The story of Judas Priest, a band that helped define the sound and spectacle of heavy metal, is set to unfold in The Ballad of Judas Priest, a documentary premiering at the Berlin International Film Festival. A new clip from the film, shared by Rolling Stone, offers a glimpse into the origins of their iconic anthem, “Breaking the Law,” and reveals how the band channeled the social and political unrest of early 1980s Britain into a timeless metal classic.
Released in 1980 on the album British Steel, “Breaking the Law” emerged during a period of significant upheaval in the United Kingdom. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s conservative government faced widespread opposition from the working class, marked by strikes and riots fueled by economic hardship and social inequality. Rob Halford, the band’s legendary vocalist, describes the song as “a revolution song,” explaining that the nightly news was filled with images of conflict and suffering. “You’d watch the news every night and you see all this conflict going on. With the pain and the suffering of some of the British working class people. Rioting and striking because of their rage,” Halford said in the clip.
The documentary isn’t simply a recounting of musical history; it’s an exploration of how Judas Priest’s music resonated with a generation grappling with societal change. The band’s ability to tap into the zeitgeist is further highlighted by Halford’s description of the song’s music video. Rather than depicting traditional criminal activity, the video features Judas Priest “robbing” a bank to steal a gold record of British Steel, using guitars in place of guns. “We’re not going into the bank to steal the money, we’re going into the bank to steal the album,” Halford explains. “Maybe it was just a metaphor of you cannot cage this music, you cannot put this music behind bars.”
The Ballad of Judas Priest promises a comprehensive look at the band’s five-decade legacy, tracing their journey from their beginnings in Birmingham, England, to their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The film’s scope extends beyond the band members themselves, featuring interviews with a diverse range of musicians and industry figures, including Billy Corgan, Lzzy Hale, Run-DMC’s Daryl McDaniels, Anthrax’s Scott Ian, and Tom Morello, who co-directed the documentary alongside Sam Dunn.
McDaniels’ contribution to the film is particularly noteworthy, offering a unique perspective on the song’s lyrical content. “‘Breaking the Law’ is like some Ice Cube shit, if you read the lyrics,” he observes, drawing a parallel between the song’s rebellious spirit and the themes explored in hip-hop.
The documentary arrives at a significant moment for Judas Priest. With the release of 2024’s Invincible Shield, the band became the first metal act to release albums spanning a 50-year period, following their debut LP, Rocka Rolla, which was released in 1974. This milestone underscores the band’s enduring relevance and their ability to continually reinvent themselves while remaining true to their metal roots.
Beyond celebrating the band’s musical achievements, The Ballad of Judas Priest also aims to explore their cultural impact. Morello and Dunn previously stated that the 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.” The documentary will also include interviews with Dave Grohl, Kirk Hammett, Jack Black, and the late Ozzy Osbourne.
The band themselves echoed this sentiment, stating, “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 suggests a willingness to delve into the personal stories and experiences that have shaped Judas Priest’s remarkable career, offering fans a deeper understanding of the individuals behind the music.
The Ballad of Judas Priest isn’t just a documentary about a band; it’s a cultural document that reflects the social, political, and musical landscape of the past five decades. By examining the origins of a song like “Breaking the Law” and showcasing the band’s enduring influence, the film promises to be a compelling and insightful exploration of the power of metal and its ability to connect with audiences across generations.
