HEAVY MUSIC HISTORY: Subliminal Message Trial – Judas Priest

July 1990. JUDAS PRIEST are set to be on trial. They are accused of subliminal messaging within their recording of Better By You, Better Than Me from their 1978 album, Stained Class. Five years previously in 1985, two young men in Nevada entered into a tragic suicide pact. Lawyer Ken McKenna, representing the parents of one of the individuals, levelled the claim that there were subliminal messages hidden within the song that, when the record was played backwards, would reveal phrases such as “Do It” and other such commands that triggered the terrible events that took place. This was a pivotal moment in history for heavy metal and marked the peak of the satanic panic that had been swirling around the genre since the eighties. While ultimately JUDAS PRIEST were exonerated of any wrongdoing and the case against them was dismissed, it’s a case that has left an indelible mark on music, media, and cultural history.

In the 1980s, a crusade was being led against popular music of the time. Many artists were under the microscope of the pearl-clutching, morally outraged. Rock and heavy metal became a prime target with the overtly aggressive stylings, Satan/occult influences, sexual fetishisation, anti-authoritarianism, and not to mention the fashion. To quote The Simpsons, “Won’t somebody please think of the children!?” Enter Tipper Gore. Supreme defender of the moral compass and champion of the Parental Music Resource Centre (PMRC). The aim of the PMRC was to raise awareness and ultimately control the access to music by children. If they deemed it subversive or outrageous in any way, then they would be campaigning against it.

In 1985, a list which became known as the “Filthy Fifteen” was drawn up, highlighting (in their view) particularly problematic songs. It wasn’t just heavy metal – PRINCE, MADONNA, and even QUEEN could not escape. W.A.S.P, VENOM, AC/DC, and JUDAS PRIEST all made the cut as well. While they did not necessarily get these artists or respective songs banned, the biggest win for the PMRC was the Parental Advisory warning sticker seen on many albums. What they saw as a win could well be interpreted as a spectacular own goal, as that just meant audiences knew exactly what albums to make a beeline for in the record shops.

While the PMRC were not directly involved in bringing class action against JUDAS PRIEST for the tragic incident in 1985, it is through their campaigning that led to widespread satanic panic: a period in which tabloids fanned the flames of righteous indignation, particularly in the US, against anything deemed alternative to the mainstream. The Netflix series Stranger Things highlights this very well. Heavy metal once again became a prime target/scapegoat for all of the perceived ills of the youth. When two young friends entered into a pact that resulted in one of them losing their life and the other surviving with severe injuries, with satanic panic gripping the sensationalised headlines, it wasn’t long before the lifestyles of the two came under scrutiny. While there were many aspects that could have contributed to the terrible action they undertook, it appeared at least to the families that the music was the primary influence.

Allegedly, JUDAS PRIEST and their seminal album Stained Class, which featured Better By You, Better Than Me. The fact that this track was in fact a cover from notable early rock band SPOOKY TOOTH meant nothing. The case brought forward centred on the fact that PRIEST had deliberately inserted subliminal messaging within the track that, when played backwards, could and did lead to the death and near-death of the friends.

Believing there was sufficient evidence, the prosecution took the band to trial. Suddenly, heavy music was under much closer scrutiny than ever before. There was now a credible case being brought together to suggest that JUDAS PRIEST, and by extension heavy metal, was just as dangerous and subversive as the tabloids suggested. To their credit, JUDAS PRIEST opted to defend themselves. The case laid out by the prosecution was heard and hinged on the record in question being played backwards. The claims that the messaging of “Do it” was hidden in the reversed music were vehement. However, the court ultimately found in favour of JUDAS PRIEST, citing lack of evidence or any link between the band or music to the events that unfolded. While the band testified to the point that if they were to put in any such messaging it would be to encourage sales, not injure their fans, it was clear that there was relief in the PRIEST camp. This was a very challenging trial in a time of public outrage and moral panic. It was also a pivotal point in how music was to become further scrutinised for its impact on listeners and if artists are making intentions to upset societal norms.

In any case, as many people have since come to realise, trying to play a record backwards in the hopes of finding something illicit or elusive will largely be met with defeat, possibly even a damaged record or worse, record player. While some artists have played on the trope and included frivolities that are specifically designed to be heard, one of the best takes on subliminal messaging was possibly found in the excellent Adam Sandler filmLittle Nicky. When presented with a metalhead trying to play an OZZY OSBOURNE album backwards, he asks if there is a meaning to the sonic gibberish. Whereupon, to paraphrase the titular character, Nicky exclaims that the Oz man was always straight up in his messages. He then proceeds to grab a copy of CHICAGO II and when reversed, the record issues demonic instruction. Perhaps then, metal is not to be feared for its subliminal effects. The real insidious enemy, as many have often suspected, is hidden in the mainstream.

The Subliminal Message Trial took place in July, 1990.

Like JUDAS PRIEST on Facebook.