On October 8, Kawaii metal pioneers BABYMETAL took over the Araneta Coliseum for the Manila leg of their extensive 2025 to 2026 WORLD TOUR. The band, composed of Suzuka Nakamoto / Su-Metal, Momoko Okazaki / Momometal and Moa Kikuchi / Moametal, brought the raging intensity of metal with just about the right dose of saccharine J-pop. Presented by PULP Live World, the concert thrilled thousands and thousands of fans that had long waited to see the band live.

Hours before the concert, the perimeter of the Big Dome felt like a dark fashion runway. Black was the overarching theme, and the outfits came in all shapes and forms: BABYMETAL shirts, gothic lolita costumes  (corsets, fluffy balloon skirts, platform shoes, etc.), matched with kitsune masks, long coats and vibrant wigs. The concert is well overdue for longtime Filipino fans, and they made the effort to dress in style for their idols.

Since their formation in 2010, BABYMETAL has steadily made long-lasting waves in the world of music. When the song “Gimme Chocolate!!” went viral in 2014, it proved that their innovative fusion of metal and idol music became a magic formula could unlock a multiverse of wonders. They found a way to assimilate the sweet and upbeat pop flavor with the backdrop of face-melting distorted power chords and bludgeoning double to triple bass drum beats. BABYMETAL pulled off impeccable dance routines, pulled finger hearts and sang cheerfully amidst the chaos of metal music. 

Since then, the band had gained acclaim from music juggernauts like Rob Halford of Judas Priest, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lady Gaga and Bring Me the Horizon. They had also been billed for some of the biggest music festivals in the world including Glastonbury, Rock Am Ring, Sonicsphere Festival, Download Festival and more.

Opening the show was METALVERSE which is essentially BABYMETAL’s sister group. Composed of Miko Todaka, Kokona Kato, and Sakia Kimura, the girls gave the crowd an electrifying performance.

The Big Dome fully roared to life when it was time for the main act to take the stage. BABYMETAL made their entrance, donning their trademark spiky, holographic dresses, to the pandemonium of “BABYMETAL DEATH”. Instantly, the crowd went wild, raising their fists plus kitsune hand gestures, and headbanging on beat, like a singular organism. This was followed by the 2012 classic “Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!” and the festive “PA PA YA!!”.

Some familiar faces also made some special onscreen cameos, including Tom Morello (from Rage Against the Machine) during “METALI!!”, Electric Callboy during “RATATATA” and Poppy during “from me to u”.

The best thing about BABYMETAL’s concert is the sheer energy of it all. Well, essentially, metal and idol music are probably two of the most high-powered music genres to begin with. You mix them together, and the energy is just astronomically palpable. If you were anywhere in the crowd that night, your pulse would have raced and you would seamlessly follow through with the flow of the music. 

Su-Metal’s vocals were unwavering as she effortlessly went from one pitch to another. Moametal and Momometal provided the back-up screams and vocals. Together, the trio’s dance routines were spectacular. The concert was also propelled by the highly seasoned Kami Band, the group’s in-house touring band. Their metal prowess, so to speak, provided the needed intensity to keep the flames burning. 

Special thanks to PULP Live World!

by Sandra Mae Laureano