100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

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... more

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The podcast currently has 99 episodes available.

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Number 1: Ghost - "Ritual"
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 07, 202658min
Number 2: Soungarden - "Rusty Cage"
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 31, 202655min
Number 3: Queensryche - "Eyes of a Stranger"
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 24, 202654min
Number 4: Rush - "The Spirit of Radio"
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 17, 20261h 1min
Number 5: Motley Crue - "Livewire"
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 03, 202651min