This week, we break format: our weekly one-man encyclopedia of rock and metal (and the author of 138 books) Martin Popoff spends time in the guest chair talking to Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel about Rainbow's "Gates of Babylon". Producer Jay Ruston also talks about the production on this song by the great Martin Birch.

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In this extended episode, Wrestling Champion / Actor / Musician / Podcaster CHRIS JERICHO joins Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel to discuss the Iron Maiden song "The Wicker Man" and its importance in the history of the band, establishing the "comeback era" after Bruce and Adrian returned to the band.

Brian also talks about the production of the song with Mark Lewis and author Martin Popoff provides some historical context to the release of the song.

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Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Blue Oyster Cult founding member Albert Bouchard to discuss working with producer Martin Birch, their song "Fire of Unknown Origin" and the record of the same name, which includes the mega-hit "Burnin' for You". Brian also discusses production with Jay Ruston and author Martin Popoff puts the song into the historical context of its release in 1981.

For more on Albert Bouchard, be sure to go to albertbouchard.net

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Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Rock n Roll Hall of Famer and the bassist in the original Alice Cooper group, Dennis Dunaway, to discuss past and present collaborations with Alice, especially the band's epic song "Halo of Flies". Jay Ruston talks about the production on the song and author Martin Popoff puts it in its historical context.

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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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