Epic music

Epic Music (epic ≠ adjective) is a modern classical-like musical genre derived from a wide array of genres.

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 a lot of 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.

The genre was officially named Epic Music by its community 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. This and many requests from fans encouraged Two Steps from Hell to release their first public album Invincible and things just keep growing from there. These companies/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. With more albums being released publicly, the community grew and has kept growing ever since, even reaching outer space.

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). Although people who like EM also tend to like Trailer and Film Music due to the many similarities, the community distinguish the three as separate genres. EM has also proven to be similar to piano and/or Neoclassical music.

Since EM is a growing genre a lot of new great composers have found a home in the genre over the past few years. But not only composers profit from making songs. Official promotion YouTube channels are booming business, creating cinematics, mixes and promoting tracks. These channels are called EMCs (Epic Music Channels).

Categories

These are the most common styles used for Epic Music tracks; a track can consist of multiple styles. These categories and names are more descriptive rather than distinct classifications.

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 is the somewhat modern name for folklore. This style contains cultural or traditional music like Celtic, Nordic/Viking and Pirate. 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, for with pieces such as Epic Celtic Music Mix - Most Powerful & Beautiful Celtic Music | Vol.1

Hybrid/Rock

Hybrid means cross-genre. Tracks labeled hybrid are more 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. Due to both styles' powerful arrangements, hybrid and rock usually go hand in hand, like in this famous track: Les Friction - World On Fire

Other (Orchestral/Choral)

Some Epic Music is not as easily classifiable, and they are commonly described by feelings/emotions such as Emotional, Uplifting, Powerful, Dramatic, Inspirational, Action, Adventure, Heroic or Sad. Names like Battle, Horror, Massive, Pounding, Intense, Legendary, Vengeful, Wondrous, Fantasy or Majestic are also often used to evoke a certain mood. A notable Epic Music is Two Steps From Hell - Protectors of the Earth

Epic Composers

This is an incomplete list of Epic Scorers/Composers. Several of these major companies/composers even brand themselves as Epic Music producers - with mottos such as "the home of Epic Music", "where Epic Music lives" etc.

Notable Composers
8Dawn Music ADN Compositions Aeralie Brighton Alex Pfeffer All Good Things Attila Ats Audiomachine AudioNetwork Axl Rosenberg Brand X Music	BrunuhVille C21 FX Chris Haigh Christian Reindl Chroma Music City Of The Fallen 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 Future World Music Gareth Coker	Globus Gothic Storm Hans Zimmer Hi-Finesse Immediate Music Instrumental Core Ivan Torrent J2 James Paget Jeremiah Pena	Jo Blankenburg John Dreamer Josh Mobley Junkie XL Kevin Riepl Marcin Przybylowicz Mark Petrie Must Save Jane Nick Murray Nick Phoenix Phantom Power Music Position Music	PostHaste Music Q-Factory Really Slow Motion Secession Studios Songs To Your Eyes Sonic Librarian Music Sonic Symphony Steve Jablonsky The Spiritual Machines Thomas Adam-Habuda Thomas Bergersen	Tony Anderson Two Steps From Hell Unstoppable Music Varien Veigar Margeirsson Zack Hemsey

See also

• Trailer Music
• Library/Production Music

External links

• Trailer Music News
• How to choose the right Epic Music for your film by Caleb Ward for PremiumBeat.