Introduction

Set to release in the summer of 2025, BABYMETAL’s highly anticipated fifth studio album, Metal Forth, promises to be a new chapter in the band’s evolving lore. Following the ethereal and narrative-driven The Other One, fans expect Metal Forth to push boundaries further—fusing genres, expanding visual mythologies, and delivering explosive new tracks. This article breaks down what we know so far, what we can speculate, and what the album could mean for BABYMETAL and the kawaii metal genre at large.

Concept Direction: What Is Metal Forth All About?

While BABYMETAL has yet to reveal a full press release or album trailer for Metal Forth, clues from recent interviews, live visuals, and teaser graphics hint at a bold new evolution in the band’s sonic and narrative universe. Continuing the Fox God mythology, this album may represent the opening of a fourth dimension—a spiritual, technological, or emotional gateway that connects the band’s past, present, and future eras.

Some fans speculate that the “forth” in the album’s name is a triple-entendre, meaning: the fourth metal era, a call to go forward or advance creatively, and a subtle nod to the number four in Japanese culture (which also connects to themes of transformation and transition).

Visually, promotional materials suggest a darker aesthetic than previous albums—blending sci-fi armor, rune-like symbology, and high-contrast cosmic backgrounds. Lore-based fans believe this aligns with a narrative shift toward conflict, interdimensional trials, or awakening of dormant powers within the FOX GOD’s followers (aka fans and members alike).

The concept appears less about finality and more about forging ahead—channeling resilience and metamorphosis through sound, imagery, and stagecraft. If The Other One was introspective, Metal Forth may be explosive.

Teaser Tracks, Live Previews, and Sound Direction

Although no full single has been officially released yet, eagle-eyed fans have noticed several unreleased tracks debuting during the 2024–2025 live setlists. During select Japanese dates and a few warm-up festival shows, songs presumed to be from Metal Forth were performed under working titles or known by fan-given nicknames.

Rumored Tracks Performed Live:

• “Mirror Code” – A symphonic intro turns into a double-time riff barrage with a dual vocal chant
• “Neon Genesis” – Synth-driven and melodic with EDM breakdowns reminiscent of “Shanti Shanti Shanti”
• “The Fourth Awakens” – An ominous, theatrical track featuring heavy choral arrangements

Audio snippets and crowd footage suggest a continued embrace of genre-blending—mixing deathcore, electronic, tribal, and even progressive elements. Instrumentally, the Kami Band appears to have pushed even further, with extended solo intros and dramatic mid-song tempo shifts.

Vocally, the trio seems more balanced than ever. Su-metal continues to carry the anthemic high range, while Moametal and Momometal are stepping more into harmony and counter-rhythm roles. The inclusion of more Japanese lyrics layered with English hooks shows BABYMETAL’s ongoing international strategy without losing cultural roots.

Musical Influences and Evolution in Metal Forth

Over the years, BABYMETAL has become known for blending genres—from thrash and power metal to EDM, J-pop, and world music. With Metal Forth, the band appears to be leaning deeper into progressive metal and cinematic orchestration while still holding onto their signature rhythmic unpredictability.

According to fan-translated interview snippets and Kami Band tech leaks, the album may include influences ranging from Devin Townsend-style layered production to percussive tribal fusion à la Sepultura or Ningen Isu. There are also hints of influence from newer synth-metal acts such as Esprit D’Air and metalcore elements akin to Crossfaith or Motionless in White.

This shift would mark a continued maturation in BABYMETAL’s sound, likely aiming to create a more immersive listening experience that transitions seamlessly between heaviness, melody, and ethereal ambiance. The addition of more live choral samples and cinematic soundscapes could elevate the band’s live shows even further into theatrical territory.

The balance between their kawaii roots and brutal musical complexity has always defined BABYMETAL’s unique space in the global scene. Metal Forth may finally crystallize that dual identity into a singular, genre-defying statement.

Lore Integration & FOX GOD Mythology in Metal Forth

BABYMETAL’s albums have long been intertwined with mythological storytelling, guided by the cryptic and powerful figure known as the FOX GOD. With Metal Forth, fans expect an even deeper integration of this lore—possibly positioning the album as the catalyst for a new “dimensional era” within the band’s multiverse-like narrative.

Teaser visuals include arcane glyphs, celestial charts, and fragmented mask motifs—echoing symbols tied to past albums like Metal Galaxy and The Other One. According to long-standing fan theorists, Metal Forth might represent the rise of a new elemental axis in BABYMETAL’s universe—where fire, light, shadow, and void converge around the rebirth of the “Trinity.”

Momometal’s official ascension in 2023 and the growing prominence of triadic choreography reinforce these fan theories. Live performances have begun featuring synchronized triangular light beams, circular glyphs rotating around the members, and digital projections of sacred codes—adding fuel to speculation that the FOX GOD prophecy is entering its final act.

If previous albums told of rebellion, exile, and awakening, Metal Forth could signify unification, revelation, and transformation—not just for the band, but for the entire Kitsune fanbase.

Fan Expectations, Predictions & What This Means for BABYMETAL’s Future

Expectations for Metal Forth are sky-high. Fans hope the album will further solidify BABYMETAL’s ability to innovate while still honoring their signature style. There’s a strong desire to see more vocal interplay between all three members, experimental collaborations with artists across genres, and perhaps a visual component like a short film or animated tie-in.

Many believe the album’s release will be accompanied by an expanded global tour and perhaps even a surprise performance at a major Western festival like Coachella, Rock am Ring, or Riot Fest. There’s also speculation that this era could see the return of select “legend” tracks in reimagined forms—connecting the past to the future in a celebratory fusion.

More than just an album, Metal Forth feels like a moment—one that will test BABYMETAL’s longevity, redefine their creative range, and mark a new frontier in kawaii metal. Whether it brings anthems or introspections, bombastic visuals or subdued elegance, one thing is clear: the metal galaxy is watching.