100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by King's X bassist and singer Dug Pinnick. They discuss the band's career, how the band feels about their early collaboration with Sam Taylor and what it was like making the 1992 self-titled album that was their last with Sam. The primary focus is on one the band's most-streamed songs, "Black Flag". There's also focus on the production of the song, which Jay Ruston joins Brian to discuss, and 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/BqCH_0hHTUI Watch the official video for "Black Flag" by King's X: https://youtu.be/RR0G9XKuHdE?si=ukX8Ef9u7DP7MtUi King's X's website: KingsXRocks.com King's X's are on both Instagram and X @KingsXOfficial Dug Pinnick is on Instagram @DugPinnick and on X @dUgpinnick_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, producer Jay Ruston has been promoted to the primary guest, talking to Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel about Rush's "Anthem", a song that was suggested by fellow Canadian and fellow contributor to this show, author Martin Popoff. Producer Mark Lewis also talks about the production of this song. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Iron Maiden's epic "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" with Vaughn Lewis of Unchained Management, who represent Killswitch Engage, Canninbal Corpse, Queensryche and White Chapel among others. Vaughn is a huge Maiden fan, and he and Brian have a conversation of an appropriate length for a song that is nearly 14 minutes long. Brian also talks about the production with Jay Ruston and author Martin Popoff provides enough facts and figures to put the song in its appropriate historical context. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Anthrax's Charlie Benante to talk about "Deuce" by Kiss -- both the studio version on their debut album and the version that kicks off "Kiss Alive!" Jay Ruston talks about the production and Martin Popoff puts the song in its historical context with some great information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Megadeth's "Holy Wars...The Punishment Due" with longtime bassist for the band David Ellefson. Jay Ruston discusses the production and our friend Martin Popoff provides not only his longest segment ever for this show, but his most fiery . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brendan Brown from the band Wheatus joins Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel to discuss the AC/DC classic "Let There Be Rock". Brian also talks about the production of the song with Bill Metoyer and, as always, author Martin Popoff gives us all the facts and figures you'll need to put this song in its historical perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel is joined by Foghat's Roger Earl to talk about their song "Easy Money". Jay Ruston talks about the production of the song and author Martin Popoff provides facts, figures and historical context for the song. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katon De Pena of Hirax joins Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel to discss the iconic Judas Priest song "Exciter", which some people consider to be the first-ever speed metal song. Brian also discusses the production of the song with Jay Ruston and, as always, we get some facts and historical context from Canada's own Martin Popoff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Musician-comedian Dave Hill talks to Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel about the song "Angel Witch" by the band Angel Witch, from their debut album, Angel Witch. Bill Metoyer also discusses the production on the song, and why it sounds so good for that era, and author Martin Popoff puts the song into historical context. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel starts off the show with a remembrance of the great Ace Frehley. Then, he discusses Six Feet Under's "Lycanthropy" with author Martin Popoff, producer Bill Metoyer and the singer for the band, and founding member of Cannibal Corpse, Chris Barnes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Producer Jay Ruston also discusses this song and the first Danzig solo album it was featured on, and, as always, we get some historical context from author Martin Popoff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices