William Shatner describes his dramatic reinterpretation of Metallica’s 'Enter Sandman' ahead of new heavy metal album

What happened

William Shatner, at 95, is making a heavy rock/heavy metal album called What The F Is Heavy Metal?, tentatively due in 2027 via Cleopatra Records. He previewed material with his newly formed band, THE *UCKERS, at Riot Fest in Chicago on September 20, performing six songs: three originals and three covers, including Metallica's "Enter Sandman." On SiriusXM's Trunk Nation he explained why he sings the Metallica cover the way he does.

Shatner's performance approach

Shatner says he reinterprets lyrics the way an actor would. He looks at who would speak those words and builds a character. On "Enter Sandman," he described the song's vocal persona as unsettling: phrases like "Say your prayers, little one" and "It's under your bed, in your head" led him to imagine a predatory character. He said his reading treats the song as if delivered by a nasty man manipulating a child's fears, and that this informs his delivery onstage.

Shatner also told Billboard he felt nervous before his Riot Fest appearance. He compared the actor's fear of being laughed offstage to the risk of doing something new — he's "poised between being laughed off the stage and being lauded," and that tension is part of what makes the project exciting to him.

The album team and collaborators

Production is being led by Adam Hamilton (L.A. Guns, Brian Jonestown Massacre) and Brian Perera, president of Cleopatra Records. Additional producers include Derek Hughes (Nuclear Messiah), Marcus Nand and Jürgen Engler (Die Krupps). The record will feature dozens of guest hard rock and metal musicians, with names mentioned such as Brian May, Rob Halford, John Moyer and Dave Lombardo.

THE *UCKERS — Shatner's live band — include Marcus Nand (guitar and musical director), Phil Soussan (bass), Britt Lightning (guitar) and Fred Aching (drums). Shatner performed three originals co-written with longtime partner Rob Sharenow, plus the three high-profile covers.

How Shatner approached heavy metal

Shatner says he began the project as a genuine novice: he asked "What the F is heavy metal?" and committed to learning. He focused on emotion as the core of heavy metal — especially passionate emotion — and experimented with phrasing and delivery. He rehearsed with scratch tracks on his phone to manage entrances and exits and relied on counting and preparation for timing with the band.

Context and recent history

Shatner has a long recording history across spoken-word, blues and rock dating back to 1968 and has worked with artists including Ben Folds, Brad Paisley and Iggy Pop. He also made headlines recently after being treated for Stage 4 malignant melanoma and later announcing he is cancer free following immunotherapy and surgery.

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