Despite its undoubted global impact, Asian pop—a label that encompasses Korean K-pop and its little brother, Japanese J-pop—is still a phenomenon little analyzed within our borders. That is why every time a group from those parts travels the 10,000 km distance from the Peninsula, their concerts are filled with indisputable crowds of very young, absolutely devoted fans. It is globalization.
The followers of this set of genres, very varied, by the way, have an appointment this Sunday at the Razzmatazz Room. Coming straight from the country of the rising sun is the female trio Babymetal, one of those laboratory idol bands that are true celebrities in their country. Su-metal, Moametal and Momometal, which is the name of its three components, begin a new world tour and, after a first attempt frustrated by the pandemic, they will present for the first time in Spain the unique contrast of their angelic appearance with a metal sound hard.
This particular subgenre has been called cute metal or kawaai metal, and its main attraction is that perhaps disturbing combination of childish sweetness and rudeness that, on the other hand, should not surprise any fan of Japanese pop culture. Nothing we haven't seen in the most popular anime.
On stage, the three members will offer their colorful outfits, artificial candidness and elaborate choreographies that are trademarks of the Asian industry. They promise a long-lasting concert and a careful production. Hits like Gimme Chocolate!! , Head Bangeeeeeeerrrrr!!!!! or Megitsune, from the album that gave them international fame Babymetal (2015), will be combined with the songs from their latest, more conceptual album, The other one (2023).
Product of the Amuse factory, a true entertainment giant in Japan, the band started in 2010, when its three members were just beginning their adolescence. After placing some of their hits on the charts in the United Kingdom and the United States, they have gone on world tours accompanying veterans such as Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Guns'n'roses. There it is nothing. Given this resume, his late arrival to this corner of the planet is surprising, although it seems that this Sunday the error will have been corrected.
