William Shatner is taking a bold turn into heavy metal with a new full-scale album project developed through Cleopatra Records. The release is being built around loud guitars, cinematic arrangements, and a hand-picked lineup of metal musicians chosen by the actor, author, and cultural icon.
The project gained momentum after Shatner’s contribution to Nuclear Messiah’s upcoming album Black Flame, where he delivered an intro piece made with ex-Megadeth founding guitarist Chris Poland. That experience pushed him deeper into the genre and led him to assemble what he described as a fearless metal effort with top-tier players.
A Metal Project Built From a Spark
Shatner said the collaboration with Nuclear Messiah changed the direction of his thinking. “When Nuclear Messiah came to life, something clicked,” he said, describing the track as a doorway that encouraged him to go further into heavy music.
He added that the goal was to bring together the best metal players available and create something with real force. The new album is positioned as a more ambitious step in that direction, with a larger scope and a stronger emphasis on intensity and atmosphere.
Shatner’s Long Connection to Heavy Music
This is not Shatner’s first contact with rock and metal musicians. Over the years, he has recorded with Zakk Wylde, Ritchie Blackmore, Edgar Froese of Tangerine Dream, Wayne Kramer of MC5, and Henry Rollins of Black Flag and The Rollins Band.
That history gives the new project a clear foundation, but the scale is different this time. Wylde even gave Shatner a guitar as the album took shape, adding a personal detail to a project already tied to major names in heavy music.
Classic Covers and Original Material
Shatner said the album will include covers of Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden. It will also feature several new songs written by his team, mixing familiar heavy metal touchstones with original material shaped for the project.
He described metal as a genre where imagination becomes louder and more direct. “Metal has always been a place where imagination gets loud,” Shatner said, adding that the artists involved were chosen because they have something to say and because metal “demands honesty.”
What Is Still Missing
Cleopatra Records has not yet announced the album title, tracklist, release date, lead single, or the full list of featured artists. Those details remain pending as the project continues to develop.
For now, the announcement confirms that Shatner is not approaching heavy metal as a novelty, but as a serious collaborative effort with major musicians and a clear creative vision. The result is set to be one of his most ambitious music projects yet, combining classic metal songs, original writing, and an expanded roster of talent under one roof.
