It’s been impossible to escape the phenomenon known as Babymetal and this was proved earlier this year when Metal Resistance, their second full length release, broke into the higher echelons of album charts worldwide, sitting there in the middle of the multitude of lifeless, over-produced and mind-numbingly bland mainstream releases.

The two extremes synchronise well, creating a rather unique sound which works on so many levels – infectiously catchy and melodic vocal lines, some killer guitar riffs and fretboard wizardry with plenty of heaviness backing it up.

It shouldn’t have worked on paper: two totally separate genres which had no business crossing over, merged together to create something strange, wonderful and brilliant…. The harsh nature of the metalcore music behind three young teenage girls singing and dancing in perfect coordination (or miming, if you sit on the side of those who dislike them) like they were performing a pop song took everyone by surprise. Initially going viral (I detest that phrase but it is most apt to describe the situation) with the single ‘Gimmie Chocolate’ in late 2014/early 2015, the act took the world by storm. The fusion of J-Pop with Metalcore has created a buzz, both positive and negative, ranging from the sound itself to the very nature of the band – a manufactured Japanese pop group with heavy metal backing music designed to target two demographics and exploit them mercilessly.īut the main question in all of this is simple – why did Babymetal suddenly become such a heated subject of debate? I cannot remember a band as divisive as this though. The phenomenon known as Babymetal is a brainchild of Japan, a country famous for producing some notable acts across several genres of music ranging from the likes of Mad Capsule Markets, Dir En Grey, Church Of Misery and Sigh to name but some. Amongst all this musical madness lies an enigma which is becoming more and more noticeable, and becoming very, very divisive. In the music world though, things have been considerably different.Īfter the resurgence of heavy metal in 2015 (after the fantastic Book Of Souls by Iron Maiden turned the public eye back on this genre once more), 2016 continued the charge, churning out some spectacular and not so spectacular releases. The Grim Reaper showed no mercy, cutting down many beloved people breaking hearts and checking names off his list xenophobia and misinformation has become the norm, leading to an increase in hate crimes, intolerance and a very uncertain future and once again there was another disappointing display from England in an international tournament.

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