William ShatnerCanadian actor, recording artist, author and real-life space traveller William Shatner is gearing up to release a new album, and he’s revealed that it’s going to be inspired by heavy metal.
The heavy metal extravaganza will see the Star Trek legend joined by some of the biggest names in metal, punk, and hardcore.
Blabbermouth reports that the forthcoming album – that currently hasn’t revealed a release date, title, track list, lead single, or full roster of collaborators – will feature special guests including Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society), Deep Purple’s Ritchie Blackmore, Henry Rollins (Black Flag, The Rollins Band), Edgar Froese (Tangerine Dream), and Wayne Kramer (MC5).
Shatner commented, “Metal has always been a place where imagination gets loud. This album is a gathering of forces — each artist bringing their fire, their precision, their chaos. I chose them because they have something to say, and because metal demands honesty.”
The entertainment icon explained that the idea for a metal album was born from his invitation to contribute to Nuclear Messiah’s forthcoming album, Black Flame.
On the record, Shatner shares vocals in a track created with former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland. Thus, inspiration for his own metal album arrived.
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Shatner said that as the Nuclear Messiah track came to life, “something clicked.” He explained, “It wasn’t just a track — it was a doorway. It made me want to go all the way in, bring in the best metal players I could find, and create something fearless.”
It’s also reported that Wylde personally gave Shatner a guitar, a gift that deeply moved him. “I’ve spent a lifetime exploring in both reality and fiction,” the actor said, adding that he’ll be unveiling covers by metal artists and new songs written by his team.
“Now, I am stepping out into the unknown once again with my new project in heavy metal. I am covering Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden as well as a number of new songs written by my team. The whole project is destined for this year. I hope you will join me in the exploration.”
This isn’t the first time that Shatner has delved into rock music. On his 2011 album Seeking Major Tom, he covered Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, Black Sabbath’s Iron Man, David Bowie’s Space Oddity, The Police’s Walking On The Moon, and Pink Floyd’s Learning To Fly, among other tracks.
Shatner’s most recent records – two of them – were released in 2024. They were: So Fragile, So Blue with Ben Folds, National Symphony Orchestra, and Steven Reineke at the Kennedy Center, and Where Will the Animals Sleep? Songs for Kids & Other Living Things.
