BABYMETAL

February 2014 marked the release of their debut album, Babymetal, in Japan. The album quickly achieved chart success, reaching number 4 on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart and making an appearance on the US Billboard 200. Tracks like “Gimme Chocolate!!” gained significant international traction, contributing to the band’s growing global fanbase.

The album saw international re-release in 2015, supporting their first world tour. During this period, BABYMETAL performed at major festivals such as Sonisphere Festival in the UK and supported Lady Gaga on her “ArtRave: The Artpop Ball” tour. Their distinctive fusion of genres earned them awards from prominent UK music publications.

In April 2016, BABYMETAL released their second studio album, Metal Resistance, simultaneously worldwide. The album achieved commercial success, charting at number 15 on the UK Official Albums Chart and number 39 on the US Billboard 200, marking the highest placement for a Japanese artist in over five decades.

This era was characterized by extensive global touring, including a historic headline performance at London’s Wembley Arena, making them the first Japanese act to do so. They concluded their world tour with two sold-out nights at the Tokyo Dome, attracting over 110,000 attendees. Throughout this period, the Kami Band, featuring musicians such as Takayoshi Ohmura, BOH, Hideki Aoyama, and ISAO, continued to provide instrumental backing.

In October 2018, YUIMETAL officially departed from the group due to health concerns, after an extended absence from live performances. BABYMETAL continued as a duo with SU-METAL and MOAMETAL. This transition period saw the introduction of rotating backup dancers, known as “Avengers,” who performed alongside the core members, including Momoko Okazaki.

The third studio album, Metal Galaxy, was released in October 2019. Described as an “odyssey to the Metal Galaxy,” the concept album incorporated diverse musical elements and featured international guest artists. During this era, the Kami Band expanded to include Western musicians like Anthony Barone and CJ Masciantonio for international tours, alongside the established Japanese members.

March 2023 saw the release of The Other One, a concept album exploring parallel worlds and representing a stylistic maturation for the band. The album’s themes and sound moved beyond some of the earlier “kawaii metal” elements, showcasing a more refined approach to their genre fusion.

On April 1, 2023, Momoko Okazaki, who had previously performed as an “Avenger,” officially joined SU-METAL and MOAMETAL as MOMOMETAL, restoring BABYMETAL to a trio. This new lineup has continued to tour globally, and their upcoming fifth album, Metal Forth (scheduled for 2025), has already achieved a historic No. 9 spot on the US Billboard 200 chart, marking the first time a Japanese group has reached the Top 10.