When Babymetal devised their metal/Japanese idol hybrid band in 2010, none of the three members (Su-metal, Yuimetal, and Moametal) even knew what metal music was. Now, six years later, they’re covering Judas Priest songs with Rob Halford himself.

Last night, at an award show that would win longest name honors if there were an awards show for awards shows (Journeys Alternative Press Music Awards, Fueled by Monster Energy Drink), the pop-metal trio performed a pair of JP tracks with the iconic frontman, as Rolling Stone reports.

In a fiery preface to the performance, an animation declared that, when the “chosen ones by the Fox God” were “awakened by the Metal God,” a new legend would be born, and that legend began last night. The announcement was immediately followed by barreling double kicks and searing guitars. Halford, in a red leather jacket and sunglasses, launched into “Painkiller” with that signature, devilish tenor. And Su-metal was there at his side, screaming along to the classic. Babymetal + Halford followed it with a raging rendition of the anthemic track, “Breaking the Law.” Metal purists may denounce such a team, but c’mon, this is crazy! Even by metal standards! Even Halford agrees:

“That was really intense: Babymetal give a thousand percent just like Priest,” he said in a statement after the performance. “They’re leading the charge into the new frontier of heavy metal.”

“It was really amazing and fantastic,” Su-metal said. “A collaboration with Rob Halford, the ‘Metal God,’ has always been my dream. I never imagined that dream would come true!”

Check out the video above and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Image: Alternative Press