100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

Weekly exploration of heavy metal and hard rock songs and their legacy AI summary

Brian Slagel Music · EN · 101 episodes · latest 2026-10-05 · explicit

Rank 99

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What it is about

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal is the ultimate journey into the heart of heavy music, hosted by Metal Blade Records’ founder, Brian Slagel. Each week, Brian dives into one of his personally curated tracks from his list of the heaviest songs in metal and hard rock, exploring the music that shaped a genre. With special guest musicians—some who wrote and recorded these iconic songs and others who found inspiration in them—the show unearths the stories behind each track. Whether you’re a lifelong metalhead or a new fan, this podcast brings you closer to the music and the legends who define it. Joining Brian are music journalist and critic Martin Popoff, offering deep historical context for each song, and acclaimed producer Jay Ruston, who provides technical insights into how these heavy anthems were crafted. Together, they bring an all-encompassing look at the hits that set the stage for metal and continue to inspire. Subscribe to 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal and discover the unforgettable songs that live at the core of heavy music, one groundbreaking track at a time. Proud part of Pantheon Podcasts.

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Latest episodes

Iron Maiden - "Hallowed Be Thy Name" E

2026-10-05 · 1 hr 10 min

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…
Rainbow - "Stargazer / A Light in the Black"

2026-09-28 · 1 hr 8 min

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…
Metallica - "Enter Sandman" E

2026-09-21 · 58 min

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…
Mercyful Fate - "Evil" E

2026-09-14 · 51 min

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…
Ghost - "Ritual"

2026-09-07 · 57 min

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…
Soungarden - "Rusty Cage"

2026-08-31 · 55 min

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…
Queensryche - "Eyes of a Stranger"

2026-08-24 · 53 min

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…
Rush - "The Spirit of Radio" E

2026-08-17 · 1 hr 0 min

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…
Def Leppard - "Let It Go"

2026-08-10 · 56 min

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'…
Motley Crue - "Livewire"

2026-08-03 · 50 min

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…

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Publisher details

Oldest episode in feed: 11/2024 · over 2 years
Typical length: 51 min
Format: Episodic Newest first, episodes stand alone

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