Invincible (Two Steps from Hell album)

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.[2] 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 ("Am I Not Human?" and "To Glory").[3][4]

Invincible
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 3, 2010[1]
Recorded2006–2010
Length57:37
ProducerThomas Bergersen, Nick Phoenix, Petr Pololáník[2]
Two Steps From Hell chronology
Invincible
(2010)
Archangel
(2011)

Having gained a cult following online following their 2006 creation, fans of the group began "relentlessly begging" for their private industry music to be made available commercially.[3] Two Steps From Hell announced the album in late 2009; Bergersen later confirmed, "we are doing this purely to please our fans".[5] It had the working title of Genesis.[6] Upon release, it went to number 1 on the iTunes Classical charts[7] and remained in the top 10 for over a year.[8]

Initially a digital release, it was eventually released physically a year later via CD Baby, after the group reached 20,000 likes on their Facebook page.[9][10]

Track listing

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Tracks 1, 16, and 17 are reworked versions from their original releases.

No.TitleWriter(s)From the original demo album:Length
1."Freedom Fighters"Thomas J. BergersenLegend2:31
2."Heart of Courage"Thomas J. BergersenLegend1:57
3."Master of Shadows"Nick PhoenixPower of Darkness3:04
4."Moving Mountains"Thomas J. BergersenNemesis3:01
5."Am I Not Human?"Nick Phoenix3:00
6."Enigmatic Soul"Thomas J. BergersenNemesis2:52
7."Fire Nation"Nick PhoenixPower of Darkness2:59
8."Black Blade"Thomas J. BergersenPower of Darkness3:05
9."Super Strength"Nick PhoenixVolume One1:58
10."Invincible"Thomas J. BergersenPower of Darkness2:51
11."False King"Thomas J. Bergersen, Nick PhoenixNemesis2:15
12."Hypnotica"Thomas J. BergersenLegend2:08
13."Fill My Heart"Nick PhoenixLegend2:23
14."Protectors of the Earth"Thomas J. BergersenLegend2:49
15."Velocitron"Nick PhoenixPower of Darkness2:32
16."Undying Love"Thomas J. BergersenLegend2:52
17."1000 Ships of the Underworld"Nick PhoenixDynasty1:40
18."Tristan"Thomas J. BergersenNemesis2:37
19."Breath of Ran Gor"Nick PhoenixDynasty2:00
20."Infinite Legends"Nick PhoenixLegend2:02
21."To Glory"Thomas J. Bergersen4:35
22."After the Fall"Nick PhoenixThe Devil Wears Nada2:26

Critical reception

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James Monger of AllMusic reviewed the album favourably, rating it three and a half out of five stars.[1]

The review at Trailer Music News was very positive, calling it a "musical triumph" and that it "meets the lofty expectations set forth by the community easily, often managing to surpass them... each track will tug at your heart in its own unique and powerful manner".[3] However it did criticise its release in mp3 compression and the lack of lossless availability.[3]

IFMCA-associated reviews website, MundoBSO,[11] rated it seven out of ten stars.[12]

The editorial team at the Remote Control Productions and Hans Zimmer-affiliated fansite, hans-zimmer.com,[13] rated it four out of five stars.[14]

Charts

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Use in media

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Many tracks from Invincible are frequently used in film trailers, television shows, and advertisements.

"Freedom Fighters" was used in:

"Heart of Courage" was used in:

"Master of Shadows" was used in:

"Moving Mountains" was used in:

"Am I Not Human?" was used in:

"Fire Nation" was used in:

  • some History Channel documentaries, such as Titanic at 100: Mystery Solved[25] and Your Bleeped Up Brain.

"Black Blade" was used in:

"Super Strength" was used in:

"Invincible" was used in:

"Fill My Heart" was used in:

"Protectors of the Earth" was used in:

"Velocitron" was used in:

"1000 Ships of the Underworld" was used in:

"Tristan" was used in:

"Infinite Legends" was used in:

"Undying Love" was used in:

  • a promotional trailer for Halo Fest and in the History Channel documentary, The Universe Season 6, in episode "Crash Landing on Mars".

"After the Fall" was used in:

"Enigmatic Soul" was used in:

"To Glory" was used in:

  • Top Gear USA, season 9, episode 5, "Military Might"
  • Top Gear USA, season 5, episode 4, "Snow Show"
  • an advert for the Adventure Time online video game
  • a commercial for the Marvel television series Avengers Assemble
  • the television show Death Battle, in episode "Chuck Norris vs Segata Sanshiro"
  • Dubai 2015 New Years fireworks display
  • during Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors

References

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  1. ^ a b Monger, James Christopher. Invincible Review by James Christopher Monger at AllMusic. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b Invincible (PDF) (Official booklet). Two Steps from Hell. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2022.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ^ a b c d "Two Steps From Hell: Invincible Review". Trailer Music News. 1 June 2010. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Two Steps From Hell: Invincible". Trailer Music News. 6 May 2010. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  5. ^ Vilaghy, Gergely (8 January 2010). "2010 will be Fine: At least 3 more epic CDs!". Trailer Music News. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
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