BABYMETAL
Ijime, Dame, Zettai
Review by David Cirone
Listening to the CD release of BABYMETAL’s major-label debut single was instantly familiar, since I’d been replaying the mind-blowing video from the title track for weeks. An epic choir, deep-chord metal riffs, and the perfect vocal synchronicity of the three young vocalists have already made “Ijime, Dame, Zettai” a favorite.
The single’s regular edition comes with another new track, “Catch Me If You Can.” It’s a good showcase for their kawaii-metal style, but it’s sort of a step backward to when BABYMETAL first started and hadn’t hit their full power yet. “Air-vocal” versions are also included.
On the Limited Editions, the choir returns for coupling track “BABYMETAL DEATH” (the girls’ famous introductory pun), with backing members BABY BONES throwing power-chord, death-metal fire in an escalating chant. If you’re a BABYMETAL fan, the Limited Editions are the ones to get, for the 2 songs plus the video DVDs.
Limited “I” comes with the “Ijime, Dame, Zettai” music video, plus a “making of” video, which is just a handycam of behind the scenes shooting. There’s no footage of the members talking or interviews, so I was disappointed.
Limited “D” comes with a great live video of “DO.KI.DO.KI. MORNING” and “II NE!” The live crowd energy is fantastic here, and it’s a fun flashback to an earlier stage in BABYMETAL’s development.
Limited “Z” is my favorite because of SU-METAL’s eerie emergence from her onstage coffin to begin “Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!” The girls are in full Metal Princess mode here, and the performance of “U.KI.U.KI MIDNIGHT” is equally magnetic.
LIMITED “I”
LIMITED “D”
LIMITED “Z”
Buy BABYMETAL – Ijime, Dame, Zettai (Regular Edition) at CDJapan
Buy BABYMETAL – Ijime, Dame, Zettai (Limited “I”) at CDJapan
Buy BABYMETAL – Ijime, Dame, Zettai (Limited “D”) at CDJapan
Buy BABYMETAL – Ijime, Dame, Zettai (Limited “Z”) at CDJapan