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Brian May and Daniel Pemberton revisit Queen’s Flash Gordon sound
A new interview looks at how Queen’s 1980 film score inspired Masters of the Universe and led to Brian May’s contribution.
From Flash Gordon to Eternia
Composer Daniel Pemberton told Rolling Stone that Queen’s score for Flash Gordon was a touchstone for Masters of the Universe. He and director Travis Knight wanted Brian May on the project. When Pemberton and May found themselves at Abbey Road at the same time, an invitation to the studio turned that idea into a collaboration.
May later spent three days working with Pemberton and Knight in his home studio, playing on cues across the score. His Red Special is especially prominent in “Eternia”, the film’s sweeping central theme.
Sources: Louder / Classic Rock · Brian May and Daniel Pemberton revisit the Masters of the Universe soundtrack, 30 October 2026 · Rolling Stone · How Brian May brought Flash Gordon’s influence to Masters of the Universe, 30 October 2026
The Queen connection
Queen’s Flash Gordon was the band’s first full film score. After seeing part of the film, the group agreed to write music for the whole production. They recorded it in 1980 and chose to release it as a Queen album, weaving dialogue and sound effects into the music. Pemberton’s new score follows a similar rock-minded path, with May adding his guitar to a separate film project.
Sources: Rolling Stone · How Brian May brought Flash Gordon’s influence to Masters of the Universe, 30 October 2026 · QueenOnline · Flash Gordon: 44 years on, 8 December 2024
Sources and review
- Brian May Official · Rolling Stone interview on Masters of the Universe, 30 October 2026Checked: 2 November 2026
- Louder / Classic Rock · Brian May and Daniel Pemberton revisit the Masters of the Universe soundtrack, 30 October 2026Checked: 2 November 2026
- Rolling Stone · How Brian May brought Flash Gordon’s influence to Masters of the Universe, 30 October 2026Checked: 2 November 2026
- QueenOnline · Flash Gordon: 44 years on, 8 December 2024Checked: 2 November 2026
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