How were the two days of METAL GALAXY WORLD TOUR IN JAPAN EXTRA SHOW LEGEND for you?
MOA: The show was super well elaborated, and four songs were presented for the first time. I myself am surprised that we managed to do all that (laughs).
Hahaha, that means you have discovered your great ability.
MOA: Exactly. We've been preparing those four songs for a while now and I was happy to finally present them. Every song of METAL GALAXY is different, so the way SU-METAL sings and the dance moves are completely different in each song. We really wanted to show this to the public and for that we ran with rehearsals after rehearsals adjusting the details until the day of the show.
I understand, all this was necessary to reach that level of quality. And how was it for you, SU-METAL?
SU: I focused on rehearsing the new songs. I had to think a lot about how to present each song taking into account the unique aspects that each one has. We also had to consider not only the presentation of MOAMETAL, but also the dance style of each of the three supporting members. We analyzed the characteristics of each one of them and adjusted ourselves so that everything fit together well. This was a great stimulus that gave us the strength to mature. I am very grateful to all of them. I think it was also a surprise for the audience to see them doing all that.
Absolutely. (laughs)
SU: (laughs) I didn't wait to see the public's reactions. We also wanted to differentiate the two days as much as possible. Letting all this variety out of myself was one of the most difficult tasks.
It was a special luxury content for those two days.
SU: So there was also a feeling of sadness. The rehearsals were super dense, so during the show I thought "ah... this song will never be presented this way again..." Of course I was excited about the performances, but at the same time there was a feeling of sadness.
Perhaps it is what we call momentary beauty. Besides the Avengers you also had the band of the oriental and occidental gods. I think there was a lot to rehearse.
MOA: For everything to happen well we had to rehearse a lot, even too much (laughs). I had to combine myself with all three support members and memorize triple the details that each one was in charge of. All of them have different dance styles to mine and that's why we had to analyze several details to create harmony in the presentations.
Wow, so there was a lot of work that we can't even imagine behind all those presentations.
MOA: Yes. We are the type that does not show the exhaustive process (laughs). Besides, we know how to turn all this into fun on stage.
On the first day "Brand New Day" was presented for the first time. During the recording of the CD I believe it was a challenge to sing in a more relaxed way.
SU: Yes. But as we had already recorded, it was easy to create the image of the music for the presentation. By including the dance, we were able to realize this image in the appropriate format for it.
The production with the silhouettes and the dance with touches of elegance were very striking.
SU: It is as if MIKIKOMETAL's choreography captures the sounds of the music. I believe she creates the steps in this way and it makes my side as a singer a lot easier.
MOA: The choreography of this song was a novelty for me. I had never danced with such delicate movements and stops. As BABYMETAL's songs are very metal (laughs) the dance movements are also focused on faster rhythms. But in "Brand New Day" the style of the music is totally different and even before we entered the choreography, I already felt it would be something new. When we went on stage to rehearse the presentation with the silhouettes, I was surprised by how beautiful the production was being. The presentation was in that format due to the size of Makuhari's stage, but I hope that in the next show the music won't be focused on the silhouette so that the audience can observe all the details of the choreography, such as the differences in movement between the first and second verse according to the lyrics of the song.
That way we will have a different impression of the music?
MOA: I believe it will give a totally different impression. That's why I want to present it in a live house too.
What do you think of the "Oh! MAJINAI" that has made a huge impact with the Joakim-effect?
SU: Since the recording of the CD we knew it was a fun song. It's that very BABYMETAL song full of elements that provoke the reaction "what is this!? From the beginning it was the song that made me more excited and curious to know what the presentation would be like with the choreography and what the audience's reaction would be when presenting it on stage. And then, the result was as I expected (laughs). The choreography is kawaii, but a comic kawaii that represents the BABYMETAL style well. But, on the other hand, the movements are super difficult and I believe this makes the music more attractive. We had talked about how we would make her presentation and decided that it would be like an illustrated book for children, where several characters would appear.........including the frightening Joakim-san (laughs). I thought this contrast was funny and I was sure it would cause laughter in the show. And just as we expected, Joakim-san's impact was immense (laughs).
MOA: That was a shock even for us. During the music you don't even have to pay attention to us, look at Joakim-san (laughs).
I ended up hypnotized by the big screens and it took me a while before my conscience looked at BABYMETAL again.
MOA: I was told that Joakim-san was so big that people couldn't tell where we were.
SU: After the show, many told me they couldn't see the choreography right. We talked among ourselves that in this song we are just Joakim-san's back dancers (laughs).
Hahaha, that dance is so cute but the difficulty must be very high, right?
SU: Exactly. Those little moves may seem funny but they are very difficult to perform.
MOA: One of the difficulties was to combine with the style of folk-metal music. The movement of the feet is especially complicated. They all need to be in tune, because one mistake can end up knocking the others down. At the end of the shows, the tips of the feet always come out bruised.
I had no idea it would be so stressful! In the choreography there is even a combination of backward steps.
MOA: Making hard things look easy is our policy (laughs). We do everything with expressions of ease.
There is a lot of training behind the "cute".
MOA: Yes. In my case, I was always the one who had to turn around. Being responsible for that position was quite a pressure. The force of union between us was very important because I had to believe in both of them and let my body be taken by them keeping the balance until I finished the turn.
SU: At the premiere of the songs the atmosphere of the show is more chaotic, where we can see those people smiling, those who already sing with us and so on. I think this is a point of fun of BABYMETAL's songs and it made me like this song even more.
Anyway, if we look at Joakim, we will end up missing your presentation.
MOA: You have a lot to observe in this song.... But deep down I want the audience to see our dance too (laughs).
I take care of spreading your desire (laughs).
Now we will talk about "Night Night Burn!". The singing and the passionate dance combined well with the sound of Latin percussion, it was even possible to feel the atmosphere of the show heating up.
SU: All the choreographies of the new songs were challenging, the way of singing and the atmosphere of most of the songs were not at all like what BABYMETAL has been doing either. Even without ever having done something with Latin elements, as BABYMETAL's initial principle, we had to study several ways to apply them.
MOA: Well, the original version of this song had been produced a long time ago, and it was super kawaii by that time. Now it has the English title "Night Night Burn!" but in the beginning it was like a song based on children's songs. As soon as BABYMETAL evolved during the world tour the song ended up turning into the Latin style, but I never imagined this would happen.
Then the music was reborn in a more adult way.
SU: I believe so. That day "Night Burn!" was right after "Megitsune", and I felt that this sequence would fit perfectly. Inside me the conception of these two songs are similar, being "Megitsune" the Japanese version and "Night Night Burn!" the Latin version. It's as if "Megitsune" grew up crossing several countries and then arrived in unknown lands.... That's the impression I get about "Night Night Burn!
It's interesting.
SU: Even in "Megitsune" there are several stories inside the music, and I always think about how to sing in a way that can show a more adult part that exists inside me. In "Night Night Burn!" I also want to show the more adult and feminine side of BABYMETAL, so we analyzed and did our best to apply these elements during the presentation. On the other hand, the "call and response" part is very kawaii, easy to pick up the rhythm and that's where we can all sing together. But because it's a song that everyone can have fun getting into the mood, our challenge was how to show the details of the presentation and create a contrast. Sure this is a fun song, but on stage I believe that my position is not only to have fun, because I need to be aware of how to show the essence of each song.
And you MOAMETAL, what are your thoughts about this kind of music?
MOA: We had to research a lot about the passionate choreography of this song. We watched several videos to analyze the movements of the feet, positions, angles and height of the hands characteristic of the style. We called the body traits created by MIKIKOMETAL "Mikiko Line", and we spent a lot of time analyzing how to present these traits in an elegant and feminine way.
Now I want to watch the show again with all that you said in mind.
Now we will talk about the second day, the reaction to the introduction of "BxMxC" showed that everyone was waiting for this moment. The flow part of SU-METAL created an atmosphere of exceptional euphoria.
SU: At that moment the audience was very close to me. The stage was moved forward and I was down. As I stood in front of the audience I could feel the reaction on my skin. Those "ohh...!" must have left by accident (laughs).
MOA: (giggles)
(laughs) Those were feelings that ended up escaping out.
SU: I was happy with that. As I can say, it was like moving people through feelings. Up to the moment of that presentation I didn't know if I was doing it right myself. I kept practicing and thinking about how to present in a good way, and as a result I arrived at that style that moved the audience. When I realized that it had reached people's hearts I was very happy, and, well.... I couldn't avoid my expression of satisfaction (laughs).
(laughs)
SU: (laughs) In the introduction of the song it was possible to feel that the ambient temperature had increased instantaneously. Along with that sound layer I had the impression that the heart of the audience was coming up with everything. I was very moved by all that united power.
A while ago you had said that you could not imagine what the dance would be like, but I could see that it was elaborated with dynamic movements and a pinch of insanity.
MOA: It's really an interesting choreography, isn't it? (laughs) The METAL GALAXY album is full of hard songs. Especially songs like "BxMxC", which we had to include hip hop movements for the first time.... The music itself is short, right?
SU: Yeah, it's not that long.
MOA: It's short but full of elements. It was a lot of fun to introduce her to the public, and more than that, through the rehearsals I got to know the charm of SU-METAL in this song. So I was very happy to finally bring it to the audience. I was also able to get closer to the audience by going to the end of the catwalk and feel the reaction of the people very closely. It was an interesting experience where I could hear sighs in the middle of the screams, and that was cool because for me it was like listening to the voices that were escaping from the bottom of people's hearts.
Also "Headbanger" of that day was more thunderous than ever…
MOA: ...We did something special in "Headbanger"?
(laughs) Well, halfway through the song you extended the demands to the audience, with your sharp eyes penetrating everyone who was there.
MOA: Aah! (laughs) That was quite a satisfaction. Ordering everyone to sit down from up there.
It's one of the songs from BABYMETAL's early period but it gave me the impression of being a more mature version of "Headbanger".
MOA: Yes, we even discussed how to make it more adult, and also how to keep some childish touches. That version was the result of those ideas.
SU: Lately the audience has the peculiar habit of doing the "dogeza-headbang" during the presentation of "Headbanger" and my way of singing has also been changing through all this time. At first I had the image of a little girl running with all her might, but now I feel that my position is like being at the top of the gods' servants, a kind of *"sovereign" (laughs).
[*in the original text, SU-METAL used the term "nushi" = 主 which can also be interpreted as owner / domineer / boss ]
This is how we arrive at the image of you raising the microphone stand and lowering the eyes to the world of mortals.
SU: When I was thinking about how to act in that part, I was lucky to have the audience having fun making headbangs and this ended up creating that image that has now become one of the attractions of the BABYMETAL show. I'm also having fun in this position myself.
Now on another detail, during "Kagerou" MOAMETAL makes a discreet but provocative gesture of "I want more" with her hands. I found that attitude super cool.
MOA: Huh, really? (laughs) We've been presenting this song throughout the world tour, so I think it's easier to incorporate and my body also gets in tune more easily.
Do you mean that gesture came naturally?
MOA: Yes, I was really thinking "it's not enough, give me more!!" and I believe that this feeling ended up manifesting that way.
At the end of the second day "Starlight", "Shine" and "Arkadia" were presented in sequence. Listening to them as a whole awakened many feelings within me.
SU-METAL: This part was like a summary of what happened in that one-year period. "Starlight" was released right after the announcement of YUIMETAL's departure and six months later we presented "Arkadia". At that time we were moving forward determined to cross new paths. The first time we performed "Shine" was at the 2019 show in Nagoya (BABYMETAL ARISES - BEYOND THE MOON - LEGEND - M -), where only the two of us, MOAMETAL and I, were on stage. Until today I don't forget that "Shine" presentation. How can I say... At that moment we weren't holding hands literally, but it's as if we were holding each other's hands, showing that we would be able to move on.... Between me and MOAMETAL there is already something that you can't see with your eyes.
MOAMETAL: (Sign of agreement with head and smile on face)
SU: I don't know how to explain it properly but, I feel this "something" with a very strong intensity. In a way this could have been the collection of everything BABYMETAL could offer, or just a beginning, or something inexplicable that doesn't fit this dimension. I can't say for sure, but we had in mind that this would be one of our masterpieces, and at the same time, the realized image of our determination.
Surely we could feel it.
MOA: Now going back to that repertoire, I can really feel the weight.... There were several feelings in there. I think it would be possible to write an entire book with just that. We put a lot of our feelings into these three songs, we wanted to convey the determination of SU-METAL and MOAMETAL and show the future of BABYMETAL, that they feel this warmth inside of us. I myself was feeling this feeling growing inside of me.
I thought that was the climax of the show and that we were already closing the day.
SU and MOA: (giggles)
How could I imagine they would close with "Ijime Dame Zettai" after the departure of two years and a month from it. Did you think this would be the best opportunity?
SU: Yes, it's a very important song for us and we like it a lot too. I believe that the audience was also waiting for her and I myself felt pure fun in bringing her back. And besides that we had the five members and the two bands..... During "Road of Resistance" the day before, it was like that too, but for me, to unite the bands from the east and the west was an imaginable thing. The fact that we were performing a show like that already made me happy. But what impressed me the most was the reaction of the audience. I believe there were different kinds of emotions inside, I could feel the warmth out of the ordinary and I feel that all that was the expression of the feelings and history that accumulated during those two years.
That was quite an impact... I didn't even know where to look for MOAMETAL.
MOA: (laughs) I understand, it was a lot of information to process. But the public reaction was as we had planned (laughs). It was a period of two years and a month since the last presentation in Hiroshima (Legend - S). A few days before I had watched that show on the YouTube broadcast, so thinking that was the last time, I really had the feeling that we made the audience wait too long.... But, well, it was all as planned (laughs).
I was completely manipulated by you (laughs). Now that the official videos of Makuhari's show are ready, tell me what you thought of watching them from the audience point of view.
MOA: First it made me think about the Metal Resistance Episode 8 tour, which started in Japan, then we went to the US, we did the arena show at THE FORUM in Los Angeles... It was very hard to complete all the shows with one body... I want to send a "you are awesome" for myself (laughs). For example, in the case of the avengers, the physical condition and energy of each one were examined every day, and so we decided who would participate in the show. But in the case of SU-METAL and I, obviously we had to get on stage in every show, there was no escape. We couldn't use our physical condition as excuses.....because we are BABYMETAL. Every day I had in mind that it was my duty to present myself with all my strength and excellence. Even with the accumulated tiredness, on top of the stage I had to follow the dynamism of the avengers taking advantage of each one's personality without restricting mine, and make our dance with the avenger incorporate BABYMETAL. Now to recap, it made me think it was really hard work (laughs).
Wow... I didn't imagine you had to face such a stressful tour until you got to the Makuhari stage.
MOA: When we were little, BABYMETAL's choreography was driven by energy, animation and impulse. But now that we have gained knowledge about the art of music through experience and development, especially after turning 20, I began to focus on how to perform in a natural way with more elegant and feminine touches. Just like the Japanese words "perseverance is strength", all my continuous dedication to dance has brought me strength and confidence. After overcoming so many challenges, I was able to remain firm and strong on both the physical and psychological sides during the two days of the show at Makuhari Messe. This strength is one more detail that I would like to draw attention to.
Surely this is a detail that we cannot miss. And you, SU-METAL, what do you have to tell us?
SU: This was the first time we used such large scale screens in a BABYMETAL show. Of course we gave it our all in dance and music, but this kind of production is also a fun detail that is part of BABYMETAL's world. Also, between the first and second day we had a visible contrast of "kawaii BABYMETAL" and "cool BABYMETAL" where we incorporated in the show what we were saying all this time. It was like a movie… I once found it interesting that an assistant from the United States told me that the BABYMETAL show is similar to a Kabuki presentation. That is, you can have fun with the live performance, but also with the choreography, facial expressions and other details. There are several ways to have fun and also see it all as a narration. I believe that this show has expanded even more the possibilities of BABYMETAL.
It's true, we stay focused on stage like when we're watching a TV series.
SU: I had a special feeling myself when watching. It's an unexplainable feeling, seeing the images and thinking "it's me who was there". During the show, when the screens created the background images I had the feeling of being in another world.
Not only the audience, but you also felt it from above the stage.
SU: Yes. And now that the whole world is going through this situation, I wonder when we will be able to do an all standing show like this again. We have already performed in several arenas, but the Makuhari Messe must be the only place that allows us to make a show of that magnitude with the whole audience raised. The moshs that appear in that environment are not born in other places. And it is in this kind of phenomenon that I feel the metal spirit. The recording of this show has become a stuffed work full of elements like these.
I believe that this was a show full of diversity that only the current BABYMETAL team, which is completing 10 years of training this year, could create.
MOA: Me and SU-METAL have been together for 10 years, I can't say since when, but there are several moments that I feel our hearts are connected. At the beginning of Episode 8, the Avengers and the Western band joined us to support us, but there was no way we couldn't feel a certain emotional distance between us at first. But this distance was getting shorter during the tour and in the same way we were improving the performance. So, when compared to the Yokohama Arena concert, the concert at Makuhari Messe was a more united performance where our hearts and our forces were more united. We have overcome many shows with this team fighting hard. And all this has created bonds between us in the Makuhari's show characterizing Episode 8 well. I hope these ties of the "Team BABYMETAL” will be felt by everyone's hearts. This is also a point that deserves attention. I hope you have fun with your eyes and ears, and also, that you feel it with your heart.
SU: Speaking about team, the presentations of "Road of Resistance" and "Ijime Dame Zettai" became possible for the current BABYMETAL thanks to all the paths taken so far. We traveled to several countries, met several companions and connected with the people we know..... This is how the world of BABYMETAL is being born. This time we found new partners and that show was the result of everything that BABYMETAL experienced, and for sure, it was the greatest presentation we could give at that moment.
I agree with you. Well, we are having a very good conversation but...
MOA: Ah, I remembered what I had to say about the images from the show!
Go ahead!
MOA: The dogeza-headbang was super fun. As I watched it I thought "what am I doing?" to myself (laughs). At that moment my wish was that everyone would bend down, but at the same time I thought "if I were in the audience's shoes I'd rather look right at the stage" (laughs). There were conflicts of many feelings, but I think I should have demanded more intensity (laughs). So I want to make it clear that next time I will go with the "listen to my words!!" mentality and hope everyone will obey me. Disobedience, DAME, ZETTAI.
Understood (laughs). Again I had that concern if it will be possible to make a better show than this..... But you have always overcome yourselves and I am sure you will continue to do so.
MOA: Stay in expectation (laughs).
SU: Increasing expectations once again (laughs).
MOA: That's right, they're increasing it. It's always like this.
But it is you who take the initiative to increase (laughs).
MOA: That's true, there's no stopping us!!
Interviewer: Yohsuke Hayakawa
Translation: @diomatsz
