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Babymetal - Metal Resistance review



Reviewer:
9.0

175 users:
6.35
Band: Babymetal
Album: Metal Resistance
Release date: April 2016


01. Road Of Resistance
02. Karate
03. あわだまフィーバー
04. ヤバッ!
05. Amore -蒼星-
06. メタ太郎
07. シンコペーション
08. GJ!
09. Sis. Anger
10. No Rain, No Rainbow
11. Tales Of The Destinies
12. The One

Is it possible to review a band like this without becoming mired interminably in the comically astronomical depths of controversy that dog any and all assessments of them? No, I suppose it isn't. Babymetal are not reviled - they are super infinity-plus-one polarizing to a degree that defies precedent, enough to make dimethyl sulfoxide look like hexane. But now that we've acknowledged as much, let's discuss this album like adults, shall we?

I'll admit that when I first heard "Karate" I laughed like a maniac for the entire four minutes and 25 seconds - not out of derision, but because I could actually feel the fabric of reality tearing itself to shreds around my very being, and in spite of myself I couldn't stop listening to the song. As if Babymetal's very existence weren't cognitively dissonant enough, the psychonauts brought djent into the picture - and, more than that, thrashy djent. Many observers balk at the prospect of crediting Babymetal with anything remotely positive, but Babymetal have a tendency towards cross-genre experimentation that, though more the result of faceless songwriters than an artistic vision of the band itself, nonetheless keeps their albums alive and engaging in unexpected ways.

With the debut behind them as a solid proof-of-concept, Babymetal push themselves into heavier, faster, and more expansive territory on Metal Resistance. The J-pop and metal aspects feel much more complementary and better-integrated this time around; in addition, Su-metal, Moametal, and Yuimetal have become not only much stronger vocalists, but also more comfortable with their unusual mélange of styles. Overall, Metal Resistance boasts catchier, more consistent songwriting than its predecessor, and when paired with bolder performances and a more focused sense of direction, these songs take metal to its most unapologetically melodic fringes. Some of those who derided Babymetal may find Metal Resistance a lot more palatable due to the maturation of sound.

Anyone who can stomach DragonForce should have no objections to the opener, "Road Of Resistance," previously released as a collaboration with Herman Li and Sam Totman of said epic power-slingers; "Road Of Resistance" perfectly mirrors DragonForce at every turn, with the ironic twist that these three teenage Japanese girls have deeper voices than both of DragonForce's vocalists. "Amore" continues in the same lightning-power vein, while "GJ" echoes the fantastic djent of "Karate." The vaguely atmospheric djentronica of "From Dusk Till Dawn" desperately demands some explanation, but the song succeeds to a much greater degree than it should. "Meta Taro" sounds like a cross between Viking Sabaton and a First World War marching song; "Tales Of The Destinies" employs nonstandard time signatures and dueling keyboards and guitars to effectively capture the sound of anime-soundtrack- Haken (with some occasional Gloryhammer-ing splashed in for good measure).

I have to exercise an exorbitant degree of self-restraint so as not to detail the entire album song-by-song, but each individual work has its own personality and reflects another subgenre of metal that no one would have expected to hear in such an ineffable context. I hear Slipknot, Dream Theater, Gojira, and others inexplicably reflected here. Babymetal was a novelty - a highly enjoyable novelty, but a novelty nonetheless; Metal Resistance is a much more serious work, and a much more successful one. I certainly never thought in a million years that I'd ever say that the new Babymetal is better than the new Amon Amarth, much less that the new Babymetal is currently my album of the year, but this is the world we live in now.


Rating breakdown
Performance: 10
Songwriting: 9
Originality: 10
Production: 8





Written on 01.04.2016 by I'm the reviewer, and that means my opinion is correct.


Comments page 3 / 4

Comments: 120   Visited by: 942 users
05.04.2016 - 20:20
Gordon Freeman

Written by Jaeryd on 05.04.2016 at 02:45

Still can't tell if this is an April Fools joke or not. I really don't care much about Baby Metal one way or the other. From what I've heard of it, their music is okay-ish, though not something I'd willfully listen to all that often. Still, never expected to see one of their albums get a 9.0 review on Metalstorm. Kind of surreal, actually.



The 9.0 is just from one MS staffer who bothered to review the album. You'd have to think that someone who would take time out of their day to review a niche album like this would probably appreciate it.

The actual score for the album is something like 6.0 or 6.5.
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God Dammit Doug! Take off your hat, Night Moves is playing. Don't be a prick man!

http://www.last.fm/user/Axl_The_Viking
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05.04.2016 - 20:23
Gordon Freeman

Written by mariano on 05.04.2016 at 17:19

Not my coup of tea

Down with coffee.
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God Dammit Doug! Take off your hat, Night Moves is playing. Don't be a prick man!

http://www.last.fm/user/Axl_The_Viking
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05.04.2016 - 20:24
Azarath
Free as a.. Fish
Written by Jaeryd on 05.04.2016 at 19:14

people on Metalstorm are now upset because someone is surprised about a rating and has a neutral opinion about a band.
It's not possible to be neutral when it comes to Babymetal.
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05.04.2016 - 23:49
Jaeryd
Nihil's Maw
Written by Azarath on 05.04.2016 at 20:24

It's not possible to be neutral when it comes to Babymetal.

I must be breaking reality or warping space-time then, because I promise you, I am quite neutral on my opinion of Babymetal.
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06.04.2016 - 01:18
Rating: 7
Vermoorden

Album is pretty good, catchy, technical at times, and overall fun. But goddamn, Sis. Anger is a fucking awful song. The monotone "singing" over the whole thing is super annoying.
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07.04.2016 - 17:55
BloodJuNkie
Of Egypt
Oh Babymetal is added to Metalstorm.net? I thought they're blacklisted.
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07.04.2016 - 18:28
Rating: 9
Karlabos
Meat and Potatos
Written by BloodJuNkie on 07.04.2016 at 17:55

Oh Babymetal is added to Metalstorm.net? I thought they're blacklisted.

They were. Like last year... or pérhaps the one before...
----
"Aah! The cat turned into a cat!"
- Reimu Hakurei
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07.04.2016 - 19:06
Marcel Hubregtse
Grumpy Old Fuck
Written by Karlabos on 07.04.2016 at 18:28

Written by BloodJuNkie on 07.04.2016 at 17:55

Oh Babymetal is added to Metalstorm.net? I thought they're blacklisted.

They were. Like last year... or pérhaps the one before...


They indeed were, but shittiness is not a criterium to blacklist a band. They are clearly metal, albeit at first crappy metal and now totally averag metal, but metal nonetheless.
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Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.)
05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996

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07.04.2016 - 19:18
BloodJuNkie
Of Egypt
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 07.04.2016 at 19:06

Written by Karlabos on 07.04.2016 at 18:28

Written by BloodJuNkie on 07.04.2016 at 17:55

Oh Babymetal is added to Metalstorm.net? I thought they're blacklisted.

They were. Like last year... or pérhaps the one before...


They indeed were, but shittiness is not a criterium to blacklist a band. They are clearly metal, albeit at first crappy metal and now totally averag metal, but metal nonetheless.

Well i'm neither with nor against them. I like 1-2 tracks by them and i don't mind seeing them here. I'm just surprised that they were blacklisted before so I was wondering what happened.
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07.04.2016 - 19:51
Rating: 8
AngelofDeth
Cyborg Raptor
Definitely better than the first album, which only had about 2 good songs, but doesn't really convince me to be a major guilty pleasure the way Amaranthe does. Still, about half the songs are solid and will be a fun listen in the car to weird out and annoy my friends
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pewpew.. gotcha
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08.04.2016 - 01:33
Lord_Regnier

It's funny how some people get so offended by Babymetal.

As much of a purist I can be at times, I don't feel offended by it in any way or form. For me, this 'band' simply doesn't belong to the Metal scene. It is just a silly commercial stunt to make money. Perhaps it can be considered as Metal musically but not as a Metal band the way I conceive it. It is only 3 girls, only one of them over 18 (not considering the musicians behind it who take no part in the image). None of them play instruments. Nothing in the image, look, attitude, etc is Metal. They cannot even sell out as it is a sold out pop thing in spirit right from the start. It is nothing Metal in spirit.

I'm much much more offended by real Metal bands who suddenly sell out and start releasing commercial crap, while still pretending to make Metal music.

I think some people simply take Babymetal way too seriously. And that's precisely the opposite of what you should do.
This is a joke and should be treated as such. Which means it should not be taken seriously.

Of course, I'm aware that there are adults behind this. But the girls on stage are children and, as silly as it looks, I find it more acceptable than people in their 30's, 40's or even older doing silly things on stage. They are so young they probably don't realize how much of a silly gimmick it is.
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"Why would we fear death, when life is so much more frightening?"
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08.04.2016 - 23:33
Panterica

How is it possible that I enjoy this?
If this is not the sign of the human race's upcoming annihilation, I have no idea what would.
And I thought that Attack on Titan was fucked up.
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Li'ed - Prog-Metal from Jerusalem
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7aZWDrAAvDSLMaSmDSE8zA
https://www.facebook.com/LiedBandMusic
http://lied-band.bandcamp.com/
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09.04.2016 - 05:44
no one
Account deleted
Written by Lord_Regnier on 08.04.2016 at 01:33

It's funny how some people get so offended by Babymetal.

As much of a purist I can be at times, I don't feel offended by it in any way or form. For me, this 'band' simply doesn't belong to the Metal scene. It is just a silly commercial stunt to make money. Perhaps it can be considered as Metal musically but not as a Metal band the way I conceive it. It is only 3 girls, only one of them over 18 (not considering the musicians behind it who take no part in the image). None of them play instruments. Nothing in the image, look, attitude, etc is Metal. They cannot even sell out as it is a sold out pop thing in spirit right from the start. It is nothing Metal in spirit.

I'm much much more offended by real Metal bands who suddenly sell out and start releasing commercial crap, while still pretending to make Metal music.

I think some people simply take Babymetal way too seriously. And that's precisely the opposite of what you should do.
This is a joke and should be treated as such. Which means it should not be taken seriously.

Of course, I'm aware that there are adults behind this. But the girls on stage are children and, as silly as it looks, I find it more acceptable than people in their 30's, 40's or even older doing silly things on stage. They are so young they probably don't realize how much of a silly gimmick it is.

best post so far
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09.04.2016 - 12:35
Uldreth

Written by Lord_Regnier on 08.04.2016 at 01:33

It's funny how some people get so offended by Babymetal.

As much of a purist I can be at times, I don't feel offended by it in any way or form. For me, this 'band' simply doesn't belong to the Metal scene. It is just a silly commercial stunt to make money. Perhaps it can be considered as Metal musically but not as a Metal band the way I conceive it. It is only 3 girls, only one of them over 18 (not considering the musicians behind it who take no part in the image). None of them play instruments. Nothing in the image, look, attitude, etc is Metal. They cannot even sell out as it is a sold out pop thing in spirit right from the start. It is nothing Metal in spirit.

I'm much much more offended by real Metal bands who suddenly sell out and start releasing commercial crap, while still pretending to make Metal music.

I think some people simply take Babymetal way too seriously. And that's precisely the opposite of what you should do.
This is a joke and should be treated as such. Which means it should not be taken seriously.

Of course, I'm aware that there are adults behind this. But the girls on stage are children and, as silly as it looks, I find it more acceptable than people in their 30's, 40's or even older doing silly things on stage. They are so young they probably don't realize how much of a silly gimmick it is.

Metalheads are a lot like hc christians, they are very easy to rile up .
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09.04.2016 - 17:55
Rating: 10
Andrew_Deer
None,really
Written by Lord_Regnier on 08.04.2016 at 01:33

It's funny how some people get so offended by Babymetal.

As much of a purist I can be at times, I don't feel offended by it in any way or form. For me, this 'band' simply doesn't belong to the Metal scene. It is just a silly commercial stunt to make money. Perhaps it can be considered as Metal musically but not as a Metal band the way I conceive it. It is only 3 girls, only one of them over 18 (not considering the musicians behind it who take no part in the image). None of them play instruments. Nothing in the image, look, attitude, etc is Metal. They cannot even sell out as it is a sold out pop thing in spirit right from the start. It is nothing Metal in spirit.

I'm much much more offended by real Metal bands who suddenly sell out and start releasing commercial crap, while still pretending to make Metal music.

I think some people simply take Babymetal way too seriously. And that's precisely the opposite of what you should do.
This is a joke and should be treated as such. Which means it should not be taken seriously.

Of course, I'm aware that there are adults behind this. But the girls on stage are children and, as silly as it looks, I find it more acceptable than people in their 30's, 40's or even older doing silly things on stage. They are so young they probably don't realize how much of a silly gimmick it is.

All I see is "You have to be METAL to play METAL !!!!!!!!!! \m/ \m/ \m/". The fact is, they're not purely metal. It's a crossover of metal and j-pop. The things you call "not metal" are clearly the j-pop part of the thing (like the dances, image, singing or clothing, which is also a crossover). Sure, people might not like it, neither would I, if I didn't like the music. I myself was a bit saddened that the musicians are not considered important and even though it used to be like that (it's another j-pop aspect), I don't feel that way about it now. They get their spot in concerts, where everybody gets to play a solo of sort, and all of them are great and skilled musicians (in case you're interested, try searching "kami band solo budokan" on google vids) but most importantly, they really seem to enjoy playing in the band.

Taking something a making it kitschy is just japanese way of doing things. To say "they don't understand they are making fools out of themselves" pretty much reveals how much you know about Japan, which is not a bad thing, although you probably shouldn't act like you know.

By the way... Marylin Manson is also alone on promo materials and that IS a metal band. Or maybe it was, but even then the promo was the same.

If Garfunkel was saying, that he plays metal so what? I wouldn't think it's fitting, but I would believe him as it's his right to call his music however he wants.
I was listening to the album today. 9.2 from me.
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09.04.2016 - 21:29
MétalNoir
Fils du Lys
You piqued my curiosity. Listening to "Karate" right now : I. Am......... Annoyed.
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Notre destinée n'est pas encore tracée....
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09.04.2016 - 22:38
Rating: 9
Karlabos
Meat and Potatos
I like it how every babymetal thread eventually turns out into a war zone where people argue whether they should or not belong to the holy metal scene or if they are blasphemous sinners against the sacred mighty metal religion against commercialism.

It's just music guys... What is all about is whether you like it or not... Just that.
----
"Aah! The cat turned into a cat!"
- Reimu Hakurei
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10.04.2016 - 09:14
M C Vice
ex-polydactyl
Written by Karlabos on 09.04.2016 at 22:38


It's just music guys... What is all about is whether you like it or not... Just that.

As Devin Townsend said: "...and music? Well, it's just entertainment, folks."
----
"Another day, another Doug."
"I'll fight you on one condition. That you lower your nipples."
" 'Tis a lie! Thy backside is whole and ungobbled, thou ungrateful whelp!"
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10.04.2016 - 09:46
no one
Account deleted
Written by M C Vice on 10.04.2016 at 09:14

Written by Karlabos on 09.04.2016 at 22:38


It's just music guys... What is all about is whether you like it or not... Just that.

As Devin Townsend said: "...and music? Well, it's just entertainment, folks."

i'm just not sure id call it music
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12.04.2016 - 03:02
sladetroityer

I finally took the time to listen to Baby Metal after years of seeing their name everywhere and I was completely disappointed. Not only were the vocals absolutely terrible, I couldn't understand a word they we're saying. I have no idea how anyone could take these people seriously.
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12.04.2016 - 04:41
Lord_Regnier

Written by sladetroityer on 12.04.2016 at 03:02

Not only were the vocals absolutely terrible, I couldn't understand a word they we're saying.


Half the lyrics are in Japanese anyway, as far as I know.
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"Why would we fear death, when life is so much more frightening?"
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12.04.2016 - 07:49
Rating: 9
ScreamingSteelUS
Editor-in-Chief
Written by Lord_Regnier on 12.04.2016 at 04:41

Written by sladetroityer on 12.04.2016 at 03:02

Not only were the vocals absolutely terrible, I couldn't understand a word they we're saying. I have no idea how anyone could take these people seriously.


Half the lyrics are in Japanese anyway, as far as I know.

Yes, unless you speak Japanese and therefore have reason to believe that you should understand what they are saying, you probably ought to expect that the lyrics will be lost on you. Also, I think part of the point is that you aren't supposed to take it seriously. I legitimately enjoy their music, but Babymetal isn't Silencer or Xasthur. You don't have to think it's the grimmest, darkest music in the world to like it. I "take them seriously" inasmuch as I financially support and listen to them as much as any other band that I like to the same extent, but I defy you to find any fan who can watch one of their videos with a straight face and not find the whole concept remarkably silly.
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"Earth is small and I hate it" - Lum Invader

I'm the Agent of Steel.
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12.04.2016 - 07:59
Rating: 9
ScreamingSteelUS
Editor-in-Chief
Written by Karlabos on 07.04.2016 at 18:28

Written by BloodJuNkie on 07.04.2016 at 17:55

Oh Babymetal is added to Metalstorm.net? I thought they're blacklisted.

They were. Like last year... or pérhaps the one before...

Written by Andrew_Deer on 02.04.2016 at 18:08

It's kinda funny how Babymetal started as a band on blacklist here... lol

Even funnier, I seem to recall that I pushed to get them blacklisted.
----
"Earth is small and I hate it" - Lum Invader

I'm the Agent of Steel.
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12.04.2016 - 18:00
Rating: 10
Andrew_Deer
None,really
Written by ScreamingSteelUS on 12.04.2016 at 07:59

Written by Andrew_Deer on 02.04.2016 at 18:08

It's kinda funny how Babymetal started as a band on blacklist here... lol

Even funnier, I seem to recall that I pushed to get them blacklisted.


Now, that's a turn of events...

Written by sladetroityer on 12.04.2016 at 03:02

I finally took the time to listen to Baby Metal after years of seeing their name everywhere and I was completely disappointed. Not only were the vocals absolutely terrible, I couldn't understand a word they *were saying. I have no idea how anyone could take these people seriously.


Yea, if you have ever seen those other pieces of land on Earth than America, I can inform you, that on those there also live people and suprisingly enough, english is not their native language and so they sing in different ones.
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14.04.2016 - 23:40
Jaeryd
Nihil's Maw
Written by Andrew_Deer on 12.04.2016 at 18:00

Yea, if you have ever seen those other pieces of land on Earth than America, I can inform you, that on those there also live people and suprisingly enough, english is not their native language and so they sing in different ones.

Not only that, but I find it hilarious that someone who listens to the metal genre would mock a band for unintelligible lyrics... metal, the genre that is filled with bands that use harsh, unintelligible vocals. The irony is strong with this one.
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16.04.2016 - 05:06
SoUnDs LiKe PoP

Damn 2 full pages in and the butthurt is still flowing.

I love it.
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I lift weights and listen to metal
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20.04.2016 - 18:10
Enteroctopus

Written by Azarath on 05.04.2016 at 20:24

Written by Jaeryd on 05.04.2016 at 19:14

people on Metalstorm are now upset because someone is surprised about a rating and has a neutral opinion about a band.
It's not possible to be neutral when it comes to Babymetal.

I could take or leave them. They're meh.
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20.04.2016 - 20:26
Azarath
Free as a.. Fish
Written by Enteroctopus on 20.04.2016 at 18:10

I could take or leave them. They're meh.
It's not possible to be neutral when it comes to Babymetal. Which is to say, I do believe you're lying.
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21.04.2016 - 09:14
Danny Thomas

Anime metal music
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Our children are dead. Burnt in the ruins that were left by war.
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21.04.2016 - 18:38
caimanjosh

Haha, this music is fun. Good music to listen to in the spring while walking around and admiring the girls in pretty dresses. I suspect that the novelty will wear off and I won't listen to it after a few months have passed, but right now it brings a smile to my face.
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