BABYMETAL have never played by the rules, and with METAL FORTH, they’ve broken every one of them in the best way possible. Their fifth studio album isn’t just a bold evolution of their kawaii metal sound; it’s a genre-melding, world-colliding, full-sensory explosion that redefines what a modern metal collaboration can be.
Right from the first track, METAL FORTH announces itself as something special. “From Me To U” brings in alt-metal queen Poppy, whose ever-shifting vocal style fits seamlessly alongside the infectious melodies of SU-METAL . There’s an almost theatrical push-pull between the glitchy electronics, dreamy verses, and bursts of rage that make this the perfect opening volley for what’s to come.
Then it’s time to party, and who better to invite than ELECTRIC CALLBOY? “RATATATA” is a hyperactive, genre-hopping anthem that brings in Nico Sallach and Kevin Ratajczak’s signature partycore style. The energy is absurd, the tempo unrelenting, and the vibe? Absolutely off its head. It’s the musical equivalent of cracking a cold one at a metal rave and somehow starting a conga line in the pit. If METAL FORTH had a drinking song, this would be it.
Things take a slightly darker, heavier turn with “Song 3,” a seismic collaboration with SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL. Alex Terrible unleashes his signature abyssal growls, while Momometal surprises with some fierce screams of her own, both colliding head-on with SU-METAL’s soaring, melodic lead in a way that’s as brutal as it is beautiful. It’s the kind of track that sounds like it was summoned straight from a Russian mosh pit, polished with glitter, and dropped into the final boss fight of a chaotic anime. Ferocious, theatrical, and razor-sharp, it’s proof that BABYMETAL are absolute masters of contrast.
But then comes the album’s heart — and possibly its crown jewel — “My Queen” featuring SPIRITBOX. This track is an absolute standout on METAL FORTH, not just for the emotional depth, but for Courtney LaPlante’s vocal performance. Her signature power screams erupt with raw fury, cutting through the track like a blade, while SU-METAL’s cleans glide above it all like smoke over fire. It’s a beautifully devastating track, pairing BABYMETAL’s whimsical strength with SPIRITBOX’s haunting intensity and one that demands repeat listens. If BABYMETAL have ever made a song that could stop you in your tracks mid-headbang, this is it.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is “Sunset Kiss” featuring POLYPHIA, which feels like a sunrise made of djent riffs and stardust. It’s jazzy, bouncy, and layered with the technical wizardry of Tim Henson and Scott LePage, yet still grounded in the DNA of BABYMETAL’s euphoric pop-metal style. It sounds like the opening theme of the most badass anime you’ve never seen and it will be a fan favourite for years to come.
Let’s not forget the raw energy of “Kon! Kon!” with Indian metal heroes BLOODYWOOD, where folk metal meets Bollywood grooves and breakneck riffing. Or the explosive “METALI!!” featuring guitar legend Tom Morello, who brings his unmistakable sonic stamp to a track that feels like a call to arms for the entire metal multiverse.
But METAL FORTH isn’t only defined by its guest appearances. The three solo BABYMETAL tracks show the band’s growth as songwriters and performers. “KxAxWxAxIxI” mixes hip-hop swagger with crunchy riffs and bouncy energy that feels tailor-made for the live stage. “Algorism” plays like an electronic breakdown spiralling into chaos with another top preference from Momometal. And the finale, “White Flame ー白炎ー”, brings it all home with a return to classic BABYMETAL power: symphonic, crushing, uplifting, and undeniably their own.
What makes METAL FORTH shine is that every song has its own personality — a new face, a new flavour — yet the album as a whole never loses its identity. That’s no small feat. Each collaboration sounds like it was crafted, not forced. From the unrelenting brutality of Alex Terrible, to the delicate ferocity of Courtney LaPlante, to the chaotic charisma of Electric Callboy, METAL FORTH brings out the best in every artist involved while still keeping BABYMETAL front and center.
This isn’t just another metal album. This is a genre-hopping celebration of what happens when you let go of the rulebook and just create. BABYMETAL have pushed boundaries before — but METAL FORTH might be the first time they’ve obliterated them. There’s something for everyone here, whether you’re a deathcore diehard, a metalcore purist, a prog nerd, or just a sucker for something catchy with blast beats.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Like the perfect pint after a wall of death — full-bodied, heady, and guaranteed to leave you frothing for more.
METAL FORTH – OUT AUGUST 8
https://babymetal.lnk.to/MetalForth
- From Me To U (feat. Poppy)
- RATATATA (feat. Electric Callboy)
- Song 3 (feat. Slaughter to Prevail)
- Kon! Kon! (feat. Bloodywood)
- KxAxWxAxIxI
- Sunset Kiss (feat. Polyphia)
- My Queen (feat. Spiritbox)
- Algorism
- METALI!! (feat. Tom Morello)
- White Flame ー白炎ー
