Skyworld Review – Two Steps from Hell

I was listening to Skyworld, the new album from Two Steps from Hell all last week, I love it and I decided to write a review for my music friends and probably others will enjoy reading and listening too. I have been waiting patiently for the album to come out to buy here in the UK, and the wait was well worth it, it does not disappoint. It is a mind-blowing album, in each track you can hear the passion of the 2 composers. This time there are not only orchestral epic tracks but also vocal tracks unusual for the duo. More individuality certainly , this actually makes the album even more outstanding for me. The duo goes from strength to strength.

Below is a full listing of all 22 tracks, 11 of which Thomas Bergersen composed, the other 11 are compositions from Nick Phoenix. 21 tracks are brand new, only one track “Dark Ages” is from an older album “Nemesis” which was not for the public though.

Each of the two have their own style, still all 22 tracks are worth mentioning as great compositions. It is a fantastic album and every single track has it’s own individuality and beauty. It includes totally epic tracks with full orchestras and choir as we know them from Two Steps from Hell, slower emotional tracks and vocal tracks. There is certainly something for everybody to enjoy.  This music makes me very happy and I can dream and be in a different world.

It is good to hear Thomas’s and Nick’s voice in some tracks, also Thomas is playing the violin, electric violin and guitar in other tracks. This makes this album extra special to me. Both are so very gifted and talented composers.

It is fantastic to hear beautiful virtuoso Tina Guo again, playing her amazing cello in “Titan Dream” , “Big sky” , “Back to earth” and “The end is the beginning”.

Also we can hear the voice of well known Merethe Soltvedt in “All the kings horses”, “For the Win” and “Breathe”.

“All is hell that ends well” from Thomas is a brilliant track full of trailermusic traits, until  the ending where it goes over to dubstep. I am not a dubstep fan and I do not therefore like the ending. This is though my personal opinion.

“El Dorado” is more Epic Dorado a great epic song in the typical style of  Thomas, powerful full orchestra, great tune, simply fantastic in this category belongs “Skyworld” too.

“For the Win”, “Blizzard”, “Breathe”, “Queen of Crows”, Realm of Power”, “Winterspell” – Oh, it is hard to find a favourite.

“Sun & moon” is a slower wonderful, heartwarming, romantic song.  The lyrics are as usual a made up language and can mean anything you want, surely it is to do with love!

“Back to Earth” with Nick singing, a powerful slow, soft song. The other slower tracks are “Blackheart”, “Breathe” “Ocean Kingdom” and “Sun & Moon”.

“All the kings horses” is really very similar to pure classical music, with its’ busy strings reminding me of Vivaldi’ s fast violins in the Four Seasons.

1. All is hell that ends well

2. Titan dream

3. Skyworld

4. El Dorado

5. The end is the beginning

6. All the kings horses

7. Realm of power

8. Winterspell

9. Blackheart

10. Juggernauut

11. Dark Ages

12. Our last hope

13. Icarus

14. For the win

15. Sun & Moon

16. Big Sky

17. Starfleet

18. Queen of Crows

19. Blizzard

20. Breathe

21. Back to the Earth

22. Ocean kingdom

It is available to buy on i-tunes and Amazon.

All in all a fantastic epic album – a must have for all Two Steps from Hell fans. Thank you to Thomas and Nick and all who were involved in making this album for us, the public and your biggest fans.