William Shatner, 95, Explores Heavy Metal with New Band and Album

William Shatner, at 95, is venturing into the world of heavy metal with the formation of a new band and an upcoming album. The actor, known for his iconic role as Captain Kirk, has partnered with Cleopatra Records for the project, which features the album title "What the F is Heavy Metal."

Shatner's musical journey extends beyond acting, with a discography that includes spoken word, rock, and country releases. When his label first proposed a heavy metal album, Shatner recalled asking, "What the f--- is heavy metal?" This question became the inspiration for the album's title.

The album is set to include six original songs co-written with author Robert Sharenow, Shatner's longtime creative collaborator. Additionally, "What the F is Heavy Metal" will feature covers with contributions from over 50 musicians. Among the notable collaborators is Queen guitarist Brian May, who performed a solo on the track "Rage," a song that incorporates the line "Rage, rage against the dying of the light" from Dylan Thomas's poem "Do not go gentle into that good night."

Shatner's new band, named The *uckers, made its live debut at Riot Fest in Chicago. The band's lineup includes guitarists Marcus Nand and Britt Lightning, bassist Phil Soussan, and drummer Fred Aching. At the festival, they performed original songs such as "Rage," "Sky," and "One Fear," alongside covers of classics like Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train," Motörhead's "Ace of Spades," and Metallica's "Enter Sandman."

Reflecting on the experience, Shatner described the Riot Fest performance as a "huge success," noting the audience's positive reaction and the reviews, which he felt validated the concept behind "What the F is Heavy Metal." He characterized heavy metal as "the beat of life," an energetic form of music that "enlivens your life" and "makes you pay attention."

Shatner's engagement with heavy metal also touches upon personal health concerns. He is collaborating with Audien Hearing on a campaign addressing hearing health, prompted by his own experiences with tinnitus and hearing loss, which began decades ago on the set of "Star Trek" due to an on-set explosion. He described the constant ringing in his ears, a persistent hiss that never faded.

While Shatner has learned to manage his tinnitus, he noted that the loud music of heavy metal can temporarily intensify it. Despite this challenge, he is moving forward with the album. The tracks have been recorded, and he plans to review them to ensure his performance aligns with the music and the artists involved, particularly since he is new to the heavy metal genre.

Shatner anticipates the album will be a significant release in the heavy metal genre, featuring a large ensemble of musicians and his unique interpretation of the music.