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Legendary British heavy metal band Judas Priest is set to release an official documentary chronicling their remarkable career, co-directed by Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine.
Formed in Birmingham, England, in 1969, Judas Priest has long been hailed as one of the most influential and enduring acts in heavy metal history. The band has sold over 50 million records worldwide and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, preceding fellow Birmingham native Ozzy Osbourne’s solo induction by two years.
Titled The Ballad of Judas Priest, this documentary marks the first major studio-produced feature film dedicated to the band. Co-directed by Sam Dunn alongside Morello, the filmmakers were granted unprecedented access to the band’s archives, inner circle, and private vaults to deliver an in-depth portrait of Judas Priest’s 50-year journey.
The film features tributes from prominent figures in music, including the late Ozzy Osbourne, Jack Black, Travis Scott, and Dave Grohl. It also addresses one of the band’s darkest chapters-a tragic episode in the mid-1980s involving two fans who took their own lives, believing they had made a suicide pact influenced by the band’s music.
On December 23, 1985, Raymond Belknap, 18, and James Vance, 20, from Sparks, Nevada, spent the evening drinking and listening to Judas Priest’s 1978 album Stained Class. Afterward, Belknap fatally shot himself in a local churchyard. Vance attempted the same but survived with severe injuries; tragically, he died by suicide in 1988.
Vance’s family subsequently filed a $6.2 million lawsuit against Judas Priest and CBS Records, alleging that the song “Better By You, Better Than Me” contained subliminal, backward-masked messages encouraging suicide. The case went to trial in 1990, with Judas Priest’s lead vocalist Rob Halford testifying.
The band’s defense argued that any perceived messages were coincidental phonetic artifacts. Halford famously demonstrated this in court by singing the song live.
The defense also highlighted the troubled backgrounds and mental health struggles faced by Belknap and Vance. Halford wittily remarked that if Judas Priest included hidden messages in their music, it would be to “buy more records,” not to promote self-harm.
Ultimately, the court ruled in favor of Judas Priest and CBS Records, concluding that any unusual sounds in the track were unintentional and that the band was not responsible for the tragic events. The ruling emphasized the complex personal challenges faced by the two men involved.
While no official release date has been announced for The Ballad of Judas Priest, sources suggest it may premiere on streaming platforms within the next six to twelve months.
For those affected by suicide or mental health issues, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255 or via the 988 Lifeline.
This documentary promises to offer a comprehensive and candid look at the band’s influential legacy, their impact on heavy metal, and the personal and public challenges they have faced over five decades.