Review by Rick Eaglestone for MPM
BABYMETAL has returned with Metal Forth, an album that simultaneously validates their enduring relevance while pushing their kawaii-metal formula into uncharted territories – This isn’t just a comeback—it’s a statement of artistic maturity from a band that has consistently defied categorisation and challenged the metal establishment’s preconceptions.
From the moment the opening track erupts which quite frankly is easily the opening album track of the year but then again when you consider that Poppy is a collaborator, ( 4 million views on YouTube in a couple of weeks of the video dropping) it’s fair to say she more than just compliments the track with characteristic blend of crushing riffs and saccharine melodies and guttural outpourings it becomes clear that Babymetal trio have emerged from their hiatus with renewed purpose.
The production, helmed once again by their mysterious creative collective, achieves a remarkable balance between the theatrical bombast that made them global phenomena and a newfound sonic sophistication that speaks to their evolution as artists.
Musically, the album showcases the band’s expanded palette without sacrificing their essential character. The guitar work, credited to their rotating cast of session musicians, demonstrates a newfound complexity that goes beyond simple power chord progressions. There are moments of genuine technical prowess that will satisfy even the most sceptical metalheads, while the rhythm section provides the thunderous foundation necessary to support the girls’ increasingly confident vocal performances.
Su-metal’s voice, in particular, has matured remarkably. Gone is any trace of the uncertainty that occasionally crept into their earlier work. Her delivery across the album is commanding, whether she’s navigating the breakneck tempo changes of the album’s most aggressive moments or soaring over the anthemic choruses that have become their trademark. There’s a theatrical quality to her performance that recalls the great metal lead singers while remaining distinctly her own.
Moametal, meanwhile, has developed into a formidable stage presence in her own right. Her contributions to the album’s vocal arrangements demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of harmony and counterpoint that elevates the material beyond simple call-and-response patterns.
The songwriting across this release reveals a band unafraid to experiment with structure and dynamics. Several tracks abandon the verse-chorus-verse template entirely, opting instead for through-composed arrangements that unfold like miniature metal operas. This approach occasionally results in moments that feel overly ambitious, but more often than not, it displays BABYMETAL’s unique ability to maintain narrative coherence even within their most chaotic musical passages.
Lyrically, the album continues the band’s tradition of blending mystical imagery with empowerment themes, though there’s a darker edge to much of the material that reflects the intervening years’ global upheaval. The translation of their Japanese lyrics reveals sophisticated wordplay and metaphorical depth that adds layers of meaning for international audiences willing to dig beneath the surface spectacle.
Metal Forth represents a crucial moment in BABYMETAL’s career trajectory. Having proven their commercial viability and survived the inevitable backlash cycle, they now face the challenge of maintaining relevance in an increasingly fragmented musical landscape. This album suggests they’re more than capable of meeting that challenge head-on.
The influence of their journey is evident throughout the record. There is a confidence and maturity that was absent from their earlier work, suggesting artists who have fully internalized their unique position within the metal ecosystem. They are no longer outsiders looking in but established players capable of influencing the genre’s direction.
Perhaps most importantly, Metal Forth succeeds in expanding BABYMETAL’s emotional range without sacrificing their essential playfulness. The album contains moments of genuine pathos alongside their characteristic exuberance, creating a more complete artistic statement than their previous efforts achieved.
The album’s closing tracks provide a particularly strong finish, building to a climactic finale that feels both triumphant and reflective. It’s a sophisticated conclusion that demonstrates BABYMETAL’s growing understanding of album construction as an art form distinct from single songwriting.
In an era when metal often feels trapped between nostalgia and hollow innovation, BABYMETAL continues to offer a genuinely unique alternative. Metal Forth proves that their initial success was no fluke, and that their peculiar brand of musical alchemy remains as potent as ever. This is essential listening for anyone interested in metal’s continuing evolution.
Highlights: from me to u, Kon! Kon!, My Queen.
Metal Forth track listing:
- from me to u (feat. Poppy)
- RATATATA (BABYMETAL x Electric Callboy)
- Song 3 (BABYMETAL x Slaughter to Prevail)
- Kon! Kon! (feat. Bloodywood)
- KxAxWxAxIxI
- Sunset Kiss (feat. Polyphia)
- My Queen (feat. Spiritbox)
- Algorism
- METALI!! (feat. Tom Morello)
- White Flame ー白炎ー
Line-up:
SU-METAL
MOAMETAL
MOMOMETAL
https://babymetal.com/mob/index.php?site=TO&ima=4141
https://www.facebook.com/BABYMETAL.jp
https://www.instagram.com/babymetal_official
9/10
