Mortal Kombat (2021 soundtrack)
| Company type | Soundtrack |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | April 16, 2021 |
| Founder | Benjamin Wallfisch |
| Products | Film score album |
| Parent | WaterTower Music |
Mortal Kombat: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack serves as the musical score album for the 2021 reboot of the Mortal Kombat movie, part of the Mortal Kombat film franchise inspired by the video game series. Composed by Benjamin Wallfisch, this 24-track collection was made available on April 16, 2021, through WaterTower Music. The album includes two featured singles: "Techno Syndrome 2021," a modernized rendition of the legendary theme originally by The Immortals, released on April 9, and "I Am Scorpion," a theme dedicated to the character Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion, which debuted on April 15.
Wallfisch was brought on board early in 2020 during the film’s pre-production phase; however, composing and recording the score took over a year due to pandemic-related restrictions, necessitating individual recording sessions for orchestra members. He recognized the significance of composing for a franchise with a devoted fanbase deeply rooted in popular culture. Overall, the soundtrack garnered generally favorable critiques.
Development
Director Simon McQuoid connected with composer Benjamin Wallfisch early during pre-production, prior to Wallfisch’s official involvement confirmed in March 2021. Wallfisch described their partnership as an "immediate rapport," highlighting the critical role of integrating the iconic music from the Mortal Kombat video game franchise, especially the "Techno Syndrome" theme by Belgian electronic group The Immortals. Before beginning work on the full score, he experimented with this track by transforming it into an orchestral arrangement—adapting essential melodies and riffs while innovatively modifying tempo and harmonies.
Reworking the main theme was viewed by Wallfisch as a vital chance to connect with fans of the series, fully aware of the responsibility involved. Director McQuoid lauded Wallfisch’s demo as "remarkable," emphasizing how it effectively conveyed the film’s atmosphere to both actors and production teams. Producer Tom Norris mixed and mastered this piece along with the remainder of the score, infusing it with considerable power and dynamism.
To balance nostalgia with a modern soundscape, Wallfisch preserved fundamental motifs while exploring varied tonalities to complement the film’s innovative action scenes and unique characters. Leveraging his background in electronic dance music, he sought to embody both vigor and intensity, describing this project as among his most demanding.
The COVID-19 pandemic required Wallfisch to overhaul his standard recording approach. Typically accustomed to large orchestras, he adapted to constraints limiting sessions to only 35–40 musicians at once at Studio 301 in Sydney. This necessitated recording in smaller segments that were layered over time, extending production beyond a year compared to his usual six-week timeline. Despite these hurdles, Wallfisch succeeded in producing a symphonic soundscape featuring a 100-piece orchestra and choir, showcasing adaptability amid pandemic-imposed challenges.
Reception
Film Music Central commended the soundtrack for its effective contrast between dynamic, action-driven pieces and quieter, reflective moments, describing these as a "calm before the storm" type of tranquility. Jonathan Broxton observed that Benjamin Wallfisch skillfully combined electronica and EDM with refined orchestral and choral arrangements, staying true to the franchise’s musical identity while producing engaging themes.
The publication Empire recognized the score as a "clever, energetic" composition, particularly praising the memorable buildup to "Techno Syndrome," which underscores the film’s appreciation for its fan base. Blake Goble from Consequence described the music as an "intensely sonic score."
According to Filmtracks.com, integrating techno and electronica with symphonic fantasy elements posed a notable challenge; however, Wallfisch’s talent resulted in a unified and lively blend. The review highlighted the expressive character motifs and superior recording quality, acknowledging the score’s thoughtful craftsmanship despite its dual musical nature.
Personnel
Credits sourced from AllMusic.
- Benjamin Wallfisch – composer, producer, mixing
- Kim Baum – executive music supervisor
- Craig Beckett – engineering
- Elaine Beckett – score coordination
- Clifford Bradley – music preparation
- Silvio Buchmeier – orchestration
- Matthew Chin – music preparation
- Reuben Cohen – mastering
- Kaitlyn Delle Donne – technical support
- Karen Elliott – score coordination
- Matan Franco – music preparation
- Jared Fry – programming, music preparation
- Jeff Gartenbaum – technical support
- Christopher Gordon – conductor
- Kim Green – music clearance
- Jared Haschek – music preparation
- Oliver Jean Jacques – composer
- Alison Johnston – choir master
- Brett Kelly – conductor
- Minh Khuat – assistant to composer
- David Krystal – orchestration
- Jon Kull – orchestration
- Gavin Lurssen – mastering
- Rose Mackenzie-Peterson – Pro Tools operator
- Loclan Mackenzie-Spencer – music preparation
- Evan McHugh – mixing
- Liam Moses – Pro Tools operator
- Tom Norris – mastering, mixing
- Jen O'Malley – soundtrack coordination
- Alexander Palmer – music preparation
- Alfredo Pasquel – technical support
- Tim Ryan – editing
- Ariane Sallis – music preparation
- Katrina Schiller – editing
- Elizabeth Scott – choir master
- Erin Scully – executive music supervisor
- Scott Smith – mixing
- Sandeep Sriram – art direction, producer
- Ari Taitz – music business affairs
- John F.X. Walsh – music business affairs
- Jessica Wells – music preparation