Power of Darkness
{{about||the Swedish version of Dracula|Powers of Darkness|other uses|The Power of Darkness (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Power Of Darkness
| type = demo
| artist = Two Steps From Hell
| cover = TSFH-PowerOfDarkness-Steven-R-Gilmore.jpg
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| length = 1:24:42 (main tracks)
3:24:46 (incl. alternatives)
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Power of Darkness is a demonstration album by the music production group Two Steps from Hell, originally released exclusively to clients in the motion picture and advertising industry for the purpose of licensing in March 2010. It was uniquely distributed on a flash drive, rather than a physical disc. It includes 32 principal tracks,{{Cite web |title=Two Steps From Hell: Power of Darkness |author= |work=Trailer Music News |date=10 June 2010 |access-date=10 April 2022 |url= https://trailermusicnews.com/2010/06/steps-hell-power-darkness/}} split into two themed volumes.{{Cite web |title=Power of Darkness |author= |work=trailermusic.info |date= |access-date=10 April 2022 |url= https://trailermusic.info/albums/non-public/power-of-darkness/}} Additionally, it contains a large collection of alternative versions; therefore, in total, Power of Darkness consists of 77 tracks. They are composed by Thomas J. Bergersen and Nick Phoenix. The album was recorded in Prague, Czech Republic (by Capellen Orchestra), in Los Angeles, and in Utah, United States. The cover artwork and the sleeve are designed by Steven R. Gilmore.{{Cite web |title=Two Steps From Hell FAQ |author= |work=twostepsfromhell.com |date=12 June 2010 |access-date=12 June 2010 |url= http://www.twostepsfromhell.com/index2-faq.php |quote=Who does the artwork for Two Steps From Hell? The artist is Steven Gilmore www.sgrdesign.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612074414/http://www.twostepsfromhell.com/index2-faq.php |archive-date=12 June 2010 |url-status=dead}}
Some tracks were made available to the general public on subsequent commercial albums, starting with Invincible (2010).{{Cite web |title=Invincible: Two Steps From Hell’s First Public Release |author= |work=Trailer Music News |date=8 April 2010 |access-date=10 April 2022 |url= https://trailermusicnews.com/2010/04/invincible-steps-hells-public-release/}} In 2017, the album was finally released to the public, albeit modified to consist of only tracks which had still not yet been made commercially available and under the title of Power of Darkness Anthology.{{Citation|work=Amazon Music|title=Power of Darkness Anthology|url=https://www.amazon.com/Power-Darkness-Anthology-Steps-Hell/dp/B073XLYWJ3|accessdate=2017-09-26}}
Track listing
Below is the original track listing.
The public re-issue of the album as Power of Darkness Anthology was released on 1 August 2017. Its listing is different to the original – it is most of the remaining tracks which, until its release, were still unavailable for public purchase and arranged in a different order; tracks which had already been released to the public on other commercial albums were excluded. Therefore, Power of Darkness Anthology features 40 tracks and has a total length of 01:39:57. The main versions of "The Soul That Must Awaken" and "Ghost Brigades" were omitted from the release as the group were "just not happy" with them, opting to including their alternatives instead.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10155052235048090&id=13371833089&comment_id=10155052312433090&reply_comment_id=10155052462293090|title=And now to announce the next anthology series that everyone has been waiting for - Power of Darkness Anthology|publisher=Two Steps from Hell|accessdate=10 April 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/dSB7O |archive-date=10 April 2022}}
Volume 1 – "Epic drama"[http://www.extrememusic.com/#album/1820 Power of Darkness: Volume 1]. Extreme Music.
Main tracks
{{tracklist
| extra_column = Later released on the public album:
| title1 = Power of Darkness
| writer1 = Thomas J. Bergersen
| length1 = 2:50
| extra1 = Halloween
| title2 = Fire Nation
| writer2 = Nick Phoenix
| length2 = 3:00
| extra2 = Invincible
| title3 = Black Blade
| writer3 = Thomas J. Bergersen
| length3 = 3:06
| extra3 = Invincible
| title4 = Master of Shadows
| writer4 = Nick Phoenix
| length4 = 3:05
| extra4 = Invincible
| title5 = What's Happening To Me
| writer5 = Thomas J. Bergersen
| length5 = 3:09
| extra5 = Archangel
| title6 = Atlas
| writer6 = Thomas J. Bergersen
| length6 = 2:34
| extra6 = Classics Volume Two
| title7 = Earth Rising
| writer7 = Thomas J. Bergersen
| length7 = 3:21
| extra7 = Classics Volume One
| title8 = The Soul That Must Awaken
| writer8 = Nick Phoenix
| length8 = 3:18
| extra8 = —
| title9 = Eternal Honor
| writer9 = Nick Phoenix
| length9 = 2:16
| extra9 = Power of Darkness Anthology
| title10 = Gravitation
| writer10 = Thomas J. Bergersen
| length10 = 1:55
| extra10 = Power of Darkness Anthology
| title11 = Bed of Nails
| writer11 = Nick Phoenix
| length11 = 1:34
| extra11 = Power of Darkness Anthology
| title12 = Invincible
| writer12 = Thomas J. Bergersen
| length12 = 2:52
| extra12 = Invincible
| title13 = The Ancients
| writer13 = Nick Phoenix
| length13 = 2:55
| extra13 = Classics Volume One
| title14 = Dark Harbor
| writer14 = Nick Phoenix
| length14 = 3:15
| extra14 = Archangel
| title15 = Jump!
| writer15 = Thomas J. Bergersen
| length15 = 4:37
| extra15 = Classics Volume One
| title16 = The Cross of Antiquan
| writer16 = Nick Phoenix
| length16 = 2:28
| extra16 = Classics Volume One
| title17 = Ten Feet Tall
| writer17 = Nick Phoenix
| length17 = 1:59
| extra17 = Power of Darkness Anthology
| title18 = Ironwing
| writer18 = Nick Phoenix
| length18 = 2:38
| extra18 = Archangel
}}
| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|height=30 valign=bottom|Alternative mixes |
| style="width:1000em" height=20| All tracks (except for nos. 7, 8, 10, 15, 16 and 18) were later released on the public version of the album, Power of Darkness Anthology. |
| {{tracklist
| title1 = Power of Darkness (No Choir) | writer1 = Thomas J. Bergersen | length1 = 2:49 | title2 = Fire Nation (No Choir) | writer2 = Nick Phoenix | length2 = 3:03 | title3 = Fire Nation (Alternative Version) | writer3 = Nick Phoenix | length3 = 0:33 | title4 = Black Blade (No Choir) | writer4 = Thomas J. Bergersen | length4 = 3:05 | title5 = Master of Shadows (No Choir) | writer5 = Nick Phoenix | length5 = 3:04 | title6 = Master of Shadows (Alternative Version) | writer6 = Nick Phoenix | length6 = 3:04 | title7 = Master of Shadows (Alternative Version 2) | writer7 = Nick Phoenix | length7 = 3:04 | title8 = Master of Shadows (Alternative Version 3) | writer8 = Nick Phoenix | length8 = 3:04 | title9 = What's Happening To Me (No Choir) | writer9 = Thomas J. Bergersen | length9 = 3:09 | title10 = What's Happening To Me (Alternative Version) | writer10 = Thomas J. Bergersen | length10 = 3:10 | title11 = Atlas (No Choir) | writer11 = Thomas J. Bergersen | length11 = 2:33 | title12 = Atlas (Alternative Version) | writer12 = Thomas J. Bergersen | length12 = 2:33 | title13 = Earth Rising (No Choir) | writer13 = Thomas J. Bergersen | length13 = 3:21 | title14 = The Soul That Must Awaken (No Choir) | writer14 = Nick Phoenix | length14 = 3:18 | title15 = The Soul That Must Awaken (Alternative Version) | writer15 = Nick Phoenix | length15 = 3:20 | title16 = The Soul That Must Awaken (Alternative Version 2) | writer16 = Nick Phoenix | length16 = 3:19 | title17 = Eternal Honor (No Choir) | writer17 = Nick Phoenix | length17 = 2:15 | title18 = Eternal Honor (Alternative Version) | writer18 = Nick Phoenix | length18 = 2:15 | title19 = Invincible (No Choir) | writer19 = Thomas J. Bergersen | length19 = 2:50 | title20 = The Ancients (No Choir) | writer20 = Nick Phoenix | length20 = 2:56 | title21 = Dark Harbor (No Choir) | writer21 = Nick Phoenix | length21 = 3:16 | title22 = The Cross of Antiquan (No Choir) | writer22 = Nick Phoenix | length22 = 2:29 | title23 = Ten Feet Tall (No Choir) | writer23 = Nick Phoenix | length23 = 2:00 | title24 = Ironwing (No Choir) | writer24 = Nick Phoenix | length24 = 2:37 }} |
Volume 2 – "Action"[http://www.extrememusic.com/#album/1821 Power Of Darkness: Volume 2]. Extreme Music.
Main tracks
{{tracklist
| extra_column = Later released on the public album:
| title1 = Fight The Machine
| writer1 = Nick Phoenix
| length1 = 2:04
| extra1 = Power of Darkness Anthology
| title2 = Ironheart
| writer2 = Thomas J. Bergersen
| length2 = 3:03
| extra2 = Classics Volume One
| title3 = Velocitron
| writer3 = Nick Phoenix
| length3 = 2:32
| extra3 = Invincible
| title4 = Titan Dune
| writer4 = Thomas J. Bergersen
| length4 = 2:11
| extra4 = Archangel
| title5 = Argovia
| writer5 = Nick Phoenix
| length5 = 2:27
| extra5 = Power of Darkness Anthology
| title6 = He Who Brings The Night
| writer6 = Thomas J. Bergersen
| length6 = 3:09
| extra6 = Archangel
| title7 = Norwegian Pirate
| writer7 = Thomas J. Bergersen
| length7 = 3:00
| extra7 = Archangel
| title8 = Decimator
| writer8 = Thomas J. Bergersen
| length8 = 1:54
| extra8 = Halloween
| title9 = Kronos
| writer9 = Nick Phoenix
| length9 = 2:29
| extra9 = Power of Darkness Anthology
| title10 = Magnan Imus
| writer10 = Nick Phoenix
| length10 = 2:47
| extra10 = Classics Volume One
| title11 = Freefall
| writer11 = Thomas J. Bergersen
| length11 = 2:04
| extra11 = Power of Darkness Anthology
| title12 = Clockmen
| writer12 = Nick Phoenix
| length12 = 2:03
| extra12 = Power of Darkness Anthology
| title13 = Ghost Brigades
| writer13 = Nick Phoenix
| length13 = 2:33
| extra13 = —
| title14 = 72 Virgins
| writer14 = Thomas J. Bergersen
| length14 = 1:50
| extra14 = Halloween
}}
| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" |
| height=30 valign=bottom|Alternative mixes |
| style="width:1000em" height=20| All tracks (except for nos. 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 16 and 17) were later released on the public version of the album, Power of Darkness Anthology. |
| {{tracklist
| title1 = Ironheart (No Choir) | writer1 = Thomas J. Bergersen | length1 = 2:03 | title2 = Velocitron (No Choir)" | writer2 = Nick Phoenix | length2 = 2:32 | title3 = Titan Dune (No Choir) | writer3 = Thomas J. Bergersen | length3 = 2:10 | title4 = Argovia (No Choir) | writer4 = Nick Phoenix | length4 = 2:27 | title5 = Argovia (No Choir Alternative Version) | writer5 = Nick Phoenix | length5 = 2:29 | title6 = Argovia (Alternative Version) | writer6 = Nick Phoenix | length6 = 2:29 | title7 = He Who Brings The Night (No Choir) | writer7 = Thomas J. Bergersen | length7 = 3:09 | title8 = He Who Brings The Night (No Choir Alternative Version) | writer8 = Thomas J. Bergersen | length8 = 3:08 | title9 = He Who Brings The Night (Alternative Version) | writer9 = Thomas J. Bergersen | length9 = 3:09 | title10 = Norwegian Pirate (No Choir) | writer10 = Thomas J. Bergersen | length10 = 3:00 | title11 = Decimator (No Choir) | writer11 = Thomas J. Bergersen | length11 = 1:54 | title12 = Kronos (No Choir) | writer12 = Nick Phoenix | length12 = 2:29 | title13 = Kronos (No Choir Alternative Version) | writer13 = Nick Phoenix | length13 = 2:47 | title14 = Kronos (Alternative Version) | writer14 = Nick Phoenix | length14 = 2:47 | title15 = Magnan Imus (No Choir) | writer15 = Nick Phoenix | length15 = 2:46 | title16 = Magnan Imus (No Choir Alternative Version) | writer16 = Nick Phoenix | length16 = 2:47 | title17 = Magnan Imus (Alternative Version) | writer17 = Nick Phoenix | length17 = 2:47 | title18 = Freefall (No Choir) | writer18 = Thomas J. Bergersen | length18 = 2:04 | title19 = Clockmen (No Choir) | writer19 = Nick Phoenix | length19 = 2:03 | title20 = Ghost Brigades (No Choir) | writer20 = Nick Phoenix | length20 = 2:34 | title21 = 72 Virgins (No Choir) | writer21 = Thomas J. Bergersen | length21 = 1:49 }} |
Critical reception
IFMCA-associated reviews website, MundoBSO,{{Cite web |title=Members |author= |work=IFMCA: International Film Music Critics Association |date= |access-date=9 April 2022 |url= http://filmmusiccritics.org/members/}} rated it seven out of ten stars.{{Cite web |title=Power of Darkness|author= |work=MundoBSO |date= |access-date=9 April 2022 |url= https://www.mundobso.com/bso/power-of-darkness}}
Trailer Music News called it "probably the most epic album by Two Steps From Hell" at the time.
Charts
As a demo, the album was not available for public purchase and therefore unable to enter any charts.
However, the re-release of the album as Power of Darkness Anthology in 2017 was a public offering and did chart as follows:
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2017)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| scope="row"| US Classical Albums (Billboard){{cite web|title=TWO STEPS FROM HELL CHART HISTORY|url=http://www.billboard.com/music/two-steps-from-hell/chart-history/classical-albums/song/1046599|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512042203/https://www.billboard.com/music/two-steps-from-hell/chart-history/classical-albums/song/1046599|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 12, 2018|publisher=billboard.com}}
| style="text-align:center;"|10 |
| scope="row"| US Classical Crossover Albums (Billboard){{Cite web |title=Classical Albums - Week of August 19, 2017 |author= |work=Billboard |date=19 August 2017 |access-date=9 April 2022 |url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/classical-crossover-albums/2017-08-19/}}
| style="text-align:center;"|9 |
Use in media
{{more citations needed section|date=April 2022}}
Two Steps From Hell's music has been featured frequently in trailers and commercials.
- Master of Shadows was used in for the trailers for 2012{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyCCd8MCcZY|title=2012: Official Trailer 3|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=2012-08-03}} and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and in commercials for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.
- Black Blade was used in trailers for Mass Effect 3, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and Priest, TV spots for Star Trek, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and The Book of Eli, and commercials for the video games Homefront, Star Wars: The Old Republic and Binary Domain, as well as trailers for the TV shows The Legend of Korra and Terra Nova.
- Invincible was used in a commercial for HBO's Game of Thrones.
- Velocitron was used in commercials for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 and a commercial for the video game Assassin's Creed Brotherhood.
- Titan Dune was used in the theatrical trailer for Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (film).{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1345757359519|title=Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time - Theatrical Trailer|publisher=Facebook|accessdate=2012-08-07}}
- Ironwing was used in the launch trailer for Bulletstorm.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1781306007963|title=Bulletstorm - Launch Trailer|publisher=Facebook|accessdate=2012-08-07}}
- Dark Harbor was used in a trailer for Game of Thrones.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1804204700416|title=Game Of Thrones - "Iron Throne" Trailer|publisher=Facebook|accessdate=2012-08-07}}
- Norwegian Pirate was used in the Character Progression trailer for the Smuggler class of Star Wars: The Old Republic.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up9crByjT8Y|title=Smuggler Character Progression|publisher=swtheoldrepublic|accessdate=2012-08-07}}
- Magnan Imus was used in the second trailer for the first season of Penny Dreadful (TV series).
- Freefall was used for the entrance music of WWE wrestler Daniel Bryan in 2011.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Discogs release|14203062|Power of Darkness|type=album}} (Anthology only)
{{Two Steps from Hell}}
{{Authority control}}