Heavy Metal And Lawless Antics: Bands Behaving Badly

Judas Priest is an English heavy metal band formed in West Bromwich in 1969. They are known for their 1980 song Breaking the Law, which combines a recognisable minor-key opening riff and a rhythmic chorus as its main hooks. The song's lyrics were inspired by the social and political turmoil of the time in the UK, including strikes and riots. The music video for Breaking the Law features vocalist Rob Halford and other band members dressed as priests breaking into a bank, reflecting the song's theme of rebellion.

Judas Priest's 'Breaking the Law' music video

Judas Priest is an English heavy metal band formed in West Bromwich in 1969. The band has sold over 50 million copies of their albums to date and is frequently ranked as one of the greatest metal bands of all time. Their best-known singles include "Breaking the Law", released in 1980 on their album "British Steel".

The "Breaking the Law" music video, directed by Julien Temple, begins with vocalist Rob Halford singing from the back of a 1974 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado convertible. Halford meets with two men dressed as priests carrying guitar cases, who are later revealed to be guitarists K. K. Downing and Glenn Tipton. They enter the bank together, incapacitate the people inside with their guitars, and break into the safe. Halford takes a golden record award for the British Steel album from the safe (the video was shot before the album went platinum). The band then quickly exits the bank and drives away.

The video concludes with the full band driving back along the A40, repeating the chorus until the song ends. Interestingly, it is not illegal to play music in a bank or to retrieve one's belongings from a safety deposit box. However, lead singer Rob Halford did commit a moving violation by standing up while driving the getaway vehicle!

The song combines a recognisable minor-key opening riff and a rhythmic chorus as its main hooks. It also features sound effects, including breaking glass and a police siren, created using milk bottles and a guitar tremolo arm, respectively. "Breaking the Law" has been a staple at some of Judas Priest's most famous performances, and the performance version has evolved over time, with the band raising the tempo and adding solos during live shows.

The song's place in popular culture

Judas Priest's "Breaking the Law" has been featured in popular culture several times since its release. Here are some notable examples:

MTV's Beavis and Butt-Head

In the 1990s, the song was both used and parodied in an episode of the MTV show Beavis and Butt-Head. The duo chant a parody of "Washing the dog, washing the dog" to the tune of the song and later sing the actual song.

Video Games

"Breaking the Law" is featured in the soundtrack of the 2006 video game Scarface: The World Is Yours. The song has also been included in the Guitar Hero and Rock Band video game series.

Music Charts and Accolades

The song made VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs at No. 40 and was named the 12th greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1 in 2009. It was also ranked number four on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs.

Music Videos

The music video for "Breaking the Law" was directed by Julien Temple and features vocalist Rob Halford singing from the back of a 1974 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado convertible. The video includes a bank heist, with the band members dressed as priests, incapacitating the people in the bank with their guitars.

The song's composition and sound effects

"Breaking the Law" by Judas Priest is known for its opening guitar riff, which is in a minor key. The song also features a rhythmic chorus, with a change-up on the bridge, where there's a new chord progression and the sound effect of a police siren. The song's outro repeats the main riff with vocalist Rob Halford singing the chorus and guitarist K.K. Downing playing power chords.

The song's sound effects include breaking glass and a police siren. The band achieved the former by smashing milk bottles, and the latter by guitarist K.K. Downing using the tremolo arm on his Stratocaster.

"Breaking the Law" has been a staple of Judas Priest's live performances since its release, and the band has made changes to the song over time. For example, they have raised the tempo and added a guitar solo by K.K. Downing. In live performances, Halford ends the song by screaming the words "Breaking the Law".

The heavy metal scene in the 1980s

The 1980s were a significant decade for hard rock and heavy metal, with the emergence of new subgenres and a shift in the sound and aesthetics of the music. The decade built upon the foundations laid by 1970s metal bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple. By the 1980s, heavy metal had evolved and diversified, with the rise of thrash metal, glam metal, death metal, black metal, and more.

The 1980s heavy metal scene was characterised by a harder sound, fast guitar solos, power chords, and a distinctive image defined by long hair, leather, spandex, and denim. This new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) was spearheaded by bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Def Leppard, Motörhead, and Saxon. Judas Priest, in particular, gained popularity with their 1980 album "British Steel", which marked a shift towards a more streamlined and simplified sound. The album included their well-known single "Breaking the Law", which is recognised for its opening guitar riff and combines heavy metal and glam metal elements.

Across the Atlantic, the Sunset Strip Metal Scene in Los Angeles flourished with bands like Rainbow, Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, Mötley Crüe, Quiet Riot, Ratt, and W.A.S.P. Quiet Riot's hit song "Cum On Feel the Noize" helped bring metal music into the mainstream, with their album "Mental Health" reaching #1 on the Billboard Charts in 1983.

By the mid-1980s, heavy metal had further diversified into two major categories: thrash metal and glam metal. Thrash metal, led by bands like Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax, offered a harder sound with high-speed guitar riffs. On the other hand, glam metal bands like Mötley Crüe, Twisted Sister, Dokken, and Ratt adopted a more mainstream rock sound.

Pop metal bands like Bon Jovi, Poison, Europe, and Cinderella also rose to prominence in the late 1980s, further pushing metal into the mainstream. However, by the early 1990s, the popularity of metal bands started to wane, with some blaming the decline on the over-reliance on metal ballads and the emergence of grunge and alternative rock.

Judas Priest's image and influence

Judas Priest, the English heavy metal band, is known for its unique image and influence on the music industry. The band was formed in Birmingham, England, in 1969 and rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Their distinctive style, combining leather, spikes, and taboo articles of clothing, had a significant influence on the glam metal era of the 1980s. This image, coupled with their musical prowess, earned them the nickname "Metal Gods".

The band's influence extends beyond their fashion choices. Their music videos, such as the one for "Breaking the Law", were conceptual and innovative for their time. Additionally, their use of harmonised guitar lines, now a staple in heavy metal, inspired bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Megadeth to incorporate similar techniques.

Judas Priest's music also drew inspiration from diverse sources, including science fiction and the works of Bob Dylan. Their sound evolved over time, starting with heavy blues rock and progressing to more commercial and radio-friendly styles. They were also pioneers of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) movement and influenced various metal subgenres, including speed metal, thrash metal, and power metal.

The band's impact on the music industry is undeniable, with their songs featured in video games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band, and their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. They have sold over 50 million records as of 2017 and continue to be ranked as one of the greatest metal bands of all time.

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