generasia:Featured article for 2019 week 41
BABYMETAL
BABYMETAL is a sub unit of the idol group Sakura Gakuin. They are the second sub unit to debut from the group, following Twinklestars. Their concept is a fusion of idol pop and metal.
The group first appeared on Sakura Gakuin's debut album Sakura Gakuin 2010 Nendo ~message~ in April 2011, performing the track "Do・Ki・Do・Ki☆MORNING". In October 2011 they released a DVD containing the music video for the song.
On February 26, 2014, they released their first self-titled album. The album was well received by people, selling over 37,000 copies in Japan in its first week, and debuting at #4 on the weekly Oricon album chart and #2 on Billboard Japan. It also topped iTunes Metal charts abroad and even ranked on the US Billboard 200 chart, something that very few Japanese artists have achieved. Their second album Metal Resistance was released worldwide on April 1, 2016, charting well internationally for a Japanese band.
With their first two concerts at Budokan, they became the youngest-ever female act to perform there. The group has also embarked on several tours, with a majority of their tour dates taking place outside of Asia. They have performed in places such as Canada, New York City, and Los Angeles, California, and with several different foreign artists, such as Avenged Sevenfold, Metallica, Lady Gaga, and more.
On October 19, 2018, BABYMETAL announced that YUIMETAL decided to leave the band due to poor health, following her absence from live performances since December 2017. Since her departure, the band has performed with one or more backup dancers at live performances.
Their third album METAL GALAXY is released this week on October 11th.
