Age of The Nerd
Get ready, metalheads and fantasy nerds — the legendary sword-and-sorcery saga Deathstalker is making its triumphant return, and this time, it’s coming with a face-melting new theme courtesy of rock icon Slash and acclaimed composer Bear McCreary.
The duo has teamed up to reimagine the cult-classic Deathstalker theme for the upcoming reboot from Psycho Goreman filmmaker Steven Kostanski and executive producer Slash himself. The film — a blood-soaked, nostalgia-fueled revival of the 1983 favorite — slashes its way into theaters on October 10, 2025, alongside the digital release of Deathstalker (Songs from the Motion Picture) via Sparks & Shadows Records.
A Heavy Metal Dream Team
The title track is pure magic for fans of both rock and cult cinema, featuring an all-star band that includes singer Brendan McCreary, original Deathstalker II composer Chuck Cirino, legendary drummer Gene “The Atomic Clock” Hoglan (Dethklok, Strapping Young Lad), bassist Pete Griffin (Steve Vai, Zappa Plays Zappa), and guitarist Omer Ben-Zvi (Bear McCreary’s frequent collaborator).
The three-track single also includes “Walking Alone” — a hauntingly melodic number from Danish actress/singer Nina Bergman and multi-instrumentalist Jonah Nimoy (The Offspring) — plus a radio-ready cut of the rocking Deathstalker theme.
🎸 Pre-save the single now: https://sparksandshadows.ffm.to/deathstalker
🎥 Watch the trailer: YouTube Link
Slash’s Nostalgic Blood Quest
“I loved the original Deathstalker,” says Slash. “It was tongue-in-cheek, exaggerated, and low budget — and it had this great theme song. Getting to revisit it with a new cast and story felt totally nostalgic for me. When Daniel Bernhardt came onboard as the lead, it just clicked. This movie became a total passion project.”
Slash also dove headfirst into the music side of things — calling up his longtime friend Bear McCreary to reimagine the classic theme. “We wanted to do a remake of the Deathstalker song with a live band,” he adds. “Bear’s a big fan of the original, and Chuck Cirino joined us too. It all came together in the studio — and it was just a blast.”
A Composer’s Fantasy Fulfilled
For McCreary, the project is a full-circle moment that ties together his love for cult cinema and the music that inspired his career.
“I spent every weekend in high school watching cult movies,” McCreary recalls. “When I saw Deathstalker II, I was blown away by Chuck Cirino’s score. Years later, when Slash told me he was producing a new Deathstalker, I knew my worlds were about to collide. Getting to work with Slash, Chuck, and my brother Brendan on a new version of that theme — for Steven Kostanski’s gloriously gory vision — has been an absolute dream.”
The Return of a Cult Hero
Starring Daniel Bernhardt (John Wick, The Matrix Reloaded), Christina Orjalo, Paul Lazenby, and Nicholas Rice, the new Deathstalker promises to deliver all the blood, brawn, and camp that fans love — plus one major bonus: Patton Oswalt voices Doodad, a benevolent wizard who joins the titular hero on his epic quest.
With McCreary and Slash shredding together on the soundtrack, it’s safe to say Deathstalker is poised to slay both on-screen and on Spotify.
