William Shatner will boldly go where many did not expect his career to go before (or again): music. This past Labor Day weekend, the former "Star Trek" star announced that he will be releasing a progressive rock album.

Shatner's latest album will be titled Ponder the Mystery. Shatner collaborated with several musicians for the album including Mich Jones, Steve Vai, Rick Wakerman and Vince Gill. Shatner, 82, wrote all the album's lyrics.

According to Contactmusic.com, the lyrics show Shatner's thoughts on depression, beauty, love and growing old. Rumor also has it that one of album's tracks, "But So Am I," which was recorded with Al Di Meola, will serve as a dedication to Starbuck, Shatner's dog.

Shatner said that Ponder the Mystery is "the most creative thing [I have] ever done."

The announcement of the album came during Dragon Con, an annual North American multi-genre convention in Atlanta, Ga. Shatner spoke about his music for about half of his hour-long appearance at the convention.

Shatner is a popular draw for Dragon Con attendees. The announcement of Ponder the Mystery was made to an audience of almost 3,000 members.

The singer also plans on doing a reading of Shakespeare's The Two Gentlemen of Verona with Tom Hanks and Paul McCartney.

"I mangled one of his songs a long time ago, so he's either going to smile or frown when I see him," Shatner said, most likely in reference to his infamous 1968 performance of The Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."

Shatner will tour in Los Angeles in early Oct. to promote his latest album alongside members of the band Yes. If the shows are a success, Shatner will consider holding a concert series in Las Vegas.

Ponder the Mystery will be released Oct. 8.

Shatner's discography contains four other albums: The Transformed Man (1968), William Shatner Live (1977), Has Been (2004) and Seeking Major Tom (2011).

The musician first gained fame by playing Captain James T. Kirk in the original "Star Trek." The show lasted 80 episodes and ran from 1966 through 1969.

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