What To Know
- William Shatner, at age 95, has announced his debut heavy metal album and will perform live for the first time at Chicago’s Riot Fest in September.
- The album features collaborations with renowned heavy metal artists.
- Shatner describes the project as a unique and powerful rock experience.
At the tender age of 95, William Shatner is ready to rock.
The Star Trek star who made a name for himself by boldly going where no man has gone before is now venturing headfirst into the music industry, officially announcing his first concert appearance, where he’ll perform material from his upcoming heavy metal album.
Shatner has been added to the line-up of Riot Fest in Chicago, Illinois, on the weekend of September 18, joining acts such as Tool, the iconic Iggy Pop, a reunited Sex Pistols, the gory yet entertaining GWAR, ’90s rockers Blink-182, Weezer, and more.
In a statement released by Shatner’s label Cleopatra Records, his appearance at the Riot Fest will be “a powerful live production that transforms both his past and most recent recordings into a full-scale rock experience.”
Shatner originally discussed the album with TV Guide Magazine‘s Robert Edelstein, speaking enthusiastically about the project. “I have a heavy metal album, and people are lauding it already! We’ve written the lyrics; music is being applied right now. And wonderful heavy metal giants are going to be contributing music. It should be an interesting, unique expression of life.”
And he was not kidding about working with heavy metal giants. As part of the project, Shatner will work with icons of the industry — including the legendary Zakk Wylde, Ritchie Blackmore, Edgar Froese from Tangerine Dream, Wayne Kramer from MC5, Henry Rollins, and Judas Priest’s Rob Halford — on a version of “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’.”
“I’ve always been drawn to the energy and storytelling of heavy metal,” said Shatner. “Working with Rob on this track brings that intensity to life in a way that feels both timeless and entirely new.”
“Metal has always been a place where imagination gets loud,” Shatner said in a statement. “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.”
“I’ve always believed that music, like space, is about exploration,” explained Shatner. “Riot Fest is exactly the kind of place where anything can happen. We’re bringing volume, intensity, and a few surprises. With this incredible band behind me, I expect nothing less than lift-off. I can’t wait to share this experience with the fans.”
Additional album details, including the official title, track list, release date, and the full roster of featured artists, will be revealed soon.