Album review: BABYMETAL – METAL FORTH

We all blinked and somehow BABYMETAL have been a band for 15 years. The kawaii metallers have achieved much during that time – not least bending the world to their will with truly original music and a wilful disregard for the conventions of heavy music.

It feels somewhat odd, then, that METAL FORTH should be so stocked with guests. It’s not a move that’s without precedent, of course – there have been appearances from Japanese artists on BABYMETAL’s previous records. It’s not even particularly new to have a quirky cameo from the world of metal – Sabaton’s Joakim Brodén popped up, only slightly unexpectedly, on Oh! Majinai from 2019’s METAL GALAXY.

It just seems unusual for a band that’s so singular to be packing in big names on seven of these 10 tracks. Does it suggest a dip in their clout? Clearly not – in May, they became the first Japanese act to headline London’s O2 Arena.

On the whole, it’s a venture that works brilliantly. From me to u (featuring Poppy) and My Queen (featuring Spiritbox) are perfectly cultivated collaborations. In both cases, you sense the guests have been inspired by BABYMETAL along the way, making for a mutually reciprocal dynamic with engrossing results. Meanwhile, Kon! Kon! (featuring Bloodywood) is a winner because of the sheer power and persuasiveness of its cultural soundclash.

Admittedly, not all of the partnerships are quite as banging. RATATATA overdoes it on the Electric Callboy component, while Song 3 (featuring Slaughter To Prevail) feels too much of a contrivance – pitting metal’s most terrifying frontman, the bloodcurdling Alex Terrible, against the sweetness of our heroines feels, and sounds, a bit obvious.

Those, though, are compounded by the fact that everything else is so good. Notably, the ones featuring BABYMETAL on their own. KxAxWxAxIxI is the closest they’ve come to hip-hop, albeit punctuated by terrifying guttural vocals and lurching grooves. While Algorism and White Flame ー白炎ー are both head-spinning blasts of melody sure to work brilliantly during live shows.

On one hand, you can’t help wanting just a bit more BABYMETAL on this BABYMETAL album. But surely that’s a compliment? Either way, there are moments of genius here. In forging new bonds and attempting to break new ground, METAL FORTH's intentions are noble and the executions occasionally excellent.

Verdict: 4/5

For fans of: Bring Me The Horizon, Poppy, Enter Shikari

METAL FORTH is released on August 8 via Capitol. Get your special-edition Kerrang! Presents BABYMETAL magazine now