Golden Axe Soundtrack Features a Chris Westlake Score

Paramount recently announced that they hired Chris Westlake to write an original score for their upcoming Golden Axe soundtrack. They also announced the release date for the animated video game adaptation.

Keep reading to learn more about the show and Westlake’s involvement.

Chris Westlake’s Golden Axe Score: Why Animation and Soundtrack Fans Should Be Excited

We’re going back to the arcade, and it’s all thanks to Paramount’s latest attempt at capturing Netflix’s dominance in animated video game adaptations, Golden Axe. And because it’s Paramount, it’s coming to Paramount+. September 15, 2026, if you would like to know.

But that’s not the only thing they gave us. They also gave us a trailer and said that Chris Westlake wrote the show’s original score. So, yes, we’re about to feast on clanging steel, magic, strange beasts, and a larger-than-life quest, and all of it set to a Westlake soundtrack.

Here’s the trailer if you want to check it out:

Golden Axe Moves from Arcade Fantasy to Animated Adventure

Golden Axe is, of course, a classic Sega arcade game from 1989. It’s basically a side-scrolling fantasy beat ’em up. And it’s generally remembered for its warriors, mounts, magic attacks, and instantly recognizable sword-and-sorcery atmosphere.

The Paramount+ animated series is supposed to be a fairly faithful adaptation of the game. As a result, it should follow Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, and Gilius Thunderhead on their quest to save Yuria from Death Adder. Of course, Hampton Squib will complicate things through his inexperience and heroic dreams.

To bring this tale to life, Paramount hired the voice talents of:

• Matthew Rhys
• Danny Pudi
• Lisa Gilroy
• Liam McIntyre
• Carl Tart

Mike McMahan and Joe Chandler created and directed the series, and Titmouse animated it. And, as I have said, Westlake handled the Golden Axe soundtrack.

Why Chris Westlake Is a Smart Choice for Golden Axe

Westlake is no stranger to animation, of course, nor is he a stranger to McMahan’s work. They previously worked together on Solar Opposites and Star Trek: Lower Decks.

And that history matters because Golden Axe isn’t just a fantasy. It’s also a musical challenge that must honor both the original game’s heroic fantasy and its fast-paced animated comedy.

The peculiarities of animation will amplify these things even further, of course. The show’s going to need the soundtrack to make every axe swing feel huge, magic feel dangerous, and jokes land without undercutting the adventure.

Luckily, Westlake has the background and talent to pull it off. His discography spans comedy, orchestral writing, and electronic textures, alongside animation. So he should know how to move seamlessly between tones without the music feeling disjointed or disconnected.

That toolkit is essential for an animated series like Golden Axe. And it’s because scenes could swing widely between monster battles, character jokes, and somber emotional moments in seconds. The soundtrack must then guide the audience through those turns without losing anyone.

The Golden Axe Soundtrack: Potential Heroic, Comic, and Arcade Themes

Of course, this all begs the question: what will the Golden Axe soundtrack sound like? Will Westlake incorporate the game’s 80s fantasy sounds, or will he go with something completely modern?  

That is to say, the soundtrack could feature anything from pounding drums and brass fanfares to modal melodies and dark villain textures. Then, there’s the comedy, which could bring in nimble orchestration, playful rhythmic shifts, and knowing musical winks.

Either way, the soundtrack shouldn’t just imitate 1980s arcade music. Nostalgia is king, but the score must also acknowledge the nearly 40 years since the game’s initial release. In other words, the show must also shine on its own merits and musical identity.

I’m not saying that it shouldn’t incorporate the game’s motifs. In fact, the score should reference the old themes in some way, especially for the four main characters. However, Westlake should balance old and new in his themes.

For instance:

• Ax’s theme should be broad and heroic.
• Tyris could then have a sharper “magical” sound with choral or shimmering textures.
• Meanwhile, Gilius could have heavier low brass, percussion, or rugged folk-like colors.
• Finally, Hampton Squib’s sound could begin awkwardly and grow into something unexpectedly brave.

Other Things to Listen For

Beyond the character themes, we must also consider how the soundtrack will handle its main theme and action cues. In other words, will the main theme capture the grandeur of fantasy adventure while still feeling slightly irreverent? Also, will the action scenes have their own identity, or will they simply be generic chases? And finally, will the comedy come from the music, against the music, or around the music?

Those questions matter because great animation music often works on multiple levels. For instance, it can be sincere and funny at the same time. In other words, it can play a ridiculous situation with total seriousness, making the joke funnier while preserving the stakes.

How The Golden Axe Soundtrack Can Elevate Video Game Adaptations

Animated video game adaptations also need their soundtracks to guide them. Sure, we may come for jokes, action, and game references. But it’s the memorable themes that stick with us long after the episode ends.

But we also come in with preconceived notions. After all, a Golden Axe soundtrack already exists. We’ll compare the new sounds with the old ones, regardless of whether we want to or not.

So, Westlake must build a score that both recreates the game’s sound and reinvents it. Above all, it must let the characters evolve musically, rewarding both casual viewers and repeat listeners alike.

For instance, the original arcade experience was fast, direct, and physical. Then, the animated series adds room for character, worldbuilding, and emotional shading. A strong score could bridge the gap by keeping the momentum of a game while adding the narrative shape of television.

Final Thoughts

Westlake certainly has the talent to pull it off, but he has to know when to go big and when to step aside. He’s going to have ample opportunities to show off just from the show’s premise alone. As a result, he should just let the Golden Axe soundtrack be bold, funny, propulsive, and emotionally grounded when it wants to be.

But that’s just my take; what’s yours?

Post your thoughts in the forums or the comments below.