William Shatner Journeys into Heavy Metal
Captain Kirk announces his album of covers and original songs
William Shatner is an actor who – we hope – needs no introduction. But given that this living legend of cinema and TV series is about to turn 95 years old and his works are starting to be distant in time, it's possible that younger audiences might have trouble placing him: for them, we'll say that he played Captain James T. Kirk of the starship Enterprise in the first legendary Star Trek series [...but not in the pilot episode...].
Well, perhaps not everyone knows that Shatner, born in 1931 in Montreal, is also a passionate fan of Heavy Metal and a guitar virtuoso. His passion and skill are still such that in recent days the actor has surprised his vast fanbase with the announcement of the imminent release of his first album.
"Ladies, gentlemen, and... Star Wars fans – he jokes, sticking out his tongue – I have explored space. I have explored time. Now... I explore distortion. Yes: you read that correctly. I am releasing a HEAVY METAL album. 35 metal virtuosos. Thunderous guitars. Chaos with purpose. Covers of legends like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest – and some original tracks forged in the same cosmic fire. This project is, almost literally, a gathering of forces. Roaring imagination. Honest intensity. Unapologetic explorations. At 94, one doesn't slow down: one turns up the volume. So get ready. We are about to boldly headbang where no one has headbanged before [an obvious quote from the Star Trek intro]. Stay tuned: the metal journey begins this year."
William Shatner Beyond Star Trek
Although the role of J.T. Kirk is certainly the most famous, it is by no means the only one to have contributed to bestowing Shatner with the title of legend: his filmography boasts 47 films [including, of course, the 7 Star Trek films in which he reprises the iconic role] and as for TV series, it becomes difficult to count his appearances, even in small occasional roles. As a protagonist, he played police officer T.J. Hooker in the eponymous series from the 80s. More recently, he was lawyer Danny Crane in Boston Legal, a role that also earned him two Golden Globes and an Emmy Award.
William Shatner also holds a remarkable record: in 2021, he undertook a real space journey aboard Blue Origins, thus becoming, at 91 years old, the oldest human being to have accomplished such a feat.
Some time ago, rumors circulated about him having an advanced illness, but Shatner cheerfully denied these rumors and gripped his guitar even tighter.
We'll wait and see, and hear, what else he has to tell us.