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Babymetal plot world domination with Lolita rock

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By Alastair Himmer

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Most original thing in J music for a while.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

11 and 12 years old seems a little young to start doing heavy metal, even the "cute" version... they'll all be deaf by the time they're 30! But yeah, pretty original.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

so sad that Japan gives more favor to sexys and Kawaiis rather than real talented artists... baby metal!? what happens when they grow up? they are not METAL they are candy J-POP.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

i agree quite original in the sense of merging 2 styles of music that are very popular in Japan. Image and sounds arecontradictory but somehow work.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Seems to be quite a few talented youngsters these days.

Rocket News did a story on Rick Rack the other day.

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/08/06/rick-rack-the-teenage-girls-rock-band-that-is-way-better-than-they-have-any-right-to-be%E3%80%90j-tunes%E3%80%91/

Scroll down to the bottom and watch Serina. Quite incredible for a (then) junior high school student. Quite incredible for anyone to be honest.

Don't see many boy bands though? Seems the girls have the upper hand?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

How you can even consider for a nanosecond referring to this garbage as "metal" is highly offensive to those of us with musical taste. None of then even play an instrument! What kind of "metal" is that? They sound atrocious to boot...

0 ( +8 / -9 )

Just heard them. Hmm, pop with some metallic features.

Cute I guess.

Sighclops, magnanimously assuming you're not the same age as they are, I'm sure they didn't form their band with people like yourself in mind.

Do you also complain about TV programs on the kiddies channel?

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Well, credit to their success, and here's hoping it continues, but as to their talent and ability as I band I cite this:

"Babymetal had no idea what heavy metal was before forming four years ago."

Obviously they are just an assembled band and cannot play their own instruments, etc., just like all the others. The only difference is that the people with actual skills stand upstage and play metal while these girls do the usual pouting, looking 'kawaii', etc.

Sorry, but this is not 'original' in any way, shape, or form. If you buy into the gimmick and like it, all the power to you. I'll pass, thanks.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Well I like them... the band is pretty good and the main vocal has a powerful voice... if you will listen to "akatsuki" from Baby metal... is very impressive.

True is very weird and even conflictive (metal and pop) but it is fun to listen. I in fact hope the three kids (vocal) actual grow up to become, well "lady metal".

by the way... "Metal Death" is again fun...because of the pun they use.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Baby Metal is hilarious.

Granted, a lot of their stuff doesn't really work musically, as it tends to be J-pop vocals layered over a metal background with no real connection between the two... however, when they bother to go to the effort of blending the two together so they compliment each-other, as in Megitsune, for example, it's actually kind of awesome.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

sighclops thank you for a voice of reason!

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

attracted monster crowds in America and Europe

If you consider a few hundred mostly curious on-lookers '..monster crowds'. Look, they've done much better with this than any of us expected but, let's be honest, it doesn't have legs. The novelty will pretty soon wear off.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

this is one of the must original things that haven to metal in years, please if your "pure metal" ears don't support it, please think about the fact that they're from japan, they're not just the three singers, and this kind of music attack more people to metal, you can give Baby Metal to a lot of people and they will like it, just make the experiment and see how many of your friends will like it

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@ReformedBasher

Sighclops, magnanimously assuming you're not the same age as they are, I'm sure they didn't form their band with people like yourself in mind. Do you also complain about TV programs on the kiddies channel?

That's a straw man argument and you know it. With all due respect, I'd like to draw a comparison based on your very argument. It would be akin to Sesame Street calling itself Breaking Bad. We both know that doesn't work. Sesame Street is not trying to be something it it isn't. It's just Sesame Street, and that's fine.

The same could not be said for Baby'metal'.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I honestly think that all you people that are hating on Babymetal are just butthurt. They are a thing so just get over it. If you like it cool if you dont cool dont listen to it. I understand that your 'precious' music has been 'tainted' but obviously they are doing something right with how much of a success they have. So until you can reach that much success and fame, I suggest you take several seats and stop bitching like a 16 year old girl during pms. Jfs...I know that I'm probably going to get backlash for this but someone need to let you asshurt hooligans know what was up...

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Why so much grumpiness? It's just entertainment for kids...way harmless than other real garbage out there.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

so ...exactly what is original about this again?It's a fad for the non-discerning music listener. McMusic at it's worst

3 ( +6 / -3 )

@Sighclops

They're kids. More famous and talented than you at the same age? Jealous?

Your comparison to Breaking Bad is lost on me. It's trash and says a lot that you've dragged it into the conversation.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

It just goes to show that the hard work put in by the bands learning chords and scales, that actually know and idolize the bands that Baby Metal shared a stage with: Maiden and Metallica doesn't amount to anything. A shame really.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Who cares if they're real metal or not. The genres fuse well and they genuinely appear to be enjoying themselves while performing and hell they were accepted at sonisphere. Just enjoy it for whatbt is a well sounding fusion.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

If you want to defend this dreck...well. don't bother. There is plenty of good music in Japan, and this aint it.

J pop sucks. It really does. Its musical fast food: produced, packaged, and consumed.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Babymetal had no idea what heavy metal was before forming four years ago.

This just says it all really

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Not a real fan of them......but would love to be their manager and get on the gravy train. I still think Char is the business, even at his age.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Geoff Gillespie

Have you checked the Baby Metal videos on Youtube? Those where they perform in L.A., Toronto and London?

Roughly counting, there were more than a "few hundred" and it is hard to say they were just "curious on-lookers"

3 ( +4 / -1 )

... as middle-aged heavy metal fans in Motorhead T-shirts moshed sweatily alongside teenage girls dressed up as their idols.

The mind reels at that image. I'm sure the Akiba oyaji crowd will be turning up to these events in no time.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I've only listened to one Babymetal song so far (Megitsune if you're wondering), and to be honest, I quite liked it. I'm a fan of metal, and a fan of "J-Pop" (though I don't like that term), so this is the best of both worlds. I've heard far worse over the years. Pretty much everything I hear over the radio is tripe these days, which is why I hardly listen to British/American music any more. It's all pop, hip-hop or love songs. No thanks. Babymetal is a breath of fresh air for me, and that's why I like it. It's not the same old feces in a different wrapper.

Also, to all you blatant die hard metal fans; just shut up. You guys give metal fans a bad name. I saw a video on Youtube recently that rants about how metal fans always troll music videos with their bile. They criticize everything that isn't metal, and even the things that are metal, they can't agree on the sub-genre, and argue about which sub-genre is better (The video, if you're interested, was A Dose of Buckley: BABYMETAL. Guess what the topic was?) If you don't like this band, just don't listen to them. No need to spout hate everywhere.

-1 ( +2 / -4 )

How you can even consider for a nanosecond referring to this garbage as "metal" is highly offensive to those of us with musical taste. None of then even play an instrument! What kind of "metal" is that? They sound atrocious to boot...

If you think that the musicians in the band are not any good I would seriously have to question your ability to discern what musical taste is. That band can really jam. As for the three singers I can think of several rock bands off the top of my head whose lead singer doesn't play an instrument - how about AC/DC and Van Halen, are they not legit? The fact that members of the band concentrate on vocals is not a serious criticism. Yes, this is different and no it will not likely last all that long. But it is original and opens metal to new audiences.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

how about AC/DC and Van Halen, are they not legit?

They're rock, not metal.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I caught their set at Heavy Montreal earlier this month. For those that don't know, Heavy Montreal (formerly Heavy MTL) is pretty much the biggest metal festival in North America. Apparently they had 70,000+ over two days.

It was still early in the day (and not the main stage) but Babymetal managed about 5,000 people by the look of it. I don't remember seeing anyone sulking and moaning that it wasn't "true" metal. Yes, like most vocalists, they don't play instruments. Fortunately, they have a backing band with serious chops.

As for their image being carefully manufactured... sorry, but everyone's image is as manufactured as Pro Wrestling. Er... unless you're in Norway, those people are nuts.

Not the highlight of the day - but they had a more positive reaction than Three Days Grace, going by the general chatter of people around me at the end of both.

As for them not knowing what metal was 4 years ago: they were 11 at the time. it doesn't matter. They know what it is now. I hope they stick around, I'd really like to hear what kind of musical influence they have on the scene.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

OK guys, can someone tell me if I look this band up and listen to them, will I ever be able to unhear it?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Wolfpack

That band can really jam. As for the three singers I can think of several rock bands off the top of my head whose lead singer doesn't play an instrument - how about AC/DC and Van Halen, are they not legit?

I'm going to pretend that you didn't just put this garbage & AC/DC - with the highest selling rock album in history - in the same sentence.

They don't sing. They mime. Like 99% of pop when its live. Angus Young is one of the greatest guitarists in rock history. Malcom Young is a genius on the bass and wrote most of their songs. Brian Johnston doesn't play an instrument - granted. But he's definitely one of a kind (I've seen AC/DC live three times). Babymetal is three 'vocalists' (I cringe at using that term in this context) who just jump around miming the words. None of them write songs, nor can sing a note. THAT my friend, is the difference.

Besides, if you look at my original argument, I wasn't targeting the group specifically. I was more taking issue with them being referred to as 'metal'. That in itself is highly offensive.

For the record, I'm a walking encyclopaedia when it comes to music.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Sighclops:

1) Malcolm plays rhythm guitar for acdc. 2) I caught babymetal recently. If they were lip-synching, they did a great job. They even managed to simulate miscues.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@sighclops ...Malcolm Young is the rhythm guitarist, not the bassist of ACDC. They used to say that ACDC was heavy metal, but we all know its rock..even ACDC knows that. Babymetal on the other hand is is neither. They are a mixture of styles, but have a pretty strong metal sound. The band is pretty damn good at playing this new style, and the girls actually sing at live events. Watch a few live video's and you will even be able to see that.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@Stranger

They're rock, not metal.

So is your point that there are different standards between the two? If so, why should metal bands be held to higher standard than rock bands?

@sighclops

I'm going to pretend that you didn't just put this garbage & AC/DC - with the highest selling rock album in history - in the same sentence.

I'm not comparing BabyMetal to AC/DC whether or not they are the highest selling rock group in history. Popularity does not equal musical ability. Someone of your claimed knowledge should know that.

1.They don't sing. They mime. Like 99% of pop when its live.

I thought that too until I noticed that the lead singer doesn't lip sync from what I can tell. She is talented enough that she doesn't need to.

2.Angus Young is one of the greatest guitarists in rock history. Malcom Young is a genius on the bass and wrote most of their songs. Brian Johnston doesn't play an instrument - granted. But he's definitely one of a kind (I've seen AC/DC live three times).

AC/DC is my favorite musical group of all time and they worked hard to get where they are. But let's face it, the world is not the same now as it was when they got their start. The music industry - and yes it is an industry - operates under a very different model today. Also, do you know that the bass player does not write their music? Things change. Brian Johnson is an original, as was Bon Scott. And BabyMetal is as well. They are just a little too original for purists to handle.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Been a metal head for a long time and I don't mind this at all. It reminds me of when Evanescence came out. Honestly, I kinda expect to hear that kind of sound from these girls maybe a little down the road.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Daniel,

Have you checked the Baby Metal videos on Youtube? Those where they perform in L.A., Toronto and London?

Roughly counting, there were more than a "few hundred" and it is hard to say they were just "curious on-lookers"

I guess we shouldn't be surprised that people write nonsense despite a quick online search shows, from the Wikipedia article which was so incredibly difficult to find, that

Babymetal's first live appearance was on November 28, 2010 at the first Sakura Gakuin's solo concert.[14][15][16] Their first song, "Doki Doki Morning", was originally released in April 2011 on the Sakura Gakuin album Sakura Gakuin 2010nendo: Message. Later the band shot a music video for the song and in October 2011 released it as a DVD single intended for limited (live-venues-only) distribution. Having been uploaded to YouTube in the same October, initially the video attracted only some Japanese fans of idols, but in about a month was noticed overseas and confused and shocked people worldwide. By December 16 it was watched 380 thousand times with most views coming, apart from Japan, from North America, Russia, Sweden and Finland.

And they've literally sold tens of thousands albums, or at least their marketing people have.

Furthermore we find that the lead singer is actually a singer, so why are people talking about lip-synching?

Because they know more than you and me, I guess.

I'm in my 50s and have listened to all genres of music for decades. Yet I'll get called an out-of-touch narrow-minded old fart. I can only shake my head at the irony.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

their solo los angeles show got an excellent write up from the la times...the critic, describing the crowd, noted "vintage slayer tour shirts abounded."

2 ( +2 / -0 )

how about AC/DC and Van Halen, are they not legit?

They're rock, not metal.

The music industry says otherwise. And yet, whenever I shop for metal albums, I always find AC/DC, Van Halen, Linkin Park, Disturbed and a whole host of others that some people classify as Rock, while the shops and the professionals disagree.

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what category you think Babymetal belongs to. They're popular and with good reason. On top of that, their fan base is growing, and I get the feeling they're only just getting warmed up. Give it a couple years and they might be as popular as Hatsune Miku, if not more so.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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