Few figures in heavy metallic have a legacy as deeply rooted within the style’s historical past as Brian Slagel. Because the founding father of Metallic Blade Information, the person answerable for launching bands like Metallica, Slayer, and Cannibal Corpse into the world, Slagel’s title is synonymous with metallic’s evolution. Now, with 100 Songs That Outline Heavy Metallic, his new podcast produced by Pantheon, Slagel is distilling many years of metallic historical past right into a deep dive on the songs that formed the style.
However don’t name it a rating.
“It’s not a countdown,” Slagel clarifies. “We’re not itemizing the ‘greatest’ metallic songs. We’re speaking about songs that had an impression—on the style, on the tradition, and on the followers.”
A Heavy Metallic Historical past Lesson
Every episode of 100 Songs That Outline Heavy Metallic is structured in three elements: first, a historic phase by esteemed metallic journalist Martin Popoff; second, a deep dive into the track’s manufacturing, typically that includes legendary producers; and at last, an artist or notable fan discussing the monitor from their perspective. The result’s a dynamic, layered exploration of what makes metallic tick.
Slagel personally curates the friends, bringing in producers, artists, and followers he is aware of, making the podcast really feel like an insider’s dialogue on the music that formed the style. Some episodes embody well-known producers like Invoice Metoyer, who labored on early Slayer information, offering distinctive insights into the creation of those landmark songs.
Slagel doesn’t restrict the podcast to Metallic Blade’s catalog, both. The picks run the gamut from Alice Cooper to Cannibal Corpse, demonstrating the sheer breadth of what constitutes ‘heavy metallic.’
“There’s no ‘a method’ to outline heavy metallic,” Slagel says. “The podcast lets us discover how totally different sounds, actions, and moments pushed metallic ahead.”
The Hidden Tales of Metallic’s Most Defining Tracks
One of many podcast’s greatest revelations up to now? Slightly-known recording trick behind System of a Down’s Toxicity album. Producer Dave Schiffman, who engineered the report, shared that guitarist Daron Malakian needed to copy the best way guitars sounded inside a Guitar Middle follow room—the place hanging devices subtly resonated within the background. To realize this, they lined the studio partitions with acoustic guitars, capturing the pure reverberation within the ultimate combine. It’s one in all many behind-the-scenes insights Slagel and his friends uncover in every episode.
One other surprising perception got here from his dialogue on hair metallic. Whereas many dismiss the style as purely visible spectacle, Slagel argues that bands like Cinderella had extra in widespread with blues-based arduous rock than the industrial glam scene. “Folks lump them in with hair metallic, however that they had severe musicianship and a special really feel,” he says. These broader discussions make sure that the podcast presents contemporary views on well-trodden floor.
Fan Reception & The Podcast’s Development
Since launching, 100 Songs That Outline Heavy Metallic has been downloaded in over 50 international locations—a attain that even stunned Slagel. “Pantheon has been actually proud of the numbers up to now,” he says. “I didn’t count on it to take off fairly this quick.”
Followers have responded positively, participating with the present on social media and sending in their very own ideas on what needs to be included. Whereas Slagel began with a free roadmap of 100 songs, he’s open to adjusting primarily based on listener reactions. “Some folks have recommended tracks I hadn’t even thought-about, and in some instances, they’ve made a superb argument for why they belong,” he admits. “So there’s some flexibility in how this all performs out.”
Slagel’s View on Metallic’s Evolution
With many years within the business, Slagel has witnessed metallic’s many transformations—from the NWOBHM explosion to the rise of utmost metallic and trendy progressive acts. One in all his fundamental targets with the podcast is to showcase how metallic has developed whereas guaranteeing that excessive and underground actions are simply as represented as traditional heavyweights.
“There’s all the time a steadiness between the foundational tracks—like those that constructed heavy metallic—and the extra area of interest, underground actions that hold pushing it ahead,” he explains. “I need this to be an correct reflection of how metallic has grown, not only a ‘biggest hits’ checklist.”
As for the way forward for metallic, Slagel sees continued innovation. “Folks all the time ask if metallic is operating out of concepts, however I don’t suppose so,” he says. “Bands are continually discovering new methods to be heavier, darker, and extra technical. The eagerness in metallic by no means dies—it simply finds new varieties.”
Behind-the-Scenes: Making the Podcast
Whereas internet hosting 100 Songs That Outline Heavy Metallic has been a rewarding expertise, Slagel admits that producing a podcast is extra work than he anticipated. “It’s enjoyable, nevertheless it’s so much,” he laughs. “I have already got a full-time job operating Metallic Blade, so squeezing this in has been a problem.”
The method begins with analysis—Slagel compiles background on every track, reaching out to producers, artists, and business specialists so as to add depth to every episode. Recording is one other problem, as coordinating schedules with busy musicians and producers isn’t all the time simple.
“There’s numerous shifting elements,” he says. “Coordinating with friends, ensuring we get the historic context proper, and holding it participating for listeners—it’s a much bigger manufacturing than I anticipated.”
Regardless of the trouble, Slagel loves the expertise. “On the finish of the day, it’s about speaking to folks I respect and love about music we’re all enthusiastic about,” he says. “And that makes it price it.”
What’s Subsequent? Extra Episodes—and a Hulu TV Collection
Whereas 100 Songs That Outline Heavy Metallic is gaining traction—having already been downloaded in over 50 international locations—Slagel isn’t stopping there. He’s additionally concerned in a brand new metallic historical past docuseries for Hulu, Into the Void. Produced by the staff behind Darkish Facet of the Ring, the present will discover pivotal figures in metallic’s historical past, with episodes on legends like Chuck Schuldiner and Randy Rhoads.
Past the podcast, Slagel acknowledges the significance of documenting metallic’s legacy in all codecs—whether or not it’s podcasts, books, or documentaries. “The extra methods we will protect and discover this historical past, the higher,” he says. His efforts prolong to incorporating ignored parts of metallic historical past, together with its deep ties to totally different musical kinds and underground actions.
Slagel has additionally been versatile with the podcast’s content material, typically shifting away from his preliminary checklist primarily based on visitor strategies. “Some artists have introduced in concepts I hadn’t even thought-about,” he says. “It retains the dialog contemporary and unpredictable.”
The Final Metallic Anthem?
Among the many many songs mentioned on the podcast, there’s one which Slagel believes captures the essence of heavy metallic greater than every other. It’s a monitor that embodies the style’s energy, storytelling, and epic composition—one which he considers the proper introduction to metallic for the uninitiated.
“It’s obtained every thing,” he says. “Depth, unbelievable lyrics, an unforgettable vocal efficiency, and a construction that retains evolving. It’s the complete package deal.”
Whereas listeners should wait till the ultimate episode to listen to Slagel’s definitive choose, for now, he’s having fun with the method of breaking down the songs which have formed the style, providing each die-hard followers and newcomers a guided tour by way of metallic’s huge panorama.
New episodes of 100 Songs That Outline Heavy Metallic drop each Monday. Hearken to a few Brian’s handpicked episodes under, and test it out wherever you get your podcasts. db
Kerry King
Johan Hegg
