History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff is the show that aims to make grand and often oddball hard rock and heavy metal points through a narrative built upon the tiny idea of a quintet of songs. Buttressed with illustrative clips, Martin argues quickly and succinctly why these songs - and the specific sections of these tracks - support his mad professor premise, from the wobbly invention of an “American” heavy metal, to the influence of Led Zeppelin in hair metal or to more succinct topics ...
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In Episode 269, Martin discusses 'new guys' that comes into 'old bands,' injecting new life into the band and sending them into the fray of the new wave of British heavy metal. Thin Lizzy – “Thunder and Lightning” Uriah Heep – “Hot Persuasion” Budgie – “Hellbender” Judas Priest – “United” Black Sabbath – “Lady Evil” Learn more about your ad choices…
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In Episode 268, Martin discusses the various ways UFO and the band members work their way through the new wave of British heavy metal. Twisted Sister – “Tear It Loose” Fastway – “Another Day” UFO – “We Belong to the Night” Michael Schenker Group – “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie” Waysted – “Night of the Wolf” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon…
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In Episode 267, Martin discerns just when the Rolling Stones locked in the sound they became famous for. The Rolling Stones – “Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’” The Rolling Stones – “If You Can’t Rock Me” The Rolling Stones – “Lies” The Rolling Stones – “Had It with You” The Rolling Stones – “I Go Wild” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f…
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In Episode 266, Martin wonders aloud if any of Black Sabbath's catalog constitutes progressive metal. Black Sabbath – “Under the Sun” Black Sabbath – “Spiral Architect” Black Sabbath – “Megalomania” Black Sabbath – “Into the Void” Black Sabbath – “Supertzar” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 265, Martin questions and explores why the New Wave of British Heavy Metal 'failed.' Saxon – “Run for Your Lives” Samson – “Bright Lights” Chateaux – “Eyes of Stone” Holocaust – “Death or Glory” Metallica – “No Remorse” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesDi Pantheon Media
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In Episode 264, Martin gives concrete examples of how Peter Gabriel, directly and indirectly, improves other musicians' artistic outputs. Peter Gabriel – “Intruder” David Bowie – “Kingdom Come” Kate Bush – “Suspended in Gaffa” King Crimson – “Frame by Frame” Genesis – “Abacab” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 263, Martin gets tangential and melts your brain talking about Genesis' shelved concept album about the worst year in history, 536 A.D. Genesis – “The Supernatural Anaesthetist” Genesis – “Visions of Angels” Genesis – “Mad Man Moon” Genesis – “Snowbound” Genesis – “Squonk” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 262, Martin makes the bold claim that the 'old bands' invented hair metal. Helix – “Heavy Metal Love” Scorpions – “Big City Nights” Ted Nugent – “No, No, No” Y&T – “Don’t Wanna Lose” Judas Priest – “Devil’s Child” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesDi Pantheon Media
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In Episode 261, Martin explores the relationship between the "Big Four" of thrash metal and the bands they influenced (and were influenced by). AC/DC – “Fire Your Guns” Alice in Chains – “We Die Young” Anthrax – “Black Lodge” Megadeth – “Addicted to Chaos” Metallica – “Where the Wild Things Are” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/…
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In Episode 260, Martin ponders who the 'coolest' band of spring 1976 may have been. Kiss – “King of the Night Time World” Led Zeppelin – “Candy Store Rock” Rainbow – “Run with the Wolf” Aerosmith – “Lick and a Promise” Judas Priest – “Genocide” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 259, Martin gets inside your head with songs that once heard become earworms and maybe even the soundtrack of our lives. Queen – “It’s Late” Accept – “Aiming High” Deep Purple – “Maybe I’m a Leo” Blue Oyster Cult – “Dominance and Submission” Europe – “The Final Countdown” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 258, Martin looks at the inputs that put a band into the running for the designation "Greatest Band of All Time." The Beatles – “Two of Us” Led Zeppelin – “Over the Hills and Far Away” U2 – “Seconds” Queen – “If You Can’t Beat Them” The Rolling Stones – “Too Tough” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 257, Martin posits the notion that the devolution of Black Sabbath as a band exists in parallel with their song introductions. Black Sabbath – “Scarlet Pimpernel” Black Sabbath – “The Sign of the Southern Cross” Black Sabbath – “No Stranger to Love” Black Sabbath – “Orchid” Black Sabbath – “Johnny Blade” Learn more about your ad choices.…
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In Episode 256, Martin celebrates heavy metal duets that are collaborations between singers and some of his personal faves. Max Webster – “Battle Scar” Motorhead/Girlschool – “Please Don’t Touch” Gary Moore – “Out in the Fields” Halford – “The One You Love to Hate” Jackyl – “Locked & Loaded” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch…
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In Episode 255, Martin finds inspiration in the opening riffs from Status Quo's "golden era" albums. Status Quo – “Is There a Better Way” Status Quo – “Down Down” Status Quo – “Big Fat Mama” Status Quo – “Just Take Me” Status Quo – “Little Lady” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 254, Martin scoffs at 'sing songy,' goofy riffs that may undermine the band's 'seriousness' or lessen his taste for the band. Ozzy Osbourne – “Crazy Train” Aerosmith – “Shame on You” AC/DC – “Can’t Stand Still” Rush – “I Think I’m Going Bald” Thin Lizzy – “Fighting My Way Back” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic…
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In Episode 253, Martin explores albums that bands' fanbase want to intellectualize into being good (even if they're maybe not). Queen – “The Hitman” Black Sabbath – “Letters from Earth” Rush – “Carnies” Kiss – “Easy as It Seems” The Clash – “Movers and Shakers” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 252, Martin rebuts his friend's mockery of those people who think the Police are the best New Wave band ever (or if they're even truly New Wave)! The Police – “Omegaman” XTC – “Grass” Joy Division – “A Means to an End” Magazine – “Shot by Both Sides” The Clash – “Last Gang in Town” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc…
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In Episode 251, Martin complains about 'lazy' songwriting and 'underwritten' songs. AC/DC – “There’s Gonna Be Some Rockin’” Van Halen – “Source of Infection” Deep Purple – “Never Before” Ted Nugent – “Backstrap Fever” Thin Lizzy – “Are You Ready” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 250, Martin ponders the question "when has a band 'found' their future sound in one song/album?" Ted Nugent’s Amboy Dukes – “Living in the Woods” Rolling Stones – “If You Can’t Rock Me” Rush – “Anthem” Scorpions – “In Trance” The Saints – “Memories Are Made of This” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 249, Martin pays homage to Black Sabbath's song "I" and explores some "self centered" songs. Thin Lizzy – “Soldier of Fortune” Blue Oyster Cult – “Flaming Telepaths” The Damned – “These Hands” Iron Maiden – “Running Free” Black Sabbath – “Trashed” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 248, Martin dissects the first verse of the first track of some seminal metal gods. Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Purple Haze” Montrose – “Rock the Nation” Judas Priest – “One for the Road” Diamond Head – “Lightning to the Nations” Metallica – “Hit the Lights” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 247, Martin wonders aloud about the meaning and intent of tracks that wrap up albums. Rush – “La Villa Strangiatto” Slayer – “Raining Blood” Black Sabbath – “Lonely Is the Word” Van Halen – “Happy Trails” Queen – “More of That Jazz” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 246, Martin explores the whys and hows of band who included cover songs on their debut album. 38 Special – “Around and Around” Winger – “Purple Haze” Kiss – “Kissin’ Time” Great White – “Substitute” Cheap Trick – “Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 245, Martin continues his dive into artists who are compared and contrasted to the mighty Zep in reviews of their albums. Black Sabbath – “Laguna Sunrise” The Who – “How Many Friends” Yes – “Sound Chaser” Electric Light Orchestra – “Last Train to London” Status Quo – “Too Far Gone” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc…
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In Episode 244, Martin focuses on the first four Led Zeppelin albums. He delves into artists who are compared and contrasted to the mighty Zep within reviews of those albums covering 1969 to 1971. Jeff Beck – “Let Me Love You” Blue Cheer – “Second Time Around” Rolling Stones – “Live with Me” Faces – “Around the Plynth” Jefferson Airplane – “Triad” …
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In Episode 243, Martin focuses on bands that are referenced to compare Black Sabbath to, for better or worse. Cream – “N.S.U.” Grand Funk – “Paranoid” Led Zeppelin – “Black Dog” Todd Rundgren – “Black Maria” MC5 – “Miss X” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesDi Pantheon Media
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In Episode 242, Martin explores bands who replicate the magic of Judas Priest's seminal 1980 album British Steel with a simplified, straightforward killer album. Megadeth – “Countdown to Extinction” Yes – “Owner of a Lonely Heart” Black Sabbath – “Neon Knights” Whitesnake – “Would I Lie to You” Saxon – “Stand Up and Be Counted” Learn more about you…
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In Episode 241, Martin proves to himself that he may not be as contrarian as he thinks while he picks *his* favorite albums from artists whose catalogues he knows well. Alice in Chains – “Rain When I Die” Stranglers – “The Raven” Rolling Stones – “Lies” Ozzy Osbourne – “You’re No Different” Dio – “Night People” Learn more about your ad choices. Vis…
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In Episode 240, Martin celebrates late, great producer's Chris Tsangarides' catalog. Judas Priest – “Victim of Changes” Thin Lizzy – “Angel of Death” Tygers of Pan Tang – “Slave to Freedom” Lords of the New Church – “Kiss of Death” Y&T – “Breaking Away” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 239, Martin ponders who are the biggest LIVING heavy metal stars. Black Sabbath – “Shock Wave” Judas Priest – “Reckless” Guns N’ Roses – “Bad Apples” Kiss – “Any Way You Slice It” AC/DC – “This House Is on Fire” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesDi Pantheon Media
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In Episode 238, Martin explores artists who are "creative geniuses" who surround themselves with the best musicians, collaborators and influences. Peter Gabriel – “The Family and the Fishing Net” King Crimson – “Three of a Perfect Pair” Robert Plant – “Come into My Life” Bjork – “Black Lake” David Bowie – “Love Is Lost” Learn more about your ad cho…
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In Episode 237, Martin explores the subjective notion of "genius" in the craft of musicianship. Frank Zappa – “No Not Now” Snowy Shaw – “Nachtgeist” Elvis Costello – “New Lace Sleeves” Adrian Belew – “1967” Queen – “Flick of the Wrist” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesDi Pantheon Media
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In Episode 236, Martin celebrates singers whose "top gear" is arguably their best gear. Wings – “Rock Show” Kiss – “Baby Driver” Nirvana – “Serve the Servants” Samson – “Bright Lights” Whitesnake – “Love Ain’t No Stranger” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesDi Pantheon Media
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In Episode 235, Martin looks at "low energy crooners" whose singing may not always be the most powerful. Blue Oyster Cult – “Mirrors” Robert Plant – “Carry Fire” Yes – “Arriving UFO” Kate Bush – “Sat in Your Lap” ZZ Top – “Rhythmeen” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesDi Pantheon Media
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In Episode 234, Martin looks at "boogie rock" influenced bands who tightened or shifted their focus. Rolling Stones – “She’s So Cold” Status Quo – “Jam Side Down” Foghat – “Too Late the Hero” AC/DC – “Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder” The Black Crowes – “Ozone Mama” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 233, Martin examines sonically dense, "over the top" hair metal songs. Van Halen – “Get Up” Kiss – “I’m Alive” Dokken – “Tooth and Nail” White Lion – “Let’s Get Crazy” Mr. Big – “Colorado Bulldog” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesDi Pantheon Media
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In Episode 232, Martin celebrates the 'center' of the drum kit. Gillan – “I’ll Rip Your Spine Out” Led Zeppelin – “Poor Tom” Judas Priest – “Heading Out to the Highway” U2 – “Sunday Bloody Sunday” Thin Lizzy – “Massacre” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesDi Pantheon Media
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In Episode 231, Martin digs into bands from Black Sabbath's original stomping grounds. Judas Priest – “Never Satisfied” Trapeze – “Way Back to the Bone” Necromandus – “Nightjar” Quartz – “Pleasure Seekers” Diamond Head – “Starcrossed (Lovers of the Night)” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 230, Martin looks at the 'breaks' on songs from some of his favorite albums of all-time. Queen – “Keep Yourself Alive” ZZ Top – “Avalon Highway” Blue Öyster Cult – “Heavy Metal: The Black and Silver” Thin Lizzy – “The Pressure Will Blow” Rush – “The Analog Kid” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 229, Martin looks at great pre-choruses on songs from some of his favorite albums of all-time. Led Zeppelin – “Down by the Seaside” Black Sabbath – “Megalomania” Judas Priest – “Hell Bent for Leather” AC/DC – “Girls Got Rhythm” Queen – “Dead on Time” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 228, Martin dives into solo albums that feel like a cash grab. Lou Gramm – “Just Between You and Me” Eric Martin – “These Are the Good Times” Fee Waybill – “Saved My Life” Kane Roberts – “Twisted” Tommy Shaw – “Lonely School” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesDi Pantheon Media
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In Episode 227, Martin explores songs inspired by the Big Apple, New York City. Lou Reed – “Dirty Blvd.” Rolling Stones – “Shattered” Dictators – “Avenue A” King Crimson – “Neurotica” Dead Boys – “Son of Sam” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesDi Pantheon Media
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In Episode 226, Martin explores artists who touch upon Bruce's world and influences. Thin Lizzy – “Having a Good Time” Bob Seger – “Feel Like a Number” UFO – “Back into My Life” John Mellencamp – “I Ain’t Ever Satisfied” Graham Parker – “Endless Night” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 225, Martin mulls over the heaviest live albums from the 1970s. Rush – “Something for Nothing” Scorpions – “Dark Lady” UFO – “Mother Mary” Ted Nugent – “Gonzo” Judas Priest – “Genocide” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesDi Pantheon Media
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In Episode 224, Martin addresses albums that suffer from poor track ordering. Van Halen – “You’re No Good” Judas Priest – “Don’t Go” Rush – “Limelight” Aerosmith – “Kings and Queens” Led Zeppelin – “The Ocean” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesDi Pantheon Media
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In Episode 223, Martin explores bands that are hardly ever copied... except for when they are. Starcastle – “Elliptical Seasons” Blue Öyster Cult – “Baby Ice Dog” Spider – “The Morning After the Night Before” Tiles – “Beneath the Surface” Highway Chile – “Handing You Over” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 222, Martin recalls his reactions to big debut albums of the mid-late '70s and early '80s. Ramones – “Chain Saw” Motörhead – “Lost Johnny” Van Halen – “Atomic Punk” Iron Maiden – “Running Free” Ozzy Osbourne – “Revelation (Mother Earth)” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 221, Martin recalls his 13 year old self's reaction to new releases from a banner year of music. Black Sabbath – “You Won’t Change Me” Aerosmith – “Lick and a Promise” Thin Lizzy – “Massacre” Judas Priest – “Island of Domination” Boston – “Hitch a Ride” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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In Episode 220, Martin looks at bands that 'basically' skipped the hair metal route. Motörhead – “Stand” Deep Purple – “Too Much Is Not Enough” Black Sabbath – “Angry Heart” AC/DC – “Meanstreak” Rush – “Lock and Key” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesDi Pantheon Media
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