METAL GALAXY

Released in 2019, METAL GALAXY marks Babymetal's first album as a duo following the departure of Yuimetal, yet it represents their most ambitious and sonically diverse work to date. The album functions as a conceptual travelogue through the 'Metal Galaxy,' incorporating influences from around the globe including Indian folk, Latin rhythms, and Scandinavian folk metal. Critics from AllMusic and Pitchfork noted the album's shift toward a more polished, electronic-heavy sound compared to their debut, praising its audacity while acknowledging its polarizing nature. The record features high-profile collaborations with artists like Joakim Brodén (Sabaton) and Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy), further cementing their bridge between the idol world and the global metal community. It debuted at number 13 on the Billboard 200, making it the highest-charting album by a Japanese artist in the chart's history at that time.