Review: Dan Maynard
Babymetal are back with Metal Forth, their fifth studio release — and it’s anything but business as usual. Now 15 years into a career that’s been anything but predictable, the Tokyo-born trio have carved out a space entirely their own, far beyond novelty or niche. What began as an experiment in contrast has grown into a movement, driven by precision, vision, and a fanbase that’s not just global — it’s generational. With Metal Forth, they’re not looking back — they’re rewriting the next chapter in real time.
Metal Forth isn’t just an album — it’s a global metal throwdown. With all but three tracks featuring high-profile collaborations, Babymetal join forces with the likes of Slaughter to Prevail, Poppy, Bloodywood, and Spiritbox to deliver a full-throttle assault. Produced by Kobametal and the legendary Jordan Fish, this is Babymetal at their boldest — ambitious, chaotic, and absolutely crushing.
From the explosive opener “From Me to U” to the final embers of closer “White Flame,” Metal Forth is a no-skip, full-throttle listen. True to Babymetal’s signature universe of sonic chaos and precision, each track is meticulously crafted to elevate its guest collaborator without ever losing the core of what makes the band so distinct. It’s a delicate balancing act — spotlighting their collaborators while keeping their own identity front and centre — and they pull it off with razor-sharp intent. It truly is a feat worthy of praise.
The fusion of Babymetal and their guests is immaculate. Take “Ratatata,” a chaotic crossover with German outfit Electric Callboy that fuses high-energy electronic dance metal with Babymetal’s signature flair. Then there’s the thunderous djent banger “Kon! Kon!” — a track that seamlessly channels the Bollywood-metal power of Indian heavyweights Bloodywood. Each song is crafted perfectly to its guest.
It’s been a few years between albums, but Babymetal haven’t exactly been quiet — they’ve spent that time dominating stages across the globe, from sold-out headline tours to some of the biggest festival lineups on the planet. That relentless momentum has clearly fed into Metal Forth, an album that not only justifies the wait but demands your full attention from start to finish. It’s a bold, genre-warping statement that rewards repeat listens — each spin revealing new layers, new hooks, and new reasons to hit play all over again. If this is the future of Babymetal, we’re all in.
METAL FORTH – OUT NOW
https://babymetal.lnk.to/
