Mortal Kombat (2021 soundtrack)
| Mortal Kombat (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film score by | ||||
| Released | April 16, 2021 | |||
| Recorded | 2020–2021 | |||
| Genre | Film score | |||
| Length | 79:40 | |||
| Label | WaterTower Music | |||
| Benjamin Wallfisch chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Mortal Kombat (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | ||||
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Mortal Kombat (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the score album to the 2021 film Mortal Kombat, based on the video game franchise of the same name and a reboot of the Mortal Kombat film series. Composed by Benjamin Wallfisch, the 24-track album was released on April 16, 2021 by WaterTower Music and is led by two singles: "Techno Syndrome 2021" an experimented track from the eponymous theme song that featured in the video game series' soundtrack by The Immortals was released on April 9,[1] and "I Am Scorpion", a theme for the character Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion was released on April 15, before the album.[2]
Development
McQuoid met with Wallfisch early on in pre-production even before his involvement confirmed on March 2021,[3] which he described it as an "instant connection", adding that "the music in Mortal Kombat is such a big part of it" on using the pre-existing themes from the video game series. This included the "Techno Syndrome" theme composed by the Belgian electronic music group The Immortals.[4][5] Wallfisch wanted to experiment the track even before he could score for the film, so that he could reinvent the core material as an orchestral piece. He wrote three to four notes of the melody and some riffs from the original track, while he added creative ways to play with tempo and harmonies. Reinventing the titlular track was "a great opportunity to embrace the iconic fanbase", according to Wallfisch, who added that he had a lot of responsibility to do so. The track was mixed and mastered by Tom Norris, who did the same for the remainder of the score. Wallfisch said that "[Norris] brought such unbelievable power and energy to the track, and it was such a great honor to work with him".[4]
In order to maintain the nostalgia that the fans associate with the series, Wallfisch kept the core themes at the forefront of the compositions, while also distinguishing the film as it is own contemporary piece. Hence he tried using different tones and experimented with the music, to replicate the energy and intensity of the "avant-garde" action sequences and distinguish it with the characters and story, that led to Wallfisch calling it as "the most challenging things he had ever done". Like his previous ventures, electronic dance music has inspired on the film score.[6]
Despite being committed to the project even before release, recording on the film's score had to be delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdown; Wallfisch had to completely restructure the recording process as he was accustomed to working with large orchestras. Wallfisch admitted that the score is written on a large scale for a symphonic sound that demands a 100-piece orchestra and huge choir. The album was recorded at Studio 301 in Sydney and because of the pandemic restrictions, he could only have 35–40 musicians in the room at one time, hence he had to construct the score in small chunks and layer it. Without the live recording experience, he and his team felt more difficult to "capture the energy and coordination of playing in a room together with everyone", resulting in the score to be recorded for over a year, compared to his other films, where he could finish it with six weeks.[4]
Track listing
| No. | Titel | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Techno Syndrome 2021" | 3:06 |
| 2. | "Hanzo Hasashi" | 7:14 |
| 3. | "Lord Raiden" | 2:24 |
| 4. | "Bi-Han" | 2:42 |
| 5. | "Shang Tsung" | 1:37 |
| 6. | "Cole Young" | 1:41 |
| 7. | "Birthmark" | 2:47 |
| 8. | "Sonya Blade" | 4:23 |
| 9. | "Kano v Reptile" | 2:59 |
| 10. | "Liu Kang" | 5:59 |
| 11. | "The Great Protector" | 2:28 |
| 12. | "Sub-Zero" | 3:01 |
| 13. | "Kung Lao" | 3:13 |
| 14. | "Origins" | 3:08 |
| 15. | "Kabal" | 2:59 |
| 16. | "Goro" | 2:57 |
| 17. | "Arcana" | 3:58 |
| 18. | "Jax Briggs" | 2:34 |
| 19. | "The Void" | 4:12 |
| 20. | "The Tournament" | 5:00 |
| 21. | "Sub-Zero v Cole Young" | 1:18 |
| 22. | "I Am Scorpion" | 3:15 |
| 23. | "We Fight as One" | 2:49 |
| 24. | "Get Over Here" | 3:56 |
| Total length: | 79:40 | |
References
- ^ Yopko, Nick. "Warner Bros. Releases 2021 EDM Rework of Classic Mortal Kombat Theme: Listen". EDM.com. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
- ^ Squires, John (2021-04-15). "Listen to Scorpion's Theme from the 'Mortal Kombat' Movie Soundtrack!". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
- ^ Fischer, Tyler. "Mortal Kombat Reboot Award-Winning Composer Revealed". Comic Book. Archived from the original on January 22, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- ^ a b c "'Mortal Kombat's Composer Began the Score Before Getting Hired — And Yes, It Includes the Iconic Theme". Collider. 2021-03-06. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- ^ Chitwood, Adam (2021-04-27). "'Mortal Kombat' Composer Explains How He Layered the New "Techno Syndrome" Throughout the Movie". Collider. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
- ^ Durant, Clayton. "How Benjamin Wallfisch Preserved the Legacy of Mortal Kombat in His EDM-Inspired Film Score". EDM.com. Retrieved 2022-12-29.