Babymetal Breaks Record on Billboard 200 Chart
Babymetal, the Japanese metal group, achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first Japanese band to break into the Top 10 of the prestigious Billboard 200 album chart in the United States with their latest release, Metal Forth. Released on August 8, Metal Forth made an impactful debut by claiming the 9th spot on the chart, surpassing Babymetal’s previous record set by the Metal Galaxy album in 2019, which reached 13th place.
In its initial week, Metal Forth sold the equivalent of 36,000 units in the US market and accumulated over 200 million streams worldwide since its release. The band expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support for their new album, emphasizing their continued global growth and evolution within the realm of ‘Beyond HEAVY METAL.’
Metal Forth boasts collaborations with notable heavy musicians including Slaughter to Prevail, Polyphia, Spiritbox, Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine, Electric Callboy, Poppy, Bloodywood, and former Bring Me the Horizon keyboardist and producer, Jordan Fish. Their diverse collaborations have added depth and variety to the album’s sound, further solidifying Babymetal’s musical prowess and appeal.
The Billboard 200 Top 10 chart for the week features Babymetal alongside prominent names such as Morgan Wallen, the Kpop soundtrack Demon Hunters, Gunna, Machine Gun Kelly (MGK), Alex Warren, the Jonas Brothers, Justin Bieber, and SZA. Babymetal’s presence as the only rock and metal artist in the top 10, alongside MGK’s Lost Americana, which also debuted on August 8, underscores their unique position in the music industry.
Looking ahead, Babymetal expressed excitement about their upcoming shows and the opportunity to connect with fans around the world. Having recently completed their North American tour in July, the band has scheduled a series of performances for 2025 and 2026, including a show in Los Angeles on November 1, reinforcing their commitment to engaging with their audience and sharing their music on a global scale.
As Babymetal continues to make history and push boundaries with their genre-defying music, their latest achievement on the Billboard 200 serves as a testament to their enduring popularity and influence in the music industry. With Metal Forth, Babymetal has underscored their position as trailblazers in the metal genre, captivating audiences worldwide with their unique sound and dynamic performances.