When you’re looking for a great guitar solo, you need a great guitarist to play it. That’s what William Shatner thought as he was playing through the early material he has already gathered for his upcoming metal album, and that’s exactly what he did.

Shatner was listening back to “The Grim Reaper”, a new song that he cowrote with guitarist Marcus Nand, and while he was personally happy with the performance, he also sent their demo to RAINBOW/DEEP PURPLE legend Ritchie Blackmore to ask what he thought, and what he might do differently.

Ritchie got back to William directly. “The guitar solo on what you sent is very good,” Blackmore reportedly said.” I don’t feel I can add anything to change or improve it.”

So Nand, already widely regarded as one of the best, if underrated, guitarists on the current scene, known for his refined, tasteful playing style, takes one more giant step towards immortality. Ritchie, after all, is renowned for his refusal to accept second best… if he says something’s good, you’d better believe it’s good.

And Nand is good, his eclectic upbringing formulating a style that spans the flamenco traditions of Spain, the soulful depths of blues, and the raw power of rock. This unique blend has garnered him significant recognition, notably through his work with long-time David Bowie sideman Mike Garson; the metal band FREAK OF NATURE, featuring Mike Tramp; and the world music-infused rock ensemble ZIROQ, alongside another Bowie veteran, bassist Carmine Rojas.

Blackmore, who has previously collaborated on two William Shatner releases, the blues and Christmas albums, also expressed his gratitude for being considered for this new project and conveyed his encouragement.

And so work continues apace on this most eagerly awaited of albums, but if you can’t wait to hear just how good a guitarist Nand is, catch his debut solo album “The Traveler”, released in 2024 by Cleopatra Records. Garson, Tramp and Rojas all appear on the album, alongside Billy Idol collaborator Steve Stevens.

Further details about William Shatner‘s album, including additional guest appearances and release dates, will be announced soon.

Shatner has officially recruited Rob Halford, the iconic frontman of JUDAS PRIEST, to join him on a reimagined version of the classic metal anthem “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'”. The collaboration pairs Shatner‘s unmistakable spoken-word intensity with Halford‘s soaring, powerhouse vocals, creating a bold and unexpected take on one of heavy metal’s most enduring tracks.

“I’ve always been drawn to the energy and storytelling of heavy metal,” said Shatner. “Working with Rob on this track brings that intensity to life in a way that feels both timeless and entirely new.”

Rob adds: “One life I’m gonna live it up!’ William Shatner is boldly doing that more than ever, and I am honored to reinforce this message with him — ‘taking flight I said I’ll never get enough!'”

The upcoming album, currently in production, continues Shatner‘s long-standing exploration of music across genres, pushing boundaries and defying expectations. This latest project leans fully into the heavy metal world, featuring high-profile collaborators and bold reinterpretations of classic songs.

Cleopatra Records founder and head Brian Perera says: “I’m honored to be a part of another chapter in William Shatner‘s musical journey, and celebrating as he goes louder, harder and heavier than ever.”

Indeed, Shatner has already taken a first step into these waters, as part of former MEGADETH guitarist Chris Poland‘s upcoming NUCLEAR MESSIAH project. Their collaboration “Prophet Of Fall-Out” is scheduled as both the all-star aggregation’s next single and video, ahead of the full “Black Flame” album release at the end of April.

Further details about William Shatner‘s album, including additional guest appearances and release dates, will be announced soon.

Shatner has long been attracted to music that challenges boundaries and amplifies storytelling. Over the years, his recordings have attracted a striking range of collaborators across heavy music and beyond — artists chosen for their distinct voices, fearlessness, and credibility.

Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE), Ritchie Blackmore (DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW), Edgar Froese (TANGERINE DREAM), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Henry Rollins (BLACK FLAG, THE ROLLINS BAND) have all recorded with the legend. Indeed, Shatner‘s history of defying expectations is well documented, and his music has long lived in the space where spoken-word intensity meets cinematic atmosphere. This new album raises the stakes even higher: more artists, more distortion, more drama — and a heavier impact.

“Metal has always been a place where imagination gets loud,” Shatner said. “This album is a gathering of forces — each artist bringing their fire, their precision, their chaos. I chose them because they have something to say, and because metal demands honesty.”

Built around massive guitars, cinematic arrangements, and Shatner‘s signature vocal intensity, the record plays like a high-voltage film: sharp turns, dark humor, raw emotion, and moments of unexpected beauty. The result is an event album — designed not as a novelty, but as a statement, uniting a legion of metal’s most respected musicians under one uniquely singular vision.

The catalyst for the project came with Shatner‘s involvement in the upcoming NUCLEAR MESSIAH album “Black Flame”, voicing an intro piece created with Chris Poland, the ex-MEGADETH guitarist and a widely revered metal innovator. That collaboration didn’t just set a tone — it sparked Shatner‘s inspiration to build a full-scale metal album with elite metal talent.

“When NUCLEAR MESSIAH came to life, something clicked,” Shatner said. “It wasn’t just a track — it was a doorway. It made me want to go all the way in, bring in the best metal players I could find, and create something fearless.”

Adding to the momentum, metal guitar icon Zakk Wylde personally gifted Shatner a guitar, a gesture Shatner describes as unexpected and deeply motivating.

“I’ve spent a lifetime exploring in both reality and fiction,” said Shatner. “Now I am stepping out into the unknown once again with my new project in heavy metal. I am covering BLACK SABBATH, JUDAS PRIEST and IRON MAIDEN as well as a number of new songs written by my team. The whole project is destined for this year. I hope you will join me in the exploration.”

Additional album details — including title, track list, release date, lead single, and the full roster of featured artists — will be revealed soon.