Alternative rock royalty is returning to Panem. The Smashing Pumpkins—led by core trio Billy Corgan, James Iha, and Jimmy Chamberlin—have officially dropped “Black Stars,” an electrifying new original track recorded specifically for the highly anticipated motion picture soundtrack to The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
The release isn’t just a monumental moment for Hunger Games devotees; it also marks a historic reunion behind the mixing console. To bring the cinematic track to life, the Pumpkins reteamed with legendary producer Butch Vig—the sonic genius behind their seminal 1993 landmark album Siamese Dream.
According to an official press release, the track’s origins date:
“to a period when frontman Billy Corgan was working on a solo album and The Smashing Pumpkins received an invitation to contribute an original song to The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.”
Recognizing the unique gravity of the request, Corgan brought Vig into the fold to comb through his Vault of unreleased demos and select the composition that “best complemented the world of The Hunger Games.” The band subsequently laid down tracking at the historic Chaplin Studios in Los Angeles before polishing final overdubs in Chicago.
“Black Stars” serves as a flagship single for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (The Album), a massive 29-track compilation bringing together fresh, exclusive contributions from a curated lineup of global music heavyweights. The full album is scheduled for launch on November 13, giving listeners a full week to immerse themselves in the world’s sonic landscape before the movie lands in theaters nationwide.
For rock purists and film score lovers alike, hearing Corgan’s distinct vocals backed by Vig’s wall-of-sound production provides a thrilling bridge between iconic ’90s alternative soundscapes and dystopian cinema.
