BABYMETAL Unleashes 'METAL FORTH (DELUXE EDITION)' Amidst Global

LOS ANGELES, CA — The trailblazing Japanese metal sensation BABYMETAL has digitally released METAL FORTH (DELUXE EDITION) today via Capitol Records, building on the commercial and critical success of its original outing. The expanded project arrives as the trio prepares for an expansive 2026 tour across North America and Latin America, reinforcing their distinct footprint in the global heavy music scene.

Released on June 26, 2026, the DELUXE EDITION offers fans a deeper dive into the world of METAL FORTH, featuring three live performances and two new remixes of their track from me to u (feat. Poppy). these include reimagined versions by Major Lazer and Jordan Fish, adding fresh dimensions to the band’s signature sound. (Reporting based on an email from Big Picture Media)

Last year, METAL FORTH, which the band describes as “beyond metal,” made an impressive debut on the Billboard 200, climbing to No. 9. This achievement marked a historic moment, as it was the first time an all-Japanese fronted group secured a U.S. Top 10 album slot. The album garnered over 200 million global streams and sold 36,000 equivalent album units in its first week alone, according to Big Picture Media. It also landed at No. 10 on Spotify’s Top Albums Debut U.S. Chart and No. 2 on the U.S. iTunes Download Album Chart.

Beyond American shores, METAL FORTH also dominated in Japan, reaching No. 1 on the Oricon Rock Chart, No. 1 on the Digital Albums Chart, and No. 3 on the overall Oricon chart. Internationally, the album achieved a career-best No. 10 ranking in Germany, surpassing its predecessors THE OTHER ONE (No. 24) and METAL GALAXY (No. 18). It further broke into the Top 20 in the UK — and secured career-high positions in both the Netherlands and France.

The deluxe album’s second disc introduces new material, including remixes — and live cuts. “from me to u” gets fresh interpretations from Major Lazer and Jordan Fish, while electrifying live recordings like from me to u (live from The O2), My Queen (live from Intuit Dome), and Algorism (live from Saitama Super Arena) capture the band’s formidable stage presence. The primary album, Disc 1, boasts collaborations with a diverse array of artists, including Poppy, Electric Callboy, Slaughter to Prevail, Bloodywood, Polyphia, Spiritbox, and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello on the track METALI!!

BABYMETAL’s journey, which began in 2010, quickly transformed into a global phenomenon known for its explosive live performances and unique fusion of J-pop and heavy metal. By 2013, the group was already opening for iconic acts such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Korn, and Lady Gaga, swiftly captivating a worldwide audience with their fierce energy. With over 15 years of history and a dedicated international following, the band — fronted by SU-METAL, MOAMETAL, and MOMOMETAL — is not merely a musical act; it’s a movement that’s, according to the group, redefining what heavy music looks and sounds like, inspiring a new generation of women and girls in the metal genre.

Following their annual Fox Day celebration on April 1st, BABYMETAL confirmed their extensive 2026 World Tour schedule. The North American leg, kicking off on August 30th, includes support from Halestorm — and Violent Vira. Before their official tour dates, BABYMETAL will make an appearance opening for My Chemical Romance on August 30th in San Diego, California. Their Latin American segment will notably feature their inaugural stadium performance in Mexico City, with additional support from I Prevail and Bilmuri.

What This Means

BABYMETAL’s continued commercial triumph and their ambitious global touring schedule signal several significant shifts in the contemporary music landscape. Their ability to consistently break into the Billboard Top 10, a rarity for any international act and unprecedented for an all-Japanese fronted metal group, highlights the increasing globalization and genre-blurring nature of popular music. It demonstrates that niche, culturally distinct sounds, when executed with originality and compelling artistry, can achieve mainstream resonance on a grand scale.

The success of METAL FORTH and its deluxe extension, complete with high-profile remixes, underscores a broader audience appetite for innovative collaborations and genre hybridization. For a band that blends idol culture with brutal metal — often a controversial proposition for purists — their consistent growth suggests a broadening definition of what constitutes heavy music. their role in inspiring a new generation of women and girls within a traditionally male-dominated genre points to a powerful cultural impact beyond sales figures. It suggests that BABYMETAL is not just breaking charts, but also breaking down representational barriers, potentially paving the way for more diverse voices and images within metal and rock scenes globally. The current tour, extending across multiple continents and featuring a stadium show, solidifies their status as a major international touring act, proving their appeal transcends language and geographic boundaries.

North America Tour Dates

August 30 – San Diego, CA – Petco Park*
September 2 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
September 4 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
September 5 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
September 7 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre
September 9 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
September 10 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
September 12 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
September 13 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
September 15 – Charlotte, NC – Truliant Amphitheater
September 16 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
September 18 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
September 19 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life**
September 21 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
September 23 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
September 25 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Sponsored by Huntsman
September 26 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
September 29 – Albuquerque, NM – First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater
October 1 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
October 3 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival**

*Supporting My Chemical Romance
**Festival appearance

Latin America Tour Dates

November 28 – São Paulo, Brazil – Espaço Unimed
December 1 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Movistar Arena
December 3 – Santiago, Chile – Arena Movistar
December 7 – Lima, Peru – Costa 21
December 12 – Mexico City, Mexico – Estadio Fray Nano

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