Erm...What Is BabyMetal?! 

I believe my 5 year old daughter is now your biggest fan. Her love for Babymetal and singing in Japanese is only surpassed by a man in flippy glasses, with a guitar and wearing womens clothing. Cheers mate 👍

Jesus, I love when Justin gets an email mid sentence. I die with laughter.

Thank you Justin for your breakdowns. Not only are you supremely talented, but have the ability to make everything you talk about interesting!

I was 35 when I discovered Babymetal. I’ve probably watched the Gimme Chocolate 20+ times. Ended up seeing them at Download too. Love it all, in its manufactured glory. Their music makes me happy.

I think that they are far beyond a novelty at this point. They are now in their early to mid 20s and their fanbase is bigger than ever. They've spent the last decade changing a lot of minds. From what I've been hearing of their Metalverse project, it sounds a little more mature, but still insanely good.

Even though I'm not that into them (Band Maid are much more my thing) I definitely see how Baby Metal were a galaxybrain move in the over-saturated idol group market. If you think about the idol industry in Japan, where groups are competing to out-cute their rivals, then Baby Metal is an idea that side-steps the whole routine and puts new spin on an old concept. They didn't just ride the novelty factor, either, the producers put it all together very thoughtfully and the group has worked hard for their success. Even if I can't say I'm a fan myself, I have every respect for them and I'm glad they exist.

Love them! I think they’re absolutely fabulous! The music, the singing, the costumes and the dance moves combine to make one hell of a show. And it’s impossible not to have a good time.

Fabulous. I saw Babymetal at their first ever headlining UK show (with no support) at the Kentish Town Forum in 2014 and it's still one of my favourite gig memories. We were even joined at the pub by Herman Li and Sam Totman at the pub post-gig!

The Japanese take things to another level. Everyone should check out Maximum the Hormone and listen to at least a full song

Nearly 8 on a Sunday morning and I’m watching a man in a dress playing Baby Metal acoustically .

BABYMETAL!!!!!!!! 🤘🦊🤘 Love the comment something 8 years ago is still having an impact! Hell yea

You haven't lived until you've seen 1000's of middle aged men moshing to a group of Japanese teenage girls banging out some heavy metal

Justin, you are simply a treasure. Keep up the good work!

I didn't know I needed any one to break down music before, but Justin isn't just anyone. Love your channel.

Yes! Baby Metal 🤟 I was really hoping you’d do a video on them and this did not disappoint! Megitsune is my favourite track, but Gimme Chocolate got me in to them. I don’t know about the target audience, but as someone who only occasionally dips their toes into the metal scene, I just think they’re fun. Awesome metal music with a sense of humour and catchy lyrics that I can’t understand a word of. What’s not to love? 🥰 Ps. Fabulous dress Deirdre! 😉 Love the necklace too 🥰🥰🥰

If I won the lottery, I'd use the money to try and hire Justin Hawkins to present and narrate every new (to me) CD I buy

Saw them at Brixton academy, one of the best bands I've ever seen.

Saw these supporting RHCP in Manchester a while ago and there was this 6ft bearded burley bloke wearing a baby metal t-shirt going nuts when they were on and as soon as RCHP started he fucked off. It was absolutely quality

Strawberry Switchblade were great. Despite being from Glasgow, they were most popular in Japan and were highly influential on fashion over there in the 80s.

Babymetal is a gateway, either to listening to idol music or listening to Japanese metal, or sometimes both!

i have to say it for every "Reaction" Video I find interesting: I really appreciate it every time I don't hear "aha.... oh... yeah." solely throughout the entire video. You pull out you guitar and play along and tell some stories in between. Well cut video as well. I just feel like people like you need more attention, since you put some work in your videos. Anyway, long story short: Thanks for beeing interesting :D Good job well done!

1. Babymetal and Band-Maid is absolutely different music. There no better or worse. They just different. 2. I know many Babymetal fans love that concert (Legend 1997). BUT. But it's very, very early Babymetal. In 2013 they were still children. If you are a metalhead, I would highly recommend watching Babymetal from Fox Festival (2017). Even if you take this same song, but 2017, you will understand what I'm talking about. Look for the same song from 2017 on RU-vid, you will find it. Better listen to Catch me If You Can from 2017 :)

That was one of the cool things about Babymetal, the crowds are super diverse from small kids to old gnarly metal heads. I hope you get to hear some of their newer stuff as I feel they really grew out from the “novelty” into being a super solid band, particular as singer Su-metals voice matured. They did an absolutely belting collab with Bring Me To The Horizon too.

Oh man I would love to hear your breakdown on Band-Maid’s music!

What I love most about your channel is that you feature an eclectic mix of musical genres. You really rock wearing female attire...very cool just like Robert Plant in assorted blouse ensembles back in the day 😁

The Bring Me The Horizon track with Babymetal 'Kingslayer' is an absolute metalcore banger

Must admit that I was skeptical but I ended up buying their Metal Resistance album and it is absolutely brilliant. Who'd have thought?

OMG you referenced Roger Whitaker... Just brought back so many memories of Christmas Albums.

Always entertaining, thank you. Great character that clearly knows way too much about music lol. Keep it coming Justin.

I love your Musical takes, I love the analytical part of the Theory behind chords and how it can also relate to influences. You are an inspiration to all of us Music Nerds and Band Geeks everywhere. One question i have is that you can pick up music quickly do you have perfect pitch? Keep up the great content! Much luv from Canada!

10:54 target audience could be anyone of those you mentioned. I for one has been a long-time metal fan (Black Sabbath, Opeth, Slayer among my favourites), who end up loving Babymetal, and made me open-minded enough to listen to a few non-metal, J-pop stuff. BM's fanbase is a mix of everything just like their music. 12:00 yeah, critics have been outlived by now. Also worth noting that Babymetal's later releases has been inching more and more to serious side of metal, there have been songs that are exclusively metal (like Starlight, Distortion) but still keeping the unique dance choreo + metal combination. Rather than the mostly Cute + Metal combo from their younger years (like Gimme Chocolate, Doki Doki Morning, Catch Me If You Can). They still perform happy/silly/cute songs even in their adult form though, which keeps things fun :D

I could listen to you talk about music all day. Especially if it's about Babymetal and in a favourable tone. Thank you for that ❤

Holy hell. I'm so glad you made it around to BabyMetal!! Gimme Chocolate is a fun song, but not in the top 10 of their catalog.

Sometimes you crack me up! Thank you for putting a much needed smile on my face 🥰

Hey...you’re a hell of a whistler!!! Is there anything you can’t do Sir Hawkins???

This is becoming my new favorite RU-vid channel. Thank you Justin.

I saw Babymetal's set at a festival and it was one of the funnest shows I've ever seen, hands down

I remember seeing them open for RHCP

In the modern day most people like many genres of music, so combining them is only natural. People that make it like many genres and people that listen to it do as well.

I'd love to see a Hal Leonard tab book of the 'Justin Hawkins Rides Again' theme, every version from the start of the channel, a revised addition regularly followed. 😀 Keep up the good work sir. 👍

They even opened a tour for your favorite- The Red Hot Chili Peppers!

absolutely loving the "drink, that's another email notification" 🤣 love the informative yet entertaining videos, please do one on Halestorm

I think that’s your best sounding intro ditty yet. Wearing a dress really improves your falsetto.😄

Bizarely when you mentioned Kevin Rowland I was looking on my phone and reading something about him at the exact same moment!

Few appreciate that Su Metal sings with almost ZERO vibrato.....do you know how difficult it is to sing those sustained notes withiut vibrato.....

The melody reminds me of Beauty school dropout from Grease. Great video again.

Love Babymetal, a whole bunch of fun and every time i've seen them it's been an absolute blast.

Serious Buffalo Bill vibes today dude, you look like you are one step away from dancing in the mirror on "Goodby horses" by Q Lazzarus. Looking at babymetal wearing a dress hahahahahaha. Gotta love the guy, always ironic, always high class!

This song in particular was created and arranged by Takeshi Ueda. A name some may know as the bass player (and songwriter) for The Mad Capsule Markets (& his later project AA=)

Nice little nod to 'Second Fiddle' there Mr H. Keep up the splendid work, loving my regular dose of JHRA, finding myself recommending to friends, family and random strangers.

I love Babymetal and I think they're brilliant, they're also my 6-year-olds favourite band. It's weird because I thought they sucked when they first came out but then got almost forced into liking them. They're a really fun live band too.

love listening to you casually jamming thrash metal riffs on an acoustic guitar

I love them and they slay live. Delightful. 🤗

'NICE ONE GUYS, SEE YOU ON THE ICE!"...please!

Babymetal are personally not my thing but I have respect for them mixing both J-pop with heavy metal and became super popular worldwide almost mainstream clearly doing something right

Yo Justin! If you could form a Hawkins Supergroup, who would you choose? You can choose anyone, dead or alive. Cmon I'd love to hear this!! Great channel BTW... you are ace! X

I saw them at Carolina Rebellion in 2016 and they were f'n fantastic. David Draiman from Disturbed was out in the crowd right beside us watching them too!

ha, i remember watching I Believe in a thing called love way waaaay back on MTV, and here i am suscribing to you channel, full circle i guess

Well, he's done Baby Metal and Band Maid, I guess he might as well try watching Ningen Isu's "Heartless Scat".

Oh suits you sir.and thanks to introducing me to the chats .brilliant

Am I nuts or is that beautiful melody eerily similar to “Beauty School Dropout” - particularly the end Frankie Avalon from Grease. Appreciate theDaisy Chainsaw shoutout as well, nice one

Love to see what you think about All Them Witches.

If I could make a recommendation, check out Awadama Fever or Catch Me If You can with the extended intro. The Kami Band, the musicians who play the music, are amazing and the extended intro versions of those two songs really highlight their abilities. In terms of their target audience, I don't know, but I'm a middle-aged guy that's been listening to metal since the days of Iron Maiden and I got quickly hooked when I started listening to Babymetal. There's just something about their music that always leaves me with a smile. That's probably one of the reasons "real" metal fans don't like them, they want metal to be dark and brooding and emo.

Can't wait to see Justin's "Nip Slip" tomorrow on TMZ.

BABYMETAL sing songs in an amazing variety of styles. Gimme Chocolate is just the beginning of that magical world.

Omg!!!!! 07:33 Justin fully leaning into the drinking game!!!

Now that Muse’s new album has come out, might we be getting a video about it…? Of course only when you have the time and inclination

The way this guy breaks down the riffs in songs and his knowledge has made me a fan even though I hate the darkness 😂 but really love this guy

Sort of can't believe you haven't heard them before. The metal resistance album is fantastic! Been listening to their stuff for years 😸

Poke around on the RU-vids or Netflix to discover the fascinating cross section of humanity that is Idol culture in Japan.

I guess the original audience was just Japan, but then they sneaked out into the general metal world. They are a bit of fun and silly which is no bad thing sometimes. Check out their song Distortion though, is a bit darker. The backing band are phenomenal though, all of them are virtuosos, but the drumming in particular is incredible live

I saw Babymetal at Reading Festival in 2015, they drew a huge crowd for a midday performance and they tore the place up. Fantastic musicians backing the singers too. First album is pretty brutal in places - check out the first track Babymetal Death, it's skull crushingly good. First two albums are great, third one went down a bit more of a J Pop route and doesn't hit the heights for me. BTW - Baby in Japan means 'new' so their name means New Metal.

Fantastic. First I ever heard of them was through Dragonforce from the 2015 Download. I didn't know what to say at first but figured it out soon. Finally did see that Download performance and the collab at metal hammer of road of resistance. Thanks for the vid.

The only thing I honestly dislike about them is that it is a business manufactured group, which isn't the end of the world, but they are manufactured and there really is no group. It's 2 (remaining) famous vocalists/dancers who do what they are told to do, and a bunch of brilliant but completely nameless session musicians and composers who are replaceable and do get repalced when needed, without anything changing. Huh... kinda like KISS.... but I digress. I prefer to listen to bands who write and figure out and perform their own music. To me that is partly what they mean by novelty act.... it's an invention, which is cool and all, but not one that was actually invented by a creative group of musicians who go out and perform it themselves. It was composed by professional composers, performed by seasoned session musicians (mostly who are interchangeable), and has the famous faces out front doing the vocals. Like the Monkees. No, scratch that. The Monkees were actually good musicians who played instruments (yes, davie actually played drums and mickey played guitar, before the monkees came into being, but producers made mickey pretend to drum (and he then learned them properly) and davie play tambourine (even though, live, davie would sometimes go over and take over drums from mickey), peter played classical piano and banjo and guitar, and michael was a good guitarist, and wrote their own material starting with their third album when they finally got the producers to let them do things themselves or they'd walk. So monkees are waaay on a higher level than babymetal.

I love Babymetal, it's very well written and produced also it doesn't take itself too seriously, or at all.

The girl tweens who attend our rock band camp love this band and introduced us “old folks” 😂 to Baby Metal this summer.

You whistling and playing the acoustic guitar reminds me of the cover from PostmodernJukebox "Gimme Chocolate - Babymetal (1920s Jazz Cover) ft. Tara Louise" Do you have something in common?

Takes a rich bitter espresso and sticks 3 sugars in it. What’s not to love?

I've been listening to BM, most days since December 2020, which is when You Tube recommended them to me.

There is a live recording of Baby Metal playing Road of Resistance and it's badass. They get a huge moshy circle going.

Hi Justin, I really like their song called "karate" the riff is just insane, check it out!

That riff sounds a bit Pink Floyd ‘set the controls for the heart of the sun’-y to me, when you play it on the acoustic. Love the dress!

At last! ❤️👍😂 Thank you 👏 The band is really amazing, some great live performances.

These type vocals with heavy music in a more pop oriented way was done by Aussie group ‘Spiderbait’ in the 90s, who had two singers, and switched lead vocals for about half the songs. He did more aggressive vocals and she had a super cute style over heavy music.

"MEGITSUNE" is fucking GREAT. Listen to that one.

Giving a shout out to our whistling dude Roger Whittaker in 2022. Well done, you!

I think the target audience are people who like killer music and want to be entertained. Seems fair enough to me! Great video, and nice to have a couple of email notifications in there too haha! (time for an Unlucky Morpheous or Asterism reaction next?)

Hehehe, good how you do it accoustic, I think of a Rockabilly version now 🤣

I was in my first wall of death to this band back when they opened Reading festival one year. What a gig!

man I love you. I know you're never gonna read this, but I would love if you reviewed any song by Soda Stereo. Cheers from Argentina!

I grew up with Ozzy, Priest, AC/DC etc and Babymetal is my new favorite band. Absolutely love the mix of metal and the unique sound and style the girls bring. They absolutely shine live. The shows are a complete package.

Those sunglasses always remind me of Hunter S. Thompson

It's a corporately put together kiddie song and dance act. Performed in front of a bunch of heavy metal musicians. And I'm sorry the middle age and older guys that are into this. To me is kind of creepy ! What would we think if middle-aged and older guys. Were into a pop or dance group. Where the front people or the front women or the front girls were of the same age ? Most of us would think that's kind of weird and strange. And yes of course a bit creepy. Because it's a metal act it's sort of acceptable. Sorry I think it's creepy !

When we saw them at Sonosphere the audience was mostly middle edge men!

You might get a kick out of the live performance of Rondo of Nightmare, with the Mischief of the Gods intro by the Kami Band. You'll get a good look at their guitars in that video, at the very least. For an example of how the lead singer's - Nakamoto Suzuka, referred to by her stage name Su-metal - voice has developed since Gimme Chocolate you should check out either of the live or album version of their song BxMxC. Oh, and Babymetal Death from the Legend of 1997 concert. That show is insane!

OMG! This is the BEST reaction to Babymetal ever.

How does "Tripping Daisy" fit your naming scheme? Anyway, it seems like there is quite a bit of overlap between the fans of Babymetal and Band-Maid, but Babymetal is a different beast. Babymetal is a production, Band-Maid is a band. For one thing Babymetal are at least an order of magnitude bigger in terms of budget and audience. For another, they are a song and dance troupe. The Kami Band is the real deal but they are a touring backing band while Babymetal sing and dance in front of them. If you want hard-core metal, or you want a spectacle, they are for you. Lately they have been teasing a new album. Su's voice has much more depth and power now, it and sounds like an adult. This might not fit the concept but it sounds much better to my ears. On the other hand, Band-Maid started as a five-piece rock band playing small clubs around Tokyo; it took them over a year to get a RU-vid video uploaded, and another six months before it was noticed. Band-Maid will play 14 dates over three weeks in the U.S. in October. Outside of the AfterShock festival and one date in New Jersey, all the shows will be less than 2000 and most is the 750-1500 range. Much different from the stadiums that Babymetal plays in. Also, Band-Maid has written and played their own music for about six years now and everything on their 2021 Unseen World is very impressive. If you want a more traditional rock band (even considering the maid dresses and a broader specturm of musical styles) they might be the band for you. I think Band-Maid is not as "metal" as some people want, so there are quite a few other Japanese bands to consider. Just among the all-female groups; Scandal and Gacharic Spin are an older bands, while Hanabie and Nemophila are relatively new names. There are others, too. Asterism is not an all-female band but a very good power trio with an outstanding and very young guitar virtuoso, Hal-Ca. A couple of older bands you should know about if you don't already: X Japan, One Ok Rock, and Maximum the Hormone. X Japan is sort of old school glam, One Ok Rock is old school rock, and Maximum the Hormone is - well, I'm not sure exactly but some alternative, some progressive, some nu-metal, some death metal, some disco, some emo - almost for sure they will give you whiplash and you'll enjoy it. If you don't, they won't care. Highly recommend MtH.

Hi Justin. Love your work mate. That Les Paul from In Another Life film clip. Is that in your collection or was it hired? It looks amazing and would love to see it in Sydney when you tour in October?

For me, I listen to babymetal because I've listened to metal for several decades and have grown tired of the flat hypermasculine bullshit. Babymetal has blown new life into my interest in the metal genre. It's not ALL spice, there's some sweetness mixed in which makes it interesting.

Ha ! I feel like I got through !! ..."does exactly what it says on the tin."