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 classic album Golden Throats.
“For example, William Shatner sings (or, more precisely, does a dramatic reading of the lyrics to) “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” Leonard Nimoy sings “If I Had a Hammer,” and Muhammad Ali sings “Stand by Me.” “
They say a culture can only proceed as far as its creative artists pave the way ahead of it.
he once sold a kidney stone of his for $25,000 lol- Sheesh- i’d be a millionaire if I sold my collection-
Shatner figured if you extrude it, sell it.
Screenshot....
Shatner: “You talkin’ to me?”
I think it was in Star Trek Memories where he was out of money and thought to be raking in old royalties (which he wasn’t) and no one would hire him to lowly summer stock because they assumed he was too lofty for the roles.
He would mostly live in his car or a cheap motel room and get meatball subs for his dog and himself. Didn’t get house brand bologna slices for the dog.
You gotta love this guy! One of my treasured tracks is one he did decades ago with Joe Jackson, called Common People, I believe. It’s hysterically funny and great rock ‘n roll. Dig it if you can find it.
He did what 0.3. couldn’t.
He did what 0.J. couldn’t. He never even had to go to trial.
Lol- yep- Great show- He and his crew certainly have left a legacy behind- Still going strong though- He goes to a town in NY- small town I guess, and celebrates his birthday there at a small store dedicated to star-trek stuff- Wonder if he’ll make it there this year? Probably-
Klingon Death Metal
His version of Garbageman by The Cramps is one for the ages.
L
Denny Crane!
That probably wasn't Shatner. More likely, one of his assistants.
BRENT SPINER Remembers the Time ‘WILLIAM SHATNER’ Flipped Out On Him (YT video)
Shatner is one of my two favorite Canadian actors.
Michael Ironside is the other.
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