BABYMETAL - Metal Galaxy (2019)

The more time we spend online, the more we become accustomed to living in a global village. Physical distance and geopolitical borders are rendered all but meaningless on the internet, while evolutionary creative processes that stretch deep into the history of civilization continue to erode cultural boundaries. Thanks to the rise of mashup culture, which recently married Slayer to “Yakety Sax” and Pantera to David Bowie, we’re exposed to left-of-field musical visions on a regular basis – and Babymetal have proven that even the most unlikely juxtapositions can become commercially successful.

Even if you’re totally new to metal, you’ll doubtless be fully aware that sugary pop traditionally represents everything that “true metalheads” hate. Although there are some genuinely talented pop acts out there, targeting formulaic tunes at undiscerning listeners purely for commercial gain is considered the ultimate act of blasphemy by headbangers worldwide. Just as uptight and conservative citizens glare pointedly at anyone who dares to declare their love for heavy music, plenty of our own peers automatically stick their middle fingers up at anything remotely melodic.