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William Shatner, 94, Announces All‑Star Heavy Metal Album

The untitled project is billed by Cleopatra Records as a cinematic event with full details to follow this year.

Overview

  • Shatner said the album features a reported 35 hand‑picked metal contributors, with names cited in press materials including Zakk Wylde, Ritchie Blackmore, Henry Rollins, Edgar Froese and Wayne Kramer.
  • The release will pair new original material with covers of classics by Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden.
  • Shatner described the record as built around massive guitars, cinematic arrangements and his spoken‑word intensity, positioning it as a statement rather than a novelty.
  • He credited his recent intro narration for Nuclear Messiah’s upcoming Black Flame, created with ex‑Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland, as the catalyst for pursuing a full metal album.
  • Key details — title, full guest list, track list, release date and a lead single — remain pending, with Shatner saying the project is slated for this year; he also noted Zakk Wylde gifting him a guitar helped spur the effort.