100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal podcast artwork
Music

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

by Brian Slagel
Explicit Music CommentaryMusicMusic History

Chart positions today · Japan

Not on the Japan charts we track today.

If you like 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal, try…

Latest episodes

  • Iron Maiden - "Hallowed Be Thy Name"

    October 5, 2026 · 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 heavy metal, the…

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

    September 28, 2026 · 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 song of all time…

  • Metallica - "Enter Sandman"

    September 21, 2026 · 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 Slagel discusses…

  • Mercyful Fate - "Evil"

    September 14, 2026 · 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 Priest, Deep…

  • Ghost - "Ritual"

    September 7, 2026 · 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 Ghost and shares…

Show 7 more episodesShow fewer episodes
  • Soungarden - "Rusty Cage"

    August 31, 2026 · 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 joined by the producer…

  • Queensryche - "Eyes of a Stranger"

    August 24, 2026 · 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 album "Operation…

  • Rush - "The Spirit of Radio"

    August 17, 2026 · 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 television host JT…

  • Def Leppard - "Let It Go"

    August 10, 2026 · 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' Dry". Jay Ruston…

  • Motley Crue - "Livewire"

    August 3, 2026 · 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 producer of this show…

  • Black Sabbath - "Heaven and Hell"

    July 27, 2026 · 40 min

    Black Sabbath - "Heaven and Hell" From the album of the same name, released April 25, 1980 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bassist and lyricist for Black Sabbath, Geezer Butler…

  • Iron Maiden - "Powerslave"

    July 20, 2026 · 57 min

    Iron Maiden - "Powerlsave" from the album of the same name Released in Europe September 3, 1984 and in the US September 14, 1984 Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to Gabriela Gun of Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Ghost about…

Full episode archive on Apple Podcasts →

About the show

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.