WILLIAM SHATNER is turning the volume up to pain-threshold max.. The legendary actor, author, and cultural icon today announces his latest album – a heavy metal extravaganza powered a veritable army of metal stars—each one personally selected and hand-picked by Shatner to help deliver a project that’s equal parts thunder, theater, and fearless experimentation.
Shatner has long been attracted to music that challenges boundaries and amplifies storytelling. Over the years, his recordings have attracted a striking range of collaborators across heavy music and beyond—artists chosen for their distinct voices, fearlessness, and credibility.
Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne), Ritchie Blackmore, Edgar Froese (Tangerine Dream), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Henry Rollins (Black Flag, The Rollins Band) have all recorded with the legend. Indeed, Shatner’s history of defying expectations is well documented, and his music has long lived in the space where spoken-word intensity meets cinematic atmosphere. This new album raises the stakes even higher: more artists, more distortion, more drama—and a heavier impact.
“Metal has always been a place where imagination gets loud,” Shatner said. “This album is a gathering of forces—each artist bringing their fire, their precision, their chaos. I chose them because they have something to say, and because metal demands honesty.”
Built around massive guitars, cinematic arrangements, and Shatner’s signature vocal intensity, the record plays like a high-voltage film: sharp turns, dark humor, raw emotion, and moments of unexpected beauty. The result is an event album—designed not as a novelty, but as a statement, uniting a legion of metal’s most respected musicians under one uniquely singular vision.
The catalyst for the project came with Shatner’s involvement in the upcoming Nuclear Messiah album Black Flame, voicing an intro piece created with Chris Poland, the ex-Megadeth founding guitarist and a widely revered metal innovator. That collaboration didn’t just set a tone—it sparked Shatner’s inspiration to build a full-scale metal album with elite metal talent.
“When Nuclear Messiah came to life, something clicked,” Shatner said. “It wasn’t just a track—it was a doorway. It made me want to go all the way in, bring in the best metal players I could find, and create something fearless.”
Adding to the momentum, metal guitar icon Zakk Wylde personally gifted Shatner a guitar, a gesture Shatner describes as unexpected and deeply motivating.
“I’ve spent a lifetime exploring in both reality and fiction,” said Shatner. “Now I am stepping out into the unknown once again with my new project in heavy metal. I am covering Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden as well as a number of new songs written by my team. The whole project is destined for this year. I hope you will join me in the exploration.”
Additional album details—including title, track list, release date, lead single, and the full roster of featured artists—will be revealed soon.
Following the release of 2025’s Cult of the Serpent Sun, San Francisco blackened heavy metal force NITE will embark on their first European tour in April 2026. Having sharpened their sound on stages across the American West, including appearances at Northwest Terror Fest and Hell’s Heroes, the band now carry their esoteric fire overseas.
Rooted in the mythology and urgency of Cult of the Serpent Sun, this tour marks a decisive chapter in the band’s ascent. The album’s themes of ritual, perseverance, and unity translate seamlessly to the stage, where molten twin guitars, galloping drums, and commanding vocals converge in a performance honed through years of road experience. As guitarist Scott Hoffman states:
“We’ve been working toward playing shows in Europe since the founding of this band, and now it is finally happening. We are thrilled for the opportunity to play in select cities in Europe, and especially to appear at the legendary Inferno festival. Many thanks to our European fans for being patient. We look forward to seeing you in April, and initiating you into the Cult of the Serpent Sun.”
European Tour Dates – April 2026: 5 April: Oslo, NO @ Inferno Festival 7 April: Hamburg, DE @ Bambi Galore 8 April: Leipzig, DE @ Black Label 9 April: Göppingen, DE @ Zille 10 April: Breda, NL @ Sound Dog 12 April: Helsinki, FI @ On The Rocks
The European run will see the band perform material from Cult of the Serpent Sun, an album that expands their blackened heavy metal arsenal with heightened urgency and sharpened melodic attack.
When darkness engulfs the world, NITE sets the sky ablaze with white-hot, blackened heavy metal.
Having journeyed to the stars on their last venture, NITE now faces the abyssal and shadowy mythology that has long laid dormant beneath society. Each of the eight epic battles on Cult of the Serpent Sun tests their mettle. But amidst the album’s blackened perils, the band emerges victorious.
“NITE strives to be a light,” says vocalist and guitarist Van Labrakis. “Cult of the Serpent Sun is about how we persevere in times of immense darkness.”
Ever since banding together in 2018, NITE has carried the torch for Bay Area metal. Darkness Silence Mirror Flame debuted their blackened twist on NWOBHM. “…raucous, Marshall-fueled heavy metal that would be the envy of many a British band in the 1980s,” wrote Invisible Oranges. Follow-up Voices of the Kronian Moon upped the ante with more strutting tempos and windblown shredding, much to Stereogum’s delight. “It’s like speeding down a freeway at night in a Corvette with the top down, but everyone is wearing velvet capes.”
On Cult of the Serpent Sun, NITE wisely triples down on their trusty arsenal. Instead of scaling back, their third album adds more heft to the band’s armor. Labrakis and fellow guitarist Scott Hoffman’s molten leads duel with heightened showmanship. Drummer Patrick Crawford pummels and gallops while Avinash Mittur rattles the chest with his Rickenbacker bass. The title track charges with newfound urgency, slithery and venomous in its attack.
The album’s “more is more” philosophy is guided by what NITE have learned from the road. Since their last studio stint, the band have stormed the stage at Northwest Terror Fest, toured with fellow statesmen Persekutor and Haunt and marched across the Southwest on the road to Hell’s Heroes VI. “Fans really responded to older songs like ‘Acheron’ and ‘Genesis’,” Labrakis says. “Cult of the Serpent Sun has more songs that are fast and upbeat and help lift people’s spirits.” Galvanized by a foundation-shaking groove, “Skull” defiantly crushes. “Crow (Fear the Night)” is a rallying cry, calling for fists to rise with power and might.
Cover artist by Adam Vick
NITE’s classic weaponry shows no signs of rust on their third album. “The Last Blade” draws first blood amidst an acoustic flurry before thrusting onto the offensive. “The aim here is not to replicate that era but to explore and evolve,” Labrakis told Decibel when asked about the band’s influences. Cult of the Serpent Sun honors the trailblazing spirits of old by honing what separates this band’s particular alchemy from mere imitation brew. “The Mystic” expands their sonic palette, featuring a slow-burning bass line that stretches time and space into a hypnotic portal. With its whirling and enchanted melody, “Tarmut” glimmers like a desert mirage.
“We play a traditional style of heavy metal, but the blackened element takes us in a different direction,” Labrakis says. His road-hardened voice stands resolute in “Carry On,” denouncing the perils of war. “Dream on and find who you are,” he beckons on the album’s triumphant closer “Winds of Sokar.”
On Cult of the Serpent Sun, NITE guards the altar of blackened heavy metal with sharpened blades and axes raised.
Lineup: Van Labrakis – Guitar, Vocals Scott Hoffman – Guitar Avinash Mittur – Bass Patrick Crawford – Drums
Recording Studio: 210 Studios San Francisco and The Hoagie Container
Production Credits: Recorded by Van Labrakis Produced by Van Labrakis and Nite Mixed and mastered by Van Labrakis at 210 Studios San Francisco
Melodic metal band Stråle are pleased to unveil their new single and accompanying video, “The Heart You Tore Apart”, the latest taken from their new EP “Reformation”, digitally available now via Frontiers Music Srl.
The band described the new single: “This was one of the songs that led us into a rawer emotional space. It’s about balancing heavy riffs with vulnerability and brokenness and letting the emotion drive both the lyrics and the performance”.
Stråle is a melodic metal band from Helsinki, Finland, combining Scandinavian melancholy, modern metal power, and cinematic emotion. Formed in 2009, the band has steadily evolved from underground beginnings to become one of Finland’s most exciting metal acts, known for their explosive live energy and massive choruses.
After their debut album “Bourbon Souls” (FDA Records, 2020), mixed by the renowned Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia), Stråle entered a new chapter with a refreshed lineup and creative energy. The arrival of vocalist Daniel Jakobsson and guitarist Jaakko Suomalainen brought new color and emotion to an already solid foundation, and together the band refined their signature sound – melodic, heavy, and deeply emotional.
The new EP “Reformation” captures this evolution. Produced by Teemu Aalto (Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum, Ginger Evil) and Jani Autero, and mixed/mastered by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Amaranthe), it blends intensity with introspection. Songs like “Resist & Reform (feat. Björn “Speed” Strid, Soilwork)” and “Close Is Not Enough” showcase the band’s emotional range, while their acclaimed cover of “Blinding Lights” and the cinematic ballad “The Flame” display both versatility and soul.
The band commented: “Reformation” marks a new era for Stråle – musically, emotionally, and as a band. These songs have already proven themselves live, especially “Close Is Not Enough” and “Resist & Reform”, which have become real fan favorites on stage. It truly feels like a reformation for us; the sound, the energy, and the connection within the band are stronger than ever. We’re thrilled that Frontiers is now taking these songs under their wings and giving them the chance to fly as high as they can”.
In 2024, Stråle completed a 16-date European tour with Orphaned Land, performing in iconic venues such as The Underworld (London), Razzmatazz (Barcelona), and Petit Bain (Paris). With over 250,000 total streams and a growing fanbase across Europe, Stråle’s sound stands as a powerful statement of emotion, melody, and contemporary Nordic metal.
“Reformation” Tracklist:
1. Resist and Reform (featuring Bjorn Strid) 2. Close Is Not Enough 3. The Heart You Tore Apart 4. Destined For Desire 5. Blinding Lights (The Weeknd Cover) 6. The Flame
Line Up: András Lehtinen Daniel Jakobsson Rasmus Bruun Sakari Komulainen Janne Jääskeläinen Jaakko Suomalainen
Who would have thought that NEVERLAND TRAIN would be so well received with their tribute album to Jim Steinman? Reviews of the album “Alive in Hell” use words like “sensational” (Rock It)!
Now comes the second audio sample, “Still Alive”! As with the first advance single, fans of Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, and Fire Inc. have something to look forward to here. The debut album “Alive In Hell” (release date: March 27, 2026) revives a great era while maintaining a certain independence.
NEVERLAND TRAIN is Jens Faber’s tribute to Jim Steinman! The multi-talented artist from Bochum is not only the mastermind behind “Dawn Of Destiny.” With “Legions of the Night,” he paid tribute to Savatage in a similar way as he now honors the great songwriter and producer who once helped Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, and Fire Inc. achieve worldwide fame. To this end, he has enlisted the strong support of Marco Pastorino (Temperance, Fallen Sanctuary) and former Dawn Of Destiny drummer Patrick Klose (Iron Saivor)! If you’re now in the mood for “Dance of the Vampires” or a movie night with “Streets on Fire,” Neverland Train is the right choice for you!
Tracklist: 01 – End Of The Night 02 – Not Alone 03 – Still Alive 04 – So Far Away 05 – Somewhere In This Universe 06 – Learn To Live 07 – Pride 08 – Ignorance 09 – Better 10 – In Heaven Now 11 – Tonight Is What It Means To Be Young
Line-up: Marco Pastorino – Lead & Backing Vocals Jens Faber – Backing Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Piano, Keyboards Patrick Klose – Drums
German progressive power metal force ASSIGNMENT return with the new single and lyric video “Nothing To Say”, further building momentum for their upcoming album “With The End Comes Silence”.
Following the previously released singles “Fallen” and “Angel Of Berlin”, which introduced the album’s themes of global unrest, societal decay and existential tension, “Nothing To Say” reveals another intense and emotionally charged facet of ASSIGNMENT’s new material.
Musically, the track combines powerful riffs, expressive vocals and a compact song structure, while lyrically it stands as a clear anti-war statement, inspired by current global conflicts and condemning those who profit while innocent lives are lost. Direct, urgent and uncompromising, “Nothing To Say” perfectly reflects the album’s darker and more focused direction.
Alongside the new single, pre-orders for the upcoming album “With The End Comes Silence” are now live. The album will be released on March 20th, 2026 via Massacre Records, available as Digipak CD, limited double vinyl LP and digital formats.
With “With The End Comes Silence”, ASSIGNMENT present their most cohesive and mature work to date. The album was produced by the band and mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni (DGM) at Domination Studio, delivering a powerful, clear and cinematic sound that enhances both the progressive and power metal elements of the band’s identity.
Featuring guest appearances by Thomas Vikström (Therion) and Marco Ahrens (Poverty’s No Crime), the album builds a strong narrative arc that unfolds across its singles – from the opening intensity of “Fallen”, through the conceptual depth of “Angel Of Berlin”, to the stark realism of “Nothing To Say”.
ASSIGNMENT are: Diego Valdez – vocals Goran Panić – guitars Heiko Spaarmann – bass Michael Kolar – drums
Bon Scott (1946-1980), the legendary singer and lyricist for AC/DC, Fraternity and The Valentines, remains one of the great front men in rock and roll history. His indelible shriek and poetic turns of phrase, along with his playful grin and attitude are synonymous with the lifestyle he led until his untimely death in 1980.
Bon Scott Estate and its exclusive licensing/merchandising partner Perryscope Productions announce a robust event and merchandising plan to celebrate what would have been the rock and roll icon’s 80th birthday: JULY 9, 2026
LIMITED-EDITION COLLECTIBLES In tribute to one of the greatest voices of all time, German studio specialist Neumann is partnering with the Bon Scott estate on a limited-edition signature product to be released on Bon’s 80th birthday.
The Perth Mint, following up on the 2024 sold-out 1oz silver proof coin, will issue limited collector’s edition 1oz gold and 10oz silver bars bearing Bon’s name and likeness.
Reg Mombassa, the legendary graphic artist (as well as founding member of fellow Australian rock icons Mental As Anything) has designed an exclusive artwork to commemorate the birthday that will be available on posters, t-shirts, and more.
Knucklebonz, the leaders in collectible rock and roll statues, will issue their third Bon Scott edition in 2026, based on iconic images from the 1978 Powerage tour. This follows the sold-out 1979 “Highway To Hell” edition and the 1976 “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock N Roll)” statue (complete with bagpipes!).
APPAREL COLLABORATIONS Although Bon was often spotted performing sans shirts, various apparel partnerships have been embraced by fans to display their love for the iconic frontman. Dixxon Flannel Co. will launch the second limited-edition Bon Scott shirt in “Heritage” Tartan, following the 2025 “Touring” Tartan shirt. Copa Football Jerseys will launch a collectible “Bon 80” football jersey, also in Heritage Tartan. Both products are based on the officially registered Bon Scott tartans created in partnership with Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers of Edinburgh, Scotland who offer official Bon Scott tartan kilts, vests and accessories.
There will also be a wide range of brand-new Bon 80 t-shirt designs and more limited-edition items in the Perryscope official online store and the Australia-based store from Merch Jungle.
YOUTUBE CHANNEL The Estate has struck a deal with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) to provide Bon Scott video content to his official YouTube channel. This follows the ABC’s highly rated 2023 episode of Australian Story, introduced by Brian Johnson, and featuring the only interview ever given by Bon’s brother Derek Scott.
Additionally, the YouTube channel will post exclusive interviews with Bon’s friends, peers and admirers like Rick Springfield, Bruce Howe (Fraternity), Sammy Hagar and Scott Ian (Anthrax) who have all recently sat on camera to discuss their memories and why Bon remains a touchstone 46 years after his passing.
Credit: George Chin (1979)
TRIBUTE EVENTS Celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2026, Bonfest The International Bon Scott Rock Festival will take place in Kirriemuir, Scotland on May 1-3, 2026. The sold-out festival presented by Kirriemuir youth charity DD8 Music has an amazing lineup of rock and roll bands and AC/DC tribute acts, ensuring a weekend to properly celebrate Bon’s 80th. 2026 guests include UK rock legends Reef and former AC/DC drummer Chris Slade. There will also be a bespoke pop-up Bon Scott merch store at the site of the original Scott family bakery at 19 Bank Street in Kirriemuir.
Bon’s 80th birthday will be celebrated with the third annual Bon’s Birthday Bash in NYC on Monday, July 6th. Past celebrations have included guest vocal performances by Corey Glover (Living Colour), Jimmy Kunes (Cactus, Humble Pie), Peter Shaw (Trans Siberian Orchestra), Tony Award-winner Lena Hall (Headwig and the Angry Inch) and many more of NYC’s finest singers.
The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum will host a one-night-only theatrical screening of the classic concert film Let There Be Rock: The Movie. This will accompany a special limited Bon Scott memorabilia display, celebrating his career.
ENDURING MUSIC 46 years after his passing, the music that Bon helped create with AC/DC remains of the utmost cultural relevance. Recent high-profile sync licensing featuring Bon’s voice include the 2025 Tom Holland-starring Lego short filmNever Stop Playing that features “T.N.T.” and the 2025 Mitsubishi OutlanderAustralian TV spot that playfully recast “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock N Roll” as the long-running Aussie in-joke “It’s A Long Way To The Shop (If You Want A Sausage Roll)”.
AC/DC meanwhile continues their massively successful PWR/UP tour through South and North America in 2026. The band’s current setlist has included eleven songs written by Angus Young/Malcolm Young/Bon Scott (out of twenty-one) performed to stadiums all over the world:
“If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)” “Shot Down In Flames” “Highway To Hell” “Sin City” “Jailbreak” “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” “High Voltage” “Riff Raff” “Whole Lotta Rosie” “Let There Be Rock” “T.N.T.”
This follows the band’s Australia tour that featured several Bon-related events like the city of Melbourne’s world-record bagpipe ensemble playing tribute to the original promo video clip of “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock N Roll)”.
HISTORY Ronald Belford “Bon” Scott was born in Forfar, Scotland on July 9, 1946. He spent his childhood in nearby Kirriemuir, Scotland where the Scott family had a bakery, until 1952 when the family emigrated to Australia. Bon’s earliest music experience was in the Fremantle Pipe Band, playing the drums. In primary school he adopted the nickname “Bon” as a reference to Bonnie Scotland, and also because there was another Ronald in the class. His first band The Spektors, later The Valentines, played mostly popular cover songs of the day with Bon sharing vocal duties with Vince Lovegrove. After The Valentines disbanded, Bon joined Fraternity, a progressive-rock band that won Go-Set magazine’s “Next Big Band” award, appeared on national TV and toured the UK, eventually sharing a 1973 bill with Geordie, featuring Brian Johnson.
After leaving Fraternity and suffering some personal setbacks, Bon was hired as the singer in up-and-coming Sydney band AC/DC. He immediately injected the swagger, voice and lyrics that the band was searching for and history was made over the course of six years and six studio albums (1974-1979). On February 19, 1980, Bon was found dead in a car outside of his home in London.
In 2003, he was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as a member of AC/DC and in 2004 Classic Rock magazine named Bon the number one front man of all time, beating out fellow luminaries like Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger and Robert Plant.
Several landmarks have been established in the 21st century to honor Bon’s music and legacy, including statues in Kirriemuir, Scotland and Fremantle, Western Australia, that are natural gathering spots for fans to pay their respects.
TESTIMONIALS “Bon’s attitude demeanour and front man swagger gave him the Everyman persona that the world loved him for. His voice look and on stage character drew us all in – there’s an unmatched uniqueness that solidifies Bon’s legendary status in rock and roll…..” ROB HALFORD/JUDAS PRIEST
“I feel like Bon’s lyrics were way more punk in that they were just more realistic. You could read the lyrics to ‘It’s a Long Way to the Top’ or ‘Rock and Roll Singer’, there’s no whiff of cheese anywhere. In the hands of other singers probably would have been terrible. He’s telling you a story in a way that’s just so relatable and so real life. And just hardcore, you know, real, there’s no fluff, there’s no bullshit. The way he could turn a phrase, also then keeps you interested as well, because it just doesn’t feel like I’m reading a generic story about some guy that wanted to be in a band.” SCOTT IAN/ANTHRAX
“I was a Bon Scott fan. I mean, when I first heard his voice, I said, as a singer this guy’s cool. I like the way he sings, he’s giving it all. He was always on the edge of his voice cracking. Just one more step and he would lose it. You know? It’s like a car driver on the edge in a race and just, almost lose it at every turn. And that’s how you win a raceSo, I really liked that about him. Finally in 76 or 77, shortly after the Montrose thing, I was on a show with AC/DC, a little 2000 seat theater or something, and I was opening and I was really excited about that. He was really animated. And, I watched the whole show. I just loved him. I loved his demeanor. Bon was the kind of person that every guy in rock and roll loves. He’s just the coolest guy. SAMMY HAGAR
“Bon and I were kind of in competing bands back in the late 60s [Zoot and The Valentines]. The biggest difference was, well, they had Bon, but he didn’t sing much, which is kind of like having Paul McCartney in the band and using keyboard bass. No one knew he had a voice like that. And if you’ve seen ‘Knick Knack Paddywhack’ on YouTube by the Valentines, you’ll understand how frustrated he must have been. But he was great. He’s up there smiling like this is the greatest thing he’s ever done. I wasn’t aware how much of the Fraternity stuff he was writing. It was, kind of me going, oh, that’s interesting. But, there was no doubt that it was full conviction when he started singing with AC/DC and writing on what he was writing. Bon woke up and became truly what Bon was meant to be, which is, you know, that voice guy. You just you can’t get past it.” RICK SPRINGFIELD
“Bon was one of my heroes. His pants didn’t fit, but for me he remains one of the bad-assed-est – if ‘bad-assed-est’ is a word! – frontmen that there has ever been. DAVE MUSTAINE/MEGADETH
“Bon Scott was the coolest singer ever – the vocal delivery, the tongue-in-cheek double entendres and the magnetic personality. Those early AC/DC records – Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Let There Be Rock, Powerage, Highway To Hell – are just fucking timeless.” LARS ULRICH/METALLICA
“Bon was a pirate. He had the snarl, he had the attitude, he had the tough-guy appearance, but he had a wink in his eye too. I was the first person to ever take Bon out for Mexican food. He’d never tried it before. I remember he had tacos and Scotch. The same day that Bon died, there was a fire at the house I’d bought that Angus and Malcolm came to. The house burnt down, but I cared more about Bon than the building. RICK NIELSEN/CHEAP TRICK
“Watching all those early videos like ‘Jailbreak’ and stuff, it’s the best. I mean, AC/DC have got to be in my top one and a half favourite bands of all-time… Bon Scott could sing about rock ‘n’ roll, which is a hard thing to do too and take seriously.” JOSH HOMME/QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
