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100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal — Music
100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

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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Iron Maiden - "Hallowed Be Thy Name" Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

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 as he is: musician/actor/wrestler/podcast host Chris Jericho.

Check out the unedited video version of the episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/9X4rxUHwo40

Brian also discusses the production with Jay Ruston, and one last time for this show, we hear from author Martin Popoff, with facts, figures, information and opinion about the song.

As discussed previously on the show, Brian will be back in January 2027 with a new podcast, the Metal Blade 45th Anniversary podcast, where each week he will be joined by guests to spend the entire show discussing one album from the 45 year history of Metal Blade Records. If you're subscribed to this show, the new one will appear in the same feed, and the old episodes of this show aren't going anywhere if you want to revisit your favorites or catch up on shows you may have missed.

Brian Slagel is on social media @BrianSlagel

Chris Jericho is on X @IAmJericho, on Instagram @ChrisJerichoFozzy and Tik Tok @ChrisJericho

Jay Ruston is on X and Instagram @JayRuston

Martin Popoff is on Instagram @Martin_Popoff63

Lizzy Borden is on X and Instagram @LizzyBordenOfficial

Show Producer Christian Bladt is on X and Instagram at @ChristianDMZ and his podcast is called The Bladtcast

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Rainbow - "Stargazer / A Light in the Black" Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

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 how they both found their way to the band, and of course, remember their friend Ronnie James Dio.

Jay Ruston discusses the production on these songs and, as always, author Martin Popoff gives us some historical context and his opinion about the songs.

If you would like to see the complete and unedited version of Brian's interview with Eddie Trunk, go to our You Tube channel and watch it HERE:

https://youtu.be/-k_O2LgelSQ

Follow the show on Social Media @100MetalSongs

Follow Brian Slagel on Social Media @BrianSlagel

Follow Eddie Trunk on social media @EddieTrunk

Jay Ruston is on Instagram and X @JayRuston

Martin Popoff is on Instagram @Martin_Popoff63

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Metallica - "Enter Sandman" Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

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 documentary "Murder in the Front Row" and the book of the same name.

Brian also discusses the production of "Enter Sandman" with Jay Ruston, and, of course, author Martin Popoff checks in with his usual collection of information and opinion.

For the entire, unedited video version of the interview, go to our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/c4_zFsfs92o

Follow Brian Slagel on social media @BrianSlagel

Brian Lew's "Murder in the Front Row" is on Instagram @MurderInTheFrontRow

Jay Ruston is @JayRuston and the show is @100Metal Songs

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Mercyful Fate - "Evil" Sep 14, 2026

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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 come to expect.

Watch the complete and unedited version of the Kerry King interview HERE:

https://youtu.be/V5zitPwlgqk

Follow Brian Slagel on social media @BrianSlagel

Kerry King is @KerryKingMusic on X and Instagram and @KerryKingOfficial on Tik Tok.

Mark Lewis is on Instagram @MarkLewis720

Follow the show on X and Instagram @100MetalSongs

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Ghost - "Ritual" Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

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 new podcast concept that will start in January 2027.

Brian also discusses the production on this song with producer Mark Lewis, and, as always, author Martin Popoff will provide historical information about the song, including facts, figures and his opinions.

Watch the complete and unedited video version of Brian's conversation about Ghost, the reflection on this podcast and look ahead to the new one:

https://youtu.be/5tpRMUPExSQ

Follow Brian Slagel on social media @BrianSlagel

Mark Lewis is on Instagram @MarkLewis720

Christian Bladt is on X & Instagram @ChristianDMZ and his podcast is The @Bladtcast

Martin Popoff is on Instagram @Martin_Popoff63

Follow the show @100MetalSongs

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Soungarden - "Rusty Cage" Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

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, figures and opinions.

For the complete unedited video version of the episode, go to our YouTube Channel:

https://youtu.be/ZX8f3GJ3P9w

Brian Slagel is on social media @BrianSlagel

Dean Delray is @DeanDelray

Martin Popoff is on Instagram @Martin_Popoff63

Follow the show on X and Instagram @100MetalSongs

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Queensryche - "Eyes of a Stranger" Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

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 the full unedited video version of the interview on our YouTube Channel:

https://youtu.be/rmRNMmSEPzw

Brian Slagel is on social media @BrianSlagel

Jacob Bunton is on social media @JacobBunton

Jay Ruston is on social media @JayRuston

Martin Popoff is on Instagram @Martin_Popoff63

You can follow the show on social media @100Metal Songs

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Rush - "The Spirit of Radio" Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Def Leppard - "Let It Go" Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Motley Crue - "Livewire" Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

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 scene they came out of, following the evolution of what some people call "hair metal".

Jay Ruston also comes by to discuss the production on the song and both versions of the album, and our resident doctor of metal, Martin Popoff provides his unique mix of facts, figures and opinion.

For the complete, unedited version of the Christian Bladt interview, go to:

https://youtu.be/g7nNbhx9nYE

Brian Slagel is on social media @BrianSlagel

Christian Bladt is on social media @ChristianDMZ

Jay Ruson is on social media @JayRuston

Martin Popoff is on Instagram @martin_popoff63

Follow the show on X and Instagram @100MetalSongs

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