100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

Iron Maiden - "Hallowed Be Thy Name" from the album "Number of the Beast" released in the US March 22, 1982 and in the UK March 29, 1982 This episode is officially the last in line, the number one song that defined heavy metal, the favorite song of our host, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel. To discuss this song, he invited back on the show the only person who might be as big of a Maiden fan a...

Rainbow - "Stargazer / A Light in the Black" from the album "Rising" released May 17, 1976. Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel welcomes back to the show radio and TV host Eddie Trunk to discuss Brian's second favorite song of all time (which is actually two songs that he just can't separate): Rainbow's "Stargazer" and "A Light in the Black". They also discuss the entire Rainbow catalogue, and ho...

Metallica - "Enter Sandman" Released as a single on July 29, 1991. The music video was released July 30, 1991 and the album "Metallica" (AKA "The Black Album") was released August 12, 1991. Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Metallica's "Enter Sandman" and catches up with his old friend Brian Lew who photographed Metallica extensively in the early days, and his work is part of the docu...

Mercyful Fate - "Evil" Released September 30, 1983 on the album "Melissa" Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks about the Mercyful Fate song "Evil" with Slayer guitarist Kerry King. They also discuss Rainbow, Judas Priest, Deep Purple and much more. Brian also talks to Mark Lewis about the production of the song. Martin Popoff also checks in as usual, being the font of information you've all...

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 n...

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,...

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 t...

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...

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...

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 sc...

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...

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 c...

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 t...

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...

AC/DC - "Hells Bells" From the album "Back In Black" Released Halloween 1980 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel welcomes back to the show Adam Rank from NFL Network and The Jim Rome Show to discuss the first track on AC/DC's "Back in Black" album, "Hells Bells". He also discusses the production of the song with Metal Blade's Ryan Williams. There's also the usual background, facts and opinions fr...

Black Sabbath - "Symptom of the Universe" From the Album "Sabatoge", released July 28, 1975 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by actor-comedian Brian Posehn to talk about Black Sabbath's "Symptom of the Universe", Brian's favorite Sabbath song from his Sabbath album. We also get the usual background, facts, figures and opinions from author Martin Popoff, who says that this is also his...

Slayer "South of Heaven" from the album of the same name. RELEASED : July 5, 1988 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks about the title track from Slayer's 1988 album "South of Heaven" with Chris Kael of Five Finger Death Punch who also co-hosts the "Beardo and Weirdo" podcast with comedian Craig Gass. Brian also discusses the production on this song with Mark Lewis, and author Martin Popoff...

Iron Maiden - "Number of the Beast" from the album of the same name Released March 22, 1982 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to Queensryche lead singer Todd La Torre about Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast". Producer Jay Ruston returns to discuss the production on the song, and author Martin Popoff offers up some unique opinions while providing facts and figures about the song. For the...

Metallica - "Creeping Death" From the album "Ride the Lightning" Released November 23, 1984 In this episode, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Mike Hamer of the Violent Gentlemen clothing line to discuss Metallica's "Creeping Death". Brian also discusses the production of Metallica's "Creeping Death" with Metal Blade's Ryan Williams. As always, author Martin Popoff provides histori...

Queensryche - "Roads to Madness" RELEASED September 7, 1984 on the album "The Warning" Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses the final track on Queensryche's full-length debut, The Warning: "Roads to Madness". He talks to producer Zeuss, who has produced the last three Queensryche albums and then Adam Wodon of CollegeHockeyNews. Com who is a huge fan of the band. As always, Martin Popoff...

Jimi Hendrix - "All Along The Watchtover" First released as a single September 21, 1968 and was later featured on the Electric Ladyland album, released in October 16, 1968. (Originally recorded by Bob Dyland and released on the "John Wesley Harding" album December 27, 1967. In this episode, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by guitarist Stoney Curtis talk about the impact of Jimi Hend...

Black Sabbath - "Into The Void" Release Date July 21, 1971 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks about the importance of the Black Sabbath song "Into The Void" with singer John Corabi (who has worked with Motley Crue, Ratt, The Dead Daisies among many others). John also talks about the underappreciated impact of Grand Funk Railroad and how he was able to see the original Sabbath perform live...

Fates Warning - "A Pleasant Shade of Gray" Released April 22, 1997 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to Fates Warning singer Ray Alder about their 1997 album "A Pleasant Shade of Gray": an entire album made up of one song. He also talks about the production of the record with Bill Metoyer, who did some engineering on the album. As always, author Martin Popoff provides some historical sign...

Kiss - "Love Gun" Released June 30, 1977 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discussed the title track from the 1977 Kiss album "Love Gun". First up, he hears from author Martin Popoff about the historical significance and impact of the song. Then, this show's producer Christian Bladt discusses more of the background and production of the song. Finally, the co-host of Morning Skate Scott Laughlin...

UFO - "Let It Roll" The original studio version of UFO's "Let It Roll" was released on the album Force It on July 1, 1975.  The popular live version from the album Strangers in the Night was released on January 16, 1979 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks about UFO's "Let It Roll" with renowned producer and founder of Shrapnel Records, Mike Varney. Jay Ruston discusses the production with B...