100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal is a weekly podcast from Metal Blade Records and Pantheon Media, hosted by Metal Blade founder Brian Slagel. Each episode dives into one track that shaped heavy metal—production stories, historical angles, and why the song still matters today.
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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Oct 13, 2025 • 49m 15s
Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Aerosmith's "Rats in the Cellar" with the producer and co-creator of this show, Christian Bladt, who hosts his own show, The Bladtcast. Producer Jay Ruston also discusses the song, as does author Martin Popoff.
Oct 6, 2025 • 55m 31s
Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by guitarist Stoney Curtis to discuss Kiss's "Detroit Rock City" from their landmark album "Destroyer". Brian also talks about the production of the song and the album with producer Jay Ruston, and, as always, author Martin Popoff gives some historical perspective to the song.
Sep 29, 2025 • 57m 27s
Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Sirius XM personality and former co-host of That Metal Show Eddie Trunk to discuss UFO's "Love to Love" (both the studio and live versions). Brian also talks about the production of both versions with Jay Ruston, and, as always, author Martin Popoff provides some historical context for the song.
Sep 22, 2025 • 52m 11s
Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks about Deicide's "Dead By Dawn" with Monte Conner, the former senior vice president of A&R for Roadrunner Records and current head of A&R at Nuclear Blast Records. Producer Mark Lewis also talks about why this song was so important to him, and, as always, author Martin Popoff provides some historical context to the song.
Sep 15, 2025 • 49m 22s
Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to Chef Curtis Duffy about Danzig, particularly the song "Twist of Cain". He also discusses his restaurant in Chicago, Ever, his new book "Fireproof", some of his favorite concerts of all time, and what it was like to be at Black Sabbath's "Back to the Beginning" show.
Sep 8, 2025 • 53m 9s
Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Sirius XM host Jose Mangin to talk about the importance of Sepultura's "Dead Embryonic Cells", the current incarnation of Pantera, Jose's charity Headbang for Science and an incredible story about backstage at a Sepultura-Pantera-Prong show in the 90's. Also: Producer Mark Lewis takes a look at the production on the song and author Martin Popoff gives us some historical perspective on the song.
Sep 1, 2025 • 48m 52s
Metal Blade Records CEO discusses the production on Metallica's "Spit Out The Bone" from the album "Hardwired to Self-Destruct" with that album's producer, Greg Fidleman. Then, chef Chris Santos returns to the show to talk about the song, the likelihood of a Metallica residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas and whether or not they will ever get the opportunity to perform at halftime during the Super Bowl.
Aug 25, 2025 • 51m 44s
This week, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined in The Space studio in Las Vegas by In Flames guitarist Chris Broderick to discuss King Diamond's "Welcome Home". Producer Mark Lewis and author Martin Popoff also share their thoughts on the song, and this era of King Diamond.