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100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

Written by: Brian Slagel
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About this listen

 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
  • Slayer - "Chemical Warfare"

    Slayer - "Chemical Warfare"
    Feb 16 2026
    Slayer - "Chemical Warfare" Released August 4, 1984 on the EP Haunting the Chapel Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by the man known on Tik Tok as Metal Horror Madman, who has built a reputation for being passionate for metal, a defender of Slayer who goes so far as to scream about it. They discuss his discovery of Slayer, his love of the band and what stands out about "Chemical Warfare". Brian also discusses Slayer's production and specifically this track with Bill Metoyer who was part of the production of this EP along with Brian. As always, we get facts, figures and education from author Martin Popoff. Follow Metal Horror Madman @MetalHorrorMadman on TikTok and Instagram Bill Metoyer is on Instagram and X @Bill_Metoyer 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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    51 mins
  • Cirith Ungol - "King of the Dead"

    Cirith Ungol - "King of the Dead"
    Feb 9 2026
    In this episode, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by the Executive Producer and Co-Creator of "Dark Side of the Ring" and the recent series of heavy metal documentaries, "Into the Void" about the song that he chose as the theme music for that series, Cirith Ungol's "Into the Void". Brian also talks about the production on this record with Bill Metoyer, whom Brian worked with on the production of Cirith Ungol's follow-up record, 1986's "One Foot In Hell". Author Martin Popoff provides his usual expertise in discussing the song, with many facts and even more opinions about Cirith Ungol's career. The complete, uncut version of Brian's conversation with Evan Husney can be found on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/RF4lOsgH3lk Evan Husney is on Instagram @EvanHusney Bill Metoyer is on Instagram and X @Bill_Metoyer 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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    49 mins
  • Accept - "Fast As A Shark"

    Accept - "Fast As A Shark"
    Feb 2 2026
    Accept - "Fast As A Shark" Released in November of 1982, on their album "Restless and Wild" Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is reunited with his former co-host for the "Metal Misconduct" podcast for the NHL, Shawn Roarke, who is the director of editorial for NHL.com. They discuss some of their memories of doing that podcast, and how easily the episodes can still be found. They primary focus for the interview the importance of Accept's "Fast As A Shark", and how the case can be made that it was the first speed metal song, but it's undeniable that the song is a classic and inspiration to many hard rock and heavy metal artists who followed Brian also discusses the production of "Fast As A Shark" with Metal Blade's Ryan Williams, who talks about just how abnormal it was for Accept to have a song (and a record) this fast, and how they were never quite this fast again. As always, author Martin Popoff provides historical context, facts and his expert opinions about Accept's "Fast As A Shark". The complete, uncut version of Brian's conversation with Shawn Roarke can be found on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/iZgs9OdlrsY Shawn Roarke is on X @sroarke_nhl 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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    54 mins
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