Unleashing a New Era of Metal: Babymetal's THE OTHER ONE Album Review

Raising the Bar: Babymetal's THE OTHER ONE Album Shatters Expectations

Get ready to be blown away by Babymetal's newest album "THE OTHER ONE"! This project is not just a collection of songs, it's a journey into the unknown depths of Babymetal's creative spirit. With this album, the band is exploring a new dimension of their music, taking us on a sonic adventure unlike anything we've heard before.

While their previous works were known for their high energy and over-the-top theatrics, "THE OTHER ONE" is more serious and introspective. It's a refreshing departure from the norm, with a delicate yet heavy sound that captures the essence of Babymetal's signature style. This album is not just a concept, it's a safe haven for metalheads seeking something new and exciting.

The lyrics are powerful and the vocals are understated, creating an immersive listening experience that will leave you feeling enlightened and invigorated. "THE OTHER ONE" is a must-listen for any fan of Babymetal, and for anyone looking for a fresh take on heavy metal.

▼METAL KINGDOM (THRONE)

Let's talk about the opening track of Babymetal's latest album - "Metal Kingdom." This song was also performed at their previous concert, "Babymetal Returns - The Other One," and it sets the tone for the rest of the album. The song's theme is "throne," and you can picture the Babymetal members rising from the thrones they sit on at the beginning of their latest artist photos and live performances. The lyrics and the mysterious and dramatic metal sound make it a perfect first step towards a new era.

Even though "Metal Kingdom" is one of Babymetal's longest songs, clocking in at around six minutes, you don't feel the length of it. The song's solemn and austere expression truly makes it feel royal, and the repetition of the chorus makes it even more memorable. Despite its basic structure of A melody, B melody, and chorus, the song is laid-back and understated. Even the punchier parts of the song seem to have a soft veil over them.

This song is an anthem that ushers in a new era, a time when we have the strength to push ourselves and step out into the unknown with friends we believe in. It's a fanfare that announces the beginning of something powerful, rising from the throne of silence and resounding throughout the world. Overall, "Metal Kingdom" is a fantastic start to Babymetal's latest album, and I highly recommend giving it a listen!

▼Divine Attack (CAVALRY)

Let's move on to the second song on Babymetal's latest album - "Divine Attack." This song was created with the theme of "cavalry," and it's clear from the first note that it's a high-energy track. SU-METAL wrote the lyrics for the first time, and they express the band's determination to always look forward and never backtrack. The phrase "The time has come" conveys the strong will of Babymetal and SU-METAL, and it's no wonder that this song was chosen as the first lead track from the album.

The fast-paced sound of "Divine Attack" is matched perfectly by the lyrics. It's like taking a new step forward and running towards a new battle. The song features blistering guitars and wicked double bass drums, making it perfect for headbanging. Babymetal has always been on a road less traveled, and this song shows that they're still pushing forward. It's full of a sense of gallop, just like a cavalry rushing towards the future and towards the fight.

Overall, "Divine Attack" is a fantastic addition to Babymetal's discography. If you're a fan of high-energy metal tracks, you'll definitely want to give this one a listen.

Breaking Down the Metal Barriers: Babymetal's Latest Album, THE OTHER ONE

▼Mirror Mirror (MIRROR)

Moving on to the third song on Babymetal's latest album, "Mirror Mirror" has a theme of "mirror." It takes you back and forth between the real world and the parallel world, or confronts your "other self" on the other side of the mirror. The progressive metal style sound arrangement with complex developments can be confusing, but it also adds to the overall experience.

The lyrics "Beyond illusions, even I jumped over myself, a new world, here and now" perfectly capture the theme of the song. The fusion of the progressive metal part with odd time signatures and the fresh melody part is a bit disconcerting at first, but the slow and fast changes make the song more impressive. The cymbal count before the melody part makes me excited to see this song performed live.

Overall, "Mirror Mirror" is an interesting addition to Babymetal's repertoire. It challenges your perception of reality and illusion while offering a fresh and unique sound. If you're a fan of progressive metal, you won't want to miss this one!

▼MAYA (ILLUSION)

The theme of the next song, "Maya," is "illusion." It's a departure from the previous track, "Mirror Mirror," although interestingly, "Metal Kingdom" actually continues from "Mirror Mirror." It's fascinating how all the songs are connected, and this track is no exception. The catchy chorus, heavy rhythm, and mix of organic and inorganic elements fit the illusion theme perfectly. 

The song's intro might make you think it's a metalcore song, but it has hints of 90s J-Pop in the middle. The lyrics were written by someone named Maya Metal, and I'm curious to know who that is. The song starts with a Steve Vai-inspired guitar riff before diving into a chaotic space that feels like Alice in Wonderland versus the Evil Queen in Snow White. 

The progressive metal sound includes some of the heaviest breakdowns I've heard since the early days of the genre. It perfectly captures the idea of a parallel world where the lines between reality and illusion blur. Are you looking at your true self in the mirror, or are you seeing the version of yourself you wish to be?

▼Time Wave (TRANSITION)

Placed in the middle of the album, "Time Wave" has the theme of "TRANSITION." The song explores the axis of "past/present/future," which is different from the "truth/fiction" theme of the previous songs. It sings about the "METALVERSE," where BABYMETAL will continue to expand and evolve. 

The concept of time is likened to a never-ending Mobius wheel, and the song asks whether the METALVERSE beyond time is a maze to wander in or a destination to reach. "Time Wave" feels like the ending song of a cool anime with its English lyrics and catchy beats. The whispered vocals leading to the beat drop are particularly well done, and it's hard not to dance along. 

The straightforward taste of the music combined with SU-METAL's signature voice makes it easy to connect with the lyrics. This song is a great example of how BABYMETAL combines metal and dance elements to create a unique sound.

▼Believing (INVERTED MIRROR REFLECTION)

"Believing" is placed in the middle of the album and explores the theme of "INVERTED MIRROR REFLECTION" through heavy sounds and English lyrics that connect the timelines of the songs. It raises questions about what is real and what is false, and asks listeners to consider what they believe in. 

The song features an impressive chorus by MOAMETAL, whose voice is processed to sound robotic before transitioning into a powerful and beautiful voice. Notably, the entire song is in English, which is a first for a Japanese release, showcasing the fusion of the band's past and present. 

The song opens with a cool guitar riff and features SU-METAL's extended vocals in the chorus. "Believing" is my favorite song on the album and its message is conveyed effectively through the combination of heavy sounds and English lyrics.

▼METALIZM (SMOKE)

"METALIZM" is all about SMOKE, and its tribal rhythm and exotic melody create a unique atmosphere. With flashy guitar phrases, it may be one of the most enchanting and imaginative songs in "THE OTHER ONE," which unfolds in a parallel world. 

This song is the kind that makes you say, "What the hell?" A Metalian knight emerges from a haze of smoke. "METALIZM" is a crazy mix of "Shanti Shanti Shanti" and "BxMxC," and it's sure to become a fan favorite with its heavy bass and galloping beat. 

The song features a unique verse with an oriental melody that sounds like Indian and Middle Eastern music combined, along with the addictive repetition of "metalizm." The guitar solo in the middle of the song is something that only BABYMETAL could have pulled off.

▼Monochrome

Finally, the album reaches its climax with "Monochrome." This song is about seeing monochrome fireworks that can be painted in any color. What colors would the fireworks appear in to the children's eyes?

The lyrics reference Norse mythology, where "ragnarok" means "doomsday," but the song expresses a hope for a bright future where the starry sky is covered in rainbow colors. The intro guitar phrase is really cool, with a bluesy and unexpected sound that I haven't heard in a BABYMETAL song before.

The lyrics are imaginative, and SU-METAL has said that they want listeners to simply enjoy the song without overthinking it. It's a fitting climax to the album, with its positive message conveying the power of envisioning the future we want in our parallel worlds.

▼Light and Darkness

In "Light and Darkness," Babymetal explores the concept that light and darkness are two sides of the same coin, just like truth and falsehood, or the past and future. Darkness is what makes light shine brighter, and vice versa.

As we navigate the intersection of light and darkness, we seek a world filled with strong love, even after experiencing the pain and heartbreak of being hurt. What lies beyond the door that opens at this crossroads?

Will it be hope or despair that awaits us? This emotional song beautifully expresses the world of light and darkness. Personally, I think it may be Babymetal's first love song. The melody is both beautiful and cool, making for a very interesting combination.

▼THE LEGEND

At the end of the album, we have "THE LEGEND," where SU-METAL and MOAMETAL jump through the "METALVERSE" via the COFFIN, which has been a recurring element in BABYMETAL's "canonical" history.

Through this journey, they reach a new story. The ballad-style song is a perfect ending to the album, and it signifies the end and beginning of BABYMETAL's journey through THE OTHER ONE, as they embark on a METALVERSE journey through time and space. The melody is similar to "The One," and it has a relaxing and tender tone that resonates with the heart.

The solo saxophone part is unique, and the lingering outro is impressive. It leaves you wondering what exciting adventure BABYMETAL will embark on next after these ten "Gaiden" songs. The dramatic song brings THE OTHER ONE to a fitting end.

Overall, "THE OTHER ONE" is a must-listen for any fan of Babymetal or heavy metal. Don't miss out on this epic journey through different worlds and dimensions.