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Judas Priest: 'Breaking the Law' Was About Working Class Rage
14 Feb
Summary
- The song reflects the British working class uprising against Thatcher.
- A documentary will explore the band's 50-year legacy and impact.
- Judas Priest made history with albums released 50 years apart.

The song 'Breaking the Law,' released in 1980, served as a powerful anthem for the British working class's struggle against Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's government. Rob Halford described the track as revolutionary, inspired by the nightly news depicting conflict and the suffering of the working class, including riots and strikes fueled by rage.
The music video for 'Breaking the Law,' showing the band robbing a bank with guitars instead of weapons to steal a gold record, was seen as a metaphor for music's uncontainable spirit. A new documentary, 'The Ballad of Judas Priest,' is set to trace the heavy-metal legends' 50-year journey.
Beginning in Birmingham, England, the documentary covers their rise to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their 2024 album 'Invincible Shield,' Judas Priest became the first metal band to release music 50 years apart, following their 1974 debut. The film features interviews with notable figures like Billy Corgan and Dave Grohl.
Morello and Dunn stated the film captures how Judas Priest defined metal's sound and image while fostering inclusivity. The band expressed their excitement for fans to witness their unfiltered lives, revealing their half-century journey in metal.



