Epic music

Epic music is a modern classical-like musical genre derived from a wide array of genres, primarily trailer music.

History

The first official trailer music companies, which later became epic music producers, were created in the 1990s, with Immediate Music being one of the first starting as early as 1993. From then until the 2010s, many albums and single tracks were created; however they were only available to the companies’ clients and the film industry. Until this day only few of these albums have been officially, or unofficially through Internet platforms, released to the public. It was around 2005-2010 some composers started to pick up public fame for the first time, thanks to their songs being featured at special events like the Olympic Games and the many trailers they composed for.[1]

The genre was named 'epic music' by its community[2] when composers finally started releasing public albums. The first company to release an album of epic music was Globus (Epicon), followed by Immediate Music with Trailerhead in 2008 and later in the same series with Nu Epiq.[3][4][5] This and many requests from fans encouraged Two Steps from Hell to release their first public album Invincible in 2010, and things kept growing[6] from there. These companies and composers showed that publicizing music, which was first vaguely referred to as trailer and film music, worked and that there was an audience for it.[7][8] With more albums being released publicly,[9][10] the community grew and has kept growing ever since, even reaching outer space.[11]

Present day

Separating itself from the trailer music genre, epic music is a stand-alone genre which produces a lot of music that can be used in trailers (which then also makes it trailer music).[12] Although people who enjoy epic music also tend to like trailer and film music due to the many similarities, the community distinguishes the three as separate genres. Epic music has also proven to be similar to neoclassical music.

Since epic music is a growing genre, many new composers have found a home in the genre over the past few years.[13] But not only do composers profit from making songs; official promotion YouTube channels are a booming business,[14] creating cinematics, mixes and promoting tracks. These channels are sometimes called EMCs[15] (Epic Music Channels).

Categories

These are the most common styles used for epic music tracks, though a track can consist of multiple styles. These categories and names are more descriptive rather than distinct classifications.

Orchestral

The majority of epic music is orchestral, using either a real orchestra or samples. It often sounds similar to classical music, though shorter and with less emphasis on form. A notable orchestral track is Two Steps From Hell - Protectors of the Earth

Vocal

A track counts as vocal if there is at least one lead singer in it or if vocals form a majority of the track. Any track can be vocal, from emotional to horror. An example of a vocal track is Extreme Music - Bring Me Back To Life

World

World (sometimes called folklore) contains cultural or traditional music like Celtic, Nordic, or Asian. However, these styles more generally are distinct from epic. For example, Adrian von Ziegler is currently one of the most famous Celtic Music composers, but only few of his tracks are considered epic. Relatively unknown composers of these styles may find a niche in epic music, with pieces such as ones found in Epic Celtic Music Mix - Most Powerful & Beautiful Celtic Music | Vol.1

Hybrid/rock

Hybrid epic music is a cross-genre which is likely to sound like EDM or any other genre related to electro-type music, but they are usually specifically made to fit in the epic genre by implementing certain feelings/emotions. Rock is said to sound the most like classical music out of all modern genres, which is why it fits very well in Epic music.[16] Due to both styles' powerful arrangements, hybrid and rock usually go hand in hand, like in this famous track: Les Friction - World On Fire

Epic composers

This is an incomplete list of epic composers. Several of these companies brand themselves as epic music producers - with mottos such as "The Home of Epic Music", "Where Epic Music Lives" etc.[17]

Notable composers
8Dawn Music

ADN Compositions

Adrian von Ziegler

Aeralie Brighton

Alex Pfeffer

All Good Things

Antti Martikainen

Attila Ats

Audiomachine

AudioNetwork

Axl Rosenberg

Brand X Music

BrunuhVille

Bryan Nguyen

C21 FX

Chris Haigh

Christian Reindl Chroma Music

City Of The Fallen

Clint Mansell

Cody Still

Colossal Trailer Music

Confidential Music

Corner Stone Cues

Daniel Lenz Music

Danny Cocke

Dean Valentine

Dylan C. Jones

E.S Posthumus

Edward Bradshaw

Epic North

Epic Score

Epic Soul Factory

Eurielle

Fran Soto

Frank Romeo

Future World Music

Gareth Coker

Globus

Gothic Storm

Hans Zimmer

Hi-Finesse

Immediate Music

Instrumental Core

Ivan Torrent

J2

James Dooley

James Paget

Jeremiah Pena

Jo Blankenburg

John Dreamer

Josh Mobley

Junkie XL

Kevin Riepl

Lion's Heart Productions

Marcin Przybylowicz

Mark Petrie

Maxx McGee

Must Save Jane

Nick Murray

Nick Phoenix

Nick Road

Night Angel

Patryk Scelina

Phantom Power Music

PostHaste Music

Q-Factory

Really Slow Motion

Secession Studios

Songs To Your Eyes

Sonic Librarian Music

Sonic Symphony

Steve Jablonsky

Synthphonia Music

The Spiritual Machines

Thomas Adam-Habuda

Thomas Edwards

Thomas Bergersen

Tony Anderson

Two Steps from Hell

Unstoppable Music

Valentin Boomes

Varien

Veigar Margeirsson

Vivien Chebbah

Zack Hemsey

See also

References

  1. Rome, Emily (April 8, 2012). "Their movie trailer music is proudly commercial".
  2. Robley, Chris (July 26, 2012). "Film Trailer Music, Pt. 2: An Interview with Two Steps from Hell".
  3. Lebrun, Clothilde (July 19, 2014). "Nu Epiq: Interview with Immediate Music's President Yoav Goren".
  4. "Coming Soon: The 'Epic Music' of Movie Trailers". May 19, 2014.
  5. O'Connor-Read, Greg (May 13, 2014). "'Epic Music' Pioneers IMMEDIATE Release Genre Defining New Album Trailerhead: NU EPIQ". PR Newswire. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  6. Wright, Chris (May 6, 2016). "Meet Thomas Bergersen — Master of Powerful, Epic Music".
  7. Rosenbloom, Etan (January 24, 2013). "On the Charts: Two Steps from Hell".
  8. "Trailer-Musik auch als Live-Event - Check Comment section". March 10, 2014.
  9. Helwig, David (May 6, 2014). "The Music That Sells Hollywood's Top Blockbusters: audiomachine".
  10. "Imperativa Records To Release First Ever Best Of 'Epic Music' Genre Compilation Album "This Is Epic Music: Volume 1"". November 21, 2014.
  11. Barker, Lynn (April 25, 2016). "Astronaut Barry Butch Wilmore for A Beautiful Planet".
  12. "Interview with Thomas Bergersen | Composer, 'Two Steps From Hell'". Screen Watch. 2013-05-14. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
  13. Lebrun, Clothilde (May 1, 2015). "Dragons & Kings: Interview with the Composers of Gothic Storm's Biggest Release to Date".
  14. "Young musician finds grandeur in epic genre". May 1, 2016.
  15. "Research of EMCs". EMSP.
  16. "Astra Heights teams up with Yoav Goren". February 26, 2016.
  17. "Most still active Epic Music Scorers". May 17, 2016.

External links

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