100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

In another of our interviews from the RockNPod Expo in Nashville, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talked to Ron Keel about Steeler's "Cold Day in Hell", the first song on the first-ever Metal Blade release, the original "Metal Massacre". Producer Bill Metoyer also discusses the production on this recording of the song and how it compared to the version on the first Steeler record. Martin Popoff also provides background on the song, which is the first US recording featuring Yngwie Malmsteen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Still in Nashville, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to Chaney Crabb of Entheos about Cynic's song "Veil of Maya". He also discusses the production of the song with producer Jason Suecof and our friend Martin Popoff talks about the historical significance of the song. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back at the Rock n Pod Expo in Nashville, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to Billy Sheehan about a band he has been very vocal over the years about not being a fan of in Led Zeppelin, but surprisingly really enjoyed their song "How Many More Times" from their first album. He also chats with producer-musician Butch Vig about the song, and, as always, the great Martin Popoff provides incredibly background information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Still in Nashville for the Rock N Pod Expo, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses the King's X song "Dogman" with actor-comedian Hal Sparks, producer Mark Lewis and author Martin Popoff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once again from the Rock N Pod Expo in Nashville, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Iron Maiden's "Murders in the Rue Morgue" with Sirius XM DJ and co-host of Rock Strap from Pantheon Media, Keith Roth. Brian also visits producer Mark Lewis's home studio to talk Maiden, and, as always, we hear from author Martin Popoff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode begins our "Nashville Set": about two months worth of episodes primarily recorded at the Rock N Pod Expo in Nashville. At the Expo, our host, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel caught up with legendary A & R man Tom Zutaut who signed Guns N' Roses to Geffen. Their primary focus was the song "It's So Easy", which Brian also discussed with producer Mark Lewis at his home studio, with tremendous information as always from author Martin Popoff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses the importance of the Armored Saint album "Symbol of Salvation" and specifically the song "Reign of Fire" with the band's bassist Joey Vera, producer extraordinaire Mark Lewis and author Martin Popoff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses the title track from Judas Priest's album "Screaming for Vengeance" with producer Mark Lewis, author Martin Popoff and comedian Dean Delray, who also talks about his first comedy special, produced by Bill Burr, filmed in a cave in Tennessee and available on his You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@deandelray Our friends at HeroCarePackages.com can help you show your support and uplift our service members with your own customizable package. You'll get 10% off if you use the code METAL 1982. The code METAL1982 will also save you 15% on your order from OldGlory.com for concert, sports or entertainment merchandise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel welcomes to the show the first artist he ever signed, Betsy Bitch of the band Bitch, to discuss Alice Cooper's "I'm Eighteen". Jay Ruston also shares his thoughts on the production of the song while author Martin Popoff brings his usual encyclopedic knowledge of rock n roll. Our friends at HeroCarePackages.com can help you show your support and uplift our service members with your own customizable package. You'll get 10% off if you use the code METAL1982. The code METAL1982 will also save you 15% on your order from OldGlory.com for concert, sports or entertainment merchandise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Slayer's "Raining Blood" with that band's drummer Dave Lombardo, producer Jay Ruston and author Martin Popoff. Make sure to check out our friends at HeroPackages.com to show your support and uplift our service members with your own customizable package. Enter the code METAL1982 to get 10% off. You can also use that code, METAL1982 at OldGlory.com to get 15% off your order on concert, sports or entertainment merchandise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Megadeth's "Peace Sells" with author Martin Popoff, producer Mark Lewis and Chris DeMakes from Less Than Jake, Make sure to check out our friends at HeroCarePackages.com to show your support and uplift our service members with your own customizable package. Enter the code METAL 1982 to get 10% off. You can also use the code METAL1982 at OldGlory.com to get 15% off your order on concert, sports or entertainment merchandise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks about the song "Awaken" from the band Dethklok, who grew out of the Adult Swim series "Metalocalypse" with the creator and songwriter Brendon Small. Brian also talks about the song with producer Mark Lewis and rock and heavy metal author, "Doctor" Martin Popoff. Make sure to check out our friends at HeroCarePackages.Com to show your support and uplift our service members with your own customizable package. Enter the code METAL1982 to get 10% off. You can also use the code METAL1982 at OldGlory.Com to get 15% off your order on concert, sports or entertainment merchandise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Slayer's "Hell Awaits" with author Martin Popoff, producer Bill Metoyer (who produced the record) and guitarist Blasko (who has played with Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie and Cryptic Slaugher. Be sure to check out our friends at Old Glory and when you order at OldGlory.com, be sure to use the promo code Metal1982 to get 15% off your order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses the King Diamond classic "The 7th Day of July 1777" with author Martin Popoff, producer Marc Lewis and King Diamond guitarist Andy La Rocque, who played on this song. Be sure to check out our friends at Old Glory and when you order at OldGlory.Com, make sure to use the promo code Metal1982. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses the Van Halen classic "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love". As always, he's joined by author Martin Popoff, producer Mark Lewis and musician Rob Caggiano, formerly of Volbeat and Anthrax. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host and Metal Bade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusss System of a Down's "Hypnotize". As always, Brian checks in with author Martin Popoff. Then he talks about the production of the record with Dave Schiffman before visiting with comedian Craig Gass. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host and CEO of Metal Blade Records Brian Slagel discusses the great Amon Amarth song "Twilight of the Thunder God" with author Martin Popoff, producer Marc Lewis and Amon Amarth's Johan Hegg. Be sure to check out our friends at Old Glory and every order at OldGlory.Com, make sure to use the promo code Metal1982. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Host and Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel tackles a band that he absolutely considers to be a metal band, despite their characterization as part of the early 90's Seattle grunge scene: Alice in Chains and their song "Them Bones" which leads off their album "Dirt". To discuss the song with Brian are author and rock and metal historian Martin Popoff, producer Mark Lewis and the man who signed Alice in Chains to their record deal, the band's A & R manager Nick Terzo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host and CEO of Metal Blade Records Brian Slagel discusses the classic Pantera song "Cowboys From Hell". As always, he's joined by author Martin Popoff, then, producer Mark Lewis examines the production of the song, and finally Nick Stewart of Power Trip talks about the band's influence on his band, who are about to head out on a European tour with the current version of Pantera. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Host and CEO of Metal Blade Records Brian Slagel focuses on Motorhead's "Ace of Spades. Joining him are author Martin Popoff, producer Bill Metoyer (who also talks about this week's wildfires in Los Angeles) and comedian Jim Florentine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Cannibal Corpse's "Hammer Smashed Face" with the band's drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz, producer Jay Ruston and, as always, author Martin Popoff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host and CEO of Metal Blade Records Brian Slagel discusses Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" with author Martin Popoff, "Bladtcast" and "Who Are These Broadcasters?" host and producer Christian Bladt (who co-created this show) and Martin Rind of Sacred Reich, who covered the song on their album "Surf Nicaragua". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host and CEO of Metal Blade Records Brian Slagel discusses Blue Oyster Cult's "Astronomy" with author Martin Popoff, producer Jay Ruston and current Blue Oyster Cult member Richie Castellano. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host and CEO of Metal Blade Records Brian Slagel talks about Judas Priest's "You've Got Another Thing Comin'" with author Martin Popoff, producer Jay Ruston and Steffan Chirazi of The Metallica Report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host and CEO of Metal Blade Records Brian Slagel discusses Thin Lizzy's Jailbreak with author Martin Popoff, producer Jay Ruston and comedian / host of Pantheon Podcasts' "Rock Strap", Don Jamieson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO discusses Slayer's "Black Magic" with producer Bill Matoyer and slayer guitarist Kerry King. Plus. as with every episode, some facts and figures about the song from author Martin Popoff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Brian Slagel of Metal Blade records talks about Anthrax's "Caught in a Mosh" with author Martin Popoff, producer Jay Ruston and Anthrax bassist Frank Bello. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records breaks down Armored Saint's "March of the Saint" with author Martin Popoff, producer Jay Ruston and Armored Saint singer John Bush. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Metallica's "One" with author Martin Popoff, producer Jay Ruston and chef Chris Santos of "Chopped". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the debut episode of "100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal", Metal Blade Records CEO and your host Brian Slagel examines Alice Cooper's "Elected" with author Martin Popoff, producer Jay Ruston and musician Lizzy Borden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal, 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. Subscribe to 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal and discover the unforgettable songs that live at the core of heavy music, one groundbreaking track at a time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices