“Heavy metal is an energy that permeates your body and lifts you up” – William Shatner shares before his performance at Riot Fest

Star Trek legend William Shatner, 95, has revealed his novel approach to navigating heavy metal as a newcomer to the genre, as per UCR. Speaking with Billboard ahead of his live debut with his backing group, The *uckers, at Chicago’s Riot Fest, Shatner discussed his 13th solo album, currently in production and titled “What the F is Heavy Metal?”. The brief Riot Fest set showcased Shatner applying his signature spoken-word delivery to iconic heavy metal anthems, including renditions of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train,” and Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades.“

I began to discover what the f–k is heavy metal, I’ve been preparing for two months now, on a scratch track on my phone, doing the entrances and exits, which is only visible to a trained musician. Only by counting down do you know where to come in on heavy metal because it all sounds alike. Yesterday I had my first rehearsal with The *uckers; it’s working and it’s going to be fantastic.

I’m so enlivened. I’m so filled with passion. I’ve come to understand what heavy metal is – it’s an energy that permeates your body and lifts you up. Heavy metal is the rhythm of life. It’s overwhelming, especially if you’ve got earphones in. … I’m so excited about what I’m performing. It’s a real-life fervor happening for me.

The actor’s nightmare is being naked and not remembering your lines. Well, I’m going to be dressed and I’ll have help with the lines in the equipment. But the other part of that nightmare is being laughed offstage. ‘Oh, what is he doing?’ I’m poised between being laughed off the stage and being lauded.

For example, my interpretation of ‘Enter Sandman’ is it’s a child molester that has written these lyrics. I hope it works. It’s one of the most exciting performances that I’ve ever done. When you don’t do it the same way Metallica does it — imagine doing it like a nasty man who’s got this child in the closet in your head: ‘Touch my hand and we’re off to never-neverland.’

In recent years, Shatner has been collaborating with a number of special guests on a future metal/rock record. He will collaborate with Judas Priest singer Rob Halford on a cover of the 1982 Judas Priest song “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’“; members of Nuclear Messiah, Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society/Ozzy Osbourne), Ritchie Blackmore (formerly Deep Purple), and Henry Rollins (formerly Black Flag) will also be featured on that upcoming record, which Cleopatra Records plans to oversee.

One of the most recent contributors to that record is drummer Mikkey Dee (Scorpions, Motörhead), who recorded a cover of “Living After Midnight,” another Judas Priest classic. Other guests are:

• Dave Lombardo (ex-Slayer, Mr. Bungle, etc.)
• Chris Adler (ex-Lamb Of God/Megadeth)
• Vinny Appice (ex-Black Sabbath, etc.)
• Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Cactus)
• Kenny Aronoff (Steve Vai)
• Simon Wright (ex-AC/DC, UFO)
• Bobby Rondinelli (Blue Öyster Cult, Quiet Riot)
• Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Joe Lynn Turner)
• Steve Zing (Danzig, Samhain, Mourning Noise)
• Fred Aching (Kings Of Thrash, Nuclear Messiah, Fraxures)