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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
  • Iron Maiden - "Hallowed Be Thy Name"

    Iron Maiden - "Hallowed Be Thy Name"
    Oct 5 2026
    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Rainbow - "Stargazer / A Light in the Black"

    Rainbow - "Stargazer / A Light in the Black"
    Sep 28 2026
    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Metallica - "Enter Sandman"

    Metallica - "Enter Sandman"
    Sep 21 2026
    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    58 mins
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