By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – London, the cinematic conclusion of the Shelby saga is set to be accompanied by a musical landscape as dark and atmospheric as the streets of Birmingham themselves. As fans prepare for the theatrical release of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, details have emerged regarding the film’s expansive soundtrack, which features a heavy emphasis on contemporary post-punk, trip-hop reinterpretations, and original compositions. Central to this sonic tapestry is Grian Chatten, the frontman of the acclaimed Irish band Fontaines D.C., who has contributed a haunting cover of Massive Attack’s seminal track "Angel." This collaboration serves as a bridge between the gritty, industrial roots of the television series and the grander, more cinematic scope of the upcoming feature film.
The soundtrack, which is scheduled for release via Milan Records on March 3—the same day the film makes its debut in theaters—promises to be a curated experience that mirrors the internal turmoil of its protagonist, Tommy Shelby. While the original series was famous for its use of contemporary rock and blues to score its early 20th-century setting, The Immortal Man appears to be leaning further into the brooding, electronic-tinged textures of the Bristol sound. Chatten’s rendition of "Angel" is one of two Massive Attack covers included in the collection, the other being a version of "Teardrop" performed by the Irish artist Girl in the Year Above. These selections highlight the enduring influence of trip-hop on the Peaky Blinders aesthetic, providing a rhythmic, bass-heavy foundation for the film’s 1940s-era tension.
Grian Chatten’s involvement extends beyond a single cover. The soundtrack also features "Puppet," a lead single written by Chatten in collaboration with the film’s primary composers, Antony Genn and Martin Slattery. "Puppet," which is available for streaming ahead of the film’s release, showcases Chatten’s ability to blend his distinct, spoken-word-inflected vocal style with the cinematic arrangements provided by Genn and Slattery. The tracklist also reveals several other appearances by Chatten, including "Opium Dreams," "Black Dahlia," and "Medusa," suggesting that his voice will act as a recurring narrative thread throughout the movie’s score. Furthermore, Chatten has teamed up with the avant-garde folk group Lankum for a new version of "Hunting the Wren," titled "The Immortal Man Version," which is expected to bring a visceral, traditional Irish depth to the film’s soundtrack.
The film itself, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, marks a significant leap forward in the franchise’s timeline. Picking up in 1940, several years after the events of the series finale which aired in 2022, the story finds Tommy Shelby (portrayed by Academy Award winner Cillian Murphy) navigating the complexities of World War II. As the Nazi threat looms over Europe, Shelby must contend with both the external dangers of the war and the internal "demons" that have haunted him since his return from the trenches of the First World War. The film’s cast is a blend of returning favorites and high-profile newcomers, including Rebecca Ferguson, Paul Anderson, Sophie Rundle, and Barry Keoghan. The inclusion of Keoghan, who has seen a meteoric rise in Hollywood in recent years, adds another layer of anticipation to the project.
The musical direction of the film is overseen by Antony Genn and Martin Slattery, both of whom have long-standing ties to the Peaky Blinders universe. Their compositions dominate the 36-track listing, often collaborating with various members of Fontaines D.C. Beyond Chatten, the soundtrack includes contributions from Carlos O’Connell, Tom Coll, Conor Curley, and Conor Deegan III. This heavy involvement from Fontaines D.C. is particularly fitting given the band’s recent success with their 2024 album, Romance, which explored themes of love, isolation, and existential dread—sentiments that align perfectly with the world of Tommy Shelby.
In addition to the Fontaines D.C. contingent, the soundtrack features a brand-new recording of Nick Cave’s "Red Right Hand," the show’s iconic theme song. This "Immortal" version of the track is credited to Nick Cave, Mick Harvey, and Thomas Wydler, promising a fresh take on the song that has become synonymous with the Shelby family’s rise to power. Other notable inclusions are Amy Taylor of the Australian punk band Amyl and the Sniffers, who contributes the original song "Nobody’s Son," and a track titled "People Person" by Andrew Falkous, Jack Eggleston, and Damien Sayell. These additions ensure that the soundtrack maintains the rebellious, high-energy spirit that defined the show’s earlier seasons while adapting to the more somber tone of the war years.
The relationship between Grian Chatten and Massive Attack is one built on mutual respect and shared political convictions. In 2023, Fontaines D.C. and Massive Attack collaborated on the Ceasefire EP alongside Young Fathers, with all proceeds going to Doctors Without Borders to support aid efforts in Gaza and the West Bank. This history of collaboration makes Chatten’s inclusion on the Peaky Blinders soundtrack particularly poignant, especially as the film explores the devastation of global conflict. Chatten has remained incredibly prolific in the early months of this year; just weeks prior to the announcement of "Puppet," he released "Flag," a collaborative track with Damon Albarn and Kae Tempest for the Help(2) compilation benefiting the charity War Child.
While Massive Attack themselves have not released a full-length project since their Eutopia EP in 2020, the legendary duo remains a significant force in the music industry. Last year, they confirmed that a substantial "cache of work" created in recent years would be released in 2026. However, in a move that reflects their ongoing critique of the modern music industry, the band stated that this new material would not be available on Spotify, citing concerns over the platform’s payout models and corporate ethics. Their presence on the Peaky Blinders soundtrack through these covers serves as a reminder of their foundational role in modern British music and their ability to evoke a sense of urban paranoia and beauty.
The release of the soundtrack and the film follows a carefully orchestrated rollout plan. Following the theatrical premiere on March 3, The Immortal Man will arrive on Netflix on March 20, allowing a global audience to witness the conclusion of Tommy Shelby’s journey. Milan Records, the label responsible for the soundtrack, has a reputation for handling high-concept cinematic scores, having previously worked on soundtracks for projects like Succession and The Last of Us. The 36 tracks listed for The Immortal Man suggest a mix of traditional scoring, atmospheric interludes, and full-length vocal performances, providing a comprehensive audio companion to the film’s two-hour runtime.
From the opening scene’s music, titled "The Currency," to the closing track "Ellipsis," the soundtrack appears designed to evoke a specific sense of time and place. Titles such as "No Heaven No Hell for Duke Shelby," "St Elizabeth’s Mortuary," and "Stable Shootout" hint at the high stakes and violent confrontations that have always been at the heart of the series. The inclusion of tracks like "A Hero’s Death" and "Romance"—titles shared with Fontaines D.C. albums—suggests a deep thematic synergy between the band’s discography and the film’s narrative arcs.
As the Peaky Blinders franchise transitions from the small screen to the cinema, its musical identity remains its most potent tool for world-building. By bringing together the brooding intensity of Grian Chatten, the legendary compositions of Massive Attack, and the punk energy of Amy Taylor, The Immortal Man ensures that the Shelby family goes out not with a whimper, but with a roar of distorted guitars and trip-hop beats. The soundtrack is more than just a collection of songs; it is a testament to the show’s ability to curate a cultural moment that transcends its historical setting, cementing its place as one of the most stylish and sonically adventurous television properties of the 21st century.