“The Ballad of Judas Priest” Documentary in Production, Co‑Directed by Tom Morello

“The Ballad of Judas Priest” Documentary in Production, Co‑Directed by Tom Morello

Sony Music Vision — in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment UK and Epic Records — today announced it’s officially producing The Ballad of Judas Priest, a feature-length documentary chronicling the legendary metal band’s monumental 50-year journey.

The film will be co-directed by acclaimed documentarian Sam Dunn (known for Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey) and Tom Morello—Rage Against the Machine’s guitarist—marking Morello’s debut as a feature director.

“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!” — Rob Halford and band members.

Morello and Dunn stated that the film will trace Judas Priest’s roots—from working-class Birmingham to their rise as global ambassadors of heavy metal—and spotlight the band’s efforts to champion inclusivity in a genre historically steeped in macho stereotypes.

The documentary promises to feature classic hits such as “Breaking the Law” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’”, and delve into pivotal cultural moments—like surviving the 1980s subliminal-message controversy and Rob Halford’s groundbreaking coming‑out in the late 1990s.

The title The Ballad of Judas Priest pays homage to the Bob Dylan song “The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest”—a nod to the origins of the band’s name.

Production Highlights:

• Produced by the Emmy- and Peabody-winning Banger Films (Dunn’s company).

• Executive producers include Tom Morello, Rick Krim, Sheila Stepanek, Jayne Andrews, and Epic’s Sylvia Rhone.

• Distribution will be handled by Sony Music Vision.

What Lies Ahead:

• No official release date has been confirmed yet, though multiple sources suggest a premiere “later this year” .

• The documentary coincides with Judas Priest’s fall tour alongside Alice Cooper, spotlighting their latest album Invincible Shield, released in March 2024.

Why This Matters

Judas Priest helped define the sonic and aesthetic blueprint for heavy metal—leather jackets, studs, twin-guitar riffs—and have sold over 50 million records across 19 studio albums. Their story touches on significant cultural moments: challenging censorship, advocating LGBTQ+ visibility in rock, and evolving the genre. With Morello and Dunn at the helm, fans can expect something both historically rich and visually compelling.

Summary at a Glance