William Shatner to Release Metal Album Featuring 35 Handpicked Musicians

UNITED STATES, February 21 — William Shatner has announced the upcoming release of a new metal album featuring 35 handpicked metal icons. The 94-year-old Star Trek star, known for his dramatic spoken-word style, revealed that he ll be covering Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden on the as-yet-untitled album, which also includes original material penned by his team of musicians. The whole project is destined for this year, Shatner said in a press release issued by Cleopatra Records. I hope you will join me in the exploration. Few details were revealed beyond that, though Shatner did discuss the project s origin: a one-off spoken-word intro piece for Nuclear Messiah, the metal supergroup helmed by ex-Megadeth axeman Chris Poland. The experience was apparently so inspiring, Shatner set out to create a full-blown metal album of his own.

When Nuclear Messiah came to life, something clicked, Shatner 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.

Elsewhere in the press announcement, Shatner mused: 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.

Shatner has previous experience working with metal/heavy-music artists such as Zakk Wylde, Ritchie Blackmore, Wayne Kramer, Henry Rollins, and Michael Schenker. In fact, it was a gifted guitar from Wylde that served as deeply motivating gesture in regards to this unexpected new musical direction.

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.

Additional album details including title, tracklist, release date, lead single, and the full roster of featured artists will be revealed soon.