New Judas Priest documentary underway with Tom Morello making directorial debut

A comprehensive documentary chronicling the legendary career of British metal pioneers Judas Priest is currently in development at Sony Music Vision. Titled The Ballad of Judas Priest, the film will explore the band’s remarkable five-decade journey from their working-class origins in Birmingham to their current status as Grammy-winning Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees.

The documentary will be co-directed by renowned metal documentarian Sam Dunn alongside Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, marking Morello’s first venture into directing. The film promises to showcase the band’s iconic anthems including “Breaking the Law” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’” while providing an unprecedented look into their personal and professional evolution.

“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 band stated. “The cassock comes off, revealing Priest in all its metal glory!“

Directors Morello and Dunn emphasized the depth of the band’s influence beyond their chart-topping hits: “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. 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.“

The timing couldn’t be more fitting, as Judas Priest continues to demonstrate their enduring vitality. Following the release of their 19th studio album, “Invincible Shield”, in March 2024, the metal veterans are preparing for an extensive co-headlining North American tour with shock rock icon Alice Cooper this fall, with Corrosion of Conformity providing support on most dates.

The directors expressed their gratitude for the band’s cooperation: “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.”

This documentary represents another milestone in documenting heavy metal’s rich history, promising fans an inside look at one of the genre’s most influential and enduring acts.