Battlecry (Two Steps from Hell album)

Last updated
Battlecry
TSFH-Battlecry-Steven-R-Gilmore.jpg
Studio album by
Two Steps from Hell
ReleasedApril 28, 2015 (2015-04-28)
Length1:36:24
Producer Thomas Bergersen, Nick Phoenix
Two Steps from Hell chronology
Miracles
(2014)		Battlecry
(2015)		 Classics Volume Two
(2015)

Battlecry is the seventh studio album by the group Two Steps from Hell, released on 28 April 2015. [1] It consists of 26 tracks written by composers Thomas J. Bergersen and Nick Phoenix. [2] The album features all-new tracks, except for Amaria from the demonstration album of the same name. It features vocal performances by Merethe Soltvedt, Nick Phoenix and Felicia Farerre. [3]

Contents

Battlecry is the first public album by Two Steps from Hell released on two discs and furthermore the first public release to feature instrumental versions of two tracks. [2] The cover artwork and the sleeve are designed by Steven R. Gilmore. [4]

It was the group's first album to peak at number 1 on the US Classical Albums chart as well as the first to feature on the Billboard 200 , having sold 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week. [5]

The album was later re-released in 2017 as Battlecry Anthology, featuring instrumental and orchestral versions of all the tracks from the original album. [6]

Track listing

Cannon in D Minor was first uploaded to YouTube in 2014 by Four For Music, Ltd. as a demonstration track for their collaboration with Two Steps from Hell. [7]

The original version of None Shall Live is also available as a commercial single entitled Children of the Sun, featuring vocals by Merethe Soltvedt. [8]

Victory became the first track to surpass 100 million views on the group's official YouTube channel. [9]

The cut track Chosen One was ultimately released in 2020 as L'Appel Du Vide on Bergersen's solo album, Humanity - Chapter I .

Disc 1

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."None Shall Live" Thomas J. Bergersen 2:19
2."Stormkeeper" Nick Phoenix 2:55
3."Victory" (feat. Merethe Soltvedt)Thomas J. Bergersen5:20
4."Wolf King" (feat. Felicia Farerre)Nick Phoenix4:14
5."Rise Above" (feat. Merethe Soltvedt)Thomas J. Bergersen3:24
6."Spellcaster"Nick Phoenix3:01
7."Never Back Down"Thomas J. Bergersen2:55
8."Red Tower" (feat. Merethe Soltvedt & Felicia Farerre)Nick Phoenix3:08
9."Cannon in D Minor"Thomas J. Bergersen3:03
10."Blackout" (feat. Felicia Farerre)Nick Phoenix3:45
11."Stronger Faster Braver"Thomas J. Bergersen4:38

Disc 2

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Battleborne" (feat. Merethe Soltvedt, Felicia Farerre & Nick Phoenix)Nick Phoenix4:59
13."Last of the Light"Thomas J. Bergersen2:53
14."Ultraground"Nick Phoenix3:10
15."Release Me"Thomas J. Bergersen4:03
16."Freedom Ship" (feat. Merethe Soltvedt & Felicia Farerre)Nick Phoenix3:22
17."Amaria" (Originally "Welcome to Amaria" from Amaria)Thomas J. Bergersen3:14
18."Flight of the Silverbird"Thomas J. Bergersen3:31
19."Outpost" (feat. Merethe Soltvedt & Felicia Farerre)Nick Phoenix2:58
20."Unforgiven"Thomas J. Bergersen4:10
21."Across the Blood Water" (feat. Felicia Farerre)Nick Phoenix3:33
22."No Honor in Blood"Thomas J. Bergersen3:07
23."Sariel" (feat. Felicia Farerre)Nick Phoenix2:49
24."Star Sky" (feat. Felicia Farerre)Thomas J. Bergersen5:30
25."Battleborne (Instrumental)"Nick Phoenix4:59
26."Star Sky (Instrumental)"Thomas J. Bergersen5:34

Tracks exclusive to Extreme Music

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
25."That's a Wrap"Thomas J. Bergersen10:00
26."Children of the Sun" (feat. Merethe Soltvedt)Thomas J. Bergersen4:42

Cut tracks

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
25."Chosen One"Thomas J. Bergersen5:06
26."Chosen One (Instrumental Mix)"Thomas J. Bergersen5:04

Critical reception

James Monger of AllMusic reviewed the album positively, describing it as "death-defying gymnastic routine-ready pieces of expertly crafted, epically presented audio melodrama". [3]

Ryan Book of Music Times was more ambivalent, initially saying, "the collection seems ready for [a] music video featuring dragons, wizards and epic battles" and comparing its "Gaelic style" favourably to scores by Hans Zimmer and Howard Shore. However he finished his critique with, "orchestral music buffs won't be too keen... but perhaps fans of Nightwish and other symphonic metal might be able to appreciate the album as a whole." [10]

IFMCA-associated reviews website, MundoBSO, [11] highlighted its "great melodic power" and rated it seven out of ten stars. [12]

Charts

Use in media

The tracks from Two Steps from Hell are frequently used in film trailers and other promotional materials:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Two Steps from Hell</span> American trailer music company

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

<i>Invincible</i> (Two Steps from Hell album) 2010 studio album by Two Steps From Hell

Invincible is the first public album by the group Two Steps From Hell, released in May 2010. It consists of 22 tracks written by composers Thomas J. Bergersen and Nick Phoenix. The tracks are a collection of fan favourites from prior demonstration albums previously only available to the industry, "represent[ing] the very best of Thomas and Nick’s first few years at Two Steps From Hell". Two tracks, however, are brand new compositions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Bergersen</span> Norwegian composer and founder of Two Steps from Hell.

Thomas Jacob Bergersen is a Norwegian composer, multi-instrumentalist, and the co-founder of the production music company Two Steps From Hell. He is among the worlds most streamed artists in the classical crossover genre, and has over 2 million streams per month on Spotify. Bergersen's compositions have featured in many motion picture campaigns, such as Avatar, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Twilight Saga, The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, Da Vinci Code, The Mummy, The Dark Knight, Tron: Legacy and hundreds more. Bergersen has scored over one thousand soundtracks and film trailers.

Nick Phoenix is a British composer, pianist, and co-founder of the production music company Two Steps from Hell. He has written music for a number of trailers, with over 1,200 scores and placements in total.

<i>Illusions</i> (Thomas Bergersen album) 2011 studio album by Thomas J. Bergersen

Illusions is the first studio album by Norwegian composer Thomas J. Bergersen, of Two Steps From Hell fame. It was released in June 2011. It consists of 19 tracks and features vocal performances by Vladislava Vasileva, Elitsa Todorova, Merethe Soltvedt, Kate St. Pierre, Jenifer Thigpen and Colin O'Malley, as well as instrumental performances by cellist Tina Guo, and the Capellen Orchestra. The album cover and artwork are designed by Jesper Krijgsman, inspired by visuals from Beauty and the Beast. Initially a digital release, the CD was made available in March 2012. It has sold over 1 million copies worldwide.

<i>Archangel</i> (Two Steps from Hell album) 2011 studio album by Two Steps from Hell

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

<i>Legend</i> (Two Steps from Hell album) 2008 demo album by Two Steps From Hell

Legend is a demonstration album by the music production group Two Steps from Hell, originally released exclusively to clients in the motion picture and advertising industry for the purpose of licensing in May 2008. It consists of three discs: two CDs and a bonus DVD. The former contain a total of 37 principal tracks; 20 on disc one and 17 on disc two. The latter includes a large collection of alternative versions; therefore, in total, Legend consists of 77 tracks. They are predominantly composed by the group's founding members, Thomas J. Bergersen and Nick Phoenix, as well as some by Troels Folmann. The album was recorded by Capellen Orchestra in Prague, Czech Republic and at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, United States. The cover artwork and the sleeve are designed by Steven R. Gilmore.

<i>Power of Darkness</i> 2010 demo album by Two Steps From Hell

Power of Darkness is a demonstration album by the music production group Two Steps from Hell, originally released exclusively to clients in the motion picture and advertising industry for the purpose of licensing in March 2010. It was uniquely distributed on a flash drive, rather than a physical disc. It includes 32 principal tracks, split into two themed volumes. Additionally, it contains a large collection of alternative versions; therefore, in total, Power of Darkness consists of 77 tracks. They are composed by Thomas J. Bergersen and Nick Phoenix. The album was recorded in Prague, Czech Republic, in Los Angeles, and in Utah, United States. The cover artwork and the sleeve are designed by Steven R. Gilmore.

<i>Halloween</i> (Two Steps from Hell album) 2012 studio album by Two Steps From Hell

Halloween is the third public album by the group Two Steps from Hell, released in September 2012. The album contains 48 tracks, written by composers Thomas J. Bergersen and Nick Phoenix. All the tracks, apart from To Die on Halloween, are from prior demonstration albums previously only available to the industry. This is their first public album to feature tracks with English vocals.

<i>SkyWorld</i> 2012 studio album by Two Steps From Hell

SkyWorld is the fourth public album by the group Two Steps from Hell, released in October 2012; their third major release following the success of Invincible and Archangel. The album contains 22 tracks written by composers Thomas J. Bergersen and Nick Phoenix. All tracks, except for "Dark Ages", are brand new original tracks. This is the second of their albums featuring tracks with English lyrics, namely Titan Dream, The End is the Beginning, and Back to the Earth. Recording took place in both Brno, Czech Republic and Los Angeles, United States.

<i>Classics Volume One</i> 2013 studio album by Two Steps From Hell

Classics Volume One, also stylised as Classics, Vol. 1, is the fifth public album by the group Two Steps From Hell, released in June 2013. It consists of 23 tracks written by composers Thomas J. Bergersen and Nick Phoenix. This album is the first of their public albums available in lossless audio. All songs except "Return from Darkness" and "Path to Earth" are from their previous demonstration albums. The album also features an extended version of "Eternal Sorrow" from the Nemesis album, as well as tweaked versions of "Magnan Imus", "White Witch", and "The World Is Mind".

<i>Miracles</i> (Two Steps from Hell album) 2014 studio album by Two Steps from Hell

Miracles is the sixth public album by the group Two Steps From Hell, released in June 2014. It consists of 21 tracks written entirely by composer Thomas J. Bergersen. This album predominantly features material selected from earlier demonstration albums, including Dreams & Imaginations, Illumina, Two Steps From Heaven, and Volume One. However the title track, "Compass", and "Stay" are brand new tracks. The previously unreleased tracks "Sun Gazer," "Eyes Closing," "My Freedom," "Perfect Love", and "Wind Queen" appear with various tweaks and embellishments.

This is the discography of Thomas J. Bergersen, a composer whose music has been used in trailers of Hollywood blockbusters such as Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, Interstellar and many others.

<i>Sun</i> (Thomas Bergersen album) 2014 studio album by Thomas Bergersen

Sun is the second studio album by Norwegian composer Thomas Bergersen, of Two Steps from Hell fame. It was released in September 2014. It consists of 16 tracks, featuring vocal performances by Merethe Soltvedt, Molly Conole and The Choir of Sofia, as well as instrumental performances by T-Rex, Chris Bleth and Bergersen himself. The album cover and artwork are also designed by Bergersen himself. The tracks "Empire of Angels," "Final Frontier," and "Starchild" were made available as preview tracks on iTunes prior to the full release.

<i>Classics Volume Two</i> 2015 studio album by Two Steps From Hell

Classics Volume Two, also stylised as Classics, Vol. 2, is the eighth public album by the group Two Steps From Hell, released in June 2015. It features 15 previously unreleased tracks from prior demonstration albums composed by Thomas J. Bergersen, and 10 entirely new tracks from Nick Phoenix. The album features tracks containing vocal performances by Felicia Farerre and Aya Peard.

<i>Vanquish</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Two Steps from Hell

Vanquish is the ninth studio album by the group Two Steps from Hell, released on 2 December 2016. It consists of 17 tracks written by composers Thomas J. Bergersen and Nick Phoenix. The album is the first major public release to include no material from industry album releases. It was recorded live by Capellen Orchestra under the supervision of Petr Pololáník, and features vocal performances by Felicia Farerre, Asja Kadric, Jenifer Thigpen, and Linea Adamson.

<i>Unleashed</i> (Two Steps from Hell album) 2017 studio album by Two Steps from Hell

Unleashed is the tenth studio album by the group Two Steps from Hell, released on 22 September 2017. It consists of 56 tracks written by composers Thomas J. Bergersen and Nick Phoenix. The album is the longest released to the public by Two Steps from Hell. It features vocal performances by Merethe Soltvedt, C.C. White, Felicia Farerre, Úyanga Bold, Nick Phoenix and Linea Adamson. The cover artwork and the sleeve are designed by Steven R. Gilmore.

<i>Dragon</i> (Two Steps from Hell album) 2019 studio album by Two Steps from Hell

Dragon is the eleventh studio album created by the music production company Two Steps from Hell, released on 18 January 2019. It consists of 19 tracks written by composers Thomas J. Bergersen and Nick Phoenix, and features vocal performances by Merethe Soltvedt, Felicia Farerre and Úyanga Bold. Chris Bleth and Claudio Pietronik are also credited for specific instrumental performances. The cover artwork and the sleeve are designed by Steven R. Gilmore.

<i>Myth</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Two Steps from Hell

Myth is the twelfth studio album created by the music production company Two Steps from Hell, released on May 3, 2022.

<i>Live – An Epic Music Experience</i> 2022 live album by Two Steps from Hell

Live – An Epic Music Experience is a live album created by the music production company Two Steps from Hell, released on November 4, 2022. It is distributed by Sony Classical Records digitally, on CD, and vinyl. It is the group's first live album.

References

  1. ↑ Ebbinghaus, Peter (28 April 2015). "Two Steps From Hell release new public album "Battlecry"". Behind The Audio. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Timeline Photos - Two Steps From Hell - Facebook". facebook.com.
  3. 1 2 Monger, James Christopher. Battlecry Review by James Christopher Monger at AllMusic . Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  4. ↑ Lebrun, Clothilde (17 May 2015). "Two Steps From Hell: Battlecry". Trailer Music News. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  5. ↑ "Billboard 200" (PDF). Billboard Magazine (16 May 2015 ed.). Billboard. pp. 65–66. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  6. ↑ "Battlecry Anthology". Two Step From Hell via iTunes.
  7. ↑ FFM & SSO proudly present "TWO STEPS FROM HELL". YouTube. 18 July 2014.
  8. ↑ ""Children of the Sun" announcement". Thomas Bergersen via Facebook.
  9. ↑ "twostepsfromhellofficial's Most Viewed YouTube Videos - Socialblade.com". Social Blade . Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  10. ↑ Book, Ryan (8 May 2015). "Two Steps From Hell Bring Action Film Business to Billboard 200 with 'Battlecry'". Music Times. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  11. ↑ "Members". IFMCA: International Film Music Critics Association . Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  12. ↑ "Battlecry". MundoBSO. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  13. 1 2 "Two Steps From Hell - Battlecry - ultratop.be". Ultratop (in French). 9 May 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  14. ↑ "Klassieke Albums - 9 May 2015". Ultratop (in Dutch). 9 May 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  15. ↑ "Albums Classiques - 9 May 2015". Ultratop (in French). 9 May 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  16. 1 2 "TWO STEPS FROM HELL". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  17. ↑ "Billboard 200, May 16, 2015". billboard.com.
  18. ↑ "Two Steps From Hell". billboard.com. Archived from the original on 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2015-06-16.
  19. ↑ "Classical Crossover Albums - Week of May 16, 2015". Billboard . 16 May 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  20. ↑ "Two Steps From Hell". billboard.com. Archived from the original on 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2015-06-16.
  21. ↑ "TWO STEPS FROM HELL CHART HISTORY – Independent albums". billboard.com. Archived from the original on May 7, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Top Album Sales > Week of May 16, 2015". Billboard. 16 May 2015. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  23. ↑ "TWO STEPS FROM HELL CHART HISTORY". billboard.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Classical Crossover Albums - Week of May 27, 2015". Billboard . 27 May 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  25. ↑ "Year-End Charts Classical Albums". Billboard. 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  26. ↑ "Year-End Charts Classical Crossover Albums". Billboard. 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  27. ↑ "Year-End Charts Classical Albums". Billboard. 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  28. ↑ "Rapports annuels 2022 - Classique". Ultratop (in French). 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  29. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : World first face transplant: meeting the man who wears 'my brother's face' | 60 Minutes Australia. YouTube .
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