Krazy/Killer Band Name Of The Week: Babymetal

Japan, although of this planet, is like another planet in itself.

​There is no other place ​on Earth that could possibly come up with Harajuku fashion style, array of vending machines or the breadth and depth of game shows there. Could it be due to their island-nation status? The constant push-pull of overworked, OCD-level salaryman work structure  vs. hyper-stimulated, anything-goes anime culture?

Most likely, yes and yes. But we can't forget the cult-like fascination with Western pop culture, especially rock music, as a huge influence. Starting with Elvis and reaching true recognition overseas with Cheap Trick's At Budokan album, the insane fandom and consequent reimagining of said rock music culture is a big source of fascination and reimagining of that Western style. 

Enter Babymetal - possibly the truest hybrid of North Japanican (trademark pending) cultures: 

​1) Girls in their late teens styled to the nines in Harajuku/anime fashion
2) Said girls singing J-pop influenced vocals 
3) The backing band plays some of the crunchiest, tightest, reimagined Western-style metal

Babymetal's name is their style in a nutshell: 'Baby' describing the J-pop female vocalists, and 'metal' being the... let's just listen to what that word could possibly refer to: 

Don't quite grasp it yet? How about another example...

Alright - still don't get it yet? Think of an unlikely food fusion restaurant, like this Jewish/Japanese spot in NYC. On paper, not in a million years does it seem like it would work, but Sailor Moon anime-influenced J-pop combined with breakneck, crunching heavy metal WORKS, because of the similarities between the two genres: Over-the-top theatricality, spasmodic beats and killer hooks. 

Not unlike Matzo balls (which are essentially dumplings) in a hearty bowl of ramen being quite the tasty proposition. Dang - now I'm hungry. But more of a craving for chocolate...

One thing is for certain: Kawaii culture and rock is a popular pairing: Babymetal has won numerous awards, toured with Metallica and Red Hot Chili Peppers, plus performing with metal deity/Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford gave them a stamp of approval like none other. They've also spawned their own mini (at the moment) genre. Are they a trailblazer for future projects such as a Hello Kitty / Slayer collab? Time will tell.

Now to work off that chocolate with a karate lesson: