Digital Cover: BABYMETAL
Talent: BABYMETAL
Music Editor + Words: Do Young Kim
Managing Editor: Chrissy Wang
Fashion Editor: Juri Watanabe
EIC: Anthony Vu Cao
Synchronized choreography, striking metaverse visuals, and an unstoppable Japanese trio, but it’s explosive heavy metal? We couldn’t believe our eyes and ears either, but BABYMETAL is exactly that and more. Their new album METAL FORTH, debuting at #9 on the Billboard 200, a first for an all-Japanese fronted group, amassed over 200 million global streams and sold 36,000 equivalent album units in its first week. Formed in 2010, the trio of SU-METAL, MOAMETAL, and MOMOMETAL continue to march forward with magnetic presence in the global music scene.
As they prepare for their largest headline show at the iconic Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, GR8T Magazine catches up with BABYMETAL for a fierce conversation on their album, sound, imaginary wars, and life as metal superstars.
IT’S GREAT TO HAVE BABYMETAL ON GR8T MAGAZINE!!! Can you introduce yourselves and tell us what kind of music BABYMETAL creates?
(MOAMETAL) Nice to meet you!Thank you for discovering BABYMETAL and featuring us on the cover.We were summoned by THE FOX GOD in 2010. It has been 15 years since we started our journey under the name BABYMETAL, which means “the birth of new metal.”
SU-METAL and I, MOAMETAL, have been together for 15 years now. We’ve overcome so many challenges side by side, and with MOMOMETAL joining us, we’ve become the newest — and strongest — version of BABYMETAL! SU-METAL’s soaring, powerful vocals and MOMOMETAL’s fierce death growls are our weapons, and creating BABYMETAL together with these two amazing members is such a joy for me.
What is the meaning behind the name of your new album, METAL FORTH?
(MOMOMETAL) This is the fourth album for BABYMETAL and “FORTH” step forward. It has the meaning of “beyond metal.” In the era that metal is becoming genre-less, through collaborating with other musicians, we discover a new side of BABYMETAL.
SU-METAL of BABYMETAL
The album feels like both a celebration of the group’s 15 year legacy and opening of a new chapter for the many possibilities of the genre. What inspired the concept behind it?
(SU-METAL) Album “METAL FORTH” carries the meaning of pushing metal forward into the future. 15 years ago when we started BABYMETAL, we were young and followed the footsteps of fellow musicians. Through 15 years of our journey, we established what BABYMETAL is and the metal scene has evolved and become increasingly genre-blended.
Through this album, I hope to convey our determination to be the ones shaping the future of metal.
Which track from the project holds the deepest meaning to each of you?
(MOAMETAL) I would choose “RATATAT”! This is a song we made with the German metal band Electric Callboy. Thanks to this track, many people discovered BABYMETAL. Making music with them was such a fun process, and we still talk about it within the group. We even went to Germany to shoot the music video, taught them the choreography, and performed together a few times. It really felt like we became part of the Electric Callboy team. We still keep in touch with them. This song brought us the friendship with them, so it is very meaningful to me!
(SU-METAL) “Sunset Kiss feat. Polyphia.” I experimented with different vocal approaches on this track. I believe I was able to discover this particular style because I’ve grown as a vocalist. We were struggling to pin down the song’s direction when Polyphia sent us a demo with added guitar work - suddenly, everything clicked into place. This experience really taught me the beauty of true collaboration, so this song has the deepest meaning in this album.
(MOMOMETAL) “METALI! feat. Tom Morello” This is the first song since I became BABYMETAL, so this is an important song for me. I still vividly remember about the music video shooting and first performance.
MOAMETAL of BABYMETAL
We heard that many of the collaborations on this album sparked from casual encounters during previous world tours. What traits do you find yourselves drawn to in other artists?
(SU-METAL) As a fellow female vocalist, I really admire Poppy’s contrast between her sweet, cute singing voice and her sharp death growls, as well as her unique fashion sense. Courtney (LaPlante) has an overwhelming presence just by standing on stage, and I admire the range of her vocals…from powerful to delicate.
Electric Callboy’s live performances are truly incredible; their ability to entertain the audience is unmatched. And Bloodywood’s Jayant… his funny faces are the best, I absolutely love them (laughs).
Everyone has such rich individuality and so many unique charms that I could keep naming them forever.
BABYMETAL often performs in both Japanese and English. How does your approach differ when it comes to writing, delivery, and performance?
(SU-METAL) Japanese has stronger vowels, while English emphasizes consonants, so Japanese tends to sound clearer and more distinct, whereas English tends to flow more smoothly and create depth. For listeners who are not familiar with Japanese, BABYMETAL’s music might sound fresh because each syllable is pronounced clearly, which makes it a good match with metal. Plus, we have the strong weapon of dance. Even if someone doesn’t understand the lyrics, we can express the meaning of the song through our movements, so the audience can feel what the song is about. That’s something we are very conscious of in our performances.
You’ve recently finished tours in major cities like New York, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Chicago. With your biggest LA show to date just weeks ahead, what excites you most about performing live, and are there any moments that still make you nervous?
(MOMOMETAL) I am very excited to perform on such a big stage. The stage setting will be new and fresh. And of course we have something special there, so I can’t wait to see fan’s’ reaction! I get nervous easily. I still have stage fright. Right before going on stage, the three of us take a moment to touch our foreheads and steady our breathing. That’s how we calm our nerves!
After 15 years together and opening for legends like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Korn, and Lady Gaga, what does BABYMETAL ultimately want to achieve?
(SU-METAL) I want to be a headliner of an international metal festival! We want to make a revolution by becoming a headliner as a group was once denied as “not metal.”
That’s why we want to keep updating our music, so we can continue leading the next generation of artists and make the metal scene even more exciting.
When it comes to experimenting with different genres, what makes something feel and sound uniquely BABYMETAL?
(MOMOMETAL) Well… maybe it’s all thanks to MOAMETAL? (laughs) Sorry, just kidding. Hmm, I think it might be because each member of Team BABYMETAL, both the members and staff, we’re all striving toward making the best of it. Or maybe it’s because our fans are the ones who really make us unique.
To be honest, I don’t really know. But I’ve always treasured what I personally feel is the essence of BABYMETAL, and I want everyone to also value the BABYMETAL I’ve helped protect. At the same time, I want to keep challenging new things while cherishing that essence. If people can enjoy seeing us do that, it makes me really happy.
Although Japan’s metal scene has seen, and is seeing its renaissance, the world is still somewhat unaware of its presence. Can you tell us more about Japan’s unique metal culture and the community around it?
(MOAMETAL) (MOAMETAL talks about Japanese culture. Instead of Japan’s metal culture and the community)
There are many things, but one culture I really love is “oshibori.” They are wet towels that always come out at restaurants in Japan. When I go overseas, I feel sad because there are never any oshibori, so I carry wet wipes with me.
On a cold day, warming my hands with a hot oshibori at a restaurant feels amazing, and in the summer, cooling my forehead with an ice-cold oshibori is the best. I think it’s the ultimate hospitality. Of course, Japan has so many more unique cultures, so if you’re reading this, I really hope you can visit Japan someday!
MOMOMETAL of BABYMETAL
Moving forward, what new challenges outside of music would the members like to take on?
(MOMOMETAL) We lately talk about challenging “wanko-soba”(laugh). I am not sure about soba but I win if there is “wanko- blackbeans” wanko-soba=a style of Japanese soba noodles originating from Iwate Prefecture in Japan, particularly Morioka and Hanamaki. It consists of a small serving of soba noodles in small bowls. In this soba experience, customers quickly eat their soba noodles and get their bowl immediately refilled in repetition.
It’s been amazing having you on GR8T! Before you go, what’s one message that BABYMETAL wants to share with the world?
(MOAMETAL) Hey! Thank you for discovering BABYMETAL! We perform many times in many places every year, and we often travel outside Japan, so I’m sure we’ll meet you in your town someday.
When we do, let’s make the most of that encounter: sing, dance, and enjoy the moment together! I really can’t wait to see you at one of our shows.
Until then, please enjoy METAL FORTH! And remember—we’ll always be waiting for you, so drop by whenever you feel like it. GR8T
