Review: Peacock’s “Twisted Metal: Season 2 (Original Series Soundtrack)”: The Series’ Soul in Audio

Peacock’s Twisted Metal: Season 2 (Original Series Soundtrack): The Series’ Soul in Audio

Introduction

Music has the power to move listeners in any number of directions. With its sweet sounds, masterful making and virtuosic visioning, the aural experience is not to be missed. When musicians release works set to video games, this experience only heightens; when done with screen productions based on games, the experience is somehow even more cathartic. Such is the case with Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson’s Twisted Metal 2: Season 2 (Original Series Soundtrack), based on the eponymous TV show that has been on since 2023, itself based on the game franchise that has existed since 1995. Their work allows for extant as well as new fans to savor the soundscapes presented in this album.

A Brief History of the Composers

Looking at a musician’s discography can be illuminating, providing invaluable insights into his or her style, sensibilities and talent, among others. Album composers Birenberg and Robinson are no different, so before examining their latest release, it is helpful to see their repertoire. They began their professional career as a composing duo in 2018, when they released the official soundtrack to the first season of the Netflix Cobrai Cai series. These men have since produced music almost exclusively for this program, save for the years 2023 and 2025, in which they created the songs for the first and second seasons of Peacock’s Twisted Metal, respectively. Additionally, they have composed tracks for Netflix’s Florida Man and Obliterated in 2023 as well as Disney+’s Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man in 2025.

Given their discography, Birenberg and Robinson are known for their collective take on heroic, might-filled tracks befit for the characters and settings they represent. Fans tend to enjoy their work, as evidenced by their consistent output. Regarding Twisted Metal, the sound they have crafted to accompany all the incredible, on-screen action is phenomenal, showcasing genuine passion and ability in the process.

**Album Overview: Twisted Metal’s Soul in Audio**

As far as licensed soundtrack releases go, this one does not differ in any noticeable way. It is a rather standard product, spanning 30 songs for a total runtime of one hour and four minutes. Its songs are arranged chronologically in accordance with the episodes, and its song titles tend to be creative, such as “Stick-Shift to the Plan” and “Wreck-Less Endangerment.” Some titles are less inventive, like “Calypso,” but, like the majority of this album, they are aurally pleasing.

Sonically, this album uses a wide variety of sounds and instruments. It is not uncommon, for example, to hear such diverse features as keyboards and synthesizers to organs and even voice at times. Moreover, the songs are meant to accompany the titles, emphasizing them through appropriate sounds. The degree to which this approach succeeds varies, though.

Strengths: Array of Instruments and Fitting Character Tributes

This Season 2 audio companion is part aural feast, part filler. Focusing on the positives first, it is clear these composers made effective use of different instruments and styles to suit each song. For instance, “Start Your Engines,” the opening track, employs heavy electronics to produce a sound reminiscent of the games’ hard-hitting background music. Similarly, in “Captain Grimm,” the organ is played at different parts to accentuate this character’s being as a representative of death named after the Reaper himself. These tributes enhance the listening experience at large, making it a fun way to spend approximately an hour of one’s time.

Weakness: Reused Sounds Produce Some Filler Content

The main drawback that hinders playback occasionally is that some songs tend to regurgitate what is played earlier in this album. While it is nice to see certain audio concepts being reframed and repurposed to suit intended aural ideas throughout this record, as much often feels like filler content to some extent. There are only so many times, for example, listeners can hear the heavy bass and sound of dusty, clanging machinery in several tracks before wondering if they are experiencing déjà vu. It is unfortunate these composers box themselves into certain sounds because their potential is clear as day. To be fair, however, their decision is by not means uncommon across soundtrack albums. After all, if particular sounds work, there are no necessarily great incentives to change all that much. It is just that it would be nice to hear more original compositions than close copies.

Conclusion and Score

Ultimately, the Twisted Metal: Season 2 soundtrack is a fun addition to one’s audio library. Although it may not be among the top choices for repeat listens, it certainly provides a joyful hour of solid audio content. Hearing the different instruments, sounds and character vignettes underscore some of this work’s best features. Listening to reused sounds can feel uneventful at times but is still enjoyable enough to warrant spending time with the entire album. To be fair, some aspects of the games have been reimagined in different ways over time, so why should the aural representation not be afforded the same opportunities? Everything considered, this album is worth the listen, and its composers have produced yet another soundtrack apropos of the source material.

Pros:

Several instruments and sounds employed throughout album
Songs relating to specific characters spotlight their beings

Con:

Some tracks piggyback off others, resulting in similar sounds that can sometimes seem like filler content — but is not done enough to prevent listening to this album in full

Score: 8/10

Standout Tracks

“Start Your Engines” — Essentially this season’s main theme, this track features synthesizers and heavy electronics in addition to a powerful bass backing.
“Captain Grimm” — The first track on this album to include the organ, it gives listeners a strong, anachronistic reminder that Mr. Grimm’s entire characters is based on the classic Reaper himself.
“Diesel City” — Heavy on the bass, this track conjures the image of the decaying Season 2 location and 2012 reboot level.
“Hit the Gas” — Making use of various instruments in the same track, it serves as a more classic-sounding representation of Twisted Metal.
“Reap What You Tow” —One of this albums best tracks, it sees the organ return in full, blasting force. It is also the only one to use a vocal choir in backing.
“Join the Fight” —The track that plays during each episode’s end credits, it is toned down compared to the rest of this album in numerous ways, making for a more subtle exit.

Album Information

Title: Twisted Metal: Season 2 (Original Series Soundtrack)
Artists and Composers: Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson
Record Labels: Sony Pictures Television, Inc. and Madison Gate Records, Inc.
Release Date: 31 July 2025
Format: Digital, Streaming
Total Runtime: 1 hour, 4 minutes
Series: Twisted Metal

Listen

You can listen to this release on Spotify:

References/Further Reading

To learn more about the Twisted Metal series as well as this franchise at large, please visit the following links:

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this review as well as throughout this blog belong solely to Lord Trichechus Rosmarus of Premier Polygon Productions. Consequently, they represent the perspectives only of these entities and in no way aim to disparage the artists’ works cited.