In the world of heavy metal, Babymetal stands as one of the most divisive entities to emerge in recent years. Their fusion of J-Pop’s saccharine melodies with the aggressive undertones of metal has sparked a whirlwind of debate, not just about the band’s legitimacy but about the essence of metal itself. But why does Babymetal provoke such strong reactions from the metal community?
The Genre Fusion Controversy
The friction between Babymetal and traditional metal fans seems to be rooted in several key aspects, as discussed on several platforms like Reddit and Quora. Firstly, metal’s conservatism resists the kind of genre fusion that Babymetal represents. Hardcore metal fans usually have fixed ideas about what metal should be, and they view Babymetal’s kawaii metal as a violation of those ideas. One of the comments on Reddit said:
“Babymetal isn’t a traditional style metal band. The fact that they are a manufactured band is kind of against the idea of the metal rebellion against manufactured pop music. The whole kawaii nature (look, lyrics) of Babymetal is also not really metal. And, of course, they sing mostly in Japanese, which I will admit put me off at first, too.”
Babymetal’s Origins And Industry Backing
Secondly, the origins and presentation of Babymetal are at odds with the ‘organic’ development typically revered in metal circles. The band’s assembly by a corporation, their lack of songwriting input, and their initial unfamiliarity with metal music are seen as inauthentic by a community that values a do-it-yourself ethos. Another comment on Reddit noted the following about the group:
“They are not ‘organic.’ In other words, they aren’t a bunch of guys that got together in high school or college and formed a band. They are ‘manufactured’ by a corporation. They don’t write their own songs, and the songs that they do, while they sound metal, are not all about gloom and doom and destruction. The girls didn’t even know what metal was until after the band was formed.”
Theatricality And Visual Norms In Metal
The band’s theatricality also plays a role in the divide. While acts like KISS and Alice Cooper have been accepted for their on-stage spectacles, Babymetal’s particular style of theater, coupled with their deviation from metal’s visual and thematic norms, has not been universally embraced.
It’s notable that Babymetal’s divergent fan base, which includes those who may not fit the traditional metal stereotype, has also stirred controversy. Accusations of elitism, sexism, and racism have surfaced, as the band’s diverse appeal seems to challenge the homogeneity some fans expect from the genre.
Endorsements And Acceptance
Despite these criticisms, the landscape of metal is ever-evolving. Babymetal has received endorsements from metal legends, suggesting a shift in perception. For instance, Rob Zombie showed support; Zombie defended the band against online negativity and celebrated their presence in the metal scene. Similarly, Rob Halford of Judas Priest expressed joy in collaborating with Babymetal.
The discussion surrounding Babymetal’s place in metal is a mirror to the genre’s broader tensions: a push and pull between tradition and innovation, exclusion and inclusion, purity and diversity. Babymetal not only disrupts preconceived notions of what metal should be but also who can be a metal fan.
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