Brian May, one of the most highly-regarded and admired guitarists of the past 50+years, is the latest icon to join the army of rock legends accompanying William Shatner on his forthcoming heavy metal album.
photo: Manfred Baumann
May is, of course, the perfect fit for the project. Although he is most renowned for his music, he is also Britain’s best known astro-physicist!
Fascinated by the study of the stars, May was still a student when he was invited to join the team at the world-famous Jodrell Bank Observatory in England. On this occasion, he refused - he did not want to leave the band he had recently formed with drummer Roger Taylor, known at the time as Smile, but destined one day to become Queen.
However, he received a PhD in astrophysics in 2007; worked as a Science team collaborator on NASA’s New Horizons Pluto mission; and co-founded the Asteroid Day awareness campaign. And he has an asteroid named after him, just like William Shatner - Asteroid 52665 Brianmay, meet Asteroid 31556 Shatner.
Full details of their collaboration have yet to be released, but of course May will be contributing his instantly distinctive guitar sound, and he will also be mixing the track
With Shatner now confirmed to appear at Riotfest in September, work on the new album is continuing apace, with May joining the previously announced Rob Halford (Judas Priest) John Moyer of Disturbed, and Dave Lombardo — the iconic drummer whose work with Slayer helped redefine thrash metal and whose legacy with the Misfits further cemented his place in rock history.
Behind the boards, the project 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.
With additional guest appearances still under wraps, the album is quickly emerging as a major crossover moment, a part metal event record, part artistic left turn, all created around a cast that spans multiple generations of hard rock and metal excellence
More details, including the album title, release date, additional featured artists and media opportunities, will be announced soon.
Brian May of Queen Adds The Royal Stamp of Approval to William Shatner’s Metal Album
