Q&A: BABYMETAL Breaks the Rules Again with ‘METAL FORTH’
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY JOY VILLANUEVA ☆
BABYMETAL IS BACK WITH THEIR NEW ALBUM METAL FORTH — and it proves itself to be a total game-changer for metal fans everywhere. Debuting at #9 on the Billboard 200, the record builds on global hits like “Gimme Chocolate!!” and “Karate,” while the focus track “My Queen” featuring Spiritbox hits hard, showing off exactly what the band means by the album title’s meaning, “beyond metal.” The album also features collabs with Poppy, Tom Morello, Polyphia, and Slaughter to Prevail, all artists the band connected with on tour or in the studio. With tracks that are both intense and just plain fun, METAL FORTH proves BABYMETAL isn’t afraid to push their genre into new territory.
Read below for Luna’s interview with BABYMETAL on the making of METAL FORTH, their collaborations with Spiritbox, Poppy, and more, and the stories behind the album’s standout track.
LUNA: “My Queen” with Spiritbox is the focus track of this record, and it really does go off. What inspired that track lyrically and in terms of energy, and how does it represent what is all about?
SU-METAL: When Spiritbox first sent us the track, I struggled with the melody and lyrics, trying to figure out what kind of vocals would complement this powerful beat that wasn't fast but really hit you in the gut. Ultimately though, I found the sound and I hope we managed to capture the image of a queen standing with dignity and strength.
LUNA: This album has such an incredible global lineup, from Polyphia to Bloodywood to Tom Morello. How did you decide which artists to collaborate with for METAL FORTH, and what did you want each feature to bring to the BABYMETAL universe?
SU-METAL: The backgrounds vary. People like Polyphia and Jordan Fish, we've worked with before and thought, “let's create music together again!” Others like Electric Callboy and Slaughter to Prevail became our friends during tours. Then there are artists like Tom Morello, who we specifically approached during the songwriting process because we felt their sound would be perfect, and thankfully, they agreed to collaborate. Through working with all these different musicians, we were able to break out of our own boundaries in presenting new metal, and I think they really helped draw out BABYMETAL's charm from fresh perspectives.
LUNA: "from me to u" with Poppy is such a powerful moment on the album—it’s spellbinding and also fiery at the same time. What was it like collaborating with her, and how did that track come together creatively?
MOMOMETAL: I'm so happy this collaboration came together! Going on tour together was such a fantastic experience. I was blown away by the gap between her cute appearance and her powerful shouts. Since we share similarities in our genre approach of combining cuteness with metal, I think we achieved a perfect chemical reaction!
LUNA: The title METAL FORTH suggests a new chapter for the genre. What do you hope this album says about where metal is headed, and how BABYMETAL is helping shape that future?
MOMOMETAL: Our genre boundaries continue to blur, and we took on the challenge of exploring different genres throughout this album. I believe we've created a fun, approachable album that's easy to enjoy, even for complete metal newcomers. I hope that regardless of age, gender or nationality, metal music becomes something people can enjoy more casually in all kinds of settings. I want to share the energy that metal brings with even more people worldwide. As BABYMETAL, we want to keep forging ahead on our own unique path.
