As is usual with trailer music, most of their releases are not sold commercially and are available for licensing only.
Public albums
Invincible (2010) — Compilation of some of the most popular Two Steps from Hell tracks. Also available on ExtremeMusic.
Illusions (2011) — Thomas Bergersen solo album, formerly titled Nemesis II. Also available on ExtremeMusic.
Archangel (2011) — Compilation of more of the most popular Two Steps from Hell tracks.
Demon's Dance (2012) — Compilation of tracks from various albums spanning multiple genres, available only on the Two Steps from Hell app for iOS and Android.
Halloween (2012) — Compilation of well-known horror tracks from several demonstration albums, with several other-genre tracks as well.
SkyWorld (2012) — First public album to use mostly all-new tracks. Expanded version available on ExtremeMusic.
Classics Volume One (2013) — Compilation of previously unreleased tracks in the same vein as Invincible and Archangel. First public album available in lossless audio. Expanded version available on ExtremeMusic.
Speed of Sound (2013) — Nick Phoenix album. All-new tracks. Also available on ExtremeMusic.
Miracles (2014) — An epic drama/emotional album with the best of Illumina, Dreams & Imaginations, Two Steps From Heaven, and a few new tracks composed by Thomas Bergersen.
Colin Frake on Fire Mountain (2014) — Soundtrack for an e-book penned by Nick Phoenix. Composed by Thomas Bergersen with additional music by Nick Phoenix.
Sun (2014) — All new tracks by Thomas Bergersen. Follow-up to Illusions. Also available on ExtremeMusic.
Battlecry (2015) — Public Album; "ultra epic" follow-up to SkyWorld and the first public album to be released on two discs. Also available on ExtremeMusic.
Legacy (2015) — Japan-exclusive album featuring compiled tracks from previous public albums.
Classics Volume Two (2015) — Compilation of new and previously unreleased tracks.
Two Steps from Hell: Ringtones (2016) — A collection of ringtones released on Google Play.
Vanquish (2016) —Released 12/02/16. Contains singer Felicia Ferrare who appeared in Battlecry.
Demonstration albums
Volume One (2006) — First album, featuring various genres
Shadows and Nightmares (2006) — Horror genre album, along with a sound effects library
Dynasty (2007) — Epic genre album
All Drums Go to Hell (2007) — Heavily percussion-oriented album
Pathogen (2007) — Epic futuristic metal album mostly composed by Nick Phoenix
Nemesis (2007) — Epic genre album mostly composed by Thomas Bergersen
Dreams & Imaginations (2008) — New Age album
Legend (2008) — Epic genre album, with some tracks composed by Troels Folmann
Ashes (2008) — Horror genre album
The Devil Wears Nada (2009) — Mostly light and humorous album
Power of Darkness (2010) — Epic genre album
All Drones Go to Hell (2010) — New Age album; also known as Mystical Beginnings.
Illumina (2010) — New Age album
Balls to the Wall (2011) — Percussion album, with some tracks composed by Alex Pfeffer.
Nero (2011) — Epic genre album, with some tracks composed by Alex Pfeffer.
Two Steps from Heaven (2012) — Pet project of Thomas Bergersen, featuring inspiring, emotional, and adventurous music.
Burn (2012) — A small collection of eight dubstep remixed tracks.
Cyanide (2013) — Percussion album
Crime Lab (2013) — electronic industrial album
Open Conspiracy (2014) — Electronic Hybrid album composed by Hitesh Ceon, Nick Pittsinger, Thomas Bergersen and Nick Phoenix.
Amaria (2014) — new age/drama album composed by Thomas Bergersen.
Too Big to Fail (2014) — Sound effects library / Trailer toolkit.
Empire (2015) — Industry Album. Mostly consists of tracks from Classics Volume Two composed by Nick Phoenix.
Stronger Faster Braver (2015) — Subtitled as "Extreme Sports Music". Motivational, energetic and driving compositions.
Other albums
There are a number of albums made by other composers from the company, which are not considered part of the primary library and are consequently not represented on official Two Steps from Hell resources. They include:
Sinners (2011) — Electronic metal album composed by Aleksandar Dimitrijevic
Faction (2012) — Dark drones and soundscapes. Putative author is "Brad Rue", as shown on ExtremeMusic.com.
Solaris (2013) — Epic futuristic metal album, actually composed by Alex Pfeffer, who had previously contributed several tracks to the "Nero" album.
Orion (2013) — Short epic hybrid album composed by Michał Cielecki.
Quarantine (2014) — Sci-fi electronica album composed by Brad Rue.
Additionally, composer Troels Folmann contributed a number of tracks to the industry albums Dynasty, Dreams & Imaginations, and Legend, though he was credited only for the latter.
Commercial singles
Commercially available songs that are not on any album or were released as preview tracks. All of the following pieces are written by Bergersen, except where noted:
A Place in Heaven (2011) — Pre-release single from the Illusions album. Vocals performed by Jenifer Thigpen.
Ocean Princess (2011) — Pre-release single from the Illusions album. Vocals performed by Merethe Soltvedt.
Starvation (2011) — Pre-release single from the Illusions album.
Promise (2011) — Pre-release single from the Illusions album. Features cello performed by Tino Guo and vocals performed by Merethe Soltvedt.
Heart (2011) — Originally a single made to raise money to help the Tōhoku earthquake victims. Later included on the Two Steps from Heaven and Miracles albums.
The Hero in Your Heart (2013) — A single made to raise money to help the victims of the Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Lyrics written and performed by Merethe Soltvedt.
That's A Wrap (2014) — A dark, adventurous orchestral ten-minute song created entirely with Thomas's proprietary sample library.
Autumn Love (2014) — An emotional, piano-driven track in a similar style to Dreams and Imaginations.
Into Darkness (2014) — A nine-minute mix of neo-orchestral and EDM club style. Lyrics performed by Thomas Bergersen
Stay (2014) — A pop-themed pre-release single from the Miracles album. Lyrics written and performed by Merethe Soltvedt.
Miracles (2014) — A second pre-release single from the Miracles album.
Children of the Sun (2015.05.04) — Original vocal version of "None Shall Live" from the Battlecry album. Lyrics performed by Merethe Soltvedt.
Christmas Medley (2015) — An orchestral medley comprising various Christmas songs. The track is named Two Steps From Xmas on ExtremeMusic.com
Threnody for Europe (2016.07.23) — A nearly ten-minute track intended as "a musical contemplation on the current unrest in Europe."
Standalone tracks
Songs that are not on any album or were initially released as preview tracks via Facebook. All of the following pieces are written by Bergersen, except when noted:
Soaring Over Hollywood (2009) — A demo track created using the East West Hollywood Strings sample library.
Just Another Happy Ending (2009) — A demo track created using the East West Hollywood Strings sample library.
In Your Arms (2010) — A remix of "Memories" from the Dreams & Imaginations album, featuring Merethe Soltvedt.
Tower of Mischief (2011) — Intended as a preview track for the Two Steps from Heaven album, but ultimately released on Nero.
My Freedom (2011) — A track originally considered for release on Illusions. Later included on the Nero album. Lyrics performed by Merethe Soltvedt. Has since been released to the public on the album Miracles.
Benedictus (2011) — Originally intended for release on Sun. Later included on the Two Steps from Heaven album.
Where Are You (2011) — Pop-trance track with acoustic elements. Lyrics performed by Thomas Bergersen
My Soul, Not Yours (2012) — Experimental dubstep track. Later included on the Burn album as "Not Your Soul".
Hymn to Life (2012) — A track released on the occasion of Thomas's birthday. Later performed in a Czech concert as "Hymnus Vitae Dedicatus".
To Die on Halloween (2012) — A song from the public album, Halloween, with lyrics written and performed by Nick Phoenix. An official music video was released via YouTube.
Colin and Petunia (2014) — Preview track for the Colin Frake on Fire Mountain album. Retitled "Colin Frake" for its album release.
Freedom Ship (2015) — Preview track for the Battlecry album. Composed by Nick Phoenix.
Neverdark (2015) — Preview track for the Classics Volume Two album. Composed by Nick Phoenix.
Since the release of their first album in 2006, their music has been featured in trailers for movies like Babel, Flyboys, Superman Returns, Blood Diamond, The Da Vinci Code, X-Men: The Last Stand, The Hitcher, Hannibal Rising, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, WALL•E, Anna Karenina and many others.
Battleborne
Two Steps from Hell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There is blood where the battles rage
These are faces I will not remember
Will I fight for the queen or the slave?
A treacherous part, to play with a heart, of courage
Where the wind from the north bodes the dragon
And the armies and legions have formed
Fading ghosts in the shadows of war
Battleborne
Battleborne
Battleborne
Battleborne
Gone, are the villagers led out to pasture
The black wing of death as their liege
Felt the ground It was bare from the plunder
The soldiers that lie at my feet
The maidens were lost, wading across, an ocean
On a ship heading south to the mainland
I am standing in way of the storm
I was raised by the wolf and the stallion
This sword was battle born
Battleborne
Battleborne
Battleborne
Battleborne
The lyrics of "Battleborne" by Two Steps from Hell are vivid and descriptive, presenting imagery of people and places impacted by war. The opening lines convey a sense of danger and intensity with the declaration that there is "fire in the air" and "blood where the battles rage". The singer suggests that they are in the midst of a conflict they may not survive, evident in their wistful statement that they may not recall the faces they see in battle. The following line highlights the central tension of the song: the choice between fighting for the queen or slave. This decision is "treacherous" because of the stakes and complexities that come with it, as well as the emotions involved.
The second verse continues to depict scenes of war with reference to a dragon, armies, and fading ghosts. The chorus of "Battleborne" repeats the title phrase, drawing attention to the theme of the song and its overarching message that battles can change people and leave an indelible mark on their lives. The third verse highlights the losses incurred in wars, with descriptions of villages devastated and soldiers and maidens lost. The final lines of the verse introduce the singer's backstory as a warrior who was "raised by the wolf and the stallion" and whose sword was "battle-born". This phrase reaffirms the theme of the song as it encapsulates the idea that battles can shape people's identities and determine their path in life.
* Interesting facts:
1. "Battleborne" was featured in the trailer for the 2019 video game "Rage 2".
2. Two Steps from Hell is an American production music company founded by composers Nick Phoenix and Thomas J. Bergersen, known for their music in various movie trailers and video games.
3. The song was featured in the finale of the NBC reality competition show "World of Dance" in 2019.
4. "Battleborne" was also used in the trailer for the 2017 science fiction movie "Alien: Covenant".
5. Two Steps from Hell's music has been used in a number of television shows, including "The Voice", "America's Got Talent", and "Dancing with the Stars".
6. The company's name is derived from the idea that they make music for trailers and commercials that "sell a story" or "sell a dream".
7. Two Steps from Hell has produced over 1,000 tracks since its founding in 2006.
8. The company has collaborated with various musicians and orchestras, including the London Philharmonic and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra.
9. Some other notable uses of Two Steps from Hell's music include in the trailers for "The Hobbit" movie series, "Interstellar", and the video game "Mass Effect 3".
10. The composers of Two Steps from Hell often blend orchestral and electronic elements in their music to create a unique sound that has become popular in the trailer music industry.
* Chords (as performed on piano):
Intro/Outro: F#m - C#m - A - E
Verse: F#m - C#m - A - E
Chorus: D - A - E - F#m (x2)
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, there is fire in the air that I'm breathing
I feel the tension and intensity of the battle around me
There is blood where the battles rage
The fighting is violent and deadly
These are faces I will not remember
The soldiers around me are strangers, and their faces will fade from memory
Will I fight for the queen or the slave?
I am unsure of who I am fighting for, and what the ultimate purpose of this war is
A treacherous part, to play with a heart, of courage
It is challenging to remain brave and honorable in the midst of such chaos and uncertainty
Where the wind from the north bodes the dragon
The natural forces of this world seem to foretell the coming of a great danger
And the armies and legions have formed
The opposing sides in the conflict have taken their positions and are ready for battle
We have camp for the night, food and cover
Even in war, we must rest and take care of our basic needs
Fading ghosts in the shadows of war
The memories of fallen soldiers haunt us, as we continue to fight on
Gone, are the villagers led out to pasture
Innocent civilians have been taken or killed, leaving their homes empty and silent
The black wing of death as their liege
Their leader is a symbol of darkness and evil, bringing only death and destruction
Felt the ground It was bare from the plunder
The enemy has wreaked havoc on this land, taking everything worth taking
The soldiers that lie at my feet
The enemy has been defeated, but at a great cost
The maidens were lost, wading across, an ocean
Even those who survived the battle may never fully recover from the trauma they have experienced
On a ship heading south to the mainland
I am leaving this war and this land behind, hoping to find a new life elsewhere
I am standing in way of the storm
I am strong enough to face any challenge that may come my way
I was raised by the wolf and the stallion
I have become resilient and independent, capable of surviving in even the harshest conditions
This sword was battle born
My weapon is a symbol of my strength and courage, forged through the trials of war
Battleborne
I have been shaped and defined by the battles I have fought
Battleborne
I carry the scars and memories of war with me
Battleborne
But even through it all, I remain strong and determined
Battleborne
For I am a warrior, and I will always be ready to fight for what I believe in
Contributed by Jeremiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TaezLevi
Oh
There is fire in the air that I'm breathing
There is blood where the battles rage
These are faces I will not remember
Will I fight for the Queen or the slave?
A treacherous part to play with our heart of courage
Where the wind from the north blows the dragon
And the armies and legions have fought
We have camp for the night, for the cover
Fading ghosts in the shadows of war
Battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn
Gone
are the villagers, lead out of pasture
The black wing of death as their leige
Felt the ground, it was bare from the plunder
Soldiers that lie at my feet
The maidens were lost, waiting across an ocean
On a ship heading south to the mainland
I am standing in wait of the storm
I was raised by the wolf and the stallion
This sword was battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn
@TachiTekmo
"Battleborne"
Performed by Two Steps From Hell with vocals by Nick Phoenix
Written and composed by Nick Phoenix
Produced by Thomas J. Bergersen and Nick Phoenix
From the album Battlecry (Disc 2, Track 1)
Published by Two Steps From Hell ℗ 2015
[0:00 - Fanfare]
(Choir; chants)
[1:05 - Intro]
(Choir; vocals)
Ahh, ahh, ah-ahh
Ahh, ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh, ah-ahh
Ah-ahh!
[1:30 - Verse 1]
Oh!
There is fire in the air that I'm breathing
There is blood where the battles rage
These are faces I will not remember
Will I fight for the Queen or the Slave?
The treacherous part to play with a heart of courage ...
[2:08 - Verse 2]
Where the wind from the North bodes the dragon
And the armies and legions have formed
We have camped for the night; food and cover
Fading ghosts in the shadows of war
[2:34 - Chorus]
Battleborne!
Battleborne!
Battleborne!
Battleborne!
[3:00 - Verse 3]
Gone!
All the villagers led out to pasture
The black wing of Death as their liege
Felt the ground; it was bare from the plunder
The soldiers that lie at my feet
The maidens were lost wading across an ocean ...
[3:37 - Verse 4]
On a ship heading south to the mainland
I am standing in wait of the storm
I was raised by the Wolf and the Stallion
This sword was Battleborne
[4:03 - Chorus]
Battleborne!
Battleborne!
Battleborne!
Battleborne!
[4:29 - Coda]
(Soloist; vocals)
Na na na-nah, na-nah
Na na na-nah, na-nah
Ahh ...
@anialator1000000
I just realized that a large amount of these lyrics sound like they could be song names by TSFH.
"for the queen or slave"
"armies and legions"
"shadows of war"
"black wing of death"
"lay at my feet"
"to the mainland"
"wade across an ocean"
"in the way of a storm"
"the wolf and the stallion"
though especially
"heart of courage"
@bvd_vlvd
To all who DON'T think that Nick ruined the music:There is fire in the air that I’m breathing
There is blood where the battle’s rage
These are faces I will not remember
Will I fight for the Queen or the Slave
A treacherous part to play with our heart of courage
Where the wind from the north bows the dragon
And the armies and legions have formed
We have camp for the night through the cover
Fading ghosts in the shadows of war
Battleborne, battleborne, battleborne, battleborne
Gone, all the villagers lead out to pasture
The black wing of death as their liege
Felt the ground; it was bare from the plunder
The soldiers that lie at my feet
The maidens were lost wading across an ocean
On a ship heading south to the mainland
I am standing in wake of the storm
I was raised by the Wolf and the Stallion
This sword was battleborne
Battleborne, battleborne, battleborne, battleborne
@airyt2373
Para los Españolesxd
[verso 1]
Oh
Hay fuego en el aire que estoy respirando
Hay sangre donde rabian las batallas
Estas son caras que no recordaré
¿Lucharé por la reina o el esclavo?
Una parte traicionera
Para jugar con un corazón de coraje
Donde el viento del norte presagia el dragón
Y los ejércitos y legiones se han formado
Tenemos campamento para la noche, la comida y la tapa
Fantasmas desvaídos en las sombras de la guerra
[Coro]
Battleborne
Battleborne
Battleborne
Battleborne
[versículo 2]
Ido
Todos los aldeanos salieron a pastar
El ala negra de la muerte como su señor
Sentí el suelo, estaba desnudo del saqueo
Soldados que yacen a mis pies
Las doncellas se perdieron
Vadeando un océano
En un barco que se dirige hacia el sur hasta el continente
Estoy parado a raíz de la tormenta
Fui criado por el lobo y el semental
Esta espada fue una batalla
[Coro]
Battleborne
Battleborne
Battleborne
Battleborne
@michaelmeissner7545
At first, being a choir singer, I couldn't stand way Nick sings the titular lyric, but in time... it'd be cliche to say it grew on me, but I think it finally sunk in just what feelings he's trying to get across. He sounds like a warrior turned folk bard, and not some professional classically trained singer. It just... finally hit me how much more that adds to the emotional impact. I approve
@keslerjenkins9683
Exactly! The more unrefined vocal performance give's it a more personal edge to it befitting about a song revolving around the cries of a battle torn warrior
@derekbates4316
and knowing is half the battle
@TaezLevi
Oh
There is fire in the air that I'm breathing
There is blood where the battles rage
These are faces I will not remember
Will I fight for the Queen or the slave?
A treacherous part to play with our heart of courage
Where the wind from the north blows the dragon
And the armies and legions have fought
We have camp for the night, for the cover
Fading ghosts in the shadows of war
Battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn
Gone
are the villagers, lead out of pasture
The black wing of death as their leige
Felt the ground, it was bare from the plunder
Soldiers that lie at my feet
The maidens were lost, waiting across an ocean
On a ship heading south to the mainland
I am standing in wait of the storm
I was raised by the wolf and the stallion
This sword was battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn
Battleborn
@CourtlySeaDog
+redshades that's kinda depressing actually lol
@ev8om
"where the wind from the north "blows" the dragon"
LOL
@mischiviousteefmonster3900
its means the dragon blows the wind that comes from the north you senseless drone
@ev8om
Mad Donut No shit Sherlock, I was just kidding
@davidvidal-hall6391
+420 Steps From Hell Yea the official lyric video says that
@MatheusSilva777
You can feel the epic atmosphere of this music in your soul!