A History Of Heavy Metal In 100 Songs

Joshua Charig
  • 3.7 (6)
  • MUSIC HISTORY

A look into the most influential songs in heavy metal: from those which inspired the genre to head-banging anthems. We listen to music throughout the past 90 years and discuss how they shaped this colossal genre, and the historical context in which they were born.

  1. 02/21/2024

    Ep.17 Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne

    After being thrown out of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne thought his music career was done and a life as an abattoir worker awaited him in Aston. The Blizzard of Ozz LP turned out to be his saving grace, not only giving his career the boost he needed, but saving his life at the same time. Discover how Ozzy became the most recognisable man in metal.

    22 min

  2. 01/29/2024

    Ep.16 Ace of Spades by Motorhead w/Special Guest Teri

    Motorhead is yet another band who needs no introduction. Their influence is felt far and wide and by uniting the punks and the metalheads they changed the paramters of what metal could be. The pinnacle of their sound, the Ace of Spades, tells their story; from Lemmy's beginnings as a roadie to topping the UK charts.

    51 min

  3. 11/12/2023

    Ep.15 Victim of Changes by Judas Priest

    If Black Sabbath built the home of heavy metal, Judas Priest decorated it. After their first album flopped commercially, and their label holding their purse strings tight, Judas Priest needed something outstanding if they were to survive as a band. 1976's Sad Wings of Destiny not only gave the band the success they deserved, but developed the metal genre further. Title track Victim of Changes is still one the most important and enjoyed Judas Priest tracks.

    18 min

  4. 08/09/2023

    Ep.14 School's Out by Alice Cooper

    Alice Cooper brought a third dimension to live shows, transforming the bare stages of the early 70s into works of art in their own rights, whilst at the same time kicking up controversy. School's Out became the anthem for school children across the Western world, and Alice Cooper left a lasting mark on heavy metal.

    22 min

  5. 05/02/2023

    Ep.13 Smoke on the Water By Deep Purple

    It's 1972, heavy metal is this awkward new genre the fans love but bands hate. Nonetheless, rock groups are pushing boundaries to make darker and heavier music, and Deep Purple too have stamped on their distortion pedals. Smoke on the water brought groove and power to heavy rock, and influenced a slew of hard rock and metal bands over the next 50 years.

    18 min

  6. 04/01/2023

    12.5 Bonus Episode! Children of the Grave by Black Sabbath

    Bonus Episode! At a time when the threat of nuclear war seemed excruciatingly real, Black Sabbath once again produced a seminal anti-war song to capture the feeling of a generation. Children of the Grave has proven to be a timeless song and one of the many reasons Black Sabbath are still an influential force in music.

    19 min

  7. 03/28/2023

    Ep.12 Sweet Leaf by Black Sabbath

    I did say I'd do Children of the Grave but in my research I found I had a lot more to discuss about Sweet Leaf. Black Sabbath are going from strength to strength and their third album Master of Reality builds on the artistic and commercial success of Paranoid. Delving into more experimental territory, one song Sweet Leaf spawned a genre and its influence was felt for decades. Not just a stoner anthem, but an uplifting song showing how great cannabis is, and why it should be legalised.

    21 min

  8. 01/31/2023

    Ep.11 The Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin

    Hailed as one of the biggest bands in rock and pop, Zeppelin's influence spread far and wide into the very fabric of metal itself. They proved to be highly controversial and not always for the right reasons.

    22 min
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A look into the most influential songs in heavy metal: from those which inspired the genre to head-banging anthems. We listen to music throughout the past 90 years and discuss how they shaped this colossal genre, and the historical context in which they were born.

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