Nine Inch Nails has created the soundtrack for Disney’s *Tron: Ares*, marking a big shift from Daft Punk’s electronic score in *Tron: Legacy*. Director Joachim Rønning chose the band for their raw sound, saying it represents “the two different worlds colliding.” This film takes a unique approach by bringing computer-generated characters into our world instead of sending humans into the digital realm.
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross packed the music with heavy metal sounds and driving beats. Their track “As Alive As You Need Me To Be” features Reznor’s haunting vocals, making it a standout piece in the film’s score. This darker sound contrasts sharply with the smooth electronic waves and orchestral elements that defined *Tron: Legacy* back in 2010. The new music fits the film’s intense storyline, where Ares, played by Jared Leto, is a program with only 30 minutes to exist in our world. His creator, Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters), has cruelly built this time limit into his code.
Tracks like “Forked Reality” hit hard with sharp strings and booming bass. The final piece, “Shadow Over Me,” begins with fierce electronic beats that gradually fade into silence. This new score builds on the series’ rich musical history, starting with Wendy Carlos’s groundbreaking work on the original *Tron* in 1982.
Reznor and Ross are no strangers to soundtracks, having won awards for their music in *The Social Network*, *Bones & All*, *Challengers*, and Pixar’s *Soul*.
You can catch *Tron: Ares* in theaters now. The full soundtrack is available for streaming on major music platforms, or you can grab a physical copy.
