A true miracle of cinematic resurrection. Serving as Voyag3r's fourth full-length album and first official feature film score, the New York Ninja original soundtrack is the sonic backbone of a lost 1984 martial arts epic brought back to life nearly 40 years later. Released on vinyl via Mondo / Death Waltz Originals, this massive 30-track score delivers a masterclass in authentic, driving analog synth-rock.
Originally shot on 35mm film in 1984 by martial arts icon John Liu, New York Ninja was entirely abandoned during production, leaving behind hours of silent unedited footage and zero surviving audio. Decades later, film preservation giants Vinegar Syndrome rescued the original negatives and reconstructed the movie from scratch. To fill the absolute silence of the original reels, director Kurtis Spieler turned to Detroit’s own Voyag3r to compose a complete, original feature score from the ground up, placing the band's signature wall of sound at the absolute center of the movie's identity.
Composed and recorded during the pandemic at the Battle Chamber Studio, the band bypassed cheap imitation plug-ins, opting instead for a rigorous setup of vintage hardware synthesizers, driving bass lines, and aggressive live percussion. The result is an expansive, 30-track musical triumph that bridges the gap between mid-80s action themes and heavy, modern cinematic composition, effortlessly anchoring a cult phenomenon that has screened at the legendary New Beverly Cinema and captured global attention.
Universal Critical Acclaim: From The New York Times to Midnight Movie Sensation
The revival of New York Ninja took the cinematic world by storm, boasting a 96% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and earning dedicated profiles in major publications. The New York Times highlighted the historic nature of the audio build, emphasizing how the production team "start[ed] fresh with the audio, commissioning a synth-heavy retro score by the Detroit band Voyag3r."
Rather than leaning into campy parody, the score won universal praise for its fierce, period-accurate dedication. Film Inquiry hailed the soundtrack as "a cavalcade of shrieking synths and throbbing beats that truly sounds as though it were recorded in the year 1984 in the best way possible." Meanwhile, 411mania declared the performance "absolute perfection... chock full of synth-heavy themes," noting that the execution avoids the pitfalls of generic inspired-by tracks to deliver a legitimate, deeply satisfying cinematic environment.
A Premium Collector's Essential
Following its explosive midnight premiere at Beyond Fest, New York Ninja quickly cemented its place in modern cult history, even capturing a dedicated live episode on the hit podcast How Did This Get Made?. This high-end vinyl release features stunning cover art by Suspiria Vilchez with standard vinyl layout by Luke Insect, making it a gorgeous visual centerpiece for physical media collectors. Whether you are blasting high-octane battle themes like "Roller Ninja" and "Battle on the Rooftop," or soaking in the heroic energy of the main title card theme "I Love NY," this LP is a mandatory milestone for soundtrack collectors and analog synth enthusiasts alike.
Standout Tracks & Musical Highlights:
I Love NY: The driving, heroic theme that sets the stage for the concrete jungle.
The Plutonium Killer: A dark, eerie, and menacing electronic motif for the film's central villain.
Battle on the Rooftop: Blistering, high-energy action scoring that drives the film's choreography.
Roller Ninja: The fan-favorite, high-octane battle theme written specifically for a ninja on roller skates.
Vinyl Track Listing:
Side A:
A1 The Ninja
A2 Nita's Murder
A3 I Love NY
A4 John In Mourning
A5 The Plutonium Killer
A6 Abductions Continue
A7 Kanashimi No Saisho No Takakai
A8 Training / Shuriken Attack
A9 Roller Ninja
A10 Battle On The Rooftop
Side B:
B1 Will You Be My Friend?
B2 Protecting The Boss
B3 Interview With The Mayor / Kids To The Rescue
B4 Dart Of Death / She's A Cop!
B5 Rendezvous In The Park
B6 I Let Them Take Her
B7 Duel With Rattail / Detective Williams Captured
B8 In Disguise / The Rescue
B9 Hangar Flight / Ninja Vs Plutonium Killer
Voyag3r is:
Steve Greene: Synthesizers, Keyboards
Greg Mastin: Drums, Percussion, Electronic Drums
Aaron Greene: Electric Guitar
Technical Specifications:
Composition & Performance: Voyag3r
Produced, Mixed, & Mastered By: Steve Greene at Battle Chamber Studio
Label / Distribution: Mondo / Death Waltz Originals
Total Track Count: 19 tracks of original film score
Vinyl Package Illustration and Layout: Luke Insect
