailers for major film franchises such as Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Trek, and Twilight. As the public became exposed to their music, the pair gained a cult following online who pleaded for their compositions to be made available to purchase. Two Steps from Hell soon released their first two public albums, Invincible (2010) and Archangel (2011), collections of their most popular demo music to date. These were followed by the album SkyWorld (2012), which consisted entirely of brand new music straight to commercial release. With these albums all successful, the duo organized their first concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2013.

A waning demand for traditional trailer music in the movie industry emerged by the mid-2010s; the pair has since focused increasingly on creating further public albums consisting of new and more varied compositions, with far less of an emphasis on composing demos for trailers, while continuing to release more of their back catalog commercially as well. Such music performed well in the United States; 13 of their releases reached the top ten of the Billboard Classical Crossover Albums charts, 3 of which peaked at number one: Battlecry (2015), Unleashed (2017), and Myth (2022), the first also charting on the Billboard 200. The 2020s began with the group consolidating their popularity by organizing their first tours in Europe. However, in 2024, it was announced that Bergersen and Phoenix were going their separate ways, ending Two Steps from Hell.

History

Two Steps from Hell was founded in early 2006 when Thomas Bergersen and Nick Phoenix joined forces to write original music for movie trailers. The two have composed music for over 1,000 major motion picture trailers.

With the founding of the company in 2006, Bergersen was looking for a name that would draw attention with the old adage in mind, "All PR is good PR." The idea for the name came from "Two Steps From Heaven," a Norwegian nightclub that, according to Bergersen, had a similar theme going on.

Despite the company finding success with its music, the tracks were not officially released to the public until the May 2010 release of the commercial album Invincible. Invincible was approaching Gold record status. As of January 2017, Two Steps from Hell has published 10 public albums in addition to 20 demonstration albums, with almost 1,000 unique tracks in total.

Invincible was followed by Bergersen's first solo album, Illusions, then Archangel and Halloween, both primarily compilation albums of industry tracks. Next, SkyWorld was released as the first public album to feature mostly new tracks, followed by the primarily compilation albums Classics Volume One and Miracles.

In 2013, Nick Phoenix released his first solo album, Speed of Sound.

The album Sun, which was released on September 30, 2014, is the second solo album from Thomas Bergersen. Preview tracks were released from the album, titled "Cry" and "Sun," the former of which can be downloaded from Bergersen's official website. An official music video for "Sun" was also released on YouTube, preceding the announcement of a signed limited deluxe edition CD release set to include additional tracks and notes from Thomas, as well as a large-size poster featuring his artwork.

Additionally, in July 2014, Two Steps from Hell released an e-book known as Colin Frake on Fire Mountain, which features a 75,000-word novel written by Nick Phoenix with illustrations by Otto Bjornik, as well as an original score also made available via a soundtrack release. A sequel entitled Colin Frake: Asclepius was released in April 2017.

2015 saw the release of Battlecry, featuring all new songs. This album proved to be a significant success, reaching the top of the Billboard Classical Crossover Albums chart and gaining widespread acclaim for its powerful compositions. The album included tracks like "Heart of Courage" and "Victory," which became fan favorites and were frequently used in various media.

In 2017, Unleashed followed, further solidifying their status in the epic music genre. This album showcased a blend of orchestral and electronic elements, appealing to a broader audience while maintaining their signature sound. The success of these albums led to increased demand for live performances, culminating in their first concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2013, where they performed a selection of their most popular tracks.

As they continued to evolve, Two Steps from Hell released Myth in 2022, which featured a mix of new compositions and reimagined versions of previous works. This album was well-received and marked a new chapter in their musical journey, showcasing their ability to adapt and innovate within the genre.

Legacy and Impact

Two Steps from Hell has had a profound impact on the music industry, particularly in the realm of trailer music and epic orchestral compositions. Their tracks have been featured in numerous high-profile film trailers, video games, and television shows, making them a household name among fans of cinematic music. The duo's ability to create emotionally charged and powerful soundscapes has inspired countless composers and musicians in the industry.

As they transition to solo careers, the legacy of Two Steps from Hell will undoubtedly continue to influence the epic music genre. Their dedication to crafting compelling and memorable compositions has left an indelible mark on the landscape of modern music, ensuring that their work will be celebrated for years to come.

Concerts

Two Steps from Hell hosted their first live concert on June 14, 2013, at Disney Hall, performing popular tracks like "Heart of Courage" and "Protectors of the Earth." They continued to perform live, including a concert in 2022 in Europe, showcasing their music with orchestras and choirs.

Evolution and Solo Projects (2016-2024)

By the mid-2010s, the demand for traditional trailer music began to wane, prompting Bergersen and Phoenix to explore new musical styles and compositions. They continued to release their back catalog commercially while also producing new music. In 2020, they began releasing chapters of the Humanity album series, showcasing their evolving sound.

In April 2024, it was announced that Bergersen and Phoenix would pursue solo careers, effectively ending Two Steps from Hell. This marked the conclusion of a significant chapter in the epic music genre, as the duo had become synonymous with powerful, cinematic soundscapes.

Notable Contributions and Appearances

Two Steps from Hell's music has been featured in trailers for major films such as Harry Potter, Star Trek, The Dark Knight, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Their tracks have also been used in popular video games like Mass Effect and The Witcher 3, as well as in television series including Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad.

Discography

Commercial Albums

• Invincible (2010)

• Archangel (2011)

• SkyWorld (2012)

• Battlecry (2015)

• Unleashed (2017)

• Myth (2022)

Solo Albums

• Illusions (2011) by Thomas Bergersen

• Speed of Sound (2013) by Nick Phoenix

• Sun (2014) by Thomas Bergersen

Anthology Series

• Battlecry Anthology (2017)

• Nero Anthology (2018)

Soundtracks

• Colin Frake on Fire Mountain (2014)

Live Albums

• Live – An Epic Music Experience (2022)

Demonstration Albums

• Volume One (2006)

• Dynasty (2007)

• Power of Darkness (2010)

Third-Party Albums

• Sinners (2010) by Aleksandar Dimitrijevic

Singles

• "A Place in Heaven" (2011)

• "Ocean Princess" (2014)

• "Wings for Ukraine" (2022)

Conclusion

Two Steps from Hell has left an indelible mark on the music industry, particularly in the realm of epic music. Their powerful compositions have enhanced countless film trailers and captivated audiences worldwide. As they transition to solo careers, the legacy of Two Steps from Hell will continue to influence the epic music genre for years to come. Explore their discography and experience the cinematic soundsc

Listen to Two Steps from Hell's Albums in Lossless Audio via Streaming: HERE