William Shatner Dives Into Metal with The *uckers at Riot Fest

In a move that defies age and expectation, Star Trek titan William Shatner has embarked on a heavy metal journey with his newly formed band, The *uckers. At 95 years old, Shatner took the stage at Chicago's Riot Fest, delivering a blistering set that included iconic covers and a sneak peek of his upcoming heavy metal album, What The F Is Heavy Metal? This marks a bold new chapter for the actor, who recently shared, “I have explored space. I have explored time. Now … I explore distortion.”

The Riot Fest aftershow at Park West was just the beginning, with Shatner warming up for an even grander performance set for the main event at Douglass Park. Backed by an impressive lineup featuring seasoned musicians like former Ozzy Osbourne bassist Phil Soussan and Vixen’s Britt Lightning, Shatner's band is not just a gimmick; it’s a full-throttle assault on the senses.

During the set, The *uckers unleashed covers of heavyweights like Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” and Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” showcasing Shatner’s unique take on the genre. The audience was treated to a preview of tracks from his forthcoming album, including the raucous “Impatience,” a riposte to Guns N’ Roses’ “Patience.” Shatner, ever the storyteller, described his foray into metal as a response to Cleopatra Records’ suggestion, stating, “What the F is heavy metal?” and quickly turning that question into a creative explosion.

As the album takes shape, it’s clear that Shatner isn’t alone on this ride. The project boasts an all-star cast with guest appearances from heavy hitters like Judas Priest's Rob Halford and Queen’s Brian May. The production is helmed by a powerhouse team including Adam Hamilton and Brian Perera, promising a crossover experience that melds generations of metal mastery.

Meanwhile, Phil Soussan isn't just rocking with Shatner; he’s also gearing up for his own release, Cosmo Fighter Part One, set to drop via BraveWords Records on November 13. This ambitious trilogy is poised to shake the foundations of the metal landscape, with the lead single “Fading Out” already sending shockwaves through the underground. As the metal world holds its breath for Shatner's heavy metal debut and Soussan's upcoming EP, one thing is certain: the spirit of rock and roll is very much alive and kicking.