Label: BMD FOX Records/Toy’s Factory
Review by Davide Torresan
I remember like it was yesterday the first time I’ve heard of BABYMETAL. It was on the end of November 2012 and I was surfing the web looking for new bands to listen to. Among the reviews and many site news I found the “Doki Doki Morning” video of the Japanese metal band BABYMETAL. It was love at first sight: three teenagers dressed like gothic lolitas dancing on a pop-metal song. I’m not talking about rock, but pure death metal wisely combined with a catchy refrain, all sung in their native language. The next logical step was searching for more and believe me, I found a really interesting group. BABYMETAL is a trio composed by 3 teenagers: Suzuka (SU-METAL), Moa (MOAMETAL) and Yui (YUIMETAL) and please keep in mind that BABYMETAL is the musical phenomenon of this year with several sold-out gig stadiums in Japan and lately they caught the interest of the foreign media too.
In the past they have been supported by a fake band dressed in bone suit for the shows, but recently the girls have been accompanied by the Kami Band which it features session musicians as Takayoshi Ohmura (Liv Moon), Leda on guitars, BOH on bass and Aoyama Hideki on drums. BABYMETAL‘s main feature is the choreography that Suzuka, Yui and Moa perform on stage. They are so funny and sweet that they will enchant you. It’s no surprise that the name “BABYMETAL” blend the sweetness of the idol-pop music and the heavyness of metal.
The listening of BABYMETAL‘s debut album will leap you up and you’ll get the same reaction if you’re going to check their videos on YouTube. I dare you to not sing the refrain of “II ne!” even if you don’t speak Japanese. You’ll be amazed by a rap section that it come after the death metal one . In “4 No Uta” it’s the reggae who it gets melted with pop and metal, while in “Uki Uki Midnight” it’s the dubstep. You will fall in love with the catchy but charming vocal lines and the generous use of electronics. For example I’m referring to “Headbanger!!” and “Catch Me If You Can”. Another excellent song is the conclusive “Ijime Dame Zettai”: it has some great power metal guitar and keyboards riffs too. If you love the blending of different music genres, please buy this album and spread the word but, above all, if you have the chance to see these girls in your country, don’t miss out their gig!
Rating – 95/100
Tracklist
- BABYMETAL DEATH
- Megitsune
- Gimme Choco!!
- II Ne!!
- Aka Tsuki
- Doki Doki Morning
- Onedari Daisakusen
- 4 No Uta
- Uki Uki Midnight
- Catch me if you can
- Akuma no Rondo
- Headbanger!!
- Ijime Dame Zettai
Line Up
- SU-METAL – vocal/dance
- YUIMETAL – scream/dance
- MOAMETAL – scream/dance