BABYMETAL

Launched in Tokyo in 2010 around Suzuka Nakamoto, Moa Kikuchi and Yui Mizuno, BABYMETAL emerged from the Japanese idol scene but quickly set itself apart by combining J‑pop, heavy metal and choreographed stagecraft in a direct, hybrid approach. The project, developed by producer Kobametal, relies on a sharp contrast between melodic vocal lines and pop choruses on the one hand, and massive guitars with references to speed, power and death metal on the other, presented in a stage-focused format supported by the Kami Band. After an initial rise in Japan in the early 2010s, Babymetal rapidly expanded to international festivals and tours, notably across European and North American metal circuits. The debut album Babymetal was released in 2014, followed by Metal Resistance (2016), Metal Galaxy (2019) and The Other One (2023). The group's story took a significant turn with Yui Mizuno's departure in 2018; Babymetal continued around Su‑metal and Moametal, and in 2023 welcomed Momoko Okazaki officially as Momometal. Over the years, Babymetal has also pursued collaborations with artists from metal and alternative music, extending a formula that blends pop catchiness, rhythmic intensity and theatrical spectacle.