PodcastsMusic100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

Brian Slagel
100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal
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66 episodes

  • 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

    Accept - "Fast As A Shark"

    2026-2-02 | 54 mins.
    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
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  • 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

    Ministry - "Just One Fix"

    2026-1-26 | 1h
    Ministry - "Just One Fix"

    Released on June 14, 1992 on their album commonly known as "Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs"

    In this episode, Metal Blade Records CEO talks about the importance of the industrial sound to the legacy of heavy metal by focusing on Ministry's "Just One Fix". Current Ministry guitarist Monte Pittman talks about the song and how much fun it is to play it in their live shows. Monte also talks about starting his career and his long collaboration with Madonna.

    Brian also discusses the production of "Just One Fix" with Metal Blade's Ryan Williams, who breaks down the unique sound and the technology that was available to produce it back in 1992.

    As always, author Martin Popoff provides historical context, facts and his expert opinions about Ministry's "Just One Fix".

    The complete, uncut version of Brian's conversation with Monte Pittman can be found on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fvS0n5HFpY

    Monte Pittman is on social media @MontePittman

    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
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  • 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

    METALLICA - "Hit The Lights"

    2026-1-19 | 56 mins.
    Metallica - "Hit The Lights"

    Originally Released as part of the first Metal Massacre compilation (6/14/82)

    In this episode, Metal Blade Records CEO takes us all the way back to the beginning, with one of the songs featured on the original Metal Massacre compilation, Metallica's "Hit The Lights", which is the first song the band ever recorded. Joining him for his walk down memory lane is Associate Producer on the album, John Kornarens. Brian and John talk about how they befriended a young Lars Ulrich, whose determination to start a band led to Metallica being included on the record. John talks about his role in making sure the song was able to be included on the record, and he and Brian discuss their trip to London to promote the record, including spending a day with Uli John Roth.

    Legendary producer Bill Metoyer discusses the production on the song, while contrasting and comparing the different versions. He also explains why he never got to see Metallica when they were starting out in LA.

    John Kornarens can be found on Instagram @JHKLA59

    For decades, John Kornarens has been a sought-after director and stage manager on shows such as Entertainment Tonight, The Talk, Dr. Phil, The Insider, Murphy Brown, and Rachael Ray. He also directed music videos for legendary Danish metal band Mercyful Fate.
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  • 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

    Scorpions - "Catch Your Train"

    2026-1-12 | 51 mins.
    Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to longtime Billy Idol collaborator, guitarist Steve Stevens about Scorpions "Catch Your Train", the band's Uli Jon Roth era, the 70's rock scene in and around New York, what he thinks of Yungblud and much more.

    Producer Jay Ruston discusses the production on this song and Martin Popoff provides historical context and information about the song.

    Visit our YouTube Channel for a longer, uncut version of this interview:

    https://youtu.be/wLRcx04o_jA?si=l2UctRurR27GQmG6

    You can follow Steve on Instagram and X @SteveStevens.
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  • 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

    Cannibal Corpse - "Scourge of Iron"

    2026-1-05 | 49 mins.
    Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Cannibal Corpse bassist and songwriter Alex Webster. They discuss the song "Scourge of Iron" from the band's 2012 album "Torture", Alex's musical background and influence, the extreme vocals of death metal and the evolution of the band's sound throughout their career.

    There's also focus on the production of the song, which Mark Lewis provides some unique insight, as he produced the follow-up album.

    As always, author Martin Popoff puts the song into historical context.

    Watch the complete unedited version of the interview on our YouTube Channel:

    https://youtu.be/tm18aZ7x-e8

    Cannibal Corpse's website: CannibalCorpse.Net

    Follow Alex Webster on Instagram @AlexWebsterBass and he's on X @AlexCannibal

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About 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

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.
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