Star Trek icon William Shatner recently provided comprehensive details on his upcoming hard rock and heavy metal studio album during an interview on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk. The project, tentatively titled What The F Is Heavy Metal?, is slated for a 2027 release through Cleopatra Records. It features a massive lineup of guest musicians from across the rock and metal landscape.
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Verify & Continue ReadingThe album is driven by a heavyweight production team led by Adam Hamilton-known for his work with L.A. Guns and the Brian Jonestown -and Cleopatra Records president Brian Perera. Additional production comes from Derek Hughes of Nuclear Messiah, Marcus Nand, and Jürgen Engler of Die Krupps. The record also boasts guest appearances from prominent rock figures, including Brian May of Queen, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, John Moyer of Disturbed, and Dave Lombardo of Slayer.
Shatner previewed material from the upcoming record during a six-song set at Riot Fest in Chicago’s Douglass Park. He was backed by his newly formed group, The *uckers. The live set featured three original compositions co-written with longtime collaborator Rob Sharenow. It also included high-profile covers of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train,” and Motörhead’s “Ace Of Spades.”
Reinterpreting Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”
During his radio appearance, Shatner elaborated on his unconventional creative approach to covering heavy metal classics. Rather than attempting a standard stylistic replication, the veteran actor approached the material strictly through a dramatic lens.
“I reinterpreted it. Take ‘Sandman,’ for example. So ‘Sandman’ is a weird lyric,” Shatner explained to host Eddie Trunk. He pointed to lines such as, “Never mind the noise you heard,” “It’s under your bed, in your head,” and “Be a nice little child. Say your prayers.” Shatner applied an actor’s scrutiny to the text.
“If you were an actor, as I am, you’re looking at the words you’ve gotta say. Who says this? I said, ‘Well, who would say this?’ A child molester would talk like this… So ‘Sandman’ is a paean of praise for molesting a child-well, I mean, maybe not molesting, but driving them nuts. How to drive a child mad… But this individual’s encouraging the bad dreams. That’s my reinterpretation of ‘Sandman’.”
Shatner further expanded on this theatrical concept. He described his vocal delivery as channeling a “nasty man who’s got this child in the closet in your head,” turning the thrash metal staple into a spoken-word psychological exercise.
The Origins of What The F Is Heavy Metal?
The genesis of the album dates back to a casual suggestion from Cleopatra Records. In previous statements, Shatner recalled label president Brian Perera pitching the idea of a heavy metal record. Shatner’s initial reaction-“What the F is heavy metal?”-ultimately became the album’s title.
Approaching the genre as an inquisitive newcomer relying primarily on emotion and intensity rather than lifelong fandom, Shatner spent months preparing scratch tracks. He rehearsed alongside his backing band, which features Marcus Nand on guitar and musical director duties, Phil Soussan on bass, Britt Lightning of Vixen on guitar, and Fred Aching on drums.
While the instrumental tracks are already recorded, Shatner is scheduled to enter the studio this winter to lay down his final vocal performances ahead of the album’s official 2027 rollout.
Frequently Asked Questions About William Shatner’s Metal Album
When is William Shatner’s heavy metal album releasing?
What The F Is Heavy Metal? is tentatively slated for a 2027 release through Cleopatra Records.
What is the name of William Shatner’s backing metal band?
Shatner performs live and records under the banner of his backing group, The *uckers.
Which metal classics does William Shatner cover?
His live and recorded covers include Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train,” and Motörhead’s “Ace Of Spades.”
Which guest musicians are featured on the album?
The project features guest artists including Brian May (Queen), Rob Halford (Judas Priest), John Moyer (Disturbed), and Dave Lombardo (Slayer).
How did William Shatner interpret “Enter Sandman”?
Shatner approaches the lyrics from a theatrical and dramatic standpoint. He reinterprets the song’s dark imagery through the perspective of a sinister character driving a child mad with bad dreams.
