Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Riot's "Swords & Tequilia" with television and film writer-producer Brian Koppelman and music producer Mark Lewis. As always, author Martin Popoff puts the song into its historical context.

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Continuing our conversations recorded at the Rock N Pod Expo in Nashville, comedian Courtney Cronin joins Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel to discuss the Kiss song "War Machine". Brian also discusses the song with producer Jay Ruston, and as always, author Martin Popoff puts the song into context of its release in 1982.

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Comedian Don Jaimeson is back to discuss Motorhead's "Overkill" with Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel, who also discusses the production of the song with producer Mark Lewis. As always, author Martin Popoff gives us some historical perspective on the song.

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In our final installment recorded at the 2025 Rock n Pod Expo in Nashville, comedian Craig Gass returns to the show to talk to Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel about a somewhat controversial Anthrax song, "Only", which was their first single released with John Busch on vocals. Jay Ruston discusses the production of the song, and, as always, author Martin Popoff provides historical analysis.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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