Judas Priest: Half a Century of Metal Immortalized in New Documentary
Judas Priest, the heavy-metal band synonymous with leather, studs, and groundbreaking music, is the subject of an upcoming documentary, The Ballad of Judas Priest. This film promises an uncensored look into the band’s five-decade journey, co-directed by Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, marking his directorial debut, and Sam Dunn. sony Music Vision will release the documentary later this year.
Did you know? Judas Priest took their name from Bob Dylan’s song, “The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest,” a nod to their musical influences and storytelling approach.
A Band Statement: Uncensored and Unleashed
The band members themselves have expressed excitement about the project, promising a revealing portrayal of their lives and music.
We have lived and breathed metal for over five decades, and finally in this documentary we are summoning our congregation to officially witness our lives uncensored, in a never-before-seen way … the cassock comes off, revealing Priest in all its metal glory.
This statement suggests a deep dive into the band’s history, beyond the stage persona.
From Birmingham to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Ballad of Judas Priest will chart the band’s rise from their humble beginnings in Birmingham, England, to their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The release of Invincible Shield in 2024 solidified Judas Priest’s place in metal history, making them the first metal act to release albums across a 50-year span, beginning with their 1974 debut, Rocka Rolla.To date, the band has released 19 studio albums.
Pro Tip: For a deeper understanding of Judas Priest’s influence, listen to their albums in chronological order. This showcases their evolution and impact on the heavy-metal genre.
Morello and Dunn: A Vision for the Film
Tom Morello and sam Dunn bring a unique viewpoint to the documentary, aiming to showcase the band’s broader impact on the metal community.
While some may know Judas Priest for their huge hits that have shaped the heavy-metal genre, there is so much more to their story. Tracing their incredible 50-year journey, this film will capture how Judas Priest both defined the sound and look of metal, but also made it a more inclusive place along the way. We are grateful to the band for allowing us such intimate, unfiltered access to their lives and look forward to bringing this film to the metal masses around the world.
Their vision emphasizes not only the band’s musical contributions but also their role in shaping the culture of metal.
