In another list to help put 2016 behind us, Ghost Cult contributor and celebrated author Jason Korelenko chips in with his Top 10 Albums Of 2016. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Metal Resistance
BABYMETAL To Support The Red Hot Chili Peppers On UK Tour
International teen sensations BABYMETAL have been tapped as the opening act to the Red Hot Chili Peppers on their Upcoming winter tour of the UK, their first in five years. BABYMETAL’s hybrid of J-pop and heavy metal has been a hit with crowds the world over, especially following their sophomore album Metal Resistance (Sony/RAL) released this past April. The début landed atop Billboard’s “World Albums” chart and iTunes’ “Top Heavy Metal Albums” chart, while simultaneously entering at #2 on Billboard’s “Hard Rock Albums” chart, #17 on Billboard’s “Top Album Sales” chart and #39 on the overall Billboard 200. BABYMETAL recently became the first Japanese act to headline London’s Wembley Arena, where they achieved the highest-ever merch sales at the massive venue (capacity 12,500 people). The Chili’s are supporting their recent album The Getaway (Warner Brothers).
Tickets for the UK shows go on general sale 10am Friday 2 September from www.MYTICKET.CO.UK / www.SEETICKETS.COM
Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Getaway World Tour, with BABYMETAL
Dec 05: The O2 – London, UK
Dec 06: The O2 – London, UK
Dec 08: The SSE Hydro – Glasgow, UK
Dec 10: Genting Arena, Birmingham, UK
Dec 11: Genting Arena, Birmingham, UK
Dec 14: Manchester Arena, Manchester, UK
Dec 15: Manchester Arena, Manchester, UK
BABYMETAL – Metal Resistance
Otaku. That’s a word über geeks and nerdtastic Japanese people totally embrace. It’s fully giving yourself over to cosplay, manga, miniatures, movies, music, etc. It’s a lifestyle, not a passing fancy. The rise of BABYMETAL is a metalhead’s otaku. Outside of Japan the idea of super cute doll baby clad teenagers with adorable voices singing over metal music of different genres is hard to wrap your head around. It seems a lot of the world adhere to strict boxes music must fit neatly inside. Otaku. BABYMETAL are the kuidaore of music; rock until you drop.
That’s the allure of BABYMETAL, they are unapologetically having a wonderful time presenting genre bending music. It’s nothing new in Japan. But, it is jaw dropping to those not used to enjoying music for the pure sake of it being fun and lively. Metal Resistance (earMusic) is BABYMETAL’s second studio album. Metal Resistance is gobsmackingly infectious and fun. Back is the blend of sunny “girly” vocals atop heavy metal, prog metal, speed metal, and Viking metal riffage. Hate all you want, but the new album debuted at number 39 on the USA Billboard 200 chart. BABYMETAL shifted 12, 240 physical copies of Metal Resistance in the United States alone. A Japanese band hasn’t done debuted in the top 40 since 1963.
Metal Resistance opens strong with ‘Road to Resistance’. It’s a plethora of wailing guitars and frenetic drumming. It’s a song you’d expect from Teutonic or Viking bands from Europe or Scandinavia. ‘Karate’ vacillates between metal and J-Pop. It’s got the head banging riffs that suck you in and the cheesy pop verses. ‘Karate’ is the best of both worlds. ‘Awadama Fever’ is for the video game junkies among us. It’s fast paced and slightly psychotic. And all the while, the sweet dulcet voices of Suzuka Nakamoto, Yui Mizuno, and Moa Kikuchi lilt through. ‘Tells of the Destinies’ has an ELP feel. The guitar solos are straight from the 70s and I had to double-check that I was still listening to a 2016 album. I had to scrape my jaw off the floor at the technical wizardry of Herman Li and Sam Totman. This guitar duo is astounding. BABYMETAL’s Metal Resistance is for those music lovers with an open mind who don’t mind their music both spicy and sweet at the same time.
8.0/10
VICTORIA ANDERSON
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