Rephonic
Artwork for 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

Brian Slagel
Heavy Metal
Anthrax
Ace Of Spades
Motorhead
Music Production
Caught In A Mosh
Thrash Metal
Dueling Guitars
Punk Rock
Van Halen
Armored Saint
Metal Blade Records
Alice Cooper
Moshing
Jailbreak
Thin Lizzy
New Wave Of British Heavy Metal
Alice In Chains
Hypnotize
Elected

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 ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes75Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music HistoryMusicMusic Commentary

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

Latest Episodes

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Slipknot's "Surfacing" from their debut record with the producer of that album, Ross Robinson, and Zach Johnson from the band The Ghost Inside. As always, Martin Popoff provides historical context and in... more

YouTube

SONG -Black Sabbath : "N.I.B"

Released Friday February 13, 1970

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses Black Sabbath's "N.I.B." with the bands longtime manager, and wife of Geezer Butler. They also discuss the different eras of Sabbath, Hal... more

YouTube

SONG - Mercyful Fate : "The Oath"

Released September 7, 1984

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel discusses the Mercyful Fate song "The Oath", the quasi-title track from 1984's "Don't Break The Oath" with actor-musician-host Elliott Fullam. They al... more

YouTube

SONG - Coheed and Cambria "Welcome Home"

Release Date - September 20, 2005

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel talks to Claudio Sanchez of Coheed and Cambria about their song "Welcome Home", his writing process, his career, the other forms of medi... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Ross Robinson
Producer who worked on Slipknot's debut album
Self/Producer
Episode: Slipknot - "Surfacing"
Zach Johnson
Guitarist from The Ghost Inside and Slipknot enthusiast
The Ghost Inside
Episode: Slipknot - "Surfacing"
Gloria Butler
Music industry veteran, managed Heaven and Hell, host of Gabbing with Girlfriends
Heaven and Hell (manager), Gabbing with Girlfriends podcast
Episode: Back Sabbath "N.I.B."
Elliott Fullam
Actor and musician, known for Terrifier films
Terrifier film franchise
Episode: Mercyful Fate - "The Oath"
Claudio Sanchez
Frontman of Coheed & Cambria; creator of The Amory Wars universe
Coheed & Cambria
Episode: Coheed and Cambria - "Welcome Home"
Adam Rank
NFL Network analyst, Jim Rome Show contributor, comedian
NFL Network / The After Hour with Jim Rome
Episode: Ozzy Osbourne - "Bark at the Moon"
Wendy Dio
Manager and wife of Ronnie James Dio, advocate for Ronnie's legacy
Dio Cancer Fund, Dio's management team
Episode: Dio - "Holy Diver"
Ryan Williams
Production/engineering/AAA at Metal Blade, former A&R
Metal Blade Records
Episode: Dio - "Holy Diver"
Evan Husney
Producer and creator of the Hulu series Into the Void and Dark Side of the Ring
Episode: Cirith Ungol - "King of the Dead"

Host

Brian Slagel
Host of the show and founder of Metal Blade Records; central figure behind the show's historical-metal focus.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 69 ratings
  • Excellent

    Absolutely love this pod cast! I’m a 54 year old UK metal head and really enjoy going behind the scenes of these classics…excellent stuff.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JCLSWAN12
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Only for die-hards

    Slagel is a decent host, and his intimate knowledge of metal is worthwhile. He gets great guests who drop intriguing details from metal’s past and present. But the editing of this podcast is HORRENDOUS. People talk over each other in a way that’s clearly just a bad copy-paste, the trims are jarringly unnatural, the volume is mouselike (exceedingly inappropriate for tinnitus-plagued metalheads).

    It’s worth a listen, but it desperately needs better production — a major topic of the podcast itsel... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Nicholas, Tell Him
    United States3 months ago
  • Well Done!

    Love the show. Not sure why the song snippets are of a lowfi quality though?? Also, no more of that Siriusxm Jose Magniwhatever guy. Please. Guy loves to talk about himself.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Castermt
    United States3 months ago
  • Great but…

    I absolutely love this podcast, but the amount of ads is absurd. Most of the time you’re close to 7-8 minutes in before there’s any content that isn’t an ad, the intro song, or the copy and pasted intro. Then, more ads (at least 2 minutes) between each segment. It’s crazy.

    Like I said, I love it, but, c’mon, a 50 minute episode shouldn’t be 30-35% ads and less than 30 minutes of new, original content.

    It could be great, but for now it’s frustratingly good.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Tsauce124
    United Statesa year ago
  • Awesome as always Brian, Tom's section was so interesting, always learning something from these episodes!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    D3af_f0r3v3r
    a year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Covers behind-the-scenes production and lore with strong guests.
A must for fans who crave production detail and historical context.
Some listeners call out production and ad load, but praise the knowledge and guests.
Guest mix is strong, attracting veterans and newer fans alike.
Shows a clear anchor in Metal Blade's legacy with authoritative context.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Mercyful Fate - "The Oath"
Q: How did Mercyful Fate influence later bands like Metallica and the broader thrash scene?
A generation of players drew from Mercyful Fate's intricate riffing and pace, applying it to longer tracks and more aggressive structures, while maintaining a sense of musical storytelling that later bands amplified into the thrash and speed metal eras.
Mercyful Fate - "The Oath"
Q: Why is The Oath considered a pinnacle track for Mercyful Fate and a summation of the band's world?
Because it encapsulates the band's concept-driven songwriting, multiple riff variations, and King Diamond's versatile vocal delivery, all wrapped in a production that captures the studio's mysterious vibe and the band's theatrical storytelling.
Coheed and Cambria - "Welcome Home"
Q: What inspired the Amory Wars backstory and how does it relate to Welcome Home?
Claudio explains that the Amory Wars started as a way to tell his personal story through a broader sci‑fi/fantasy narrative, allowing him to be honest in the music while masking more vulnerable details; the backstory informs the lyrics and imagery across the album, while still remaining accessible to listeners who don't follow the whole narrative.
Slayer - "Chemical Warfare"
Q: Do you have a favorite Slayer album?
Joe shares that 'Seasons in the Abyss' is his favorite, while Brian mentions 'Hell Awaits' for its musical diversity.
Slayer - "Chemical Warfare"
Q: How did you get into heavy metal?
Joe recounts his early experiences, mentioning how he was introduced to metal by his cousin and how Slayer's intense music eventually captivated him.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal

What is 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep-dan metal history show that uses a rotating cast of guests to unpack classic tracks that helped define the genre. Each episode pairs insider perspective from producers, engineers, and musicians with historical context from a respected music journalist, plus host-driven storytelling that links studio choices, live performance energy, and the era more broadly. Notable strengths include access to high-caliber production and performance anecdotes, strong ties to label history, and a consistent focus on how specific songs became enduring touchstones for metal. Listeners can expect detailed production notes, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and broader genre context that appeals to die-hard fans and curious newcomers alike.

Where can I find podcast stats for 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal have?

To see how many followers or subscribers 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal?

These podcasts share a similar audience with 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal:

1. The Jasta Show
2. The Eddie Trunk Podcast
3. Dean Delray's LET THERE BE TALK
4. The Metallica Report
5. The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan

How many episodes of 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal are there?

100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal launched a year ago and published 75 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal?

Recent guests on 100 Songs that Define Heavy Metal include:

1. Ross Robinson
2. Zach Johnson
3. Gloria Butler
4. Elliott Fullam
5. Claudio Sanchez
6. Adam Rank
7. Wendy Dio
8. Ryan Williams

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days