Article Contributed by Cleopatra Records
Published on 2026-06-26
Photo credit: Manfred Baumann
Having assembled one of the most ambitious gatherings of heavy metal royalty ever gathered for a single recording project, William Shatner is now exploring the possibility of taking his acclaimed Heavy Metal album to the stage for a live event unlike anything audiences have seen before.
Part concert, part theatrical experience, and part celebration of heavy metal’s enduring power and legacy, the proposed production would transform Shatner’s star-studded recording project into an immersive live spectacle combining legendary musicians, cinematic visuals, storytelling, and the larger-than-life charisma that has made Shatner a global icon for more than six decades.
Adding fuel to the growing excitement surrounding the project is the recent participation of Mikkey Dee, the legendary drummer who served as the driving force and rhythmic pulse of Motörhead for more than 35 years before joining Scorpions. Dee recently completed drum tracks for Shatner’s explosive version of the Judas Priest classic “Living After Midnight,” bringing his trademark thunder and precision to the album.
“I needed pounding beats to make the music feel the way I feel it,” says William Shatner. “The drums drive the emotion. They create the urgency, the excitement, the danger. Heavy metal should hit you in the chest and move your soul at the same time.”
Other featured drummers on the project include Dave Lombardo of Slayer and The Misfits, Chris Adler of Megadeth, Vinny Appice of Black Sabbath, Carmine Appice of Vanilla Fudge and Cactus, Kenny Aronoff of Steve Vai, Simon Wright of AC/DC and UFO, Bobby Rondinelli of Blue Öyster Cult and Quiet Riot, Matt Starr of Ace Frehley and Joe Lynn Turner, Steve Zing of Danzig, Samhain, and Mourning Noise, and Fred Aching of Kings of Thrash, Nuclear Messiah, and Fraxures.
The possibility of a live production has become increasingly compelling as the recordings continue to exceed expectations. Early discussions envision a unique multimedia event where Shatner’s dramatic storytelling and unmistakable voice are paired with the raw power of a live metal band, massive visual production, and a celebration of the songs and artists that helped shape heavy music.
Should the production move forward, it promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime event — an unforgettable collision of heavy metal power, theatrical imagination, and the boundless creative spirit of William Shatner.
