Pantheon Media
History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff
History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff is the show that aims to make grand and often oddball hard rock and heavy metal points through a narrative built upon the tiny idea of a quintet of songs. Buttressed with illustrative clips, Martin argues quickly and succinctly why these songs - and the specific sections of these tracks - support his mad professor premise, from the wobbly invention of an “American” heavy metal, to the influence of Led Zeppelin in hair metal or to more succinct topics like tapping and twin leads. The songs serve as bricks, but Martin slathers plenty of mortar. At the end...
Author
Pantheon Media
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 7, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
History in Five Songs 242: This Band's British Steel 13.02.2024 37:01
In Episode 242, Martin explores bands who replicate the magic of Judas Priest's seminal 1980 album British Steel with a simplified, straightforward killer album. Megadeth – “Countdown to Extinction” Yes – “Owner of a Lonely Heart” Black Sabbath – “Neon Knights” Whitesnake – “Would I Lie to You” Saxon – “Stand Up and Be Counted” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 241: Contrarianism 06.02.2024 39:27
In Episode 241, Martin proves to himself that he may not be as contrarian as he thinks while he picks *his* favorite albums from artists whose catalogues he knows well. Alice in Chains – “Rain When I Die” Stranglers – “The Raven” Rolling Stones – “Lies” Ozzy Osbourne – “You’re No Different” Dio – “Night People” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 240: Producer Chris Tsangarides 30.01.2024 34:59
In Episode 240, Martin celebrates late, great producer's Chris Tsangarides' catalog. Judas Priest – “Victim of Changes” Thin Lizzy – “Angel of Death” Tygers of Pan Tang – “Slave to Freedom” Lords of the New Church – “Kiss of Death” Y&T – “Breaking Away” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 239: Biggest Heavy Metal Stars 23.01.2024 37:15
In Episode 239, Martin ponders who are the biggest LIVING heavy metal stars. Black Sabbath – “Shock Wave” Judas Priest – “Reckless” Guns N’ Roses – “Bad Apples” Kiss – “Any Way You Slice It” AC/DC – “This House Is on Fire” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 238: A Different Kind of Genius 16.01.2024 37:27
In Episode 238, Martin explores artists who are "creative geniuses" who surround themselves with the best musicians, collaborators and influences. Peter Gabriel – “The Family and the Fishing Net” King Crimson – “Three of a Perfect Pair” Robert Plant – “Come into My Life” Bjork – “Black Lake” David Bowie – “Love Is Lost” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 237: Genius 09.01.2024 39:19
In Episode 237, Martin explores the subjective notion of "genius" in the craft of musicianship. Frank Zappa – “No Not Now” Snowy Shaw – “Nachtgeist” Elvis Costello – “New Lace Sleeves” Adrian Belew – “1967” Queen – “Flick of the Wrist” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 236: Fifth Gear Singers 02.01.2024 40:48
In Episode 236, Martin celebrates singers whose "top gear" is arguably their best gear. Wings – “Rock Show” Kiss – “Baby Driver” Nirvana – “Serve the Servants” Samson – “Bright Lights” Whitesnake – “Love Ain’t No Stranger” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 235: First Gear Singers 26.12.2023 38:31
In Episode 235, Martin looks at "low energy crooners" whose singing may not always be the most powerful. Blue Oyster Cult – “Mirrors” Robert Plant – “Carry Fire” Yes – “Arriving UFO” Kate Bush – “Sat in Your Lap” ZZ Top – “Rhythmeen” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 234: They Shrunk the Boogie! 19.12.2023 38:11
In Episode 234, Martin looks at "boogie rock" influenced bands who tightened or shifted their focus. Rolling Stones – “She’s So Cold” Status Quo – “Jam Side Down” Foghat – “Too Late the Hero” AC/DC – “Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder” The Black Crowes – “Ozone Mama” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 233: OTT Hair Metal Songs 12.12.2023 33:41
In Episode 233, Martin examines sonically dense, "over the top" hair metal songs. Van Halen – “Get Up” Kiss – “I’m Alive” Dokken – “Tooth and Nail” White Lion – “Let’s Get Crazy” Mr. Big – “Colorado Bulldog” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 232: Celebrating Snare Drum 05.12.2023 35:56
In Episode 232, Martin celebrates the 'center' of the drum kit. Gillan – “I’ll Rip Your Spine Out” Led Zeppelin – “Poor Tom” Judas Priest – “Heading Out to the Highway” U2 – “Sunday Bloody Sunday” Thin Lizzy – “Massacre” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 231: Birmingham’s Black Sabbath Family 28.11.2023 32:12
In Episode 231, Martin digs into bands from Black Sabbath's original stomping grounds. Judas Priest – “Never Satisfied” Trapeze – “Way Back to the Bone” Necromandus – “Nightjar” Quartz – “Pleasure Seekers” Diamond Head – “Starcrossed (Lovers of the Night)” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 230: My Shadow Top Five: A Breaks Study 21.11.2023 38:10
In Episode 230, Martin looks at the 'breaks' on songs from some of his favorite albums of all-time. Queen – “Keep Yourself Alive” ZZ Top – “Avalon Highway” Blue Öyster Cult – “Heavy Metal: The Black and Silver” Thin Lizzy – “The Pressure Will Blow” Rush – “The Analog Kid” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 229: My Top Five Albums: A Pre-Chorus Study 14.11.2023 35:31
In Episode 229, Martin looks at great pre-choruses on songs from some of his favorite albums of all-time. Led Zeppelin – “Down by the Seaside” Black Sabbath – “Megalomania” Judas Priest – “Hell Bent for Leather” AC/DC – “Girls Got Rhythm” Queen – “Dead on Time” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 228: Corporate Solo Albums 07.11.2023 41:06
In Episode 228, Martin dives into solo albums that feel like a cash grab. Lou Gramm – “Just Between You and Me” Eric Martin – “These Are the Good Times” Fee Waybill – “Saved My Life” Kane Roberts – “Twisted” Tommy Shaw – “Lonely School” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 227: Inspired by New York City 31.10.2023 36:50
In Episode 227, Martin explores songs inspired by the Big Apple, New York City. Lou Reed – “Dirty Blvd.” Rolling Stones – “Shattered” Dictators – “Avenue A” King Crimson – “Neurotica” Dead Boys – “Son of Sam” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 226: The Bruce Springsteen Family 24.10.2023 32:59
In Episode 226, Martin explores artists who touch upon Bruce's world and influences. Thin Lizzy – “Having a Good Time” Bob Seger – “Feel Like a Number” UFO – “Back into My Life” John Mellencamp – “I Ain’t Ever Satisfied” Graham Parker – “Endless Night” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 225: Heaviest '70s Live Albums 17.10.2023 39:16
In Episode 225, Martin mulls over the heaviest live albums from the 1970s. Rush – “Something for Nothing” Scorpions – “Dark Lady” UFO – “Mother Mary” Ted Nugent – “Gonzo” Judas Priest – “Genocide” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 224: Sequencing 10.10.2023 35:18
In Episode 224, Martin addresses albums that suffer from poor track ordering. Van Halen – “You’re No Good” Judas Priest – “Don’t Go” Rush – “Limelight” Aerosmith – “Kings and Queens” Led Zeppelin – “The Ocean” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 223: Bands Rarely Copied. But Not Never. 03.10.2023 36:20
In Episode 223, Martin explores bands that are hardly ever copied... except for when they are. Starcastle – “Elliptical Seasons” Blue Öyster Cult – “Baby Ice Dog” Spider – “The Morning After the Night Before” Tiles – “Beneath the Surface” Highway Chile – “Handing You Over” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 222: Recalled Reactions: Big Debut Albums 26.09.2023 42:45
In Episode 222, Martin recalls his reactions to big debut albums of the mid-late '70s and early '80s. Ramones – “Chain Saw” Motörhead – “Lost Johnny” Van Halen – “Atomic Punk” Iron Maiden – “Running Free” Ozzy Osbourne – “Revelation (Mother Earth)” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 221: Recalled Reactions from 1976 19.09.2023 41:03
In Episode 221, Martin recalls his 13 year old self's reaction to new releases from a banner year of music. Black Sabbath – “You Won’t Change Me” Aerosmith – “Lick and a Promise” Thin Lizzy – “Massacre” Judas Priest – “Island of Domination” Boston – “Hitch a Ride” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 220: Hair Metal Skips by ‘70s Bands 12.09.2023 42:17
In Episode 220, Martin looks at bands that 'basically' skipped the hair metal route. Motörhead – “Stand” Deep Purple – “Too Much Is Not Enough” Black Sabbath – “Angry Heart” AC/DC – “Meanstreak” Rush – “Lock and Key” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 219: Hair Metal Fails by ‘70s Bands 05.09.2023 38:13
In Episode 219, Martin. delves into '70s bands that didn't get the hair metal thing quite right. Triumph – “Hooked on You” Saxon – “We Came Here to Rock” Uriah Heep – “Rich Kid” Blue Öyster Cult – “Shadow Warrior” Molly Hatchet – “Stone in Your Heart” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
History in Five Songs 218: Hair Metal Wins by ‘70s Bands 29.08.2023 42:43
In Episode 218, Martin explore bands that came of age in the '70s and their forays into hair metal. Alice Cooper – “Hurricane Years” Aerosmith – “Monkey on My Back” Van Halen – “Black and Blue” Scorpions – “Media Overkill” Kiss – “Secretly Cruel” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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