Battlecry – Two Steps from Hell

Two Steps from Hell have done it again –  more tracks released – hurray!

Even if you don’t know about them you surely have heard some tracks not knowingly – on TV or in films as trailer music.

 

A new album with 26 tracks is out – Battlecry from Two steps from Hell

” The eight studio album under the Two Steps from Hell banner to be made public by project composers NP and TB the aptly named “Battlecry” offers 26 new movie trailer , war documentary and death defying gymnastic routine-ready of expertly crafted, epically resented audio melodrama. As per usual most of the tracks are instrumental but guest vocalist Merethe Soltvedt and Felicia Farerre lend their voices to a pair of songs.”  – Excerpt from their website.

 

For me this is another amazing collection of epic music of my favourite musicians.

Some tracks remind me of other music composed by Thomas and Nick.

This collection is more epic, dramatic and monumental and the name “Battlecry” does its justice.

Movie trailers perfect for war documentaries and film – you can let your imagination go.

For me the full orchestral tracks are the best.

My favourites are Victory, Never back down, Cannon in D-Minor – an orchestral masterpiece, Release me, Last of the light, No honour in Blood and Star Sky.

The best classical music of our time.  This is real music!

Epicness at its best.

Thomas and Nick never disappoint instead they get better and better.

Looking forward to many more amazing new tracks……. or even a concert in Europe one day????

Listing

1.None Shall Live

2.Stormkeeper

3.Victory

4. Wolf King

5. Rise Above

6. Spellcaster

7.Never Back Down

8.Red Tower

9.Cannon In D Minor

10.Blackout

11.Stronger Faster Braver

12.Battleborne

13.Last of the Light

14.Ultraground

15.Release Me

16.Freedom Ship

17.Amaria

18.Flight of the Silverbird

19.Outpost

20.Unforgiven

21.Across the Blood Water

22.No Honor In Blood

23.Sariel

24.Star Sky

25.Battleborne – Instrumental

26.Star Sky – Instrumental

Listen for yourself to  Never Back Down and Star Sky

 

 

Looking forward to Classics Volume 2 which is in the making!

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Sun – Thomas Bergersen – Review

My favourite composer “Thomas Bergersen” did it again, he released a stunning new album called “Sun“.

…and I am in love with it…. a masterpiece, an amazing collection of dramatic, epic, and emotional tracks beautifully composed. If you love big orchestras and you are in for a big treat here.  Thomas Bergersen brings love and beauty with his music. He is a musical genius and one of the best composers at this time as he shows again with this new album.

I have to admit that I listened a lot to the 30 seconds you get on Amazon on each track, before it was released officially. Already then I fell in love with some tracks straight away and could hardly wait for the release day!

The album is like a musical journey full of love and excitement.  Every single track a stunning piece of music in its own way. A mix of calm, epicness, musical beauty and full of love. The orchestra is amazing and I can only imagine it was a real joy to perform for this album, singing in the choir and playing in the orchestra.

Exerpt from the website:

Thomas’ follow up album to “Illusions” – “Sun” took him almost 4 years to complete and features his best, most heartfelt, virtuosic and powerful music to date.  It features a giant orchestra ( over 200 musicians contributed) choir, Bulgarian choir, famous world class instrumentalists and a wide range of styles, emotions and colours.  Recorded around the world, with contributing artists form all over the world including Bulgaria, Romania, Norway, USA, Brazil, Mexico, Germany and Italy.  “Sun” is without doubt Thomas Bergersen’s finest work to date , and the natural continiuation of “Illusions”.  The Orchestra, world famous “Capellen Orchestra” was recorded in Czech Republic and conducted by Maestro Petr Pololanik.  Using dynamic overdubbing (shuffling players around between each take) we achieved an absolutely massive string orchestra sound (168 payers in total, with 20 all stars first chair violinists), and a humongous brass ensemble sets the tone if the album.  Tracks such as Final Frontier feature 18 French Horns in unison!

This is what is says on the Two Steps from Hell web site, and I totally agree with it.

Track Listing

1. Before Time
2. Creation of Earth
3. Sun
4. Cry
5. Our Destiny
6. New Life
7. Final Frontier
8. Starchild
9. Colours of Love
10. Cassandra
11. Always mine
12. Dragonland
13. Fearless
14. Empire of Angels
15. Two Hearts
16. In Paradisum

The album starts off with a short, slow and calm track ‘Before time’  very melodic with a great cello followed by the first real dramatic track ‘Creation of Earth’.  ‘Sun’ already known to us before, it was on the you tube channel featuring Thomas’s girlfriend Cassandra, a romantic track with much orchestral beauty.  ‘Cry’ one of my very favourites is melodic and I so love the full orchestra in this piece, I cannot get enough of it.  ‘Our Destiny’ another dramatic track, amazing piano piece at the beginning, the choir, the fast and furious strings gives it this classical feeling like a  piece of Beethoven, very monumental and then it goes to pure epicness, an amazing piece to combine both types, ending in pure classical delight.  ‘NewLife’ brings a calm, soft, emotional side to life, a musical gem whereas  ‘Final Frontier’ is again an epic track . It features in the Trailer of the film “Interstellar” Sci-Fi Movie.  ‘Starchild’ is epic and fast and I could imagine it being music for a trailer again as you can imagine stories going along wiht it, it let’s your imagination run wild.  ‘Colours of Love’ – the title reminds me of ‘The Magic of Love’ ( from the album Archangel) which is pure musical love. The ‘Colours of love’ is the longest track of the album with 6.29 minutes and again you can feel the love and happiness. It is a very happy and cheerful track which could go on for even longer for me.  ‘Cassandra’ was dedicated to Thomas’s girlfriend, composed and shared some time ago it is a beautiful love song.  With ‘Always mine’ the love story continues, a melodic, happy and loving track, a great one to walk to as it gives you a real swing into your steps.  ‘Dragonland’ and ‘Fearless’ are real epic tracks again great trailer music for me.  ‘Empire of Angels’ starts slowly building up to the bigger orchestra with beautiful violin highlights then ending quietly again. ‘Two hearts’  an emotional track with chimes, a beautiful voice and violins, full of love.  The album ends with ‘In Paradisum’ a slow and calm track with choir (more like his ‘Hymn to life’). For me it could be the background for a meditation session.

Some tracks give you goosebumps, some make you smile,  some make you sing or hum to them, some inspire, they make you happy, they make you feel the love and  they let you gasp because of their musical awesomeness.

They certainly will be on my journeys along with his other albums whilst driving, walking and relaxing.

A musical sensation to be listened to with an open heart and full attention to every instrument playing –

a musical feast.

 

facebook Two Steps from Hell

facebook Thomas Bergersen

Their official you tube channel

Two Steps from Hell Website

Thomas Bergersen Website

 

The album can be bought here:

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sun/id914202953
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sun-Thomas-Bergersen/dp/B00MXBIPQK
CDbaby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/thomasbergersen2

Miracles – Two Steps from Hell

My favourite group ‘Two Steps from Hell’

has released its fifth public album with the appropriate title

Miracles

It is a miracle what beautiful music they produce!

“Miracles is the counterpart to our epic releases, focusing primarily on our emotional, beautiful and tender songs.”

 – 2 Steps from Hell quote

 

A beautiful, soft and gentle mix of known and new tracks;  beautifully crafted melodies,  romantic with amazing voices like Merethe Soltvedt .   It is a more dreamy, emotional  album a step away from the blasting epic trailer music with amazing orchestral arrangements.  Some invite for romantic evenings, some are ideal for meditating. Definitely another musical gem from Thomas Bergersen – Two steps from Hell.

Thank you Thomas you never disappoint your fans!

You have excelled again in music making!

Eyes closing, I love you forever, Science and Lost in Las Vegas are from the album ‘Illumina’.  Lux Aeterna, Sungazer, Eria, Colour the Sky,Forever in my dreams and Northern Pastures are from ‘Dreams and Imagination’ which were not released to the public. There are also tracks from other albums which you can see below.  All are composed by Thomas Bergersen.

It also features “Heart” which was composed for the victims of the Earthquake in Japan 2011, all proceeds went to the Red Cross.

The great track ‘Lost in Las Vegas’ was written some years ago. Thomas was a DJ before he got into orchestral music. Back then he produced a lot of trance music.

My favourite track is Compass, no Forever in my Dreams, no Sun Gazer, no Eria, no….. well I can’t decide…. They are all amazing.

Here is the listing of Miracles:

1. Miracles – later released in Amaria

2. Eria – from Dreams & Imaginations

3. Compass – later released in Amaria

4. Sun Gazer – from Dreams & Imaginations

5. Eyes closing – Illumina

6. Fountain of Life – from Nemesis

7. Stay – later released in Amaria

8 Men of honour – from Two steps from Heaven

9. My freedom – from Nero

10. Perfect Love – from Dreams & Imaginations

11. Lux Aeterna – from Dreams & Imaginations

12. I love you forever – Illumina

13. Colour the sky – from Dreams & Imaginations

14. Forever in my Dreams – from Dreams & Imaginations

15. Breath of Cold Air – from Volume One

16. Heart – from Two steps from Heaven

17. Wind Queen – from Volume One

18. Northern Pastures – from Dreams & Imaginations

19. Science – Illumina

20. Lost in Las Vegas – Illumina

21. Compass Bonus track with vocals

Tracks 4, 5, 9, 10,and 17 are new versions

taken from Two steps of Hell’s facebook

Some are on their You tube channel to listen to.

Little taster here with Eria

 

You can download Miracles from

Download Miracles:
iTunes: http://tiny.cc/bh3tgx
Amazon: http://tiny.cc/4ytxgx
Google play: http://goo.gl/K0p4EG
CDbaby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/twostepsfromhell18

 Enjoy the beauty of this music!

Two Steps Fom Hell – T Shirt

Yay

I got it!

I finally received my T-Shirt!

It did come from the USA and my first one I ordered got lost in the post….

So with patience I am now a proud owner of a

Two Steps from Hell T-Shirt.

You all know how much I love them, so here another wonderful track called

“Undying Love”

Wishing you all a wonderful love filled day!

“Love is like the wind, you can’t see it but you can feel it.”

 Nicholas Sparks

The Magic of Love

Give love away

it comes manyfold back

like an echo of love.

Wishing you a great day!

With love

Ute

Two Steps from Hell Update!

You know that I am a huge fan of Two Steps from Hell. They rock! I so love their music!

Their first concert was on 14th June 2013 in California in the Disney Hall as I informed you in a previous post.

I was sad I couldn’t go, but hoped that it will be a success so they might do more.

…..and it was……. I gathered all the information about their concert, as I am so excited.

At rehearsal, with Thomas Bergersen, Nick Phoenix and Merethe Solvedt:

Thomas Bergersen says:

Wow!! What a night! And what an AUDIENCE! You were amazing!!! We were blown away by the response, and absolutely honored to perform for all of you. Thanks soooo much to all of our fans for coming! Now the question is not if we will do another one, but when and where…

Merethe Solvedt says:

It was SUCH an honor being part of this concert. The audience blew us away over and over!! Thank you!
♥ ♥ ♥

Here another reaction – taken from facebook site!

Last night I saw two “clients” that originally started out as internet friends, and became actual friends put on a concert at a little place called Disney Hall. It was humbling seeing two truly talented people be backed by millennia of talent on stage, and in turn seeing them humbled by the response from their fans who flew from around the world to see them. I was also at once proud for them, proud to know them, and proud to work with them. There probably were less than 10 of us that started out as the core group of orchestral sample/Midi-mockupers over a decade or so ago. To see so many grow into such amazing places, and still feel as much a part of it as ever, was healing. Two steps from hell, has enough heat to burn away the darkest clouds. Thanks Thomas Bergersen and Nick Phoenix for a great show, and being such great friends!

TWO LEGENDS
P.S.: The concert was AMAZING. Goosebumps all over, and to see the entire Trailer Music community come together like that cannot be described in words. — with Thomas Bergersen and Jo Blankenburg at The Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles.

And last but not least a great article already from the concert to read!

Well there is a chance they come to London one day

….that will be MY Day.

A taster here :

You are wonderful TWO STEPS FROM HELL

you are my Two Steps from Heaven.

Two Steps from Hell – exciting update

As you know my favourite group is

Two Steps from Hell

The news is that they are giving their first concert, Worldpremiere…. hurray….. fantastic…..epic…. their first concert ever. Isn’t that absolutely fantastic!  I am so excited!

but….. it is in America, so I can’t go…..  I am still excited 🙂

Tickets are for sale already here.

There is hope for another one in Europe… or even maybe London, I won’t give up hope.

I can’t wait to read the reviews. This is so exciting!

I wish them a totally sold out house and a fantastic atmosphere at the concert.

If this is a success there might be more concerts.

A little taster of their music for my friends:

Casablanca a brilliant track!

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.

I am so excited

Finally today I could buy the new album SKYWORLD from Two Steps from Hell.

I have so far listened to it on you tube and there is one more song I totally love and is one of my favourites.

It is a beautiful romantic song called “Sun & Moon”. The female vocalist is Carina Istre and the male vocalist is no other than my favourite composer himself Thomas Bergersen. The words are a made up language, as in some of his other songs.

So close your eyes and let the music flow through you.

A feast for your ears.

SKYWORLD – Two Steps from Hell

My favourite group Two Steps from Hell has just released a new album and it is for us , for the public. 🙂

Skyworld has 22 tracks, 11 composed by Thomas Bergersen , 11 by Nick Phoenix.

I have just listened on youtube but will buy it on  Amazon when it comes out on the 8th November.

Track number 19, composed by Thomas Bergersen called “Blizzard” and is actually a beautiful song.

This is for my friend Maggie, who is braving Hurricane Sandy in Virginia. She is well prepared with lots of water, food and new books. The last entries on her facebook were:

“Really nasty outside right now…….the storm isn’t even here yet, joy! Wind really gearing up and very wet, Sandy is not nice……”

“Just looked outside in the back and we seem to have a new swimming pool…….nice!”

At least she keeps her spirit up, she did say all you can do is be prepared and sit it out! Be safe Maggie!

Anyone affected or staying in the path of Hurricane Sandy. Be Safe ♥