Photos by Maurice Nunez
Heightening the anticipation of the historic release of BABYMETAL's follow-up to 2023's THE OTHER ONE, the Kawaii metal powerhouse took over the Regent Theater in Los Angeles for an incredibly rare, intimate performance. The band that has spent the last decade presiding over arena-sized production and dazzling grand-scale stage spectacle, would cram the same grandeur in the smallest room they have played in years.
The epic underplay would be announced with minimal lead-up, surprising diehard fans who quickly snatched up tickets. The show was instantly sold out as spectators eagerly waited before doors opened to get a chance experience BABYMETAL this up close, this personal.
Adding to the significance of the play, the set built on the band's current history-making era, becoming the first-ever Japanese artist to sign a frontline deal with Capitol Records for the release of METAL FORTH.
The tracklist for the album features an all-star list of heavyweight collaborations ranging from Electric Callboy's "RATATATA" and the anthemic cut with Tom Morello, "METAL!!". In addition, the trio of SU-METAL, MOAMETAL and MOMOMETAL will joined forces with the likes of Spiritbox, Poppy, Polyphia, Slaughter to Prevail and Punjabi metal heroes Bloodywood in what stacks up to be BABYMETAL's most epic showing of their career.
For the fanatics lucky enough to pass through the doors to the Regent Theater, the full range and pageantry of BABYMETAL was on display as the house shook with each track. Opening with a trio of essentials in "BABYMETAL DEATH," "PA PA YA!" and "BxMxC," the combination of visuals, choreography and musical thud left the room awestruck.
Then things really ramped up.
In relentless succession, BABYMETAL unleashed their METAL FORTH arsenal. From the Morello-assisted "METALI!!" to the Bloodywood rager "Kon! Kon!" each track left fans reeling and needing to catch their breath. Increasing the spectacle, the Slaughter to Prevail guested "Song 3" followed by the anthemic "RATATATA" with Electric Callboy laid waste to the room such that the band could have closed the curtain there - but didn't.
Sealing the deal with three of their biggest singles, BAYMETAL unloaded the hits with "Gimme Chocolate!!" and an encore that included the one-two of "from me to u" and the glorious "Road of Resistance".
The showcase exceeded even the loftiest expectations that fans had in seeing an arena show packed into a theater. The concise set also underscored that well into the second decade of their tenure, BABYMETAL is beginning their METAL FORTH epoch more powerful and luminous than ever.
-----
METAL FORTH arrives August 8th via Capitol Records. Order the album - HERE
BABYMETAL will host their most ambitious U.S. arena show to date November 1st with a special performance at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA. Get tickets - HERE
