BABYMETAL came out of Tokyo in 2010 as an audacious mutation of Japanese pop and muscular heavy metal. With a very young Su-metal singing up front, and two other females dancing beside her, the band was both a curiosity and a genuine sensation, with songs that were both crushing and playful. By 2012, BABYMETAL had an anthem for their kawaii metal movement in the self-explanatory “Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!”
That song ultimately appeared on the band’s international debut album, 2014’s BABYMETAL, along with the driving, swirling “Gimme Chocolate!!” Not everyone in the metal world took the group seriously then, but they’ve earned some real respect in the years since, building an audience while playing festivals and arenas around the world. In the band’s mythology, they did it all for the mystical Fox God, as fans cheer on BABYMETAL’s current lineup led by Su-metal and singer-dancers Moametal and Momometal.
Under the ongoing guidance of producer Kobametal, BABYMETAL has just released Metal Forth, which debuted last week at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 chart. That’s not only a milestone for BABYMETAL, but is the first time in pop music history that an all-Japanese-fronted act has charted so high in the U.S. It happened with the help of an all-star cast of hard-hitting collaborators on several tracks, including Poppy, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Spiritbox, and Russian extreme metal act Slaughter to Prevail.
The band celebrated the coming release of Metal Forth with an intimate performance in July at the Regent Theater in Los Angeles, pushing their self-proclaimed “Metal Resistance” forward in 2025. With the help of a translator, Su-metal, Moametal, and Momometal discussed this latest chapter in the BABYMETAL saga.
BABYMETAL has now been a band for 15 years. What does it mean for you that kawaii metal continues to thrive?
Su-metal: At first, we faced a lot of criticism, but by believing in our music and persevering for 15 years, we’re now happy to be recognized as “new metal” or “kawaii metal.” At the same time, I feel we must take on the responsibility of being pioneers in this field, and we’re working hard with the mindset that we want our latest work to always be our strongest, constantly updating and surpassing our past selves.
What was the mission behind your Metal Forth album?
Moametal: As the word forth suggests, the title carries the meaning of wanting to move metal forward, to keep moving ahead with metal. It’s also a double meaning for our fourth album. Isn’t it a great title? I’m actually very proud of it.
In this album, we collaborated with musicians across the boundaries of age, gender, and nationality. Collaborating with musicians who are believed to lead the future of the metal scene [is] truly inspiring, and we enjoyed the time pushing each other higher. Together with them, I want to broaden the horizons of metal and energize the scene even more. And I hope Metal Forth will also become a part of your own journey, always with you.
You have several high-profile guests this time. What was it like to collaborate with so many on one album?
Momometal: It was incredibly inspiring, and there was so much to learn. We were able to create music with them that we had never made before, and that opened a new door for us. Along the way, I discovered that there is still so much more to try. And just as the album title suggests, through this production process I truly experienced what it means to go beyond metal.
I’ve heard that Poppy was a fan of BABYMETAL from when you first started. How was it to sing with her on “From Me to U”?
Su-metal: This track uses a lot of electronic sounds, and for the vocal parts I wanted to give it a futuristic feeling, almost as if an android were singing. But then Poppy’s powerful shouts come in, breaking that image and expressing something very human at the same time. That contrast was really cool. Touring together, I found Poppy to be stylish and adorable, yet with such a strong and cool voice. She’s truly a very captivating artist
What is the meaning of that song for you?
Moametal: This song represents the latest form of kawaii metal. It was written by Jordan Fish, formerly of Bring Me the Horizon, who knows us very well, and we had the chance to produce this song together with Poppy, who not only is a fan of BABYMETAL but truly loves what we do. Creating this song with them allowed us to show what kind of kawaii metal we can deliver right now, and I feel it’s something our fans have been waiting for. This is also my favorite track on the album, and every time we perform it live, I get so excited.
On “Song 3,” you sing with the growling, Russian, bear-wrestling Alex Terrible, frontman from Slaughter to Prevail. What do you think of how your very different voices work together?
Momometal: I had a lot of fun collaborating with Alex Terrible. When I first heard Alex’s powerful and intense growls, I was really fired up. In the parts where we exchange growls back and forth, I tried to imitate him in a way, but at the same time I put my energy into not losing against him. His soul-shaking screams bring so much excitement to the song, and I learned a lot from the experience.
How did these partnerships shape the overall direction of Metal Forth?
Moametal: This album turned out beautifully chaotic, in the best sense. It’s genre-rich and refuses to be categorized into one neat box. But what united all our collaborators was this shared belief in creating something extraordinary. That’s why, despite every track having a totally different vibe, they all somehow become unmistakably BABYMETAL. I find that fascinating. The influence on our convictions and artistic spirit has been incredibly positive. Now, whenever I see our collaborators achieving success or performing live, I feel this overwhelming pride as their teammate! [laughs]
I really want more people to know about these incredible artists we work with, and I hope they feel similarly about us. It motivates me to make sure our work lives up to that kind of mutual admiration.
Metal has a strong tradition of rebellion and defiance. How does that align with your own personality, and what is the most rebellious thing you’ve ever done as part of BABYMETAL or in your life?
Su-metal: Since I was in elementary school, I’ve traveled to many places on world tours. I wasn’t with my parents, so I could stay up late and snack as much as I wanted. I even lied to them, saying I went to bed early.
How do you prepare for a performance?
Moametal: Me and Momometal practice the choreography right up until the performance day, while Su-metal keeps practicing her singing until the very last minute. Even when our bodies ache, we don’t want to give in. We want to give our best, so we always find ourselves back in the rehearsal studio without even thinking. [laughs] For me, eating is also really important. I’m such a foodie. I love sharing meals with people I love, so I truly enjoy spending that time with the BABYMETAL members.
You recently celebrated the new album by performing at the Regent Theater in Los Angeles, which only holds 1,100. What was that show like for you and the band?
Momometal: It was just so much fun. Everything felt so close and intimate that I was actually nervous at first!! I could really feel the audience’s energy more directly, and it made me so excited, like, “This is what a live show is all about!” The whole venue easily came together as one, and I truly felt a great sense of unity—it was such an amazing concert. Even after the show, I was so hyped up that I couldn’t fall asleep for a while.
What have you noticed about BABYMETAL fans from watching them from the stage these last 15 years? How have they changed over time?
Su-metal: When we had just formed the band, I mostly saw metalheads and people who were into Japanese culture in the audience. But these days, I feel like there’s such a wide range of fans, even from babies to elderly people. At metal concerts, there are circle mosh pits and crowd surfing, so sometimes I worry if everyone is safe. But it seems like the people around are always looking out for each other, and seeing all those smiles from the stage makes me really happy.
Do you feel like the larger metal community sees BABYMETAL differently now than when you first started?
Moametal: I think things have definitely changed, especially from the audience’s side. Back in the early days, I felt like many people came just out of curiosity, wanting to see something unusual. But now, I feel like more people see us and recognize us as artists.
Of course, in the beginning I was only 10 years old and so small, so I think it was hard for the audience to understand what kind of artist we really were. But after 15 years of continuing BABYMETAL, we’ve grown not only in age and height, but also in how much the BABYMETAL name has spread. Thanks to that, more people look at us with genuine eyes. No matter how people see us, I’m just happy that so many have discovered BABYMETAL, and I feel truly lucky to meet so many fans.
What is the current state of the “Metal Resistance” being led by BABYMETAL? How do you personally relate to this idea of resistance, both in music and life?
Su-metal: When we first formed the group, our music was so far removed from the conventions of metal at the time that we received a lot of criticism. But we kept believing in our music and continued to perform, proving through our live shows that this is our kind of metal and that we were serious about facing metal head-on.
Now, that experience has become a great source of confidence. I’ve learned that if you keep believing in yourself and keep moving forward, there will always be people who recognize you. And having bandmates and supporters by our side is such a strong source of strength—that’s why we’re still able to continue our Metal Resistance today.
“Gimme Chocolate!!” exploded as an international hit and is the first song many heard from BABYMETAL. What does that song mean to you now when you perform it?
Moametal: Even people who don’t know BABYMETAL know this song, and it has become one of the essential songs that always gets the crowd excited at festivals. The moment the intro of “Gimme Chocolate!!” starts playing, the cheers rise, and my own energy naturally rises with everyone else’s.
Although it usually comes in the latter half of the set, because it’s such a well-known song, I really want to perform it carefully. I take a breath and focus on delivering it with care. I also keep in mind that I want people to not only enjoy listening to the song but also to love it even more after watching the performance.
“Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!” has become an anthem for your fans. What does that song mean to you now and how do fans react when you perform it?
Momometal: When this song starts playing, I can see fans moving around, almost like they’re getting ready to headbang. For us too, it feels like we’re headbanging together with the audience, sharing that moment as if we’re having a conversation. Performing it gives us so much power!
How do you think you have grown as a singer and live performer?
Su-metal: To be honest, I’m not always sure how I’ve grown. But in recent years, through collaborating with many different artists, I feel like they’ve helped bring out new sides of BABYMETAL. While trying to match the unique color each artist brings, I’ve experimented with different ways of singing for each song, and through that process, I’ve realized our possibilities have expanded.
What do you personally love most about metal music?
Momometal: I really love that thrilling feeling when the deep bass resonates all the way through my body—it gives me chills in the best way. Also, when I watch passionate performances from other metal musicians, I feel so inspired and energized by the soul they put into their music.
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