Sony Music Vision, in association with Sony Music Entertainment UK and Epic Records, today announced the production of The Ballad of Judas Priest, a new documentary about legendary GRAMMY-winning English heavy metal band Judas Priest and their epic journey to the top of rock and roll.
Co-directed by documentary filmmaker Sam Dunn and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello in his directorial debut, the documentary will celebrate the legendary band’s lasting impact on music and culture with their influence reaching far beyond metal. Featuring unforgettable anthems and pop culture staples like Breaking the Law and You’ve Got Another Thing Coming, The Ballad of Judas Priest will capture the passion, resilience and enduring legacy of a band whose music and story continue to inspire generations.
Rising from humble, working-class roots in Birmingham, UK, to become global rock legends, Judas Priest didn’t just help shape heavy metal culture – they forged it. Widely credited as being one of the pioneers of the Heavy Metal genre in the 1970s, Judas Priest has sold more than 50 million records and released 19 studio albums for their legion of dedicated fans around the world. In 2022, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With their 2024 album Invincible Shield, the band became the first heavy metal band to release studio albums 50 years apart. The album drew widespread acclaim, receiving a GRAMMY nomination for Best Metal Performance. This fall, they will be joined by Alice Cooper for a co-headlining tour across 22 North American cities.
Judas Priest said, “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.”
“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,” co-directors Morello and Dunn said. “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.”
3 Responses
My top 5 Judas Priest releases are 5 Screaming for Vengeance. A hard rock that just flows from the beginning to the end on another plain. Not 1 filler song. 4 Angel of Retribution. It took me many years to say I really like this album.I think a great pair of headphones did it. The energy that Robert brings to this is beyond amazing. For years I felt there were many fillers on this but I don’t feel that anymore. 3 Defender of the Faith. My High school days with many keg parties blasting this. 2 Sin arter Sin. I have always been a sucker for psychedelic rock. The album puts you in a trance. Just great stuff! 1. Point of Entry. MTV all the time. My family members who are long gone had the cassette. Wish it was a little longer. I don’t have Sad Wings and never heard it. The bonus disc to Redeemer of souls has 5 great great songs on it. It should of been a double release!
Morello!? Why Morello!? Couldn’t get anybody other than Morello, huh!?
I agree! WTF?!?! Does asshole Morono have to be involved in everything these days?? The guy is a piece of sh-t! Sick of him getting all this totally undeserved attention and accolades, just go away already you overrated piece of sh-t!