This episode begins our "Nashville Set": about two months worth of episodes primarily recorded at the Rock N Pod Expo in Nashville. At the Expo, our host, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel caught up with legendary A &amp; R man Tom Zutaut who signed Guns N' Roses to Geffen. Their primary focus was the song "It's So Easy", which Brian also discussed with producer Mark Lewis at his home studio, with tremendous information as always from author Martin Popoff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Iron Maiden: "Murders in the Rue Morgue"

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.