Best Soundtracks: Mortal Kombat (1995)

In the 90s, it was nearly impossible for any kid to avoid hearing about Mortal Kombat. I was immediately hooked when I discovered it and went all in, buying a SEGA console just to play the game. Before that, I was obsessed with Street Fighter, but Mortal Kombat hit differently—darker, more aggressive, and brutally bloody. The characters were unforgettable, each one cooler than the last, making it hard not to get attached. The era of video game movie adaptations started with Super Mario Bros. in 1993, followed by Double Dragon and Street Fighter. Mortal Kombat came next as the fourth adaptation, but it was by far the most successful, grossing more than all the others and earning the highest IMDb rating. Personally, I loved all four movies, but Mortal Kombat stood out for me in so many ways. The fight scenes were more intense and expertly choreographed, the story was engaging, and then there was the music—wow. Mortal Kombat was responsible for my lifelong love of techno. While the soundtrack did feature some metal, it was the pulsating “doof-doof” beats that amped up the fight scenes, giving them a raw, electric energy. From the iconic reptile battle to the unforgettable theme song, the soundtrack was packed with tracks I still listen to on repeat today.

The 1995 Mortal Kombat movie, directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, is a live-action adaptation of the popular video game series. The film follows three martial artists—Liu Kang (Robin Shou), Sonya Blade (Bridgette Wilson), and Johnny Cage (Linden Ashby)—who are chosen to represent Earth in a martial arts tournament known as Mortal Kombat. This tournament, held once every generation, determines the fate of the Earthrealm. They must battle against the forces of the evil sorcerer Shang Tsung (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa), who is determined to win the tournament and conquer Earth. Alongside them is the enigmatic warrior Raiden (Christopher Lambert), the protector of Earthrealm. As the story unfolds, the heroes face numerous challenges, engaging in intense battles with Shang Tsung’s champions, including the deadly Scorpion and Sub-Zero, ultimately fighting to prevent Earth from being enslaved.

At Movieland, we’re all about movie soundtracks, and this month, we’re diving into the best tracks from the 1995 Mortal Kombat soundtrack. From the exclusive movie songs to the iconic tracks on the album—IT HAS BEGUN!

From the moment you press play and the New Line Cinema logo appears, you’re immediately hit with the iconic scream, “MORTAL KOMBAT!”—followed by Techno Syndrome, one of the most legendary theme songs in movie and game history, produced by The Immortals. As a kid, my adrenaline was already racing, but when that song dropped and the dragon logo flared with flames, my excitement went through the roof. This movie hit the ground running, and I was absolutely glued to the screen from start to finish.

Before diving into the full soundtrack, let’s talk about the nightclub scene, which follows Sonya Blade tracking Kano. This live performance by Muthas Day Out, with their track “What U See/We All Bleed Red”, hit hard and reminded me of The Crow’s energy. Another standout band not featured on the soundtrack but in the movie is Stabbing Westward, with their haunting score-like track “Can’t Happen Here”, which captures the dark atmosphere perfectly.

Fear Factory’s “Zero Signal”, played during Johnny Cage’s fight with Scorpion, introduced me to the band and quickly became a favorite. I found myself running out to the store and grabbing their latest release “Obsolete” and falling deeper into the Fear Factory Rabbit Hole. KMFDM’s “Sonya vs. Kano” fight track also rocks, but my top pick has to be Traci Lords’ “Control”, which plays during the Reptile vs. Liu Kang battle—its instrumental but is a hard-hitting gem that I’d love to hear as a metal track.

Back to the soundtrack: Gravity Kills’ “Goodbye” gets frequent play from me with its catchy electronic-metal blend, and Utah Saints’ remix of the Mortal Kombat theme includes memorable movie quotes over a thumping beat. Orbital’s “Halcyon + On + On” closes the film, and while it’s used in other movies, it’ll always be tied to Mortal Kombat in my mind.

Other great additions include Type O Negative, Napalm Death, and of course, the iconic Goro theme. The Mortal Kombat soundtrack is an absolute classic that deserves more recognition, and I’m hoping for a vinyl release soon. Even the Annihilation sequel may have faltered, but its soundtrack holds up just as strongly as the original’s.

The score for this film is both haunting and satisfying, elevating the entire experience. For me, music is a vital element in movies, and when real bands are featured alongside a powerful score, it creates a more immersive and captivating atmosphere—one you can carry with you beyond the film and into your playlists. Mortal Kombat to this day embodies adrenaline, action, and of course, BRUTALITY.