William Shatner, the 95-year-old Star Trek icon, recently premiered his heavy metal project, The *uckers, at Chicago's Riot Fest. The performance coincided with the development of a new album featuring collaaborations with over 50 musicians.
The *uckers' Debut at Chicago's Douglass Park
The heavy metal ensemble known as The *uckers made their first live appearance on September 19 in Chicago, followed by a high-energy set at Riot Fest the next day.. According to the report, Riot Fest organizers had spent over a decade attempting to book the actor for the annual three-day punk rock festival held at Douglass Park.. The performance featured a lineup of professional musicians, including guitarists Marcus Nand and Britt Lightning,bassist Phil Soussan, and drummer Fred Aching.
During the set, The *uckers performed original compositions such as "Sky," "One Fear," and "Rage." The band also reimagined heavy metal staples, delivering covers of Motörhead's "Ace of Spades," Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train," and Metallica's "Enter Sandman." Shatner noted that the crowd's reaction proved the viability of his new musical direction, which he describes as an energetic force that "enlivens your life."
Brian May and 50 Volunteers on the New Album
The live debut serves as a precursor to a forthcoming album produced in partnership with Cleopatra Records. As Fox News Digital reported, the project includes six original songs and various covers, with contributions from more than 50 heavy metal musicians who volunteered for the project. A standout collaboration includes Queen guitarist Brian May, who provided a guitar solo for the track "Rage."
The song "Rage" draws lyrical inspiration from the 1951 Dylan Thomas poem "Do not go gentle into that good night," specifically the line "Rage, rage against the dying of the light." Another key track,titled "What the F is Heavy Metal," serves as a thematic centerpiece for the album, reflecting Shatner's own curiosity about the genre's essence.
From Spoken Word to 11 Studio Albums
This venture into heavy metal is the latest chapter in a diverse recording career that spans 11 studio albums. William Shatner has previously explored genres including country, progressive rock, and Christmas music, though he is perhaps best known for his spoken-word performances. For this latest project, Shatner reunited with his longtime creative partner and author Robert Sharenow, with whom he previously produced five autobiographical albums.
Shatner's approach to this album involves a conceptual re-evaluation of the music. For instance, his version of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" intentionally leans into the sinister implications of the lyrics, moving away from the idea of the Sandman as a benign figure. This shift suggests a desire to engage with the darker, more visceral elements of the metal genre rather than treating it as a novelty act.
A Star Trek Explosion and the Audien Hearing Partnership
The project also bridges the gap between Shatner's musical ambitions and his personal health history. Shatner is currently partnering with Audien Hearing on a campaign to raise awareness about hearing health, a cause tied to his own struggle with tinnitus. This condition originated decades ago on the set of Star Trek during an explosion scene filmed alongside co-star Leonard Nimoy.
According to Fox News Digital, the blast did not dissipate properly because stage doors were accidentally left closed, causing both actors' ears to ring.. While they were seen by a docctor immediately following the incident, Shatner recalled that he did not realize the resulting hearing damage had become a permanent condition until much later.
The Winter Release Date for "What the F is Heavy Metal"
While the project has generated significant buzz, several details remain unconfirmed. The source mentions that the track "What the F is Heavy Metal" will be released in the "wintertime," but a specific date or full album release schedule has not been provided. Additionally, while the report mentions the contributions of 50 musicians, the full list of these collaborators remains undisclosed. It is also unclear if The *uckers intend to tour beyond the Riot Fest appearance or if the band will remain a studio-centric project.
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