100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

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" 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

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Jay Ruston is on Instagram and X @JayRuston

Martin Popoff is on Instagram @Martin_Popoff63

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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"

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

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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

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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

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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"

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 The Brick. They also discuss how JT has seen Rush 54 times (so far), whether or not the Las Vegas Raiders will be any good over the next few seasons, JT winning the first-ever Smack-Off on The Jim Rome Show and much more!

Brian also talks about the production of the song with proud Canadian producer Jay Ruston, and we get our usual mixture of facts, statistics and opinon from yet ANOTHER proud Canadian, Martin Popoff.

Watch a video version of the full interview on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5og4XF5V2Gc

Brian Slagel is on social media @BrianSlagel

JT The Brick is on X @JTTheBrick and Instagram @JTTheBrickLV

Jay Ruston is on social media @JayRuston

Martin Popoff is on Instagram @Martin_Popoff63

Follow the show on social media @100Metal Songs

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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 talks about the production on that record and author Martin Popoff brings his usual mixture of facts, figures and opinions.

For the complete, unedited video version of the Blake Ibanez interview, check out our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKZSrbBBnHk

Brian Slagel is on social media @BrianSlagel

Blake Ibanez is on Instagram @BlkIbanez

Jay Ruston is on Instagram & X @JayRuston

Martin Popoff is on Instagram @Martin_Popoff63

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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

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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. They discuss the song "Heaven and Hell", the pivotal moment in Sabbath's history where Ronnie James Dio joined the band, and they also discuss the follow-up album "Mob Rules".

Brian also talks about the production of the song with Mark Lewis, who talks about how this is one of the greatest and most important songs in his life.

We also check in with author Martin Popoff to give us some historical information and his well-informed opinions.

Watch the complete, unedited interview with Geezer Butler:

https://youtu.be/wZg3zywLe_Y

Brian Slagel is on social media @BrianSlagel

Geezer Butler is on Instagram and X @GeezerButler

Mark Lewis is on Instagram @MarkLewis720

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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 "Powerslave", the amazing title track of the equally incredible album of the same name.

Brian also talks about the production with Jay Ruston and author Martin Popoff checks in with he customary facts, figures, information and opinion.

Watch the complete unedited interview with Gabriela Gun on our YouTube Channel:

https://youtu.be/V37ZkHY_IbE

Brian Slagel is on social media @BrianSlagel

Gabriela Gun is on Instagram @GabrielaGunOfficial and @TheGabrielaGunn on X

Jay Ruston is on social media @JayRuston

Martin Popoff's website is MartinPopoff.com

Follow 100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal on social media @100MetalSongs

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Gojira - "The Heaviest Matter of the Universe"

From the album "From Mars to Sirius"

RELEASED September 27, 2005

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Steve Carey from the band Senses Fail to discuss Gojira's "Heaviest Matter of the Universe". Ryan Williams also checks in to talk about the production on the song, and author Martin Popoff provides even more information than usual about this song and the band Gojira.

Watch the complete, unedited video version of the episode:

https://youtu.be/JsZ5wLuHR3Q

Brian Slagel is on X, Instagram and Tik Tok @BrianSlagel

Steve Carey is on X @TCMSteve and Instagram @SteveCarey

Ryan Williams is on Instagram @AugmentedRyan

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Metallica - "Orion" released March 3,1986 from the album "Master of Puppets"

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to filmmaker Sam Dunn about Metallica's epic instrumental, "Orion". They also discuss Slayer, Iron Maiden and some of the films he's made through his company Banger Films.

Jay Ruston also discusses the production on "Orion" and author Martin Popoff provides his usual combination of facts, information and opinon.

Check out the unedited video version of the Sam Dunn interview on our YouTube Channel:

https://youtu.be/KOS5wo4aDug

Brian Slagel is on social media @BrianSlagel

Sam Dunn's Banger Films is on social media @BangerFilms

Jay Ruston is on social media @JayRuston

Martin Popoff's website is MartinPopoff.com

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AC/DC - "Hells Bells"

From the album "Back In Black"

Released Halloween 1980

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel welcomes back to the show Adam Rank from NFL Network and The Jim Rome Show to discuss the first track on AC/DC's "Back in Black" album, "Hells Bells".

He also discusses the production of the song with Metal Blade's Ryan Williams. There's also the usual background, facts and opinions from author Martin Popoff.

Watch the complete, unedited interview on our YouTube Channel:

https://youtu.be/8piwtHOEBcw?si=Z61Rn47wlNFxVy1n

Brian Slagel is on X and Instagram @BrianSlagel

Adam Rank is on X @AdamRank and Instagram @AdamRankNFL

Ryan Williams is on X and Instagram @AugmentedRyan

Martin Popoff is on X @Popoff Martin

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Black Sabbath - "Symptom of the Universe"

From the Album "Sabatoge", released July 28, 1975

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by actor-comedian Brian Posehn to talk about Black Sabbath's "Symptom of the Universe", Brian's favorite Sabbath song from his Sabbath album. We also get the usual background, facts, figures and opinions from author Martin Popoff, who says that this is also his favorite Black Sabbath song. Plus, a conversation on the production of the song and the record from Mark Lewis.

Watch the unedited video version of Brian's interview with Brian Posehn on our YouTube Channel:

https://youtu.be/LRT5aVCmmQg

Watch the unedited video version of Brian's conversation about this song with producer Mark Lewis:

Brian Slagel is on X and Instagram @BrianSlagel

Brian Posehn is on X @TheBrianPosehn and Instagram @BrianPosehn

Mark Lewis is on Instagram @MarkLewis720

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Slayer "South of Heaven" from the album of the same name.

RELEASED : July 5, 1988

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks about the title track from Slayer's 1988 album "South of Heaven" with Chris Kael of Five Finger Death Punch who also co-hosts the "Beardo and Weirdo" podcast with comedian Craig Gass.

Brian also discusses the production on this song with Mark Lewis, and author Martin Popoff checks in with his usual mixture of history, facts, figures and opinion.

For the complete, unedited video version of the Chris Kael interview:

https://youtu.be/keYiHcSC33o?si=qWyVun2a7hnPMj3w

Brian Slagel is on X and Instagram @BrianSlagel

Chris Kael is on X and Instagram @5fdpchriskael

Mark Lewis is on Instagram @MarkLewis720

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Iron Maiden - "Number of the Beast" from the album of the same name

Released March 22, 1982

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to Queensryche lead singer Todd La Torre about Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast".

Producer Jay Ruston returns to discuss the production on the song, and author Martin Popoff offers up some unique opinions while providing facts and figures about the song.

For the complete, unedited video version of the Todd La Torre interview, where you will see the many technical difficulties that arose during the recording of the interview, click here:

https://youtu.be/LDpb0QOKIoo

Brian Slagel is on X and Instagram @BrianSlagel

Todd La Torre is on Instagram @ToddLaTorreOfficial

Jay Ruston is on X and Instagram @JayRuston

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Metallica - "Creeping Death"

From the album "Ride the Lightning"

Released November 23, 1984

In this episode, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Mike Hamer of the Violent Gentlemen clothing line to discuss Metallica's "Creeping Death".

Brian also discusses the production of Metallica's "Creeping Death" with Metal Blade's Ryan Williams.

As always, author Martin Popoff provides historical context, facts and his expert opinions about Metallica's "Creeping Death"

The complete, uncut version of Brian's conversation with Mike Hammer can be found on our YouTube Channel:

https://youtu.be/nIdYNBrnryk

Mike Hammer is on X and Instagram @HammerMe

Ryan Williams is on Instagram @AugmentedRyan

Martin Popoff is on X @Popoff Martin

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Queensryche - "Roads to Madness"

RELEASED September 7, 1984 on the album "The Warning"

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses the final track on Queensryche's full-length debut, The Warning: "Roads to Madness". He talks to producer Zeuss, who has produced the last three Queensryche albums and then Adam Wodon of CollegeHockeyNews.Com who is a huge fan of the band.

As always, Martin Popoff checks in with some historical facts and and analysis.

For the COMPLETE, UNEDITED video version of the interview, go to our YouTube Channel:

https://youtu.be/ZTuOHfRk9jw

Follow Brian Slagel on social media @BrianSlagel

Zeuss is on Instagram @ZeussProducer and his website is ZeussProducer.com

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