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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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- 3 days ago40 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
- 1 weeks ago57 min
Iron Maiden - "Powerslave"
Iron Maiden - "Powerlsave" from the album of the same name Released in Europe September 3, 1984 and in the US September 14, 1984 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to Gabriela Gun of Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Ghost about "Powerslave", the amazing title track of the equally incredible album of the same name. Brian also talks about the production with Jay Ruston and author Martin Popoff checks in with he customary facts, figures, information and opinion. Watch the complete unedited interview with Gabriela Gun on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/V37ZkHY_IbE Brian Slagel is on social media @BrianSlagel Gabriela Gun is on Instagram @GabrielaGunOfficial and @TheGabrielaGunn on X Jay Ruston is on social media @JayRuston Martin Popoff's website is MartinPopoff.com Follow 100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal on social media @100MetalSongs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 2 weeks ago53 min
Gojira - "The Heaviest Matter of the Universe"
Gojira - "The Heaviest Matter of the Universe" From the album "From Mars to Sirius" RELEASED September 27, 2005 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Steve Carey from the band Senses Fail to discuss Gojira's "Heaviest Matter of the Universe". Ryan Williams also checks in to talk about the production on the song, and author Martin Popoff provides even more information than usual about this song and the band Gojira. Watch the complete, unedited video version of the episode: https://youtu.be/JsZ5wLuHR3Q Brian Slagel is on X, Instagram and Tik Tok @BrianSlagel Steve Carey is on X @TCMSteve and Instagram @SteveCarey Ryan Williams is on Instagram @AugmentedRyan Follow the show @100MetalSongs on Instagram and Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 3 weeks ago54 min
Metallica - "Orion"
Metallica - "Orion" released March 3,1986 from the album "Master of Puppets" Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to filmmaker Sam Dunn about Metallica's epic instrumental, "Orion". They also discuss Slayer, Iron Maiden and some of the films he's made through his company Banger Films. Jay Ruston also discusses the production on "Orion" and author Martin Popoff provides his usual combination of facts, information and opinon. Check out the unedited video version of the Sam Dunn interview on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/KOS5wo4aDug Brian Slagel is on social media @BrianSlagel Sam Dunn's Banger Films is on social media @BangerFilms Jay Ruston is on social media @JayRuston Martin Popoff's website is MartinPopoff.com Follow 100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal on social media @100MetalSongs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 29, 20261h 2m
AC/DC - "Hells Bells"
AC/DC - "Hells Bells" From the album "Back In Black" Released Halloween 1980 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel welcomes back to the show Adam Rank from NFL Network and The Jim Rome Show to discuss the first track on AC/DC's "Back in Black" album, "Hells Bells". He also discusses the production of the song with Metal Blade's Ryan Williams. There's also the usual background, facts and opinions from author Martin Popoff. Watch the complete, unedited interview on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/8piwtHOEBcw?si=Z61Rn47wlNFxVy1n Brian Slagel is on X and Instagram @BrianSlagel Adam Rank is on X @AdamRank and Instagram @AdamRankNFL Ryan Williams is on X and Instagram @AugmentedRyan Martin Popoff is on X @Popoff Martin Follow 100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal on X, Instagram and TikTok @100Metal Songs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 22, 202656 min
Black Sabbath - "Symptom of the Universe"
Black Sabbath - "Symptom of the Universe" From the Album "Sabatoge", released July 28, 1975 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by actor-comedian Brian Posehn to talk about Black Sabbath's "Symptom of the Universe", Brian's favorite Sabbath song from his Sabbath album. We also get the usual background, facts, figures and opinions from author Martin Popoff, who says that this is also his favorite Black Sabbath song. Plus, a conversation on the production of the song and the record from Mark Lewis. Watch the unedited video version of Brian's interview with Brian Posehn on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/LRT5aVCmmQg Watch the unedited video version of Brian's conversation about this song with producer Mark Lewis: Brian Slagel is on X and Instagram @BrianSlagel Brian Posehn is on X @TheBrianPosehn and Instagram @BrianPosehn Mark Lewis is on Instagram @MarkLewis720 Follow 100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal @100MetalSongs on X and Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 15, 202647 min
Slayer - "South of Heaven"
Slayer "South of Heaven" from the album of the same name. RELEASED : July 5, 1988 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks about the title track from Slayer's 1988 album "South of Heaven" with Chris Kael of Five Finger Death Punch who also co-hosts the "Beardo and Weirdo" podcast with comedian Craig Gass. Brian also discusses the production on this song with Mark Lewis, and author Martin Popoff checks in with his usual mixture of history, facts, figures and opinion. For the complete, unedited video version of the Chris Kael interview: https://youtu.be/keYiHcSC33o?si=qWyVun2a7hnPMj3w Brian Slagel is on X and Instagram @BrianSlagel Chris Kael is on X and Instagram @5fdpchriskael Mark Lewis is on Instagram @MarkLewis720 Follow 100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal @100MetalSongs on X and Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 8, 202650 min
Iron Maiden - "Number of the Beast"
Iron Maiden - "Number of the Beast" from the album of the same name Released March 22, 1982 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to Queensryche lead singer Todd La Torre about Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast". Producer Jay Ruston returns to discuss the production on the song, and author Martin Popoff offers up some unique opinions while providing facts and figures about the song. For the complete, unedited video version of the Todd La Torre interview, where you will see the many technical difficulties that arose during the recording of the interview, click here: https://youtu.be/LDpb0QOKIoo Brian Slagel is on X and Instagram @BrianSlagel Todd La Torre is on Instagram @ToddLaTorreOfficial Jay Ruston is on X and Instagram @JayRuston Follow 100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal @100MetalSongs on X and Instagram 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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