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Babymetal become highest charting Japanese band ever with Metal Resistance on the Official Albums Chart
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It’s been a big week for Japanese group Babymetal. After becoming the first act from the country to headline a massive show at London’s Wembley Arena last weekend (April 2), the rock trio have now set a new record on this week’s Official Albums Chart.
The all-female group’s latest album Metal Resistance debuts at Number 15, making them the highest-charting Japanese band in Official Albums Chart history.
Babymetal comprise of 18 year old Suzuka Nakamoto and 16 year olds Yui Mizuno and Moa Kikuchi - aka Su-metal, Yuimetal and Moametal - and the majority of their music is sung in Japanese. Metal Resistance is the band's second album, following their 2014 self-titled debut, which failed to chart in the UK but peaked at Number 2 in their homeland.
MORE: Check out the Top 40 biggest albums of 2016 so far
In its near 60-year history, entries from Japanese acts on the albums chart are far and few between. The last was 41 years ago, when Electronic producer Tomita reached Number 17 with Snowflakes Are Dancing in 1975.
Elsewhere, Yoko Ono, who scored a Number 3 hit with John Lennon in 1984 with their Milk And Honey – A Heart Play album, while Ryuichi Sakamoto reached Number 36 with the Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence soundtrack in 1983. Also, one-third of Deee-Lite, DJ Towa Tei, reached Number 14 in 1990 with Deee-lite’s debut album World Clique.
It’s a similar story on the Official Singles Chart. Aside from Towa Tei’s contribution to Deee-lite’s two Top 40 hits in 1990, singer and actor Kyu Sakamoto reached Number 6 with Sukiyaki way back in 1963, and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto’s collaboration with David Slyvian called Forbidden Colours reached Number 16 in 1983.
Babymetal's chart feat isn't the only record the band have set this week. Following their Wembley Arena gig last weekend, they broke the record for the highest sales of merchandise for a one-day event in the history of the venue.
MORE: The Official Top 40 biggest songs of 2016 so far
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bigbaddwolffman36
At the moment i am not quite sure what to think with all of that manufactured j-pop in their own country where it's more how you look how you move? And they headlined a massive show @ Wembley well that in itself is amazing.
Is it hype? Would have to see them live it's quite obvious they need a live band to play live! Just having a quick look on the world wide alum charts their storming the charts all i can say is well done
RL
Rob Lowell
What BabyMetal is most whether band or group is successful. The Kami's change but SuMetal and MoaMetal remain. They are BabyMetal. They deserve the success!
PM
Paul Mason
As other commenters have said, the three girls are not 'the' band`. There are another five people who are Babymetal. Really pleased for them, they have worked very hard for this.
Irish Sweetness
I'm 44. Jaded with the last phase of 'metal' bands like Linkin Park, I thought metal was dead. How wrong I was. This band is awesome.
They are clearly not, however, an all-female group.
Mr. Threepwood
Aside from her work with Lennon, Yoko Ono had a solo singles chart entry in 2003 with the remix of "Walking On Thin Ice".
Unterwasser
In your recap you missed out Yellow Magic Orchestra, Ryuichi Sakamoto's formere band who made #17 in 1980 with 'Computer Games'.
JD
John Doe
The writer of this article needs to research a little more. Babymetal
is NOT an "all female group." Yes, the band is fronted by Su, Yui, and
Moa, but the band's music is written and performed by some of Japan's
best metal musicians who are—all male. So it's a coed group. There would
be no METAL in Babymetal without the incredibly talented musicians in
white face paint rocking behind the 3 females who are singing. The 3
females are awesome, but to be a band you need the WHOLE band. To say
they are an "all female group" is like saying that any group or band
fronted by a female is an "all female group." The singing is important,
but it's not the whole band. If you think it is, then try listening to
just the vocal tracks of your favorite songs and I'll bet you'll feel
like it's missing something... hmmm....
B
Ben
The Kami Band only does LIVE shows. Most of the instrumentation on the CD are done by other musicians. It has long been accepted that Babymetal consist of the girls AND the band. However, strictly speaking, Babymetal is just the 3 girls.
PM
Paul Mason
Not as far as any fans are concerned. The brilliant musicans behind the girls are just as responsible for their success.
B
Ben
As mentioned above, "It has long been accepted that Babymetal consist of the girls AND the band. However, strictly speaking, Babymetal is just the 3 girls."
Babymetal started out in 2010 as only the 3 girls (without the band).
The Kami band only came into existence in 2013. In fact, the Kami Band only began playing the full set of songs in 2014, AFTER the first album was released (Album release in 2014 in Japan, and re-released in the US and UK in 2015). The Kami band is a recent addition. Prior to 2014, Babymetal did not have a backing band, and instead relied on backing tracks.
Are the musicians responsible for Babymetal's success? Yes!
Are the musicians part of Babymetal? Complicated. Yes according to fans, but officially speaking, the answer is No.
Riley 1066
I wish the Kami Band would introduce the "God of Keyboards" to play onstage in the makeup ...
Zezti
I just found out about them, they're so good! Really like jpop songs and would like to see more from Japan in our charts in the future. Would love for Japanese artists like these to get the recognition they deserve in western countries.
Rob Xsiq
There aren't many bands like them. I suppose you could liken them to Band-Maid or Doll$boxx, but only just superficially. They are something new. Not just to japan to America, but just in general. its a whole new genre that includes..basically..just them.
And for now, thats enough. I dont want to see 20 kawaii metal bands coming out..I want to watch these three specific girls..well, women now..grow more and more. Maybe bring on some of their former friends in Sakura Gakuin. All depends on what the Fox god decides (fox god = their producers)
Rob Xsiq
I honestly cant think of a better band for this to happen to. Babymetal has done a lot of good in waking up a rather stale market of metal, introduced plenty of people into rock/metal, and even j-pop. (people are now asking..quite late...who x japan is, or who is akb48 and "idol culture".). Not to mention they are in my opinion one of the best ambassadors of Japan to the west, ever.
I love the new cd, and its well deserved. I would only ask for their next album, to find and do their own specific sound. time to make their music, their tunes, their tone..the tribute album this is, is great..top..but in the future..lets hear what Babymetal and Kami Band can bring to the table.
Well done Babymetal. Well done Kami Band, and wise decision to Amuse and Kobayashi.
J
Jacob
Well deserved, they rock live!
Riley 1066
I can personally attest to that ... saw them in Boston at the beginning of May ...