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The Judas Priest Suicide Trial

2024/9/26
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The episode discusses the Judas Priest suicide trial, a landmark case in the 1980s "Satanic Panic" era. The band was accused of hiding subliminal messages in their music that allegedly led two teenagers to attempt suicide. The case explored the intersection of heavy metal music, backward masking, and the anxieties surrounding teenage suicide.
  • Judas Priest was sued for allegedly embedding subliminal messages in their music.
  • The case stemmed from a suicide pact between two teenage fans.
  • The trial explored the concept of backward masking and its potential influence on behavior.

Shownotes Transcript

A greatest hit of the Satanic Panic of the 1980s came when the metal band Judas Priest was put on trial for the suicides of two teens. While the case was preposterous – based on alleged hidden satanic messages in the music – it arose from a real tragedy.

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