Slash and Bear McCreary Bring the Barbarian Back to Life
The legendary 1980s fantasy adventure Deathstalker has returned, armed with a roaring new soundtrack and a team of rock and cinematic heavyweights. Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning composer Bear McCreary (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Walking Dead) and Slash, the iconic guitarist of Guns N’ Roses, have joined forces to reinvent the film’s theme. Their creation, Deathstalker (Songs from the Motion Picture), arrives from Sparks & Shadows Records alongside the film’s theatrical release, delivering an electrifying fusion of nostalgia, fantasy, and raw rock energy. Deathstalker is on sale now.
An All-Star Ensemble of Rock Titans
Behind the thunderous soundtrack is an all-star lineup that reads like rock mythology. Alongside McCreary and Slash are vocalist Brendan McCreary, original Deathstalker II composer Chuck Cirino, drummer Gene “The Atomic Clock” Hoglan (Dethklok, Strapping Young Lad), bassist Pete Griffin (Steve Vai, Zappa Plays Zappa), and guitarist Omer Ben-Zvi. Together, they deliver a blistering reinvention of the original 1980s theme. The release also includes the haunting track “Walking Alone” by Nina Bergman and Jonah Nimoy, creating a balance of ferocity and elegance that captures the heart of this epic revival.
The Return of the Warrior
The new Deathstalker film is directed by Steven Kostanski (Psycho Goreman, Frankie Freako) and executive produced by Slash. It stars Daniel Bernhardt (John Wick, The Matrix Reloaded) as the fearless barbarian hero, joined by Christina Orjalo, Paul Lazenby, and Nicholas Rice, with Patton Oswalt lending his voice to Doodad, a well-meaning wizard who brings humor to the blood-soaked action. True to its cult origins, the reboot celebrates the outrageous, campy, and action-packed style of the original 1983 film, but with modern polish and creative intensity.
Slash’s Passion Project
For Slash, Deathstalker is more than a production—it’s a passion project rooted in nostalgia. “I loved the original Deathstalker,” he explained. “It was tongue-in-cheek, exaggerated, and low budget—but it had a great theme song. My whole interest in doing this new one wasn’t about remaking it—it was about capturing that same spirit.” Slash’s partnership with McCreary was born out of their shared love for music that tells a story. “We went into the studio with Chuck Cirino and some killer musicians to remake the theme with a live band. It was a blast, and that energy lives in the final track.”
McCreary’s Full-Circle Moment
For Bear McCreary, the project represents a personal journey. “In high school, I spent every weekend watching cult movies,” he said. “When I saw Deathstalker II, I fell in love with Chuck Cirino’s score. Years later, Chuck and I became friends, and when Slash told me he was producing a new Deathstalker, I knew I had to be part of it.” Working with his brother Brendan, Slash, and Cirino allowed McCreary to fuse his cinematic craftsmanship with his lifelong love for fantasy film music. The result is a soundtrack that feels both nostalgic and revolutionary.
The Legend Lives Again
Deathstalker is more than a reboot—it’s a resurrection of spirit, sound, and cinematic adventure. The film and its soundtrack celebrate the wild creativity of 1980s fantasy cinema while ushering in a new era of metal-fueled storytelling. With Slash’s explosive guitar work and McCreary’s sweeping compositions, Deathstalker stands as a testament to the enduring power of collaboration across generations and genres. The barbarian hero has returned, sword raised and guitars blazing, ready to conquer theaters and playlists alike.
