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100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

Written by: Brian Slagel
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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.All rights reserved 2024 Music
Episodes
  • Jimi Hendrix - "All Along The Watchtower"

    Jimi Hendrix - "All Along The Watchtower"
    May 18 2026
    Jimi Hendrix - "All Along The Watchtover" First released as a single September 21, 1968 and was later featured on the Electric Ladyland album, released in October 16, 1968. (Originally recorded by Bob Dyland and released on the "John Wesley Harding" album December 27, 1967. In this episode, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by guitarist Stoney Curtis talk about the impact of Jimi Hendrix by focusing on his cover of Bob Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower". Brian also discusses the production of "All Along The Watchtower" with Metal Blade's Ryan Williams, who breaks down the unique sound and the technology that was available to produce it back in 1968. As always, author Martin Popoff provides historical context, facts and his expert opinions about Jimi Hendrix's "All Along The Watchtower". The complete, uncut version of Brian's conversation with Stoney Curtis can be found on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNh-9j2Ca2M Stoney Curtis is on social media @StoneyCurtis77 Ryan Williams is on Instagram @AugmentedRyan Martin Popoff is on X @Popoff Martin Follow 100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal on X, Instagram and TikTok @100Metal Songs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • Black Sabbath - "Into The Void"

    Black Sabbath - "Into The Void"
    May 11 2026
    Black Sabbath - "Into The Void" Release Date July 21, 1971 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks about the importance of the Black Sabbath song "Into The Void" with singer John Corabi (who has worked with Motley Crue, Ratt, The Dead Daisies among many others). John also talks about the underappreciated impact of Grand Funk Railroad and how he was able to see the original Sabbath perform live in the 70's and some of the other amazing shows he was able to see growing up in Philadelphia. Brian discusses the production of this song with Bill Metoyer, and, as always, producer Martin Popoff provides musical context and history about this song. You can watch video of the entire unedited version of the interview HERE: https://youtu.be/Riyvg3UPsQE Follow Brian Slagel on Instagram and X @Brian Slagel Follow John Corabi on Instagram @JohnCorabiOfficial and X @CrabLegs59 Follow Bill Metoyer on Instagram @Bill_Metoyer Follow 100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal on X, Instagram and TikTok @100Metal Songs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 mins
  • Fates Warning - "A Pleasant Shade of Gray"

    Fates Warning - "A Pleasant Shade of Gray"
    May 4 2026
    Fates Warning - "A Pleasant Shade of Gray" Released April 22, 1997 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to Fates Warning singer Ray Alder about their 1997 album "A Pleasant Shade of Gray": an entire album made up of one song. He also talks about the production of the record with Bill Metoyer, who did some engineering on the album. As always, author Martin Popoff provides some historical significance and impact of the song. You can watch video of the entire unedited version of the interview HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDniJAb7iZ4 Follow Brian Slagel on Instagram and X @Brian Slagel Follow Bill Metoyer on Instagram @Bill_Metoyer Follow 100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal on X, Instagram and TikTok @100Metal Songs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 mins
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