BABYMETAL, Japanese Schoolgirl Pop Idols Go Heavy Metal

Sakura Gakuin is a Japanese pop (J-pop) idol group made up of 12 young girls in their early teens. Several subgroups of the “band” contribute songs to their album “Sakura Gakuin 2010 Nendo ~message~“. One of these is BABYMETAL.

In the video, the crazy-cute girl-trio materialize in via a vaguely satanic circle–sans pentagram, it must be noted. They are backed by a crunching skele-costumed metal trio, and you have to say the chocolate-in-peanut-butter mix of J-pop cute with dark metal stylings works pretty well. Maybe less on the cutesy chorus than the skitter-rap-rhythmed verses. Yes, I am taking the musical aspect of this seriously, just for a second. And… done.

I’m sure that Sakura Gakuin as a whole have a great thing going. But, c’mon. These kids should quit the day job and get us a whole album / string of videos for BABYMETAL, ASAP. But don’t take it from me, here’s a Japanese Pop enthusiast perspective: 19-year old Danish blogger Nino-baby reviewed the whole album and here’s her take:

Heavy Music Club BABYMETAL – Doki Doki?Morning
No doubt the best song on the entire album xD I’ve never heard an idol song like this ever. Amazing Suzuka singing to Moa’s and Yui’s young childish voices with metal-like rock music in the background just sounds freaking awesome! And I must not forget to mention I love the song’s intro going from cute idol-like innocence to hardcore rock style in less than 10 seconds xD Just too epic for words *o* I can’t wait to hear more BABYMETAL songs – this sub unit is just the best thing ever created! (lol)

mikl-em
Mikl-em

Actor, nerd, poet, producer, writer mikl-em made his name short so you wouldn't have to. In addition to his blog you can find his writing in "Hi Fructose" magazine and witness him almost life-sized in various plays at The Dark Room Theater in SF's Mission district.

He tends to write about theater, humor, San Francisco culture and history, and stuff that's just plain weird. He thanks Scott for sharing the keys to the Laughing Squid virtual HQ and promises to uphold whatever it is that the mirthful cephalopod would prefer to be uplifted.