Posted on 02/20/2026 12:18:33 PM PST by nickcarraway
The ‘Star Trek’ alum called the album a ‘gathering of forces.’
Are you ready to join Captain Kirk—aka William Shatner—to boldly headbang where no one has headbanged before?
Shatner, 94, announced on Feb. 19 that he will soon release a heavy metal album on Cleopatra Records. The project, whose title or release date hasn’t been revealed, will pair the Star Trek alum with 35 handpicked metal icons.
“Metal has always been a place where imagination gets loud,” said Shatner in a statement. “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.”
Shatner says he was inspired to tackle this after working with Nuclear Messiah, a metal supergroup led by former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland. Shatner recorded a spoken-word intro for their upcoming album, Black Flame. The experience was transcendent for the sci-fi icon.
“When Nuclear Messiah came to life, something clicked,” he said. “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.”
The album will feature covers of Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest songs, alongside a few originals. “I’ve spent a lifetime exploring in both reality and fiction,” Shatner said. “Now I am stepping out into the unknown once again with my new project in heavy metal… The whole project is destined for this year. I hope you will join me in the exploration.”
Though William Shatner will forever be celebrated as one of television’s greatest actors, he has also a lengthy career as a recording artist. He released his first spoken-word album, The Transformed Man, in 1968.
However, when it comes to music, he’s best known for his performance of Elton John’s “Rocket Man” at the 1978 Saturn Awards. While wearing a ruffled tuxedo shirt and bow tie, Shatner seemingly smoked a cigarette while dramatically reciting the song’s lyrics. Through late-70s television technology, multiple Shatners joined in for a performance that was high art and pure camp.
His other notable releases have been 2004’s Has Been, which featured Henry Rollins, Ben Folds, Adrian Belew, Aimee Mann and Joe Jackson. Shatner’s cover of Pulp’s “Common People” was an early 2000s radio oddity.
In 2011, Shatner released Seeking Major Tom, an album that mixed rock and spoken word. It also featured performances by Zakk Wydle, Sheryl Crow, Alan Parsons, Peter Frampton, Bootsy Collins, Brad Paisley, and Ritchie Blackmore.
“The album will feature covers of Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest songs, alongside a few originals.” That’s heavy William.
No Cradle of Filth?
Christopher Lee copycat
...man.
I Like Big Whales and I Cannot Lie
Duuude Looked Like Ferengi
I Can't Drive Warp Speed 5
Blinded By Four Lights
Love it. Has me up dancing in the living room and I’m 89.
Cat left the room though.
Well heavy metal does not sing…they just scream into the microphone. Can’t call that singing.
Shatner is the f**king GOAT.
I’ve loved all of his other musical endeavors. I’m sure this one’s going to be quite enjoyable.
I never saw/heard Pat’s attempt, but the difference is that he was probably serious.
Shatner’s tongue largely resides in his cheek for his musical pieces. 😏
Kind of like when Buzz Aldrin teamed up with Snoop Dogg to try his hand at rap:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la4uPBqgQlc
Its pretty cool but 100% fake.
Heh, I did not even consider if it were real, fake or indifferent...I viewed it at wholly entertainment which can (in my eyes, at least) be real, fake or indifferent...:)
Omigosh, I was previously unaware of that. Thank you for enlightening me. Love that! Buzz and Snoop - and it works! 😄
That’s Captain James T. Kirk to you! 😆
:upscale()/2014/12/05/880/n/1922283/20da4334af77d508_A-Christmas-Story-Soap.gif )
That adinochrome is a heck of a drug...
I. Can’t Wait !!
😍
He has Dobermans galore and always has.
Shatner is GOAT!
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