Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
William Shatner is currently investigating the potential of bringing his heavy metal album to the stage for a live show unlike anything audiences have ever witnessed, after assembling one of the most ambitious assemblies of heavy metal aristocracy ever assembled for a single recorded effort, as per Blabbermouth. The proposed production would turn Shatner‘s star-studded recording project into an immersive live spectacle that combines legendary musicians, cinematic visuals, storytelling, and the larger-than-life charisma that has made Shatner a global icon for more than 60 years. It would be part concert, part theatrical experience, and part celebration of heavy metal’s enduring power and legacy.
Mikkey Dee, the renowned drummer who was Motörhead’s driving force and rhythmic pulse for over 35 years prior to joining Scorpions, just joined the project, adding to the mounting enthusiasm surrounding it. Shatner‘s thunderous rendition of the Judas Priest Classic “Living After Midnight” has drum recordings that Dee recently finished, adding his signature thunder and accuracy to the record.
I needed pounding beats to make the music feel the way I feel it, The drums drive the emotion. They create the urgency, the excitement, the danger. Heavy metal should hit you in the chest and move your soul at the same time. – William Shatner
As the recordings continue to surpass expectations, the prospect of a live production has grown more alluring. Early talks foresee a one-of-a-kind multimedia event that celebrates the songs and musicians who shaped heavy music, combines the raw strength of a live metal band, a large visual production, and Shatner’s dramatic narration and distinctive voice. If the production proceeds, it promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience—a memorable collision of William Shatner‘s limitless creative spirit, dramatic imagination, and heavy metal strength.
Adam Hamilton (L.A. Guns, Brian Jonestown Massacre) and Brian Perera, president of Cleopatra Records, are leading a formidable production team behind the boards for Shatner‘s new heavy metal project. Derek Hughes, Marcus Nand, and Jürgen Engler of Die Krupps are also contributing to the production. For Shatner, this is a major creative statement rather than a novelty gesture. At ninety-five, he is embracing the intensity, peril, and drama of heavy music with the same dedication and passion that have shaped his career in spoken word, film, television, and music.
