BABYMETAL became one of Japan’s biggest music exports very quickly. From coordinated glamour to instrumentals that have received critical acclaim, it seems like the trio are on the way to making magic every time. After 2023’s The other one, we felt that the music needed a quick ECG. They had strayed a bit-there is the word “metal” which suffixes after “baby”. With some help from friends, this cameo filled album brings what the band is the best at doing. This is called METAL FORTH.
With the familiar “let’s go!”, the opening song brings the incredible vocals from Poppy. Established as one of mainstream metal’s most prolific collaborators-there isn’t a metal list which has a collab without her. from me to u has a begrudgingly powerful riff-3 notes with an elastic return. Like all BABYMETAL songs, there is a melodic core that you can always sing along to. The contrast is what makes their music so polarising-you either love it or hate it. It’s difficult to hate, however-for even an elitist can clearly hear the level of effort that goes into their music. The digital reverb stays strong-along with the style of chorus that becomes the standpoint of the song. I loved the tempo of this, it’s an instant head bang magnet, and Poppy has done an impressive job in finding her own niche within such a recognisable trio.
The palette of metal
When Kobametal conceptualised BABYMETAL, it was another Japanese export that could be a hit or miss. The possibility for a miss were difficult, though. Thanks to several hundred anime shows being exported from the country every year, theme songs and interludes were typically hard rock or metal. When the Kami Band was complete (BABYMETAL’s instrumentalists), the only thing left was the Japanese idol lore to bring a trio that would gel with the idea. Enter Su-metal, Moametal & Momometal. The world had enough of Norse, war, mythology and death in metal. This was a shake-up from the get-go- and Kobametal nailed it right on the head.
RATATATA has Electric Callboy featuring. It’s a great break after the metal downpour you just hear. Keeping the tempo upbeat with the chunky bass, vocals come in with some foreshadowing. Try to keep yourself from saying the title when it attacks you in the chorus.
The sorcery of BABYMETAL continues to keep you spellbound. It is a glorious return in many ways, even though the band has kept us entertained with collabs with F.HERO & Lil Uzi Vert as well. Just when you think the band is getting comfortable with tie-ups in the same box, they flip the script and completely surprise you.
The rise of change
From when BABYMETAL played Budokan twice, it was evident that they were chosen favourites. Only some of the best metal acts have held their own there. The ones who are confident enough, release a special album with their set there. If the crowd sings along to all the music-you’re truly global. The Big 4, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and more have seen some of their most loyal fans pack up the indoor arena. The metal trio are no different-they are chosen idols now.
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When Song 3 plays with the extremely brutal Slaughter to Prevail, you know they can stand the stage with the best. Thanks to Alex the Terrible switching the range in vocals, this song has a great test of screams from BABYMETAL and SP with their intense riff writing. They leave no space to breathe, charged from one after the other. The kawaii metal heralds have been able to bring a whole new layer of positivity into metal-while many have always descended into darker themes.
When we reach Kon! Kon!-it’s the joy we get to see in collaboration. Bloodywood had played Bekhauf with the trio-with vocals even in Hindi sung by BM. The Indian metal heroes bring a new ounce of energy with this one. The hoye, hoye! is an immediate link to Punjabi music, and while leaving space for it-you can clearly feel the incredible switch BABYMETAL are able to bring.
Holding their own
Listening to KxAxWxAxIxI, you’ll realise this is the first non-collaborative song you’re listening to in the album. When METAL FORTH is being released, the band is celebrating global appreciation of metal. From legends like Tom Morello to contemporary class acts like Polyphia, they are able to show that they can swing in any way metal can. It’s especially interesting to hear Sunset Kiss, the groove being different and owing to Polyphia’s complex style. Algorism is another one with just the Kami Band, showing us why they are some of the most desired voices in the metal scene.
They pack more than a punch in this album, they celebrate metal they way they should. They add colourway to what is seen as a dark, morose genre dealing with complexity. No embellishments or frills-kick-ass costumes and revitalising a genre that was supposedly designed for “little girls”. Paint me excited, I’ve not got a kick of this range for a long, long time:
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Self professed metalhead, moderately well read. If the music has soul, it's whole to me. The fact that my bio could have ended on a rhyme and doesn't should tell you a lot about my personality.
