Archangel (Two Steps from Hell album)

Last updated
Archangel
TSFH-Archangel-Steven-R-Gilmore.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 20, 2011 [1]
Recorded2006–2010
Length1:12:38
Producer Thomas Bergersen, Nick Phoenix
Two Steps from Hell chronology
Invincible
(2010)
Archangel
(2011)
Halloween
(2012)

Archangel is the second public album by the group Two Steps from Hell, released in September 2011. [2] [3] It consists of 26 tracks written by composers Thomas J. Bergersen and Nick Phoenix. [4] All the tracks are from prior demonstration albums previously only available to the industry; 14 are from the album, Nero . [3]

Contents

The cover and sleeve are designed by Steven R. Gilmore. [2]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)From the original demo album:Length
1."Mercy in Darkness" Nick Phoenix Dreams & Imaginations 1:11
2."Archangel" Thomas J. Bergersen Nero 2:35
3."Everlasting"Nick PhoenixNero2:49
4."United We Stand, Divided We Fall"Thomas J. BergersenNero3:58
5."Love & Loss"Thomas J. Bergersen Dynasty 1:49
6."The Last Stand"Nick PhoenixNero2:50
7."Nero"Thomas J. BergersenNero3:27
8."Destructo"Nick PhoenixNero2:32
9."Atlantis"Thomas J. Bergersen Nemesis 1:57
10."Strength of a Thousand Men"Thomas J. BergersenNero2:17
11."Unexplained Forces"Nick PhoenixNero3:11
12."Magic of Love"Thomas J. BergersenNero2:20
13."Norwegian Pirate"Thomas J. Bergersen Power of Darkness 3:03
14."Dark Harbor"Nick PhoenixPower of Darkness3:15
15."Dragon Rider"Thomas J. BergersenDynasty1:54
16."Mountains from Water"Nick PhoenixNero2:14
17."Titan Dune"Thomas J. BergersenPower of Darkness2:11
18."Ironwing"Nick PhoenixPower of Darkness2:38
19."Army of Justice"Thomas J. BergersenNemesis2:04
20."Immortal Avenger"Nick PhoenixNero3:44
21."He Who Brings the Night"Thomas J. BergersenPower of Darkness3:07
22."Caradhras"Nick PhoenixNero4:13
23."Sanctuary Is Lost"Nick PhoenixNero2:05
24."What's Happening to Me"Thomas J. BergersenPower of Darkness3:10
25."Aesir"Nick PhoenixNero4:50
26."Friendship to Last"Thomas J. BergersenNemesis3:13

Critical reception

James Monger of AllMusic reviewed the album favourably, saying it "offers up another explosive set of soaring mini-epics". He rated it three and a half out of five stars. [3]

The critique at IFMCA-associated reviews website, MundoBSO, [5] was positive, saying, "it is a sumptuous creation, of enormous orchestral, melodic, vocal and choral intensity, where the beauty of the celestial and the strength and power of the Averno are recreated. Very spectacular and with more than brilliant moments." It was rated seven out of ten stars. [6]

Charts

Chart (2011–13)Peak
position
US Classical Albums ( Billboard) [7] 36
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) [7] 28

Use in media

The tracks from Two Steps from Hell are frequently used in film trailers and other promotional materials. This non-exhaustive list includes notable use of tracks from Archangel:

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  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Monger, James Christopher. Archangel Review by James Christopher Monger at AllMusic . Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  4. Archangel on twostepsfromhell.com Archived May 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Members". IFMCA: International Film Music Critics Association . Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  6. "Archangel". MundoBSO. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  7. 1 2 "Billboard Chart history for Two Steps From Hell". Billboard . Retrieved 5 June 2013.
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