entertainment

BABYMETAL invasion of the West marches on

44 Comments
By Preston Phro

It’s been less than a year since we interviewed BABYMETAL and prophesied their coming domination of the globe, and in that time they’ve released a new, full-length album, racked up over five million views on one video alone, and made plans to invade England at Sonisphere Festival UK.

But the group’s popularity isn’t limited to the metal community. They’ve gotten attention from major media outlets around the world – it’s only a matter of time before we see the girls jumping around on Oprah’s coach, declaring their love for chocolate.

Though BABYMETAL has actually been around for a few years now, it took a while for the world to catch on. Which is fair enough – overnight successes are rarely actually overnight – but now that they’ve been noticed, you can’t throw a rock without hitting a major publication writing about the idol-pop-metal group. Following reporting on the group by Western metal publications like Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, MetalSucks, and NoCleanSinging, the mainstream media in the UK and the U.S. picked up on the group, with USA Today, Time, and the Guardian all struggling to understand how BABYMETAL (and metal in general) works.

And they’re not just getting a lot of press – their debut album has been selling like hot cakes sprinkled with powdered sugar and imprinted with Hello Kitty’s winking face. Since February, when the album was released, they’ve climbed to the top of numerous charts, including iTunes’s metal ranking – but that’s not hard when your competition is Five Finger Death Punch or For Today, we suppose. It’s not just metal fans that are getting on-board the “dangerous kawaii” train though – the album has also tracked highly on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart.

With their upcoming performance at Sonisphere, though, they’ll be thrown in the mix with some of the biggest names in the metal world, including Slayer, Metallica, and Iron Maiden, arguably the greatest metal band in history.

Source: Narinari

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- BABYMETAL releases full album, metalheads and idol fans headbang in unison -- Put your kitsune up! BABYMETAL is set to dominate the world with ‘dangerous kawaii’ -- We Visit Otaku Cooking School, Kitchen a la Mode, Find it Isn’t Just for Nerds

© RocketNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


44 Comments
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But they're fake as Milli Vanilli - they've never even heard of metal before they were simply manufactured together by their talent agency bosses.

7 ( +9 / -3 )

"With their upcoming performance at Sonisphere, though, they’ll be thrown in the mix with some of the biggest names in the metal world, including Slayer, Metallica, and Iron Maiden, arguably the greatest metal band in history"

Yeah, I really doubt that. Do these girls actually play any instruments?

5 ( +7 / -2 )

they’ll be thrown in the mix with some of the biggest names in the metal world, including Slayer, Metallica, and Iron Maiden

Oh God. Jeff Hanneman, Cliff Burton and Clive Burr must be rolling in their graves.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

I don't know, may not be having a lasting impact but it's definitely been made into a conversation piece by many who don't or wouldn't normally know or really care about a Japanese music group. I for one enjoy their music.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Sonisphere will be a great opportunity for British musicians to take notice of this interesting tangent in Japanese metalpop. I wonder how many will check the girls out and risk being labelled a paedo-otaku? The Prodigy mash-ups with TATU were great. It would perfect for them to remix some BABYMETAL extreme dance tracks. And the duet Gary Numan did with Fear Factory was towering. He could be a great producer for an industrial take on the next BABYMETAL release. Now if only Killing Joke were on the bill.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

It's just more AKB-like garbage, repackaged with a live band that plays heavy stuff in between breaks of kawaii school girl lyrics.

It's a shame that Japan's real musical talent play second fiddle to this pap.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

As a long time metal music fan, I am happy to see BABYMETAL gaining some recognition. Manufactured and fake, yes, but they, and their producers, do have a new take on music. Taking metal to the bubble pop direction makes it accessible to people who are not familiar with the genre, as is so common in Japan, and I think the band is entertaining and does what they do well.

The carrying force behind AKB (as some made the comparison) is a new approach to the otaku culture, in that they provide so many idols to worship that everyone can find someone to their tastes. AKB also does the daily concert thing so that the fans can get a chance to rather regularly meet the band members. BABYMETAL is clearly different and the invention here is, at least to me, mainly in the field of music rather than display and marketing.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Good for them, but I wish it was PERFUME coming for the west!!!!!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Their hearts aren't in it for metal music; they don't know anything about it except for what their agency bosses tell them to do.

Think of it this way: think of your favorite type of music. Now think when a bunch of poseurs who don't know anything about it; their hearts aren't in it; they're just following orders from bosses to do it - now think when those poseurs go into your music genre and try to pass off their act as the genuine thing.

If it's a parody act, then fine. But if it's a serious act, then what does that say about your type of music where any poseur could just go in and act like they belong?

Can't wait for Miley Cyrus to take over the Tokyo Philharmonic!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

UK brace for Babymetal.........

http://sonisphere.co.uk/news/uk-brace-for-babymetal/

Give me Chocolate! .....

Atatata taata taatatata zukkyun. Watatata taata taatatata dokkyun. Zukyun. Dokyun. Zukyun. Dokyun. I won’t. Won’t. Won’t. Won’t. Never. Never. Never.

Check-it-out chocolate. Can I have a bit of chocolate? But my weight worries me a bit these days. However, chocolate. Can I have a bit of chocolate? But wait a while! Wait a while! Wait! Wait! Wait!

Atatata taata taatatata zukkyun. Wadadada daada daadadada dokkyun. Zukyun. Dokyun. Zukyun. Dokyun. Yet. Yet. Yet. Yet. Never. Never. Never.

Check-it-out chocolate. I can have a bit of chocolate, can’t I? But my weight worries me a bit these days. However, chocolate. I can have a bit of chocolate, can’t I? But wait a while! Wait a while! Wait! Wait! Wait!.............

I know how Babymetal feel...

Babymetal Translations Unofficial..

http://du-metal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/gimichoko.html

“Dangerous kawaii”, well it has a certain ring to it, with choreography courtesy of MIKIKO 先生 (Perfume fame). Babymetal will certainly make a impression for sure. I am in two minds whether to go and see for myself. The problem is I cannot endure the portaloos, especially spine chilling, and blood curdling when the festival food starts to hold a conversation when reaching for the loo roll.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT...?! I know metal... I love mosh pits... 5 seconds of vocals and my ears had had enough...!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The first thing that springs to mind is a scene from the movie "Blade" where some girls are performing a song. No metal but still.

Oh and for people who don't know which song here is the scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6MfKy9HaAo

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The music and the singing of Babymetal is actually not bad, it's better than the majority of the jpop crap.

Yeah that's damning with faint praise

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Just frackin shoot me! This is god awful stuff, totally fake, I doubt any of their "live" is even remotely live.............

Utter garbage!

May the neging begin

0 ( +6 / -6 )

GW, couldnt agree with you more. Sad but true the teeny metal heads of today are succumbed into the marketing power behind Baby Metal. They will die out soon, a fun fad nothing more. If only they were hot chicks 18+ then maybe I could watch....a bit!

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Wow, I have never seen anything like that before. Loved it! (don't care what anyone else thinks).

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Just woke up on the floor after watching the video in this article, blood everywhere and must have bitten my tongue half off in some epileptic fit. This Japanese attempt at metal is talentless and just like the rest of the no talent J-pop that Japan laps up cause they would not know talent if they saw it. Japanese masses get fed a daily dose of J-krap so what's not to like. What's with the GABA ads with that British goober and hot J-chick we see on every page. They need to get some other promo guy or is this what the J-girls like these days.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Just because you grew up with the original metal bands or like other ones, doesn't mean you should discount their group. Music is ever-evolving, if you don't like it then you don't, plenty of others do.

Jpop singers do lipsynch, idols even more so - just look at the pop groups - they get caught lipsynching in japan, and people actually feel SORRY for them, saying they're so stressed out, etc. I thought performing live was one of the hallmarks of a true musician....

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Everyone bashing on Japanese Metal but X-Japan is considered Hair Metal isn't it? they're fantastic! Also the band Girugamesu! What I like is that they're new, these girls aren't like 99% of music out there, period. Sure they're popularity may be a fad but if they inspire other young people to be passionate and try to do what they love then I say they've definitely earned all this attention and fans.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Babymetal is going to make a impression, irrespective of how talent in the genre is perceived or measured.

Ok so Babymetal is not going to be mistaken for The Go-Gos's, but Babymetal has a whole off-center appeal, the support band when allowed to can deliver a chord or two, so my idol guru informs me.

Britain has come a long way since 4 guys from Liverpool had a hard day's night. However, I have to hold my hand up and admit my taste in music does not seem for find the concussive appeal of Metallica & Co something I would rush out and buy.

These music exes' don't miss a trick, or they never admit to, anyway Babymetal have been invited to Sonisphere, the creative support working behind Babymetal will take a chameleon like method of making the whole thing work.

If names are anything to go by some of the other acts accompanying Babymetal on the bohemian stage are Atari Teenage Riot, Bo Ningen, Trash Talk, Canterbury, Lostalone, Bleed From Within, Dregen, TRC, Beastmilk, Malefice and Glass Vice City, Babymetal could be a winner of sorts.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I think Babymetal have different musical taste than other idols. frankly I just heard music like this

0 ( +0 / -0 )

People can put them down all they want but Suzuka Nakamoto has a really good voice. There is no doubt she can sing. She does not need to lip-sync. There are all kinds of music - good and bad - but at least this is original. They will not not make the big splash that the Gangnam Style dude made but from what I've heard they are not one hit wonders. Their studio band can jam. They use a lot of familiar sounding riffs and their songs are catchy. Even if you do not like the pop idol vocals the band is pretty solid. They are not Iron Maiden but they are not trying to be.

I guess there are not a huge number of people out there like myself who enjoy both heavy metal and J-idols (among other types of music). I liked Ann Lewis, Showa, and Princess Princess (who were more idol like then the others). Babymetal are getting a lot of publicity lately and not just in the Japanese entertainment press.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Moa metal invasion!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

McMusic for the tourists.... nothing more

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

I liked the metal, until the pop kicked in.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Are you trying to suggest they are slaves? Their parents are involved, Thomas Anderson. There's no appeal to perverts in their dress or actions. It's just young girls fronting a metal band.

Watch any of their live shows or concerts, most of the audiences are creepy 20-40 year old male otakus. The same goes for any of the Sakura Gakuin groups featuring pubescent girls.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

if they feature singers and musicians that are grown men and women, not pubescent girls.

You sure are hung up on the presence of these girls, aren't you? They aren't dressed provocatively nor are they acting provocatively. But you sure like to go on and on about these young girls.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

they were simply manufactured together

What does the genesis of the group matter? Do they produce music people want to listen to? That's the only important question with music.

Clearly there's an audience for Babymetal - whether it is a sustained audience when the novelty wears off, who knows. They are creating music people want to hear right now, though.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Anything sells that looks cute!!!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@Hawkeye

This Japanese attempt at metal is talentless and just like the rest of the no talent J-pop that Japan laps up cause they would not know talent if they saw it.

I really cant believe you call this talentles , they sing live , they dance, their music sounds good, what is problem with you, your are musically deaf ? Or you want to say that all those people who brouth albums in US , UK , Australia and some other countries are also deaf ?I think that you are the one who dont have musical abilities to hear good stuff, and pls, post here music that you like, I really wonder what you listen .

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

@Thomas Anderson I am on your side hear buddy.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

All I see are babies on the stage...and no metal!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

A lot will depend on their performance on Sonisphere, we need to wish them luck ,and for those who maybe dont like this melody posted here, check their melody because I got into loving them, its from last year, called "Megitsune"http://youtu.be/cK3NMZAUKGw , but also, there is another one that I listen often, called "UKI UKI MIDNIGHT"http://youtu.be/W-2Z_kQpdW0 ,and also check this video reaction "YOUTUBERS REACT TO BABYMETAL" , http://youtu.be/PeARpcDimx4 ,

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Stop it now. Baby Metal is having no more affect on pop music in the West than did Psy and his idiotic "Gangnam Style," lest we forget how so many media outlets were telling us that S. Korean pop music had arrived and was sure to become more popular after that novelty song became a Youtube hit. It otherwise had the same commercial radio lifespan as pop gems like "Who Let the Dogs Out" and "(Do the) Macarena."

-3 ( +11 / -14 )

Embarrassing to watch, They are chosen as a novelty not due to any musical ability or something new to hit the music scene. Just poorly copied music with squeaky voices on top to appeal to Japanophiles and those who like them young i guess.

Pure novelty and nothing else. As shallow as a worms grave.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Not to mention, that Babymetal was completely manufactured, and the girls have no say in it whatsoever?

Are you trying to suggest they are slaves? Their parents are involved, Thomas Anderson. There's no appeal to perverts in their dress or actions. It's just young girls fronting a metal band.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Watch any of their live shows or concerts, most of the audiences are creepy 20-40 year old male otakus.

Most metal concerts are 20-40 year old creepy otakus, man.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Amazing how they make 'metal' palatable to those who otherwise would hate it. Notches above Lady Gaga, in every way and I hope she disappears as quickly as BABYMETAL has appeared on the music scene! Go girls!!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Great metal parody band. Had a great laugh. It's unusual to see such subtlety in Japanese humour, but these girls have nailed it. For a moment there it almost seemed as if they were actually believed they were a real band.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Most metal concerts are 20-40 year old creepy otakus, man.

Yeah... if they feature singers and musicians that are grown men and women, not pubescent girls. Babymetal is a spinoff of Sakura Gakuin, which again attracts creepy otaku men.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

The music and the singing of Babymetal is actually not bad, it's better than the majority of the jpop crap.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

This Japanese attempt at metal is talentless and just like the rest of the no talent J-pop that Japan laps up cause they would not know talent if they saw it.

Is there some reason insulting, borderline racist crap like this comment is allowed to stay up and harmless off topic comments are deleted?

Aren't there some commenting standards enforced here?

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

You sure are hung up on the presence of these girls, aren't you? They aren't dressed provocatively nor are they acting provocatively. But you sure like to go on and on about these young girls.

Duh? It's whole point why I brought it up in the first place!

So tell me, why are the fans creepy male otakus?

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

I must say, that the singer can sing better than the 99% of the jpop idols. And the music is not bad.

-13 ( +4 / -18 )

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