William Shatner is opening up about his new career in heavy metal, addressing his band’s reinterpretation of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” The “Star Trek” legend discussed his new heavy metal band, the *uckers, following their first live performance on September 19 at the Riot Fest aftershow. The show included covers of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train,” Motörhead’s “Ace Of Spades” and Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.”
Shatner described his excitement about performing heavy metal for the first time and what the genre means to him.
“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. This afternoon, I’m going to have earbuds that have been made for me and the rest of the group. I’m so excited about what I’m performing. It’s a real-life fervor happening for me,” Shatner said.
He went on to compare his nerves before the show to a classic performer’s nightmare. He also expressed enthusiasm for the new creative direction.
“Imagine the fear of the actor. 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. This is new, this is exciting, this is heavy metal like it’s never been heard before because I’m reinterpreting,” he continued.
Shatner then detailed his approach to covering the songs, including his unconventional take on the meaning behind Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.”
“Even the cover songs, I’m reinterpreting. For example, my interpretation of ‘Enter Sandman’ is it’s a child molester that has written these lyrics and I’m performing it this way and so it’s all different and it’s all very exciting and I hope it works. It’s one of the most exciting performances that I’ve ever done,” he said.
He elaborated further on how his version diverges from the original.
“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,” Shatner added.
The Park West aftershow was more than just a warm-up — it marked the true starting point of Shatner’s heavy metal chapter. The September 19 show served as the *uckers’ live debut, functioning as a lead-in to the band’s official Riot Fest set the following day on the festival’s Rebel Stage in Douglass Park. The details surrounding the project reveal just how serious the 95-year-old is about this new venture. The band is no vanity side project thrown together with session players. Shatner is backed by a lineup of seasoned heavy metal veterans, including guitarist and musical director Marcus Nand, bassist Phil Soussan — known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne and Vince Neil — guitarist Britt Lightning and drummer Fred Achin.
Shatner’s metal ambitions extend well beyond a one-off performance. The Riot Fest shows are previewing material from his upcoming 13th solo album, titled “What the F Is Heavy Metal.” The album is currently in production and expected to arrive this winter.
This is not Shatner’s first foray into music. Across a career spanning decades, he has released albums covering an eclectic range of genres, including blues, progressive rock, country, Americana and even Christmas music. Heavy metal is simply the latest stop on an unconventional musical journey.
Shatner has been candid about his own evolving relationship with the genre he’s now embracing. “I began to discover what the f–k is heavy metal,” he said. The comment captures both his outsider curiosity and his genuine enthusiasm as he dives headfirst into a sound entirely new to him at 95 years old.
