BABYMETAL On METAL FORTH: “We Should Lead The Way For The Next Generation”

BABYMETAL talk METAL FORTH, collaborations, and leading the next generation of metal.

With more than 15 years behind them, BABYMETAL are no longer the newcomers shaking up the heavy scene. They’ve gone from supporting Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lady Gaga to becoming a global force of their own, inspiring a new wave of fans who see themselves in metal for the first time. Their latest album, METAL FORTH, marks that shift in identity.

As SU-METAL put it, “Over the course of 15 years of our career, while we are creating our own style of music, we have been following the footsteps of musicians we look up to. Now we got to the point where we should lead the way for the next generation.” That forward-looking mindset drives METAL FORTH, which features a wide range of collaborations and sounds designed to push BABYMETAL beyond their own boundaries.

For MOMOMETAL, the excitement is about how metal itself is changing. “I think we’ll keep seeing new subgenres born within metal,” she said. “This evolution will make the music more approachable for people who’ve never been into metal before, opening up more chances for them to discover and fall in love with this world.” The growing number of kids and teens showing up at their concerts feels to her like proof that the future of metal is already here.

Collaboration is at the core of the new record. MOMOMETAL admitted one dream partnership still hasn’t come together: “Yungblud. Since we first met, we have always talked about collaboration. Both schedules haven’t worked out yet, but I hope we can make it happen.”

However, the collaborations BABYMETAL did land are already shaping their live set. SU-METAL recalled how the track ‘METALI’ took on a whole new energy when a legendary guest stepped in: “We set out to create something in the style of Rage Against the Machine, and we figured ‘why not take a shot and ask if he’d actually play guitar on it?’”

“To my surprise, he said yes… his guitar splashed vibrant paint across the track, adding this amazing burst of colour and energy. It’s now become one of our most essential songs that absolutely brings down the house at every show.”

That spirit of playfulness runs through METAL FORTH, even in its heaviest moments. On ‘Song 3,’ featuring Slaughter to Prevail, SU-METAL said the lyrics were deliberately goofy: “There isn’t much meaning to the lyrics overall and we’re just goofing around, so I was a bit worried that Slaughter To Prevail would be mad at us, but I was relieved that they were completely on board and Alex joined in singing ‘1, 2, Thunder’ along with us.”

Balancing such different influences could risk losing their core identity, but MOAMETAL sees it differently: “Collaborations show me how others perceive BABYMETAL’s essence, which makes creating music incredibly fun. That said, I’m always mindful of preserving the musicality of language and Japanese cultural values as a Japanese artist, so I’m sure those elements influence my work on a subconscious level.”

The record also shows new sides of BABYMETAL, even to themselves. MOMOMETAL pointed to one track in particular: “‘KxAxWxAxIxI.’ When I heard the song for the first time, I was surprised that this song become more mature and cool hiphop than I expected!! The more I listen to the song, the more I get into it. You will discover a new side of BABYMETAL with this song.”

Despite being seen as role models, the band approach their music without pressure. “I don’t feel any weight!” MOAMETAL said about their influence on young women and girls in heavy music. “We place importance on having fun and all I care about is making our fans happy. I want everyone to feel free to explore music without worrying about expectations or being afraid to take risks! If anyone bothers you about it, I’ll be there to support you!”

That joy also keeps BABYMETAL strong as a unit. “I love hanging out with the girls,” MOAMETAL admitted. “After 15 years, I am surprised myself that we still get along well. When I try something new, I want SU-METAL and MOMOMETAL to be by my side and overcome any hardship with them.”

Looking ahead, MOAMETAL is eager to dive into new sounds. “We’ve done international collaborations, but we haven’t really explored the Japanese scene yet. It’s so weird – we’re from Japan! haha. I want to experiment with techno pop sounds. I also want to work with more bands… basically, I want to make more musical friends!”

From the chaotic fun of ‘3’ to the explosive energy of ‘METALI,’ METAL FORTH captures BABYMETAL at their most adventurous. As SU-METAL summed it up: “We’ve stayed true to our original vision of experimenting with various metal styles, but by featuring many rising artists, METAL FORTH captures the freshest sounds in metal today!”