Two Steps from Hell
Two Steps from Hell was an American production music company based in Los Angeles, founded in 2006 by Norwegian composer Thomas Bergersen and American composer Nick Phoenix to create original epic orchestral music primarily for film trailers, video games, television, and other media.[1][2] The company quickly gained prominence for its powerful, cinematic soundscapes characterized by soaring melodies, full orchestras, choirs, and hybrid electronic elements, which helped pioneer the epic music genre—a style blending symphonic intensity with modern production techniques.[1] Over its 18-year run, Two Steps from Hell released 14 public albums available to general audiences, beginning with Invincible in 2010 and culminating in Myth in 2022, alongside numerous trailer-specific productions.[1] Notable tracks such as "Heart of Courage," "Protectors of the Earth," and "Victory" became staples in promotional campaigns for blockbuster films including The Dark Knight Rises, Inception, and The Amazing Spider-Man, appearing in hundreds of movie trailers, thousands of television advertisements, and various video games.[1][2] The duo's work extended to live performances, including a 2022 European tour with full orchestra and choir, and a 2022 live album Two Steps From Hell: Live – An Epic Music Experience released via Sony Classical.[1] In April 2024, Bergersen and Phoenix announced their amicable separation, effectively disbanding the company to pursue independent solo careers while maintaining the legacy of their collaborative output.[3] Bergersen continues releasing music under his own name, focusing on classical crossover compositions, while Phoenix explores new projects as a songwriter and sound designer.[3] Despite the end of the partnership, Two Steps from Hell's catalog remains widely streamed, with billions of plays across platforms and a lasting influence on trailer music and epic orchestral genres.[2]Overview
Formation
Two Steps from Hell was founded in 2006 by composers Thomas Bergersen and Nick Phoenix in southern California.[4][5] The duo established the company in the Los Angeles area, specifically Santa Monica, to focus on creating original music tailored for media applications.[5] The initial motivation behind the formation was to produce high-impact trailer music for films, television, and advertising, allowing for flexible usage without the rigid licensing constraints typical of traditional film scoring arrangements.[6] Bergersen and Phoenix sought to innovate within the trailer music genre by infusing more emotional depth and originality, aiming to differentiate their work from standard industry offerings.[7] Prior to this collaboration, both had gained experience in music production through online communities and individual composition projects, including Phoenix's work in sound design.[7] From its inception, Two Steps from Hell operated as a production music company, emphasizing "epic" orchestral scores designed specifically for promotional trailers and advertising campaigns.[6] This structure enabled direct distribution to media professionals, bypassing conventional record label models to prioritize utility in high-stakes promotional contexts.[6] Their early demo albums, released starting in 2006, served as proof-of-concept to showcase their capabilities and were distributed exclusively to industry professionals for potential licensing in trailers and media.[8] Selected tracks from these demos were re-recorded for their first public album, Invincible, released in 2010. This release highlighted their signature style of intense, cinematic compositions, helping to establish early connections within the advertising and film sectors.[9]Production model
Two Steps from Hell employs a hybrid production model centered on creating "demo" albums exclusively for sync licensing within the film, television, and advertising industries. These non-commercial releases are distributed through their partner, Extreme Music, allowing music supervisors to license tracks for use in trailers, commercials, and other media projects without public availability. Revenue is primarily generated through these sync fees, with the company's music appearing in hundreds of movie advertisements and thousands of television programs worldwide. Selected tracks from these demos are later adapted, often with enhanced recordings, for commercial public albums released for direct purchase, enabling fan access while preserving the core licensing framework.[1][10] The creative collaboration between founders Thomas Bergersen and Nick Phoenix divides responsibilities along complementary lines, with Bergersen emphasizing orchestral arrangements and melodic development, and Phoenix concentrating on percussion and rhythmic foundations. This partnership leverages virtual instruments for efficient demo production, supplemented by live orchestras and choirs for polished commercial versions, resulting in a signature epic sound blending symphonic elements with rock influences.[1] By the 2010s, the model evolved to incorporate solo releases from Bergersen and Phoenix alongside joint Two Steps from Hell projects, expanding their catalog while upholding the practice of uncredited appearances in media to amplify promotional reach without diluting the focus on the content being promoted. This approach has solidified their role in establishing the epic trailer music genre, with public albums self-distributed since their inception, including the 2022 live album via Sony Classical.[1] Following an amicable separation in April 2024, Bergersen and Phoenix discontinued joint projects under Two Steps from Hell to pursue solo careers.[3]Musical style
Influences
Two Steps from Hell's music is profoundly shaped by the epic, orchestral traditions of Hollywood film scoring, with founders Thomas Bergersen and Nick Phoenix drawing inspiration from composers like Hans Zimmer and John Williams to craft their signature "Hollywood sound." Nick Phoenix has specifically highlighted Zimmer's influence on their trailer music style, noting how his approach to emotional intensity and large-scale orchestration informed the bombastic, cinematic quality of their work. This self-described Hollywood sound is further evidenced in their production contributions to the EastWest Hollywood Orchestra Opus Edition library, which aims to replicate the lush, dramatic timbres of major film scores.[11][12] Bergersen and Phoenix also incorporate elements from classical music to build tension and grandeur in their compositions. These classical roots blend with modern cinematic techniques, creating layered soundscapes that evoke monumental narratives.[13] The group's sound further reflects the impact of video game soundtracks, particularly the expansive, orchestral-electronic hybrids that emphasize adventure and emotional arcs. This hybrid approach allows their music to resonate in both film trailers and gaming contexts.[6] Thematically, Two Steps from Hell's compositions are driven by inspirations from mythology, heroism, and fantasy, manifesting in the recurring "epic battle" motif that underscores tales of triumph and conflict. Tracks often conjure images of legendary quests and mythic confrontations, as seen in their 2022 album Myth, which explores ancient lore through soaring melodies and choral forces to evoke a sense of otherworldly valor. These inspirations root their music in timeless storytelling, prioritizing emotional resonance over literal depiction.[1]Composition techniques
Two Steps from Hell's compositions are built through a meticulous layering approach, stacking numerous orchestral elements—including strings, brass, choir, and percussion—to create dense, immersive soundscapes that evoke cinematic grandeur and emotional depth. This technique allows for intricate textures and dynamic contrasts, often resulting in tracks with numerous individual layers to amplify intensity without overwhelming clarity.[14] The duo relies on high-quality virtual sample libraries for initial composition, particularly those from EastWest Sounds, co-developed by Nick Phoenix, such as the Hollywood Orchestra series and Composer Cloud subscriptions, which provide realistic orchestral simulations and custom samples for rapid prototyping. Starting in 2011, they shifted toward hybrid production by incorporating live recordings with the Capellen Orchestra and Choir in Luxembourg, blending sampled foundations with authentic performances to add organic warmth and power, as featured in albums like Legend.[15] A hallmark of their style is the "drop" technique, involving sudden dynamic shifts from subdued, tension-building sections—often with sparse instrumentation or subtle motifs—to explosive crescendos featuring full orchestral and choral swells, tailored for the high-stakes pacing of film trailers. This creates immediate emotional impact within brief durations.[11] Their iterative process emphasizes volume and refinement, with Thomas Bergersen and Nick Phoenix composing numerous short cues per project to explore varied emotional arcs, then selecting and polishing the strongest for final release; each piece, typically 2 to 3 minutes long, is crafted to follow a concise narrative progression from tension to resolution or triumph.[6]History
Early development (2006–2010)
Two Steps from Hell was established in early 2006 by composers Thomas Bergersen and Nick Phoenix, who partnered to produce original music specifically for film trailers, operating initially from home studios in Los Angeles without backing from a major record label.[1][16] The duo focused on creating high-impact, orchestral tracks designed to evoke intense emotions, releasing their first industry demo albums during this period, including All Drums Go to Hell in 2007, a percussion-heavy collection emphasizing rhythmic power, followed by Legend in 2008, which featured epic, cinematic cues like "Freedom Fighters." These early demos were distributed exclusively to music supervisors and trailer editors through production music libraries, helping to build a niche presence in Hollywood's advertising sector.[5][17][18] The formative years presented significant hurdles, as Bergersen and Phoenix worked to cultivate a client base amid competition from established production music providers, relying on personal networks and online forums to promote their work while managing all aspects of composition, recording, and licensing from modest setups. Without traditional industry support, they faced slow adoption by editors initially, requiring persistent innovation to craft versatile tracks that could underscore diverse trailer narratives from action to drama. By 2010, their persistence paid off with the release of Invincible, their first compilation album made available to the public, signaling a shift toward broader accessibility while maintaining their trailer-focused core.[6][16][19] Early synchronization placements were pivotal in solidifying their reputation, with tracks from Legend appearing in high-profile trailers such as the 2009 Star Trek reboot ("Freedom Fighters") and the 2008 Inkheart ("Protectors of the Earth"), as well as a featurette titled "Gringotts and Goblins" for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 ("Protectors of the Earth"), where the cues amplified dramatic tension and heroic themes. These syncs, among the first major breakthroughs, demonstrated the music's ability to elevate blockbuster previews and attracted attention from top agencies, leading to increased licensing opportunities in film and television advertising.[12][20] Internally, the company expanded its creative capacity around 2010 by incorporating contributions from additional talents under the Two Steps from Hell label, such as the album Sinners featuring external composer input, which broadened their output and supported growing demand without diluting the founders' signature style. This development marked a transition from a duo-led operation to a more collaborative framework, laying groundwork for sustained production in the competitive trailer music landscape.[21][22]Commercial rise (2011–2017)
Two Steps from Hell marked a significant pivot toward public commercial releases beginning in 2011, building on the success of their initial public album Invincible, which was first made available in May 2010 but gained broader commercial traction through digital platforms like iTunes the following year.[23] This album, featuring epic orchestral cues designed for trailers, included tracks like "Heart of Courage," which quickly became a staple in promotional media, appearing in numerous film trailers and advertisements due to its licensing through Extreme Music.[16] The group's follow-up, Archangel, released in September 2011, expanded their catalog with 26 tracks emphasizing dramatic, cinematic soundscapes, further solidifying their presence in the production music industry.[24] By 2012–2013, Two Steps from Hell's visibility surged as their music permeated high-profile media, including placements in Warner Bros. films such as the Harry Potter series and The Hobbit, as well as television shows like Breaking Bad.[16] This exposure was bolstered by their exclusive licensing agreement with Extreme Music, which facilitated widespread use in advertising and promotions, including sports-related content. The viral popularity of tracks like "Heart of Courage" contributed to over 22 million views on their YouTube channel by mid-2013, while Invincible approached RIAA Gold certification for sales.[16] Concurrently, co-founder Thomas Bergersen released his solo debut Illusions in June 2011 under the Two Steps from Hell umbrella, featuring 17 orchestral pieces that complemented the group's hybrid style and helped diversify their output.[25] The period culminated in the 2015 release of Battlecry, their seventh public album, which debuted 26 new compositions and reinforced their commercial momentum with intricate arrangements blending choir, orchestra, and percussion.[26] As their fanbase grew beyond industry professionals to general audiences via streaming services, the company expanded its operations in Los Angeles, enabling more ambitious productions and culminating in their first live orchestral concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall in June 2013.[16] This era established Two Steps from Hell as a leading force in epic trailer music, with their catalog licensed for use in thousands of media projects worldwide.Global expansion (2018–present)
Following the commercial success of their earlier releases, Two Steps from Hell expanded their presence through live performances and new album launches beginning in 2018. Their first major concert took place in Prague on April 20, 2018, featuring a full orchestra and choir that drew fans from across Europe and sold out rapidly.[27][28] This event marked the start of their transition to live symphonic renditions, building on trailer music roots to engage audiences directly. The group launched their inaugural European tour in summer 2022, after delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, performing in 13 cities across eight countries with an ensemble including orchestra, choir, and rock elements.[29] Subsequent tours followed in 2023 and 2024, solidifying their international appeal and culminating in the release of a live album, Two Steps From Hell: Live – An Epic Music Experience, recorded with Sony Classical in November 2022.[30] Album releases during this period included Dragon in January 2019, Orion in December 2019, and Myth in June 2022, each showcasing orchestral and hybrid compositions tailored for broader commercial and streaming audiences.)[31][32] By 2025, their music had amassed over two million monthly listeners on Spotify, reflecting heightened digital accessibility.[33] In April 2024, founders Thomas Bergersen and Nick Phoenix announced their separation, effectively disbanding Two Steps from Hell after nearly two decades of collaboration, though both continued individual projects.[3][34]Discography
Commercial releases
Two Steps from Hell's commercial releases encompass a series of studio albums, live recordings, solo projects by its founders, and special editions targeted at specific markets or formats. These public-facing works, beginning with their debut in 2010, transitioned the duo's trailer music from industry demos to widely available epic orchestral compositions, often featuring full orchestras, choirs, and hybrid electronic elements. Released primarily through independent labels like Two Steps from Hell's own imprint and later Sony Classical, these albums have achieved significant streaming and sales success, with tracks like "Heart of Courage" from Invincible amassing over 200 million streams on platforms such as Spotify.[33] The core of their catalog consists of studio albums, which compile original epic tracks composed by Thomas Bergersen and Nick Phoenix. Key releases include Invincible (2010), their first public album featuring 22 tracks that popularized their signature hybrid-orchestral sound; Archangel (2011), expanding on dramatic themes with 23 cues; SkyWorld (2012), incorporating world music influences across 23 pieces; Battlecry (2015), a 33-track collection emphasizing battle anthems; Unleashed (2017), blending rock and orchestral elements in 25 compositions; Impossible (2018), a 22-track Japan-exclusive selection highlighting perseverance motifs; Myth (2022), their final studio effort with 22 pieces drawing from ancient legends.[35][36][1]| Album Title | Release Year | Track Count | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invincible | 2010 | 22 | Debut public release; trailer-inspired epics like "Protectors of the Earth" |
| Archangel | 2011 | 23 | Dark, intense themes; includes "Blackblade" |
| SkyWorld | 2012 | 23 | Global instrumentation; standout "Nemesis" |
| Battlecry | 2015 | 33 | War motifs; features the hit "Victory" |
| Unleashed | 2017 | 25 | Rock-orchestral fusion; "Star Sky" as highlight |
| Impossible | 2018 | 22 | Japan-exclusive; perseverance motifs |
| Myth | 2022 | 22 | Legendary inspirations; modern epic sound |