Judas Priest, titans of Heavy Metal and icons of rebellion, are getting the deep-dive documentary treatment they have long deserved. The Ballad of Judas Priest, currently in production, is set to chronicle the five-decade journey of one of Heavy Metal’s most enduring and influential bands.
Announced yesterday, this ambitious project comes courtesy of Sony Music Vision, in collaboration with Sony Music Entertainment UK and Epic Records, and the news will have to battle social media fake documentary clickbait scams.
“We have lived and breathed Metal for over five decades,” Judas Priest said. “In this documentary, we are summoning our congregation to officially witness our lives uncensored… the cassock comes off, revealing Priest in all its Metal glory.”
What elevates this documentary beyond the typical rock doc is its powerhouse creative team. Co-directed by acclaimed music documentarian Sam Dunn and making his directorial debut, none other than Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello, the film promises an unflinching, all-access look into the life, music, and cultural impact of Judas Priest.
“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,” co-directors Morello and Dunn said. “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.”
From Birmingham’s industrial roots to global stages, Judas Priest forged the very DNA of Heavy Metal—helping define not just the sound, but the look, attitude, and spirit of the genre.
The documentary will explore not only the anthems—like Breaking The Law and You’ve Got Another Thing Coming—but also the deeper currents of resilience, rebellion, and cultural evolution that have kept the band relevant for 50 years.
The band’s most recent album, Invincible Shield, released in 2024, made history by marking the first time a Heavy Metal band has issued new studio albums 50 years apart. It earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Metal Performance and set the stage for a co-headlining tour with Alice Cooper across 22 North American cities this autumn.
Produced by Emmy and Peabody-winning Banger Films, and executive produced by Tom Morello and industry legends across Sony and Epic Records, The Ballad of Judas Priest is poised to become a definitive portrait of a band that didn’t just ride the Heavy Metal wave—they were the storm that started it.
Stay tuned for release dates and sneak previews. The Priest is back… and this time, their story sings louder than ever.
