“It made me want to go all the way in, bring in the best metal players I could find, and create something fearless”: Zakk Wylde gifted William Shatner a guitar. Now Shatner is making an album with 35 metal icons – and an AI-generated Les Paul, apparently
Hacker News
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
William Shatner, best known as Captain James T. Kirk from *Star Trek*, is making headlines with his bold foray into heavy metal. The actor and musician has announced an all-star metal album featuring 35 iconic figures in the genre, including a track with an AI-generated Les Paul guitar. This ambitious project, inspired by Shatner's guest appearance on Nuclear Messiah's album *The Metal Messiah*, aims to bring together top-tier talent to create something fearless and groundbreaking.
Shatner’s vision is clear: this isn’t just another novelty album. It’s a high-stakes collaboration that promises massive guitars, cinematic arrangements, sharp emotional turns, dark humor, and moments of unexpected beauty. The album will include both original tracks and covers of classic metal bands like Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden. Shatner has carefully curated the lineup, selecting artists who bring their unique intensity and authenticity to the project.
This isn’t the first time Shatner has ventured into music collaborations. In 2004’s *Has Been*, he worked with a diverse roster of artists, including Henry Rollins and Brad Paisley. His latest project builds on that legacy but with even greater ambition. The involvement of tech—via an AI-generated Les Paul guitar—adds a modern twist, blending traditional metal artistry with cutting-edge technology.
For readers interested in the intersection of tech and music, this album represents a unique opportunity to explore how AI can enhance creative processes. While the use of AI in music isn’t new, its application in generating iconic instruments like the Les Paul guitar marks a fresh direction in the industry. This project not only highlights Shatner’s passion for metal but also underscores the growing role of technology in shaping musical innovation.
The album’s release is highly anticipated, with fans and critics alike eager to see
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Originally published on Hacker News on 2/24/2026