London, The O2 Arena, 30/05/25

Going to see BABYMETAL isn’t just about the show itself. It’s about everything that comes with it. It’s about the thousands upon thousands descending on the O2 arena, all from different walks of life but all tied together by the name plastered across their chests. It’s knowing looks of seeing someone who shares your passion, the hugs from old and new friends alike, the heated anticipation that something spectacular is about to take place. There aren’t many bands in this world who can create such a feverish buzz before they even put a foot on such a gigantic stage, but there aren’t many bands in this world anything like BABYMETAL.

But first, the future. Everywhere that Bambie Thug goes, they disrupt the status quo brilliantly. It’s been quite a year for them since their Eurovision heroics, and time spent sending millions into raptures has allowed them to take to spaces as vast as this like a duck to water, a position that has dwarfed many a band in the past. Though it’s even easier when you have tracks as abrasive as ‘Tsunami (11:11)’ and upcoming single ‘Redrum Rave’ in their arsenal, the former transporting the assembled crowd to the darkest corners of the Kit Kat Club in an instant and the latter triggering a wave of frenzied headbanging from those who are clearly now converted to the cult. Unapologetically brash and, as always, wonderfully supportive and outspoken, letting the marginalised individuals in the arena know that they are seen, heard and loved before a terrifyingly brutish ‘Doomsday Blue’, it’s another tick off the bucket list for Bambie, executed to utter perfection.

The same can be said for Poppy, who grabs the opportunity to devastate and dive into existentialism on a massive level. ‘the cost of giving up’ and ‘new way out’ are even more crushing in a live setting, whilst the brain-melting chaos of ‘Concrete’, receiving no less than four circle pits, and audacious assertions of ‘I Disagree’ feel potent and profound in equal measure. Littered between clips of her speaking to her self-consciousness, pondering the ideology of being perceived and the brain’s way of turning moments experienced into memories banked, and what it all means within our existence on this spinning rock, it is as cathartic as it is discomforting. That melding of humanity and technology is further cemented with a ferocious run-through of ‘V.A.N’, showing in screaming technicolour why they are such a force to be reckoned with, especially when given the reigns to do things their own way.

Yet from the moment Su-Metal, Moametal and Momometal take their position under blood-red lights and the thrashing riffs of ‘BABYMETAL DEATH’ kick in, they have the masses before them in the palm of their hand. As much a rallying call as a statement of intent, it’s an introduction to everything that makes this brilliantly bold ensemble so special, an invitation to lose all inhibitions, just for a little bit.

And with every new song that the trio unveil, a new otherworldly universe comes with it. One moment, you have ‘Pa Pa Ya!!’ throwing you into a cavern of fire and brimstone, with sparklers and pyro so large you can feel it tanning your skin in real-time, as the thousands gathered lift their flags, bandanas and shirts, even this early on, to the skies to twirl. Then next, you are watching a sunrise over a deep chasm on a far-off planet, accompanied by a world premiere of ‘Sunset Kiss’, featuring precise noodling from Polyphia. Speaking of guest stars, though they are not in attendance, with just how immersive and foreboding the giant visuals featuring a shredding Tom Morello during a chaotic ‘METALI!!’, a head-bopping Electric Callboy during a joyful ‘RATATATA’ and a furious Bloodywood alongside a devastatingly fun ‘Kon! Kon!’ it’s impossible to deny how present they all feel. It also makes Poppy coming out and screaming her lungs out for ‘from me to u’ feel even more guttural. Much of the show revolves around this deep sense of escape that you are no longer in your own world but in BABYMETAL’s, and whatever direction they wish to swing you, you are along for the ride either way.

Much of that also comes down to the stunning performance of every member of this impressive company. The KAMI Band is deafening in their delivery, creating a cacophony of glorious noise, never missing a beat, and, though masked up, consuming every morsel of chaos they create. And to BABYMETAL themselves. Su-Metal is a force to be reckoned with, their voice as clear as crystal and command of the masses second to none, whether during the attitude-sprinkled ‘BxMxC’ or the cutesy ‘Gimme Chocolate!!’. Whilst Moametal and Momometal are as locked as you can be, delivering their tightest of choreography and bouncing off each beautifully, whether in the epic fights they partake in during a throwback showing of ‘Ijime, Dame, Zettai’ or encouraging even more ferocious headbanging throughout a debauched ‘Song 3’ and, as is tradition, ‘HeadBangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!’. And such unbridled energy is reciprocated in abundance by the thousands before them, be it via circle pit, fist pump, throat-shred or mirrored choreography. Every person in this crowd has their own way of experiencing BABYMETAL, and each one is as heartening to watch the last.

And that is what truly stands out; just how much you can see each girl is absolutely adoring their time playing on this stage to so many different sorts of people. As the band honours 15 incredible BABYMETAL years, you would imagine that, in addition to celebration, reflection is at the forefront of their minds. And to balance that emotion with putting on a show as impressive, breathless and fantastical as this takes more than many may realise. But appreciation and gratefulness shine through throughout, particularly on the flag-waving tribalism of ‘Road Of Resistance’, where, between the power metal solos, pummelling drums, and otherworldly imagery, their smiles cannot be hidden. The reality that this is a community they’ve built, one that continues to come together every time they are summoned and that gives everything they’ve got to the cause, is all too palpable.

And when the fires die down, and the smoke clears, but the confetti keeps falling, the three stand on stage, let the mask slip just a little and speak as Suzuka, Moa and Momoko for a moment. “11 years ago at Sonisphere, BABYMETAL’s fate changed forever,” Su exclaims. “Every time we have played the UK, you have always welcomed us because of your love and support. Thank you for your continued faith in BABYMETAL!” Such simple but powerful words, ones that remind us that between the riffs, the dance moves, the costumes, the lore and the Fox God, there are three girls here living out their wildest dreams.

The idea behind BABYMETAL’s upcoming new album ‘Metal Forth’ is that it is beyond metal. It aims to go further than any constraint that this wondrous style of music may have had placed on it, but in watching the band deliver their vision at full throttle, it’s not just a case of pushing past the sonics of this. The joy, euphoria, astonishment and togetherness felt in this room tonight are not exclusively tied to this music. These feelings that this grand spectacle has been the catalyst for should stick with you in everything that you do. They should inspire you in your everyday life and encourage you to try and make everyone you encounter feel the same way. That’s what takes this all truly beyond metal. The possibility that, no matter where in the universe we all end up, we can all feel this amazing all the time. And as long as BABYMETAL are around to ignite that fire, the world is a much more fantastically fun place.