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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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