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100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Brian Slagel
100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal is the ultimate journey into the heart of heavy music, hosted by Metal Blade Records’ founder, Brian Slagel. Each week, Brian dives into one of his personally curated tracks from his list of the heaviest songs in metal and hard rock, exploring the music that shaped a genre. With special guest musicians—some who wrote and recorded these iconic songs and others who found inspiration in them—the show unearths the stories behind each track. Whether you’re a lifelong metalhead or a new fan, this podcast brings you closer to the music and the legends who define it. Joining Brian are music journalist and critic Martin Popoff, offering deep historical context for each song, and acclaimed producer Jay Ruston, who provides technical insights into how these heavy anthems were crafted. Together, they bring an all-encompassing look at the hits that set the stage for metal and continue to inspire.
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- 6 days ago50 min
Mercyful Fate - "Evil"
Mercyful Fate - "Evil" Released September 30, 1983 on the album "Melissa" Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks about the Mercyful Fate song "Evil" with Slayer guitarist Kerry King. They also discuss Rainbow, Judas Priest, Deep Purple and much more. Brian also talks to Mark Lewis about the production of the song. Martin Popoff also checks in as usual, being the font of information you've all come to expect. Watch the complete and unedited version of the Kerry King interview HERE: https://youtu.be/V5zitPwlgqk Follow Brian Slagel on social media @BrianSlagel Kerry King is @KerryKingMusic on X and Instagram and @KerryKingOfficial on Tik Tok. Mark Lewis is on Instagram @MarkLewis720 Follow the show on X and Instagram @100MetalSongs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 1 weeks ago57 min
Ghost - "Ritual"
Ghost's song "Ritual" was released on June 20, 2010, as a single ahead of their debut studio album, Opus Eponymous, which followed on October 18, 2010. Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses his appreciation for Ghost and shares stories about his association with the band, especially early on. Then, he is joined by producer Christian Bladt to look back on this podcast and look ahead to a new podcast concept that will start in January 2027. Brian also discusses the production on this song with producer Mark Lewis, and, as always, author Martin Popoff will provide historical information about the song, including facts, figures and his opinions. Watch the complete and unedited video version of Brian's conversation about Ghost, the reflection on this podcast and look ahead to the new one: https://youtu.be/5tpRMUPExSQ Follow Brian Slagel on social media @BrianSlagel Mark Lewis is on Instagram @MarkLewis720 Christian Bladt is on X & Instagram @ChristianDMZ and his podcast is The @Bladtcast Martin Popoff is on Instagram @Martin_Popoff63 Follow the show @100MetalSongs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 2 weeks ago54 min
Soungarden - "Rusty Cage"
Soundgarden - "Rusty Cage" From the album "Badmotorfinger" (Released October 8, 1981) Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks about Soundgarden's "Rusty Cage" from their breakthrough album "Badmotorfinger". He's joined by the producer of that album, Terry Date, and then he chats with comedian Dean Delray whose passion for the band runs deep. As always, author Martin Popoff checks in with facts, figures and opinions. For the complete unedited video version of the episode, go to our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/ZX8f3GJ3P9w Brian Slagel is on social media @BrianSlagel Dean Delray is @DeanDelray Martin Popoff is on Instagram @Martin_Popoff63 Follow the show on X and Instagram @100MetalSongs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 3 weeks ago53 min
Queensryche - "Eyes of a Stranger"
Queensryche - "Eyes of a Stranger" From "Operation: Mindcrime" (Released May 3, 1988) Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to musician Jacob Bunton about the great Queensryche song "Eyes of a Stranger" from their album "Operation: Mindcrime". He also discusses the production of the album with producer Jay Ruston and author Martin Popoff provides facts, figures and opinions as always. Watch the full unedited video version of the interview on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/rmRNMmSEPzw Brian Slagel is on social media @BrianSlagel Jacob Bunton is on social media @JacobBunton Jay Ruston is on social media @JayRuston Martin Popoff is on Instagram @Martin_Popoff63 You can follow the show on social media @100Metal Songs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Aug 17, 20261h 0m
Rush - "The Spirit of Radio"
Rush - "The Spirit of Radio" From the Album "Permanent Waves" Released January 14, 1980 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks about the importance of Rush's "The Spirit of Radio" with legendary sports radio and television host JT The Brick. They also discuss how JT has seen Rush 54 times (so far), whether or not the Las Vegas Raiders will be any good over the next few seasons, JT winning the first-ever Smack-Off on The Jim Rome Show and much more! Brian also talks about the production of the song with proud Canadian producer Jay Ruston, and we get our usual mixture of facts, statistics and opinon from yet ANOTHER proud Canadian, Martin Popoff. Watch a video version of the full interview on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5og4XF5V2Gc Brian Slagel is on social media @BrianSlagel JT The Brick is on X @JTTheBrick and Instagram @JTTheBrickLV Jay Ruston is on social media @JayRuston Martin Popoff is on Instagram @Martin_Popoff63 Follow the show on social media @100Metal Songs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Aug 10, 202655 min
Def Leppard - "Let It Go"
Def Leppard - "Let It Go" Release Date - July 6, 1981 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Blake Ibanez of Power Trip and Fugitive to discuss Def Leppard's "Let It Go" off of their second album "High N' Dry". Jay Ruston talks about the production on that record and author Martin Popoff brings his usual mixture of facts, figures and opinions. For the complete, unedited video version of the Blake Ibanez interview, check out our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKZSrbBBnHk Brian Slagel is on social media @BrianSlagel Blake Ibanez is on Instagram @BlkIbanez Jay Ruston is on Instagram & X @JayRuston Martin Popoff is on Instagram @Martin_Popoff63 Follow the show on social media @100Metal Songs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Aug 3, 202650 min
Motley Crue - "Livewire"
Motley Crue - "Livewire" From the album Too Fast For Love (originally released on Leathur Records in November 10, 1981 and again on Elektra Records August 20, 1982) Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to the producer of this show Christian Bladt about the first Motley Crue song on their first record, "Livewire" from 1981's "Too Fast for Love". They discuss the history of the band and the scene they came out of, following the evolution of what some people call "hair metal". Jay Ruston also comes by to discuss the production on the song and both versions of the album, and our resident doctor of metal, Martin Popoff provides his unique mix of facts, figures and opinion. For the complete, unedited version of the Christian Bladt interview, go to: https://youtu.be/g7nNbhx9nYE Brian Slagel is on social media @BrianSlagel Christian Bladt is on social media @ChristianDMZ Jay Ruson is on social media @JayRuston Martin Popoff is on Instagram @martin_popoff63 Follow the show on X and Instagram @100MetalSongs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jul 27, 202640 min
Black Sabbath - "Heaven and Hell"
Black Sabbath - "Heaven and Hell" From the album of the same name, released April 25, 1980 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bassist and lyricist for Black Sabbath, Geezer Butler. They discuss the song "Heaven and Hell", the pivotal moment in Sabbath's history where Ronnie James Dio joined the band, and they also discuss the follow-up album "Mob Rules". Brian also talks about the production of the song with Mark Lewis, who talks about how this is one of the greatest and most important songs in his life. We also check in with author Martin Popoff to give us some historical information and his well-informed opinions. Watch the complete, unedited interview with Geezer Butler: https://youtu.be/wZg3zywLe_Y Brian Slagel is on social media @BrianSlagel Geezer Butler is on Instagram and X @GeezerButler Mark Lewis is on Instagram @MarkLewis720 Follow the show on X and Instagram @100MetalSongs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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About 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal
100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal is the ultimate journey into the heart of heavy music, hosted by Metal Blade Records’ founder, Brian Slagel. Each week, Brian dives into one of his personally curated tracks from his list of the heaviest songs in metal and hard rock, exploring the music that shaped a genre. With special guest musicians—some who wrote and recorded these iconic songs and others who found inspiration in them—the show unearths the stories behind each track. Whether you’re a lifelong metalhead or a new fan, this podcast brings you closer to the music and the legends who define it. Joining Brian are music journalist and critic Martin Popoff, offering deep historical context for each song, and acclaimed producer Jay Ruston, who provides technical insights into how these heavy anthems were crafted. Together, they bring an all-encompassing look at the hits that set the stage for metal and continue to inspire.
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