The role of the performer/BABYMETAL\

 

Artist Overview 

BABYMETAL is a girl group I found whilst trying to find a performer for this blog post. At first I was very skeptical of the group because of the name and that I don’t listen to Jpop but it was in the metal genre so I listened to a few songs and immediately knew I found my topic. BABYMETAL is a Japanese girl group formed in 2010 as a branch off the idol group Sakura Gakuin under Amuse Inc. The mastermind behind the group was their producer Kei Kobayashi, he envisioned a fusion of the cute Jpop idol aesthetic with heavy metal sounds. Originally the group consisted of Suzuka Nakamoyo(SU-METAL) the lead vocalist and the head of the group, Yui Mizuno(YUIMETAL) and Moa Kikuchi(MOAMETAL) both background vocals/dancers. In 2018 YUIMETAL unfortunately had to leave due to health issues and in 2023 Momoko Okazaki(MOMOMETAL) officially became the third member completing the group again. The band behind BABYMETAL is what truly makes the group legendary. Kami Band as it’s referred to, is a constantly rotating cast of session musicians that give BABYMETAL its distinct sound. These masters of their instruments are dressed in costumes to keep their identities a mystery, often adorning skeleton costumes or corpse-like attire. The group's rise to fame came quickly with one of their first singles “Gimme Chocolate!!” exploding in popularity. A huge contributor to their popularity is curiosity, no one had heard anything like their music before and it confused and angered metal heads who rejected it as metal music. This discussion is still going on today with people not agreeing if it counts as metal, a popular opinion is that it should be referred to as kawaii metal, a subgroup of metal mostly created by BABYMETAL. The group has maintained a popularity throughout the years releasing albums consistently and has performed alongside legendary artists like The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metálica and Iron Maiden. They have achieved a very dedicated passionate fan base around the world through their 15 years. BABYMETAL shows no signs of ending with new songs releasing consistently and completing a world tour in 2025. 

“Road of Resistance” 

“Road of Resistance” is a song from the group's debut album “BABYMETAL” released in 2015 written by Kei Kobayashi and Miki Watanabe. I chose to include “Road of Resistance” because of this outstanding live performance they delivered from a concert in Japan 2015. This is the song that wraps up the concert so the girl's energy and the audience's excitement is even more impressive. SU-METAL starts the performance by making a death wall in the crowd and then when the song starts everyone goes crazy. The main vocal throughout the song is of SU-METAL she maintains strong throughout, cutting through the band. The song has insane texture throughout with screaming guitars and drum work like I have never heard. Her voice perfectly melts into the constantly shifting dynamics of the song. Near the end of the song SU-METAL hits a note that to me almost sounds like F5 really showing her vocal abilities. A really sweet moment in the performance is when the group leads the crowd in a kind of chant and they all harmonize together creating a very soothing break from the crowded dynamics of the rest of the song. I think the vocal delivery really fits the message of the song which is about carving your own path and connection. I choose this performance because I really think it displays what BABYMETAL as performers are capable of and the all around vibe of the group.

“Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!”

“Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!” is another song from their debut album released in 2015 composed by NARASAKI. This performance of “Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!” is only a few years old, being from a Japanese concert venue in 2022 but I think it shows the group’s growth through the years. The song is about the transformation a person goes through from child to teen and all the  angst, rebellion and rebirth that comes with that. The song definitely embodies that darker edgy era of a person's life. The song includes more vocals than the previous, including vocals from SU-METAL and MOAMETAL. Once again the song has heavy texture and interesting dynamics. I would say that this song leans more on the side of metal with less Jpop melodies and a few guttural screams throughout. Their performance on stage includes harder, more fast paced choreography than previously. The group in my opinion showed a lot more confidence than in the past performances. They have more than 15 years of experience and it really shows with the way they move with purpose and seem at ease in front of the crowd. 

The Role of the Performer

The performance of the group is what makes BABYMETAL so mesmerizing. They outwardly express the emotions and lyrics of the song through every facet whether that be vocally or through choreography. This connects the audience further with the music bridging the gap and creating a tie with the fans to the music and the band. Traditionally metal bands don’t have dances to accompany their music but in Jpop it is rare to find songs without full choreography. The group adopted the Jpop style of dance into their performances, embodying the music through synchronized choreography. They dance in a style reminiscent of traditional Jpop but more contemporary with darker elements sprinkled throughout. While the group dances through difficult choreography they make their voices cut through the heavy sound with amazing breath control. SU-METAL is the main vocalist and the two other members usually provide background vocals. SU-METAL has a very strong voice with vocals ranging from traditional pop music harmonies to death metal screams. Her vocal range is perfect for combining the vocal styles from both genres. The group's presence commands whatever venue they perform in no matter the size. The performer’s ability to have this effect on stage is one of the most important aspects of being a performer of any kind. In the live performances you can really feel the power they hold over the crowd whether that’s leading them in chants or conducting a mosh pit. No matter if it’s dancing, singing or having amazing stage presence BABYMETAL is a great example of how to thoroughly embrace the role of the performer.

Personal Thoughts 

BABYMETAL has really grown on me while researching and writing this blog. I originally just picked the band because I wanted to write a blog featuring metal music but in that process found a band that I beyond respect. My favourite part of the music is overall the mind blowing band behind the girls, it showcases metal so well. The aspect of BABYMETAL I didn’t expect to be attracted to is the Jpop aspect but it is so well married into the metal that it creates this infectious energy different from both metal and Jpop. This music wouldn’t have connected with me or millions around the world without the dominating performance of the group they truly are made to be on stage. 

WILKES, EMMA.“HOW BABYMETAL broke boundaries and pioneered the kawaii metal genre”. KERRANG!, 12 Sep 2025, kerrang.com/babymetal-kawaii-metal-genre-sakura-gakuin-hyper-japan-band-maid-hanabie-ladybaby-bridear-desurabbits-necronomidol . Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.

FREDERICK, BRENDAN. “BABYMETAL:Everything You Need to Know About the Japanese Metal Phenomenon”. Complex, 6 Aug. 2025, complex.com/music/a/brendan-frederick/babymetal-japanese-metal-band-guide. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.