Sony Music Vision has officially announced the production of The Ballad of Judas Priest, a new documentary that promises to chronicle the rise, reign, and enduring influence of one of heavy metal’s foundational forces: Judas Priest. Co-produced by Sony Music Entertainment UK and Epic Records, this film aims to peel back the layers of the band’s five-decade journey, offering a rare glimpse into their evolution from the industrial heart of Birmingham to international metal royalty.
Bringing the project to life are filmmakers Sam Dunn, known for his deep dive into metal subcultures, and Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello, who steps into the director’s chair for the first time. Together, they intend to offer a perspective that stretches beyond the riffs and leather.
“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,” said Dunn and Morello. “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.”
Rising from working-class roots in Birmingham, England, Judas Priest didn’t simply adopt heavy metal — they helped invent it. Their contributions go far beyond seminal tracks like “Breaking the Law” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming”. With 19 studio albums and over 50 million records sold worldwide, the group’s significance spans decades and demographics.
Their impact was further cemented in 2022 with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And in 2024, with the release of Invincible Shield, Judas Priest became the first heavy metal act to put out studio albums 50 years apart — an astonishing testament to their longevity.
That record has not only resonated with fans but also earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Metal Performance. Their momentum shows no signs of slowing down, as they gear up for a co-headlining tour with Alice Cooper across 22 North American cities this fall.
Speaking to their fans, the band shared, “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!”
Behind the scenes, the documentary is being produced by Banger Films, with Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn at the helm. Executive producers include Tom Morello, Rick Krim, Sheila Stepanek, Jayne Andrews, Tom Mackay, Krista Wegener, Abby Davis for Sony Music Vision, and Sylvia Rhone for Epic Records.
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