Berlin, – Rob Halford, frontman for the iconic British heavy metal band Judas Priest, underscored the power of music to elevate and transport listeners during a press conference at the Berlinale today, coinciding with the premiere of a new documentary about the band, “The Ballad of Judas Priest.” Halford argued that music, “with its volume, its messages, and its power… lifts you to a place that no other art form can take you.”
“Now, more than ever, it’s important that we have music, especially as the world is right now,” Halford stated. “Music is doing its job, which is to give people comfort, to give people something to disconnect from the madness of the world, to lose yourself in it, to escape.”
The documentary, co-directed by Tom Morello and Sam Dunn, traces Judas Priest’s five-decade legacy, from their roots in Birmingham, England, to their recent induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It also delves into the origins of their 1980 hit, “Breaking the Law,” and its resonance during a period of social and political upheaval in Britain under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Halford recalled a news cycle dominated by “conflict” and the “pain and suffering” of the British working class, fueled by “rioting and striking because of their rage.” He described “Breaking the Law” as a “revolution song” that tapped into a widespread sense of frustration and rebellion.
Beyond the socio-political context, Halford reflected on the sheer power of amplified music, linking its rise to a broader cultural shift. “It’s interesting that you mention amplifiers because as soon as Jim Marshall invented the 100-watt stack and everything started getting really loud, that’s when the fun began, you know?” he said. “And I mean, The Beatles were doing a little bit of that. Can you imagine The Beatles with a heavy metal tone?”
He drew a parallel between the amplification of music and the amplification of societal change, noting his presence at pivotal cultural moments like Woodstock and a 1970 Isle of Wight festival where Jimi Hendrix performed. “Without knowing it, in a field somewhere out there were K.K. [Downing] and Ian [Hill]. We were all there together and hadn’t really met yet, which is crazy, but that’s what music can do. It can bring people together.”
Sam Dunn, the documentary’s co-director and former bassist, emphasized the band’s broader cultural impact. “I think what I discovered, and What we have is a really important aspect of Judas Priest and this story, is that this is a band that has changed culture. And when I say that, I mean beyond metal. I think sometimes in the world of metal, we tend to just see things within the context of metal. But what Judas Priest did in that case, by defending freedom of expression and music, had massive implications for the future of art and expression. A British heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, in 1990 basically saved music.”
The documentary highlights Judas Priest’s remarkable longevity, noting they became the first metal act to release albums 50 years apart, with 2024’s Invincible Shield following their 1974 debut, Rocka Rolla. The band has released a total of 19 studio albums throughout their career.
Tom Morello, guitarist and co-director, explained the dual goals of the film: “One was to deliver for the fans of Judas Priest. The fans of Judas Priest love and are committed to this band and we wanted to give them a film that met every requirement for them. The other goal was that, if you’ve never heard a single note of Judas Priest’s music, if you’ve only heard the name vaguely once or twice, the narrative themes in this, the human stories are so compelling that it doesn’t matter if you care, if you like heavy metal, if you don’t like Judas Priest’s music at all.”
Halford concluded by stressing the responsibility that comes with creating music. “Responsibility, I never wanted to be responsible, but now more than ever you have a responsibility, you have a responsibility to yourself, your band has responsibilities, your fans, you have a responsibility to your fans. So all of that connects with the way music is used in our lives in any form.”
“The Ballad of Judas Priest” premiered at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival this week. The documentary features interviews with Billy Corgan, Lzzy Hale, Run-DMC’s Daryl McDaniels, Anthrax’s Scott Ian, Dave Grohl, Kirk Hammett, Jack Black, and the late Ozzy Osbourne.
