William Shatner Talks Going Metal for Riot Fest & His Unusual Interpretation of Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’
Categoria: Musica
The legendary actor performs two sets at Riot Fest in Chicago this weekend.
Por Billboard | 18/09/2026
William Shatner’s list of lifetime accomplishments is very long. Yes, there is his acting career. He is also an entertaining guest speaker, as he proved again on Aug. 9 at the annual Star Trek convention in Las Vegas, engaging enthralled fans for over an hour. Lately, he’s been working on his 13th album, continuing a discography that stretches back to his 1968 debut, The Transformed Man . This weekend, he adds another item to his résumé, with performances at Riot Fest, Chicago’s annual music festival with an emphasis on punk rock. The legendary entertainer will preview six songs from his forthcoming album, What the F Is Heavy Metal? Shatner and his band the *uckers join a roster that includes Iggy Pop, Social Distortion, Patti Smith, Elvis Costello, Tool, Morrissey, Bad Religion and Alanis Morissette. It may sound like Shatner is doing this as a joke, but he assures Billboard that he is not. After Shatner recorded albums of blues, progressive rock, country, Americana and Christmas songs, Brian Perera — founder of Shatner’s label home Cleopatra — suggested he tackle heavy metal. “I said, ‘What the f–k is heavy metal?’ and that’s the title of the album: What the F Is Heavy Metal? ” Shatner explains. “Then 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 and it’s working and it’s going to be fantastic. It’s going to be extraordinary.” Shatner will perform six songs from the album at Riot Fest – three originals written by Shatner and his longtime writing partner Rob Sharenow, and three covers, including Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” Music tracks for the album have already been recorded, and Shatner will go into the studio sometime this winter to lay down his vocals. “We’ve got 50 musicians on a heavy metal album. It’s a happening that nobody could have thought of six months ago and after that rehearsal yesterday and the ensuing fervor of everybody there, it’s as good as we think it is. It may even be better.” Speaking to Billboard just before going to his second rehearsal with the *uckers, the 95-year-old declares, “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’s acting career will play a big part in his onstage performance in Chicago, but that may not be the advantage one would think it is. “Imagine the fear of the actor. The actor’s nightmare is being na