Brutal guitar riffs and choreography, crowd surfers and towel waving, mosh pits and performers sharing hand hearts with the crowd. If some of these terms seem incongruous at a single concert, welcome to the world that is Babymetal. Two sold-out crowds at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood witnessed all of this as the self-proclaimed “kawaii metal” Japanese group, composed of lead singer SU-METAL and “scream and dance” members MOAMETAL and MOMOMETAL, performed on October 11th and 12th for the last stop of their Babyklok tour, sharing headlining duties with the metal band Dethklok.
While this was the fifth time Babymetal has headlined in Los Angeles, it was the first for Momometal to perform as a permanent member. MOMOMETAL (real name Momoko Okazaki) replaces founding member YUIMETAL, who announced her departure from the group in 2018. Until her April installation, MOMOMETAL was performing as an unnamed temporary member, sharing the position with two others. “Every day is so much fun that I can’t help it”, MOMOMETAL said in an exclusive e-mail interview with the group. “I’m even more excited to rev the engine and keep going!”
After guitarist Jason Richardson performed a half-hour set, Babymetal opened Wednesday’s performance with “Babymetal Death”, their self-introductory song backed by heavy guitars and drums. This had not been performed for years, but with the addition of a permanent third member, it has returned as their opener. The song immediately had the crowd jumping and throwing up the group’s signature kitsune (fox) hand sign. This was followed by their viral hit “Gimme Chocolate” and “Papaya”, where the crowd twirls Babymetal-themed towels during the chorus.
The one-hour set included two songs — “Believing” and “Monochrome” — from The Other One, their 2023 concept album based on an alternate version of Babymetal. The music veers away from the kawaii elements that have been a staple since day one, replaced with a more serious and introspective tone. “This isn’t like a colorful box of toys like previous Babymetal albums”, says SU-METAL, “this is a dark, black and white, adult album.” This concept was underscored during the “Monochrome” performance as SU-METAL asked the crowd to turn on their cellphone lights to “shine a light upon this dark, dark world.”
After an instrumental including solos by the “Kami” backing band, the trio gleefully returned to the stage to perform their latest single, “Metali!”, an upbeat, Japanese festival-themed song that brings Babymetal back to its roots. “I think this song was possible because of the reborn BABYMETAL with the three of us”, said MOMOMETAL. “Every time I perform the song, I love it even more. I’m completely hooked on it.” MOMOMETAL is featured prominently in her first song as a permanent member, with a kabuki-style monologue followed by a guttural “ARE YOU READY?” scream which sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The group completed their eleven-song set with the anthemic “Road of Resistance” followed by an in-unison “See you!” to the crowd.
Dethklok, who provided the music to the adult-animated show Metalocalypse, closed the show on Wednesday while Babymetal had those honors for the US tour finale. Babymetal’s Thursday set included the song “Mirror Mirror” and added “Ijime, Dame, Zettai” as an encore, the only time they performed an encore during the tour.
Asked about their thoughts on performing 29 US dates in 44 days, MOAMETAL replied, “This tour was tough and my body was aching, so I wanted to let my body rest, but now that the tour is over, I feel both lonely because I can’t see everyone and eager to see them again. Thank you for spending this happy time together with us!”
Babymetal resumes their touring schedule in Europe before returning to Japan for a yet unannounced tour final show.
Rafu Contributor Darren Yamashita interviewed the highly successful metal band and documented their feelings about the US tour.
This has been your longest tour to date. The (US) tour will conclude with the LA performances, but when you think back on this tour, what comes to mind first?
MOAMETAL: The first thing that comes to mind is “Love”. Everyone’s love was overflowing around me. I was able to feel all of the fans’ love, and was saved by it. Thanks to that, I was able to do my best! Thank you! This tour was tough and my body was aching, so I wanted to let my body rest, but now that the tour is over, I feel both lonely because I can’t see everyone, and eager to see them again. To everyone we haven’t been able to meet yet, I want to see them one day too. The love for food is also important for me (laughs), so the foods I was able to “meet” during the tour are also in the corner of my mind. Getting back on topic, this was our first US tour in a while, and many more people attended than before. From little kids who weren’t at previous tours to the familiar faces, everyone’s happy faces are etched into my mind. Thank you for spending this happy time together with us!
Ever since BABYMETAL was first formed, you’ve continued to give fun and exciting performances to audiences, but recently there seems to be a more powerful feeling. Is there a specific reason for this change (e.g. life after the pandemic, happy being able to perform overseas again)?
SU-METAL: While we were “sealed”, I temporarily took a break from BABYMETAL. I wanted to do a complete reset and also took a break from music. A little while after, I danced with MOAMETAL at the studio for the first time in a while, I realized it was really fun… like when a student is learning music. I thought to myself, “I truly love this music, I want to sing this song again!” I wanted to return to BABYMETAL, and we got back to work. As we continued, MOAMETAL and MOMOMETAL were fighting alongside me as close companions, I was able to sing songs I love, and there are people who would listen to them. I wanted to appreciate such an incredibly happy environment, and I realized I should enjoy it. Although we were told that we “leveled up”, I found myself relax more, and there was a greater awareness of creating the performances together. Maybe this is the reason we “powered up”. Everyday there are different encounters, fans who cross various borders and gather to enjoy the music we’ve created. I’m very grateful to have that sort of experience, and I kept that in mind throughout the tour.
The latest album, “THE OTHER ONE”, is a conceptual album showing a new side of BABYMETAL. Compared to your previous albums, it is more mature than “Kawaii Metal” with an emphasis on introspective lyrics. Could you please share your first impressions when you listened to the album for the first time?
SU-METAL: When I first listened to the album my first impression was, “This isn’t like a colorful box of toys like previous BABYMETAL albums. This is a dark, black and white, adult album.” At first I didn’t understand the meaning of the words because I thought the album was 10 pictures, 10 myths, each conveying its own world. As we were recording and finishing the songs, one by one the pictures became three dimensional, and I realized I could see the story inside. These songs that were black and white at first glance actually became more like watercolor paintings with many light colors overlapping each other. Similar to how you can see different colors depending on the angle, I think each person listening to the song can interpret it differently, so I’d like to hear everyone’s impressions. There is no right answer, opinions can change every time you listen, so I hope fans listen to them a lot.
Your latest single, “METALI!”, has a bright sound in contrast to “THE OTHER ONE”. It has a feeling of returning to the roots of BABYMETAL, could you please let us know your thoughts on the song?
MOMOMETAL: I think this song was possible because of the reborn BABYMETAL with the three of us. It makes me incredibly happy that I can say, “This is our song!” I actually want to brag about it more (laughs). It’s why I truly treasure it, and want to spread it around the world even more. Every time I perform the song, I love it even more. I’m completely hooked on it.
With the reborn BABYMETAL structure of SU-METAL, MOAMETAL, and MOMOMETAL, what sort of changes has this brought to the group?
MOAMETAL: I think a 3-person formation of BABYMETAL is the best, and after 10 years we were able to add MOMOMETAL for a new formation. That is just the form though, I don’t think anything has really changed. My love for BABYMETAL hasn’t changed, and I’m still having fun pushing onwards, so to be honest, maybe I haven’t really thought about things like what’s different from before or what is better. When we can feel the audience, and they think positively of BABYMETAL, that’s what makes me the happiest. But as for MOMOMETAL, she’s brought great new energy with her progress, and I’m thankful that she’s here.
MOMOMETAL, you were summoned and became a member of the reborn BABYMETAL. Please tell us how you’ve felt since then.
MOMOMETAL: Everyday is so much fun that I can’t help it. I’ve been able to do so many new things for the first time, so every day has been exciting. From performances, to interviews, and learning the history that BABYMETAL has created up to now, I’m constantly aware of the responsibility. I’m thankful to be doing this non-stop though. I’m even more excited to rev the engine and keep going!
What is “BABYMETAL” to each of you? If you could, please answer in the form of, “To me, BABYMETAL is…”
MOAMETAL: To me, BABYMETAL is “everything.” I’ve lived more than half my life as MOAMETAL. Soon enough it will be two-thirds (laughs). Thinking about it, it’s a bit surprising. Some may think it’s an exaggeration to say “everything”, but I’ve sacrificed a lot for BABYMETAL. There were times of doubt and frustration, but I’m proud to still be MOAMETAL. After 10 years I’ve grown a bit and my thinking has become more flexible. I’m able to separate the true me from MOAMETAL, so I want to challenge myself to do things I couldn’t do before. I’ve met many wonderful people, and the number of important things and people in my life have grown. I feel happy that they’re a part of my life, and that I’m a part of theirs, so I want to keep leading this life together!
MOMOMETAL: To me, BABYMETAL is a second life. DEATH! *
* Babymetal members use “DEATH” as a play on words for the Japanese “desu”. For example, during “Babymetal Death”, instead of the lyric “SU-METAL desu” (I am SU-METAL), it’s pronounced, “SU-METAL DEATH”.
SU-METAL: To me, BABYMETAL is life. I was a teenager when I started with BABYMETAL and it’s already been over 10 years, so it’s been more than half my life. Through BABYMETAL, I’ve come to know this world and grew up in BABYMETAL. From traveling the world, my perspective and possibilities broadened, and I was able to make friends around the world. BABYMETAL is where I want to be. I have people by my side who bring color to my life and help me discover what it means to live, so I have to keep fighting to protect it.
By Rafu Contributor Darren Yamashita
Photos by Darren Yamashita
Interview Translation: Cassidy Louie, Maya Kuraki
Appreciate this excellent report but the announcement of Yuimetal’s departure was not in 2019 but in October of 2018, thank you.
Great review.
Yuimetal actually announced her departure from the group in October of 2018.
It had been a year before that since she had appeared on stage with BABYMETAL.