At 94 years old, William Shatner — best known for playing Captain James T. Kirk on Star Trek — is boldly doing something no one expected: he’s making a heavy metal album featuring some of rock’s biggest names. And it’s not a quirky side project — it’s shaping up to be a genuine metal celebration and creative experiment.
Shatner’s upcoming record, set to be released sometime in 2026, is being described as an “all-star” metal collaboration. He personally chose a roster of 35 hand-picked metal icons to contribute, including:
- Zakk Wylde (guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society)
- Ritchie Blackmore (ex-Deep Purple, Rainbow)
- Henry Rollins (Black Flag, Rollins Band)
- Edgar Froese (Tangerine Dream)
- Wayne Kramer (MC5)
…alongside many others who have defined rock and metal across decades.
The album will blend covers of classic metal anthems with original material crafted specifically for this project:
- Covers will include legendary tracks by Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden — bands whose influence is woven into metal’s DNA.
- In addition to reimagined classics, the record will feature original songs “forged in the same cosmic fire.”
Shatner says this isn’t just a novelty record — it’s meant to be a heartfelt exploration of metal’s emotional intensity and imaginative power, with each guest musician contributing their own “fire, precision and chaos.”
Announcing the project, Shatner shared the kind of declaration only he could:
“I have explored space. I have explored time. Now… I explore distortion.”
In his social media post, he teased “thunderous guitars” and a “gathering of forces,” saying “at 94, one does not slow down — one turns the volume up.”
This isn’t Shatner’s first musical experiment — he’s released albums spanning spoken-word, prog rock and concept pieces since the 1960s — but it is undoubtedly his most ambitious foray into straight-up heavy metal.
Shatner’s musical history is eclectic, to say the least:
- In 1968, he released The Transformed Man — a cult spoken-word debut blending classic literature and popular songs.
- In 2011, he issued Seeking Major Tom, a space-themed album featuring many guest rock legends.
- In 2013, he explored progressive rock with Ponder the Mystery.
Now he’s heading into metal territory with a band of virtuosos and a creative vision that’s as fearless as it is unexpected.
Details like the album’s title, exact tracklist and official release date are still under wraps, but metal fans and music lovers alike are already buzzing. With its blend of classic covers and new compositions, this project looks set to be one of 2026’s most talked-about musical experiments.
