Fifteen years in, BABYMETAL continues to redefine what heavy music can look and sound like. Metal Forth is another bold leap forward, not just for the band, but for the genre fusion they've always championed. Where past records built the BABYMETAL sound from the inside out, this one opens the doors wide and lets a lineup of collaborators step in, each bringing a new dimension to explore.

This is a record that thrives on chemistry. It’s not BABYMETAL handing songs off to other artists. It’s BABYMETAL inviting them into the world they’ve created and dancing together in the space between genres. From metalcore to deathcore, party metal to prog, every track feels like a deliberate blend of voices rather than a takeover.

“RATATATA” with Electric Callboy is one of the most instantly fun moments on the album. Both bands lean into their high-energy, genre-blending styles, and the result is pure chaos in the best possible way. It’s bright, ridiculous, and completely addictive. “My Queen” with Spiritbox goes the other direction, bringing a darker and more emotional weight to the mix. Su-metal’s vocals soar, and Courtney LaPlante adds atmosphere and grit without shifting the focus. It’s heavy, beautiful, and one of the most balanced pairings on the album.

Other collaborations push into even heavier territory. “Song 3” with Slaughter to Prevail doesn’t pull any punches. The deathcore intensity hits immediately, but it’s still unmistakably a BABYMETAL track. It’s layered, sharp, and full of unexpected turns. “Kon! Kon!” with Bloodywood brings in Indian instrumentation and rap vocals, offering another global blend that feels celebratory rather than experimental for the sake of it. Every track feels like a handshake between artists who understand and respect each other’s voice.

What’s really cool about Metal Forth is how much it still feels like a BABYMETAL album, even with all the guests. Tracks like “White Flame -白炎-” and “Algorism” bring back that familiar mix of heavy riffs, danceable rhythms, and infectious melodies. Even the weirder detours, like the nu-metal hip-hop blend of “KxWxlxl,” feel like the band trying new things on their own terms.

If The Other One was BABYMETAL exploring the edges of their own creative map, Metal Forth is them stepping into the worlds of others and leaving their mark. It is highly collaborative, full of bold genre crossovers, and still rooted in the things that make this band so uniquely fun to follow. There is no single sound here, just a constant pull toward movement, fusion, and reinvention.

Metal Forth may not be the most sonically consistent album in their catalog, but that’s part of what makes it work. It is unpredictable in the best way, pulling you into different scenes without ever losing the thread. Whether you’re here for the chaos, the technical chops, the theatricality, or the global mashup of sounds, BABYMETAL has something for you, and they brought friends.