Few bands are as synonymous with heavy metal as Judas Priest. With Rob Halfordat the helm, the band pioneered the sound by releasing iconic albums like British Steel, Screaming for Vengeance and Painkiller.
The band’s epic journey will now be told in a new documentary: The Ballad of Judas Priest, which is currently in production at Sony Music Vision.
Fellow rock icon Tom Morellowill help tell this story. The Rage Against The Machineguitarist will co-direct the documentary with filmmaker Sam Dunn.
“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,” Judas Priest said in a statement (per Ultimate Classic Rock). “The cassock comes off, revealing Priest in all its metal glory!”
Tom Morello and Sam Dunn issued a joint statement, saying that there is “so much more” to the Judas Priest story than their “huge hits that have shaped the heavy metal genre.”
“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 co-directors added.
“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.”
Tom Morello will also serve as the film’s executive producer. Sam Dunn, who will co-produce, also made the documentaryMetal: A Headbanger’s Journey and concert films for Iron Maiden, Rush, and ZZ Top.
Judas Priest formed in Birmingham, England, in the late ’60s and released their debut album, Rocka Rolla, in 1975. Along with fellow Birmingham band Black Sabbath, Priest introduced this heavier, darker, harder rock sound that we now know as heavy metal.
Black Sabbath (and their frontman, Ozzy Osbourne) take their last curtain call on July 5. The event will be the final showever for both Ozzy and Sabbath.
The farewell show’s lineup features some of the biggest names in metal’s history, except Judas Priest. Halford explained why and how he’s “gutted” to miss the show.
Related: Iconic Metal Band’s Singer Reveals Why They’re Not Playing Ozzy’s Final Show
