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PODCAST

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

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All Episodes

53:10

Aerosmith - "Make It"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2026/04/13

Aerosmith - "Make It"Released January 5, 1973 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by his Metal Blade colleague Mike Faley to talk about discusses "Make It" from the debut Aerosmith album. This show's producer Christian Bladt talks about the production of that song and the enitre debut album, and, a s always, Martin Popoff provides historical context and information about the song. You can watch the entire unedited version of the interview

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61:38

Slipknot - "Surfacing"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2026/04/06

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Slipknot's "Surfacing" from their debut record with the producer of that album, Ross Robinson, and Zach Johnson from the band The Ghost Inside. As always, Martin Popoff provides historical context and information about the song. You can watch the entire unedited version of the interview HERE: https://youtu.be/9EI8pSP6mRM Follow Ross Robinson on Instagram @Ross_Robinson Follow Zach Johnson on Instagram @zachjayjohnson Follow Brian Slagel on

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49:10

Back Sabbath "N.I.B."

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2026/03/30

SONG -Black Sabbath : "N.I.B"Released Friday February 13, 1970 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Black Sabbath's "N.I.B." with the bands longtime manager, and wife of Geezer Butler. They also discuss the different eras of Sabbath, Halestorm, Ghost and even some of the best things to do in Las Vegas, where they both live. Producer Mark Lewis also discusses the production of the song and Martin Popoff provides all sorts of useful information and historical context. You can

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49:15

Mercyful Fate - "The Oath"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2026/03/23

SONG - Mercyful Fate : "The Oath"Released September 7, 1984 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses the Mercyful Fate song "The Oath", the quasi-title track from 1984's "Don't Break The Oath" with actor-musician-host Elliott Fullam. They also discuss his heavy metal upbringing, his Little Punk People interviews, current musical endeavors and his role in both "Terrifier 2" and "Terrifier 3". Producer Mark Lewis also discusses the production of the song and Martin Popoff provides all

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52:25

Coheed and Cambria - "Welcome Home"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2026/03/16

SONG - Coheed and Cambria "Welcome Home"Release Date - September 20, 2005 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to Claudio Sanchez of Coheed and Cambria about their song "Welcome Home", his writing process, his career, the other forms of media he uses for storytelling and much more. Ryan Williams also discusses the production of the song with Brian and author Martin Popoff shares a wealth of information about the song. You can watch the entire unedited version of the interview

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50:45

Ozzy Osbourne - "Bark at the Moon"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2026/03/09

Ozzy Osbourne - "Bark at the Moon"Released November 15, 1983 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses his favorite Ozzy Osbourne song, "Bark at the Moon" with Adam Rank from the NFL Network and The Jim Rome After Hour. Brian also discusses the production of the song with Bill Metoyer, and as always, author Martin Popoff provides some historical context as to why this is one of the 100 songs that define heavy metal. Watch the complete, unedited interview on our YouTube

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45:59

Dio - "Holy Diver"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2026/03/02

Dio - "Holy Diver"Released May 25, 1983 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks about the life and legacy of Ronnie James Dio and the song "Holy Diver" with Ronnie's wife and manager, Wendy Dio. Wendy also discusses her ongoing work as part of the Dio Cancer Fund, including an event coming up this Spring in Southern California. Ryan Williams returns to discuss the production on "Holy Diver" and Martin Popoff has his usually wealth of information about the song. To watch the complete,

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49:45

Deep Purple - "Highway Star"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2026/02/23

Deep Purple - "Highway Star"Released March 30, 1972 on the album "Machine Head" Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by the former host of MTV's Headbanger's Ball Riki Rachtman to discuss the first really heavy song either of them ever heard as kids: Deep Purple's "Highway Star". They discuss the importance of that song, the greatness of the album and the band, plus some other musical firsts, including first album and first rock poster on their walls. Brian also discusses the

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50:45

Slayer - "Chemical Warfare"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2026/02/16

Slayer - "Chemical Warfare"Released August 4, 1984 on the EP Haunting the Chapel Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by the man known on Tik Tok as Metal Horror Madman, who has built a reputation for being passionate for metal, a defender of Slayer who goes so far as to scream about it. They discuss his discovery of Slayer, his love of the band and what stands out about "Chemical Warfare". Brian also discusses Slayer's production and specifically this track with Bill Metoyer who

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48:57

Cirith Ungol - "King of the Dead"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2026/02/09

In this episode, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by the Executive Producer and Co-Creator of "Dark Side of the Ring" and the recent series of heavy metal documentaries, "Into the Void" about the song that he chose as the theme music for that series, Cirith Ungol's "Into the Void". Brian also talks about the production on this record with Bill Metoyer, whom Brian worked with on the production of Cirith Ungol's follow-up record, 1986's "One Foot In Hell". Author Martin Popoff

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54:09

Accept - "Fast As A Shark"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2026/02/02

Accept - "Fast As A Shark"Released in November of 1982, on their album "Restless and Wild" Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is reunited with his former co-host for the "Metal Misconduct" podcast for the NHL, Shawn Roarke, who is the director of editorial for NHL.com. They discuss some of their memories of doing that podcast, and how easily the episodes can still be found. They primary focus for the interview the importance of Accept's "Fast As A Shark", and how the case can be made that

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60:29

Ministry - "Just One Fix"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2026/01/26

Ministry - "Just One Fix"Released on June 14, 1992 on their album commonly known as "Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs" In this episode, Metal Blade Records CEO talks about the importance of the industrial sound to the legacy of heavy metal by focusing on Ministry's "Just One Fix". Current Ministry guitarist Monte Pittman talks about the song and how much fun it is to play it in their live shows. Monte also talks about starting his career and his long collaboration with

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56:18

METALLICA - "Hit The Lights"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2026/01/19

Metallica - "Hit The Lights" Originally Released as part of the first Metal Massacre compilation (6/14/82) In this episode, Metal Blade Records CEO takes us all the way back to the beginning, with one of the songs featured on the original Metal Massacre compilation, Metallica's "Hit The Lights", which is the first song the band ever recorded. Joining him for his walk down memory lane is Associate Producer on the album, John Kornarens. Brian and John talk about how they befriended a young Lars

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51:15

Scorpions - "Catch Your Train"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2026/01/12

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to longtime Billy Idol collaborator, guitarist Steve Stevens about Scorpions "Catch Your Train", the band's Uli Jon Roth era, the 70's rock scene in and around New York, what he thinks of Yungblud and much more.Producer Jay Ruston discusses the production on this song and Martin Popoff provides historical context and information about the song. Visit our YouTube Channel for a longer, uncut version of this

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49:14

Cannibal Corpse - "Scourge of Iron"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2026/01/05

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Cannibal Corpse bassist and songwriter Alex Webster. They discuss the song "Scourge of Iron" from the band's 2012 album "Torture", Alex's musical background and influence, the extreme vocals of death metal and the evolution of the band's sound throughout their career. There's also focus on the production of the song, which Mark Lewis provides some unique insight, as he produced the follow-up album. As always, author Martin Popoff puts the song

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47:50

King's X - "Black Flag"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2025/12/22

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by King's X bassist and singer Dug Pinnick. They discuss the band's career, how the band feels about their early collaboration with Sam Taylor and what it was like making the 1992 self-titled album that was their last with Sam. The primary focus is on one the band's most-streamed songs, "Black Flag".There's also focus on the production of the song, which Jay Ruston joins Brian to discuss, and as always, author Martin Popoff puts the song into

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54:30

Rush - "Anthem"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2025/12/14

This week, producer Jay Ruston has been promoted to the primary guest, talking to Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel about Rush's "Anthem", a song that was suggested by fellow Canadian and fellow contributor to this show, author Martin Popoff. Producer Mark Lewis also talks about the production of this song.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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62:15

Iron Maiden - "Rime of the Ancient Mariner"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2025/12/08

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Iron Maiden's epic "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" with Vaughn Lewis of Unchained Management, who represent Killswitch Engage, Canninbal Corpse, Queensryche and White Chapel among others. Vaughn is a huge Maiden fan, and he and Brian have a conversation of an appropriate length for a song that is nearly 14 minutes long. Brian also talks about the production with Jay Ruston and author Martin Popoff provides enough facts and figures to put the song in its

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50:13

Kiss - "Deuce"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2025/12/01

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Anthrax's Charlie Benante to talk about "Deuce" by Kiss -- both the studio version on their debut album and the version that kicks off "Kiss Alive!" Jay Ruston talks about the production and Martin Popoff puts the song in its historical context with some great information.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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57:26

Megadeth - "Holy Wars...The Punishment Due"

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal ·

2025/11/24

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Megadeth's "Holy Wars...The Punishment Due" with longtime bassist for the band David Ellefson. Jay Ruston discusses the production and our friend Martin Popoff provides not only his longest segment ever for this show, but his most fiery . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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