Artist: Babymetal
Only the Japanese could mix kitsch teen cuteness to shredding metal guitars and get away with it. Fact is Babymetal have become something of a phenomena and have broken down a lot of barriers too. There always comes a time when simple exuberant youth needs to give way or at least blend, with a bit of substance and with Metal Galaxy Babymetal have done just that. You could see it coming in recent live shows where the Harajuku girl outfits got upgraded to some badass Samurai inspired stage armour. That sense of empowerment is present right through this latest album, but at the same time the core of what made this band so appealing hasn’t been lost. The music is still 80s driven metal. The singing is still slightly twee with seriously impressive harmonies. If anything this re-invention should see the band gain a whole new army of fans. There was a certain awkwardness in liking them before because of their juvenile nature. Now though the more mature image, and you have to say more mature song writing makes then an easier pill to swallow. Babymetal just became Teenrebel, and we like it very much.
> Gary Trueman
