Canadian actor, author, director, musician, etc. William Shatner will be bringing his rock/heavy metal live show to this year’s ‘Riot Fest‘. The 95-year-old ‘Star Trek‘ legend will be backed by members of Nuclear Messiah for his upcoming set at the annual Chicago, IL fest, which this year will take place September 18th-20th at Douglass Park. Shatner has been working on an upcoming metal/rock album in recent years, enlisting various special guests.
Cleopatra Records intend to oversee that release, which will find him teamed with Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford on a cover of the 1982 Judas Priest track “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’“. Members of Nuclear Messiah are also involved in that upcoming record, along with Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society/Ozzy Osbourne), Ritchie Blackmore (ex-Deep Purple) and Henry Rollins (ex-Black Flag).
Drummer Mikkey Dee (Scorpions, Motörhead) is one of the latest participants to be involved with that record, having laid down a cover of another Judas Priest staple, “Living After Midnight“. Shatner said of the project and this upcoming live debut for it:
“I’ve always believed that music, like space, is about exploration. ‘Riot Fest‘ is exactly the kind of place where anything can happen. We’re bringing volume, intensity, and a few surprises. With this incredible band behind me, I expect nothing less than lift-off. I can’t wait to share this experience with the fans.”
Outside of the above-mentioned guest performers, this new album will feature a litany of distinguished drummers behind the kit, including:
Dave Lombardo (ex-Slayer, Mr. Bungle, etc.)
Chris Adler (ex-Lamb Of God/Megadeth)
Vinny Appice (ex-Black Sabbath, etc.)
Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Cactus)
Kenny Aronoff (Steve Vai)
Simon Wright (ex-AC/DC, UFO)
Bobby Rondinelli (Blue Öyster Cult, Quiet Riot)
Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Joe Lynn Turner)
Steve Zing (Danzig, Samhain, Mourning Noise)
Fred Aching (Kings Of Thrash, Nuclear Messiah, Fraxures)
Covers of songs by Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and more are also expected to be included on the record, and presumably will also make their way into the setlist for this live performance. This year’s ‘Riot Fest” will feature headlining performances from Tool, Twenty One Pilots and Pierce The Veil, with GWAR, Angine de Poitrine, Fleshwater and many more also booked.
