100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to longtime Billy Idol collaborator, guitarist Steve Stevens about Scorpions "Catch Your Train", the band's Uli Jon Roth era, the 70's rock scene in and around New York, what he thinks of Yungblud and much more. Producer Jay Ruston discusses the production on this song and Martin Popoff provides historical context and information about the song. Visit our...

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Cannibal Corpse bassist and songwriter Alex Webster. They discuss the song "Scourge of Iron" from the band's 2012 album "Torture", Alex's musical background and influence, the extreme vocals of death metal and the evolution of the band's sound throughout their career. There's also focus on the production of the song, which Mark Lewis provides some...

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by King's X bassist and singer Dug Pinnick. They discuss the band's career, how the band feels about their early collaboration with Sam Taylor and what it was like making the 1992 self-titled album that was their last with Sam. The primary focus is on one the band's most-streamed songs, "Black Flag". There's also focus on the production of the song, w...

This week, producer Jay Ruston has been promoted to the primary guest, talking to Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel about Rush's "Anthem", a song that was suggested by fellow Canadian and fellow contributor to this show, author Martin Popoff. Producer Mark Lewis also talks about the production of this song. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Iron Maiden's epic "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" with Vaughn Lewis of Unchained Management, who represent Killswitch Engage, Canninbal Corpse, Queensryche and White Chapel among others. Vaughn is a huge Maiden fan, and he and Brian have a conversation of an appropriate length for a song that is nearly 14 minutes long. Brian also talks about the produc...

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Anthrax's Charlie Benante to talk about "Deuce" by Kiss -- both the studio version on their debut album and the version that kicks off "Kiss Alive!" Jay Ruston talks about the production and Martin Popoff puts the song in its historical context with some great information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Megadeth's "Holy Wars...The Punishment Due" with longtime bassist for the band David Ellefson. Jay Ruston discusses the production and our friend Martin Popoff provides not only his longest segment ever for this show, but his most fiery . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brendan Brown from the band Wheatus joins Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel to discuss the AC/DC classic "Let There Be Rock". Brian also talks about the production of the song with Bill Metoyer and, as always, author Martin Popoff gives us all the facts and figures you'll need to put this song in its historical perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Foghat's Roger Earl to talk about their song "Easy Money". Jay Ruston talks about the production of the song and author Martin Popoff provides facts, figures and historical context for the song. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katon De Pena of Hirax joins Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel to discss the iconic Judas Priest song "Exciter", which some people consider to be the first-ever speed metal song. Brian also discusses the production of the song with Jay Ruston and, as always, we get some facts and historical context from Canada's own Martin Popoff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Musician-comedian Dave Hill talks to Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel about the song "Angel Witch" by the band Angel Witch, from their debut album, Angel Witch. Bill Metoyer also discusses the production on the song, and why it sounds so good for that era, and author Martin Popoff puts the song into historical context. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel starts off the show with a remembrance of the great Ace Frehley. Then, he discusses Six Feet Under's "Lycanthropy" with author Martin Popoff, producer Bill Metoyer and the singer for the band, and founding member of Cannibal Corpse, Chris Barnes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Aerosmith's "Rats in the Cellar" with the producer and co-creator of this show, Christian Bladt, who hosts his own show, The Bladtcast. Producer Jay Ruston also discusses the song, as does author Martin Popoff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by guitarist Stoney Curtis to discuss Kiss's "Detroit Rock City" from their landmark album "Destroyer". Brian also talks about the production of the song and the album with producer Jay Ruston, and, as always, author Martin Popoff gives some historical perspective to the song. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Sirius XM personality and former co-host of That Metal Show Eddie Trunk to discuss UFO's "Love to Love" (both the studio and live versions). Brian also talks about the production of both versions with Jay Ruston, and, as always, author Martin Popoff provides some historical context for the song. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks about Deicide's "Dead By Dawn" with Monte Conner, the former senior vice president of A&R for Roadrunner Records and current head of A&R at Nuclear Blast Records. Producer Mark Lewis also talks about why this song was so important to him, and, as always, author Martin Popoff provides some historical context to the song. Learn more about your ad choices. V...

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to Chef Curtis Duffy about Danzig, particularly the song "Twist of Cain". He also discusses his restaurant in Chicago, Ever, his new book "Fireproof", some of his favorite concerts of all time, and what it was like to be at Black Sabbath's "Back to the Beginning" show. Producer Jay Ruston also discusses this song and the first Danzig solo album it was fea...

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Sirius XM host Jose Mangin to talk about the importance of Sepultura's "Dead Embryonic Cells", the current incarnation of Pantera, Jose's charity Headbang for Science and an incredible story about backstage at a Sepultura-Pantera-Prong show in the 90's. Also: Producer Mark Lewis takes a look at the production on the song and author Martin Popoff gi...

Metal Blade Records CEO discusses the production on Metallica's "Spit Out The Bone" from the album "Hardwired to Self-Destruct" with that album's producer, Greg Fidleman. Then, chef Chris Santos returns to the show to talk about the song, the likelihood of a Metallica residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas and whether or not they will ever get the opportunity to perform at halftime during the Super...

This week, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined in The Space studio in Las Vegas by In Flames guitarist Chris Broderick to discuss King Diamond's "Welcome Home". Producer Mark Lewis and author Martin Popoff also share their thoughts on the song, and this era of King Diamond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO talks to Scott Ian of Anthrax about AC/DC's "Sin City". He also talks about the production of the song with producer Mark Lewis and, as always, author Martin Popoff checks in to give us some historical context for the song. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NHRA Funny Car Driver Ron Capps joins Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel to discuss both the studio and live versions of Judas Priest's "Victim of Changes". Brian also discusses the production of the song with producer Jay Ruston, and author Martin Popoff helps put the song into historical perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks about UFO's "Rock Bottom" with guitarist Phil Demmel, producer Jay Ruston and as always, author Martin Popoff provides some historical perspective with facts and opinion from the song's release. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel breaks the format of the show to commemorate the passing of The Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne. He discusses Black Sabbath, Ozzy's solo work, the reality show and everything in between with returning guests comedian Don Jamieson and producers Bill Metoyer and Mark Lewis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices