WILLIAM SHATNER Explains His Unique 'Reinterpretation' Of METALLICA's 'Enter Sandman'

During an appearance on the September 29 episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", 95-year-old "Star Trek" legend William Shatner spoke about his upcoming hard rock/heavy metal album "What The F Is Heavy Metal?", which is tentatively due in 2027 via Cleopatra Records. The project, which is being driven by a heavyweight production team led by Adam Hamilton (L.A. GUNS, BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE) and Brian Perera, president of Cleopatra Records, with additional production from Derek Hughes (NUCLEAR MESSIAH),Marcus Nand and Jürgen Engler of DIE KRUPPS, will feature guest appearances by several dozen hard rock and heavy metal musicians, including Brian May (QUEEN),Rob Halford (JUDAS PRIEST),John Moyer (DISTURBED) and Dave Lombardo (SLAYER).

Shatner previewed several songs from "What The F Is Heavy Metal?" with his newly formed heavy metal band, THE *UCKERS, at the Riot Fest on September 20 at Chicago's Douglass Park. Shatner performed six songs from the album at Riot Fest — three originals written by Shatner and his longtime writing partner Rob Sharenow, and three covers, METALLICA's "Enter Sandman", Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train" and MOTÖRHEAD's "Ace Of Spades".

Regarding his approach to singing classic songs from METALLICA, MOTÖRHEAD and Ozzy, Shatner said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I reinterpreted it. Take 'Sandman', for example. So 'Sandman' is a weird lyric. The words are, 'Never mind the noise you heard.' 'It's under your bed, in your head.' 'Be a nice little child. Say your prayers.' It's bizarre... If you were an actor, as I am, you're looking at the words you've gotta say. Who says this? I said, 'Well, who would say this?' A child molester would talk like this. 'Say your prayers, little one.' 'Never the noise you heard. It's under the bed, in your head.' Come on. Who says that? A child molester. So 'Sandman' is a paean of praise for molesting a child... Well, I mean, maybe not molesting, but driving them nuts. How to drive a child mad… But this individual's encouraging the bad dreams. 'Say your prayers, little one.' 'Make sure you include everyone.' That's my reinterpretation of 'Sandman'… So I gave my interpretation, not only of the lyrics of songs that we wrote, but the cover songs."

>Prior to the Riot Fest concert, Shatner admitted to Billboard that he was nervous about his onstage performance in Chicago.

"Imagine the fear of the actor," he said. "The actor's nightmare is being naked and not remembering your lines. Well, I'm going to be dressed and I'll have help with the lines in the equipment. But the other part of that nightmare is being laughed offstage. 'Oh, what is he doing?' I'm poised between being laughed off the stage and being lauded. This is new, this is exciting, this is heavy metal like it's never been heard before because I'm reinterpreting."

He continued: "Even the cover songs, I'm reinterpreting. For example, my interpretation of 'Enter Sandman' is it's a child molester that has written these lyrics and I'm performing it this way and so it's all different and it's all very exciting and I hope it works. It's one of the most exciting performances that I've ever done. When you don't do it the same way METALLICA does it — imagine doing it like a nasty man who's got this child in the closet in your head. Touch my hand and we're off to never neverland."

THE *UCKERS feature an all-star lineup of veteran rock musicians, including Marcus Nand (who has worked with Mike Tramp and Candice Night) on guitar and as musical director, Phil Soussan on bass, Britt Lightning (VIXEN) on guitar and Fred Aching (KINGS OF THRASH, DEAD GROOVE) on drums.

Last month, Shatner revealed to "The Moynihan Report" that the title of his upcoming heavy metal album, came directly from his initial reaction when his longtime record label, Cleopatra Records, suggested that he make a heavy metal record.

"Cleopatra, the label that I work with frequently, said to me, 'Why don't you do a heavy metal album?' And I said, 'What the F is heavy metal?' Then I heard 'Patience', the song 'Patience' [by GUNS N' ROSES]. So we write a song called 'Impatience'," Shatner shared.

Shatner went on to say that he approached the making of his heavy metal album from the perspective of a curious newcomer.

"You gotta start with the premise that I really know nothing," he explained. "I'm inquisitive. Apparently, I'm inquisitive, and I'm reading and looking up all the time, stuff. So I began to experiment. I fastened on to emotions. I thought heavy metal has gotta be about emotions — violent, passionate… Not violent — passionate emotions."

Shatner had previously recorded several albums going back to 1968 that include spoken-word and dramatic readings, blues, rock and kids songs, featuring collaborations with BEN FOLDS, Brad Paisley and Iggy Pop.

The original "Star Trek" series spawned a feature film franchise where Shatner returned as Captain Kirk in seven of the "Star Trek" movies, one of which he directed.

In 2023, Shatner was diagnosed with Stage 4 malignant melanoma. The cancer spread to his lungs and brain, but after two years of immunotherapy and surgery, he is cancer free.

During an interview with CNN anchor Elex Michaelson in July, Shatner also said he would be playing a half-hour set at a music festival "in the desert" in spring 2027, which Michaelson confirmed to be Coachella. Coachella has not yet released its official list of performers for the April 2027 event.

Photo by Elizabeth Shatner