100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

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 pro...

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....

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...

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

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

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

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. Le...

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 Popo...

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

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 incr...

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

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

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...

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses the importance of the Armored Saint album "Symbol of Salvation" and specifically the song "Reign of Fire" with the band's bassist Joey Vera, producer extraordinaire Mark Lewis and author Martin Popoff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses the title track from Judas Priest's album "Screaming for Vengeance" with producer Mark Lewis, author Martin Popoff and comedian Dean Delray, who also talks about his first comedy special, produced by Bill Burr, filmed in a cave in Tennessee and available on his You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@deandelray Our friends at HeroCarePackages.com c...

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel welcomes to the show the first artist he ever signed, Betsy Bitch of the band Bitch, to discuss Alice Cooper's "I'm Eighteen". Jay Ruston also shares his thoughts on the production of the song while author Martin Popoff brings his usual encyclopedic knowledge of rock n roll. Our friends at HeroCarePackages.com can help you show your support and uplift our servi...

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Slayer's "Raining Blood" with that band's drummer Dave Lombardo, producer Jay Ruston and author Martin Popoff. Make sure to check out our friends at HeroPackages.com to show your support and uplift our service members with your own customizable package. Enter the code METAL1982 to get 10% off. You can also use that code, METAL1982 at OldGlory.com to g...

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Megadeth's "Peace Sells" with author Martin Popoff, producer Mark Lewis and Chris DeMakes from Less Than Jake, Make sure to check out our friends at HeroCarePackages.com to show your support and uplift our service members with your own customizable package. Enter the code METAL 1982 to get 10% off. You can also use the code METAL1982 at OldGlory.com t...

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks about the song "Awaken" from the band Dethklok, who grew out of the Adult Swim series "Metalocalypse" with the creator and songwriter Brendon Small. Brian also talks about the song with producer Mark Lewis and rock and heavy metal author, "Doctor" Martin Popoff. Make sure to check out our friends at HeroCarePackages. Com to show your support and uplift ou...

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Slayer's "Hell Awaits" with author Martin Popoff, producer Bill Metoyer (who produced the record) and guitarist Blasko (who has played with Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie and Cryptic Slaugher. Be sure to check out our friends at Old Glory and when you order at OldGlory.com, be sure to use the promo code Metal1982 to get 15% off your order. Learn more about...

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses the King Diamond classic "The 7th Day of July 1777" with author Martin Popoff, producer Marc Lewis and King Diamond guitarist Andy La Rocque, who played on this song. Be sure to check out our friends at Old Glory and when you order at OldGlory. Com, make sure to use the promo code Metal1982. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic...

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses the Van Halen classic "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love". As always, he's joined by author Martin Popoff, producer Mark Lewis and musician Rob Caggiano, formerly of Volbeat and Anthrax. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host and Metal Bade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusss System of a Down's "Hypnotize". As always, Brian checks in with author Martin Popoff. Then he talks about the production of the record with Dave Schiffman before visiting with comedian Craig Gass. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host and CEO of Metal Blade Records Brian Slagel discusses the great Amon Amarth song "Twilight of the Thunder God" with author Martin Popoff, producer Marc Lewis and Amon Amarth's Johan Hegg. Be sure to check out our friends at Old Glory and every order at OldGlory. Com, make sure to use the promo code Metal1982. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Host and Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel tackles a band that he absolutely considers to be a metal band, despite their characterization as part of the early 90's Seattle grunge scene: Alice in Chains and their song "Them Bones" which leads off their album "Dirt". To discuss the song with Brian are author and rock and metal historian Martin Popoff, producer Mark Lewis and the man wh...