Should Heavy Metal Bands Be More Political In Their Messaging? TOM MORELLO Weighs In

In a recent interview with Berlin, Germany's Star FM 87.9 radio station, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist Tom Morello spoke about his active role as a champion for heavy metal icons JUDAS PRIEST and IRON MAIDEN, both in his work as a Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame nominating committee member and as a filmmaker. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I've been a spokesperson for metal when I was 15 years old. I've never shut up about the bands that I like. And a lot of times, outside of the world of metal, there's disrespect, or people don't understand why it's great, et cetera. And I've been involved in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame now for almost 15 years, where I have worked very hard and bullied and coerced and cajoled into getting Randy Rhoads [late Ozzy Osbourne guitarist] in, and JUDAS PRIEST in, and this year IRON MAIDEN in, Stevie Ray Vaughan in, RUSH in, KISS in, these groups that were completely outside but that I recognize are so important to the history of music, that deserve to be honored.

"Making the JUDAS PRIEST documentary ['The Ballad Of Judas Priest'] — first of all, I have opinions about all metal, so if you put a microphone in front of me, I'm gonna talk about it," he added. "But it was a real honor to make the JUDAS PRIEST documentary with [co-director] Sam Dunn."

Asked if he feels that heavy metal, as a genre, and especially old-school metal, is getting more recognition nowadays, Morello said: "Yeah. Well, all you gotta do is look at the... IRON MAIDEN is headlining the biggest festivals on the planet. JUDAS PRIEST has never been bigger than they are in 2026. RUSH just began a tour last [June], which is one of the most anticipated ones in forever. So these bands now that are in their 45 to 51 years on the planet are now just destroying it. And I think that it's a testament to just how great that music is, and how it's not just people, 50- and 60-year-olds at the concerts anymore. It's multiple generations now. Certainly when I was playing RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE riffs at Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park [ festivals in Germany this past June], I look out there and it's 15-to-25-year-olds losing their shit. And that's an encouraging sign."

As for whether he feels like he helped introduce this established style of music to a new generation of fans, Morello said: "Yeah. Well, well, hopefully. I mean, certainly that was the case with the JUDAS PRIEST documentary, was to... Because it's such, one, the music's so great. Two, the story… If the members of JUDAS PRIEST had never made a note of music, it's a tremendously fascinating story. But I'm an advocate for hard rock and metal. Always have been. Like I said, that is the music that made me love music. And last summer, being the musical director of the 'Back To The Beginning' show, and Ozzy and BLACK SABBATH's last show, it was such an honor to do that, but I took it so seriously. I'm, like, 'This really matters, not just to me, not just the other bands playing, but to the world.'"

Asked if he thinks, because RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE has been explicitly and intensely political since the band's inception in 1991, that more heavy metal acts should be political in their messages, Morello said: "Well, I think that, first of all, sometimes there is political messaging in those bands that doesn't get [necessarily recognized as such]. Like BLACK SABBATH's 'War Pigs' is as powerful a political song as anyone's ever made. IRON MAIDEN's 'Run To The Hills' is about the Native American genocide, et cetera. So there are songs like that. But my take is, in order for music to be great, it has to be authentic. So, for me, if I didn't write songs about injustice, it would be false, and I couldn't make music that I think connected with people. Other bands, whether it's MÖTLEY CRÜE writing about groupies and stuff, that's authentic, so it comes across as something that's powerful. JUDAS PRIEST writing about — Rob Halford's lyrics have a wide range of topics. But it's very authentic, very authentic, and comes across as such. So, it's not, like, don't make political music to please Tom Morello. Make music that is honest to your heart, and that's how you can connect with people."

Elaborating on whether he thinks some heavy metal bands could have written songs that contain more social and political messages, Tom said: "To me, it's very, very clear. As an artist, you have one responsibility, and that is to tell the truth in your art. That's it. That's the responsibility. The end. But if, however, you are an artist that does have ideas about injustice in the world and you censor yourself because you're afraid you're gonna lose — the radio station's not gonna play you, or these fans are gonna write nasty comments, then that, to me, feels like you're doing yourself and your times a great disservice."

Morello added: "To me, to single out bands as a place to — people who should be expressing themselves politically — seems very narrow. I think that whatever your job is — whether you are a radio disc jockey or a tour manager or a carpenter or a student or whatever — you shouldn't leave behind what you believe in what you do. And so it's not a matter of, should more bands be political; it's, like, should more human beings stand up for their planet in whatever their vocation is? And the answer to that is yes."

Morello's first solo rock album, "Everyone Gets Everything They Want", arrived on September 25 via Mom + Pop Music. Production credits include Tyler Smyth, Carl Restivo, Zakk Cervini, Dan Carey and Sam Nelson Harris. Serj Tankian, KNEECAP and BEARTOOTH all make appearances, and Morello's fifteen-year-old guitar wiz son Roman, who has been startling audiences on tour with his dad the past three years, shares writing credits on five songs, contributing monster riffs and fiery solos.

Morello has a long history of organizing activism-oriented concerts, rallies, and events, and continues to be a leading voice for social justice causes and workers and immigrants rights issues across the country and around the world. In addition to his solo work with THE NIGHTWATCHMAN and his role in RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and AUDIOSLAVE, Morello remains one of modern rock's most influential guitarists, and outspoken activists.