I'm going to be good as well but I agree, the two tracks released so far, along with Road of Resistance show a real progression to a more mature sound.

Classic rock have given it 10/10 and I think many more reviewers will follow suit, there does seem to be a really positive feeling about this new album.

We'll be in Block S6 but I have read this week that everyone will have a great view no matter where they are.

I've got it on pre-order anyway so my conscience is clear about listening to the leak

It's a brilliant album. Arguably better than the first one.

I have a choice of N3 or S10 (thanks to someone who can't make it), so I'll see which one has the best view before deciding where to sit.

Amazon have dispatched my copy of the new album, so hoping the delivery company get it to me tomorrow so I can have a listen before the show.

Busy day Saturday, going to football in the afternoon then straight from the game to Wembley for the show.

I'll also be in Block S6 for Wembley, very much looking forward to it.

As for the new album itself - They really have developed massively as a band. I say "band" because the musicians themselves are almost as prominent and important as the girls this time around, more riffs, more solos, just more of everything, and that's not a bad thing.

"Road of Resistance" and "Karate" are both fantastic ways to open the album, then there's "Awadama Fever" being the spiritual successor (and much improved upon version) of "Gimme Chocolate!" and everything from "From Dusk Til Dawn" all the way up to "The One" (which I would go as far as to say, is quite possibly the best song I've heard in years) is pure gold.

The only thing that lets this album down is the middle section that's made up of "Yava!", "Amore" and "Meta Taro". "Yava!" just didn't stand out in any way to me. "Amore" is this album's obligatory Su-Metal solo track, but the problem is "Akatsuki" ended up being the hidden gem of Babymetal's debut album, and I just think her voice has so much more potential than the material she was given to work with on "Amore". As for "Meta Taro", I didn't think it was possible, but Babymetal have now officially made a song that is quite frankly.... boring. It's just boring. I honestly couldn't even get through it when I listened to the album the second time.

But other than that, this album is a solid 9/10, and I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that they are going to bring their A-game to Wembley on Saturday, and I seriously can't wait to watch that all unfold.

Wow, this album is crazy Jealous of those going to see them!

Agree on Yava! And Amore, I'd throw in No Rain No Rainbow too- kind of an average ballad really, though Su does sing it really well, it could grow on me.

I thought Amore was this albums Akatsuki as well, only Akatsuki is better (in my opinion), but I actually really like Meta Taro, it was another odd change up to me, in a good way. It kind of reminds me of folk metal, as does From Dusk Till Dawn, which is also good. The variety of this group never ceases to amaze- it's like they've taken a piece from every genre of metal.

Yes Awadama Fever stood out straight away to me, mad song, really loving it, and Sis. Anger and Tales of the Destinies have grown on me more now, after a couple of listens, what a mad ass progfest that latter song is though Reminds me of a group called To-mera, and that crazy riff on Sis. Anger is like something one of those super extreme death metal bands like Necrophagist would write, it's bonkers

All that on top of Karate, which I thought was a great single and ending with The One which I agree is one of the best songs I've heard in ages, it's a really strong album. I'm actually surprised, it's better than I thought it'd be, they've not played it safe at all, it seems like they really do want to keep pushing the envelope. I approve

I've listened to it a couple of time now and I pretty much agree with 'Ænima' and 'ShotDownInFlame', it is in many ways a remarkable record. They could have very easily played it safe and simply released Babymetal II but they have really tried to push the boundaries here and, as has already been said, you can really tell the difference with now having the Kami Band playing on the tracks. There is some sublime musicianship at work on this album.

Roll on Wembley!!!

I still find the idea that heavy metal would end up as an accompaniment to cuteness and conformity fascinating.

And to think that I was bothered about going to see Little Mix as I thought they were too young. Babymetal are teenagers!

None of that stuff bothers me. I just listen to the music and either like it or dislike it.

Listening to Metal Resistance now, bloody hell this is a bit good eh, almost reinventing metal, the only thing I don't like are the growl samples that are generously shoe horned in, I think to pacify some metal heads.

But otherwise wow, this is really, really good stuff.

Agree, and having heard Syncopation, I'd say From Dusk Till Dawn is the better of the two exclusive songs. Both good though.

Not sure if many have heard Syncopation if they got the English version?

I'm not really sure how Babymetal fits in with the concept of "conformity" Theirs is some of the most out-there music I've heard in many a year, which is why this album (and to a slightly lesser extent, it's predecessor), is so interesting to me.

As for the age, like AEnima said, I don't let that bother me. Some see it as "creepy", but if you're going to judge a band on their apperance over their music, then more power to you, but to me, as long as the music is good, I don't see why you'd let something as insignificant as the age of the artist deter you.

As I said on the previous page - I wonder how many metal fans will use Babymetal as entry level to explore k-pop ? The whole 'amazing' live experience metal fans love about Babymetal is pretty mild compared to some of the stuff seen in the genre.

I don't really think Babymetal is all that K-pop like, especially on this album. I think most fans are metalheads who are a bit more open minded, rather than pop fans. I mean you don't listen to Tales of the Destinies with mad prog guitar and think it's a transition to listen to some K-pop, just because there happens to be an Asian girl singing It's about a million times more complex than K-pop, if anything, K-pop would be the entry level to maybe getting into Babymetal, if you could stomach the heaviness! As for the show, I've not seen them live, but have seen clips and their live show looks pretty intense. I just watched a video where they tie Su-metal to a crucifix and do a sort of ritual It kind of made me laugh how metal it was

Personally, I think a lot of K-pop just sounds like Euro cheese pop from about 15 years ago, but no disrespect to those who like it, it's just not my thing. As ShotDownInFlame says, this is quite out there, a lot of K-pop is well, just pop really and the whole point of Babymetal was that mix of metal with some J-pop elements (to be honest though it's more like every genre of metal mixed with a small dash of J-pop and even some dubsteb, but the metal is the all consuming force here ). I'd actually say they're closer to some of the decent female fronted metal bands out there, but with quite a bit more weirdness. I think someone listening to this is more likely to get into say, early Nightwish for example than K-pop. There are dozens of k-pop bands out there too whereas I think Babymetal is something different and I think that's why people like them.

Having seen many a band live including all the big names you'd expect, there are only 3 bands imo who even rival the atmosphere Babymetal's shows have; Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Rammstein. That's literally it.

Seriously, no joke, Babymetal are one of the best live bands I've ever seen, the atmosphere at their shows is just incredible.

The Babymetal girls are an example of Japanese Idol culture which is entirely about being wholesome role models for Japanese youth. I always thought Metal was 'Outsiders' and non-conformist music. It's an odd combination, but that's not to say it doesn't work.

Regarding Wembley;

Good news: Babymetal are playing for exactly 2 hours from 8:30 to 10:30, so that more or less guarantees this new album in full as well as at least half of the old album.

Bad news: The support "act" is just a DJ set from BBC Radio 1 DJ, Dan Carter. Every time I've tuned into his show before he's been playing some of the worst rock and metal music I've ever heard, I genuinely think I'd prefer NO support act whatsoever rather than have to sit through a solid 45 minutes of his rubbish

That was sort of the point. Take a bunch of girls who are part of the idol culture, pair them with the disparate metal scene, create something contrasting and different.

The meshing of such disparate styles makes it the opposite of conformist, it's actively trying not to conform to convention. It's worked so well it got the backs up of some of the people in the very genre it was aiming at.

For me, it was never confusing because that was something I'd always loved about metal, or at least the type of metal I listen to- that it was a bit different and interesting. It's not actually that dissimilar from the beauty and the beast style bands from the 90's, as a big fan of many of those bands, Babymetal wasn't a huge shock to me, I just think they stepped it up a notch!

Well, I'm not going so you need to stop talking



Seriously though, that sounds good. I was wondering how long they'd play. 2 hours is great. Definitely should be most of the new album, probably most of the 1st too. They usually do some covers as well.

On the subject of support acts, when I saw Amorphis in Nottingham last week, we thought they'd be on at about 9. Heard the support act at around 8, didn't fancy it, so went for a few pints in the place next door (which loads of other people seemed to be doing), went back at 8.30 and we'd missed their first song

I think Sis Anger is the essence of Babymetal to me , that song that will get played live a lot, the vocals from the younger girls shine along with a irresistible metal grind.

I bet it's bloody tiring though! They sing so quickly on that song, and they'll probably be dancing like maniacs to it (I'm guessing)

Don't quote me on this, but I honestly remember seeing something where Metallica admitted they'd dumbed down their sound since the 80's, because they were sick of playing such technical songs, and they also didn't play much of their older stuff for that reason. Not really being a Metallica fan, not sure if it's true.

Have to say, that piano foreshadowing from Tales of the Destinies that then leads into The One is pretty sublime.

For sure, when I first listened to "Tales of the Destinies", I instantly had a massive grin on my face when the main riff to "The One" kicked in near the start and I realised the 2 songs would be slightly tied together.

There's so much going on in "Tales of the Destinies" though, definitely the most complex Babymetal song, and because of that - probably the one that most people will find hardest to get into.

Possibly, but then I listened to To-mera and that's all crazy technical metal stuff with random piano interludes and a female singer, so I was kind of used to it

Have to say though, based on what I've read on music forums, that song is one of the popular ones. I think a lot of the people who listen to Babymetal already have quite unusual tastes!

Yes, it looks weird visually but actually sounds good. How would you feel about Little Mix fronting up Iron Maiden? Would that work?

I've suggested elsewhere that Nine Inch Nails and Little Mix might work better.

Well, I don't like Iron Maiden or Little Mix musically, so I don't feel great about that combination. I suppose I'd have to hear it to make a decision. Is this a likely colaboration? Not massively familiar with Nine Inch Nails. I did try listening to them a while back, but couldn't get into them. Actually, little mix had a couple of catchy singles that weren't bad by pop standards.

Metal Resistance straight in at #2 on the Amazon best sellers.