BABYMETAL have given fans a proper look at one of the coolest pieces of vinyl to hit the metal world this year β and yes, mun, we absolutely want one. π€πΏπ₯
SU-METAL, MOAMETAL and MOMOMETAL have appeared together in a new video showing off the spectacular Deluxe Edition of METAL FORTH, including its eye-catching zoetrope vinyl design.
And this isnβt your bog-standard black record shoved into a sleeve and sent out the door.
Oh no.
This thing is basically metal artwork that comes alive when you spin it. π
πΏ METAL FORTH GETS THE DELUXE TREATMENT
Originally released in August 2025, METAL FORTH continued BABYMETALβs mission to chuck genre boundaries into a blender, turn the dial to eleven and see what happens.
The record brought together an absolutely bonkers collection of collaborators including:
π€ Poppy
π₯ Electric Callboy
π Slaughter To Prevail
β‘ Bloodywood
πΈ Polyphia
π₯ Spiritbox
π€ Tom Morello
Now the album has been given an even bigger treatment with METAL FORTH (Deluxe Edition).
The special 2LP zoetrope vinyl contains the original ten-track album alongside remixes and live recordings captured during BABYMETALβs arena adventures around the world.
But letβs be honestβ¦
LOOK AT THE BLOODY VINYL.
π A RECORD THAT COMES ALIVE
The zoetrope effect is what really makes this edition something special.
Rather than simply sticking some fancy artwork onto the record, the vinyl features a series of images arranged around the disc.
When the record spins and is viewed under the correct conditions β such as through a camera β those images create the illusion of animation.
Basically, BABYMETAL have managed to turn a record player into a tiny metal cinema.
Of course they have. ππ¦
The design incorporates imagery inspired by the songs featured on METAL FORTH, creating an animated visual effect as the vinyl rotates.
Itβs the sort of release that will have vinyl collectors facing the eternal dilemma:
Do I play it?
Orβ¦
Do I frame it and stare at it like Gollum guarding the One Ring?
My preciousssss vinylβ¦ πΏπ
π₯ METAL FORTH DELUXE TRACKLIST
πΏ DISC ONE β SIDE A
- from me to u (feat. Poppy)
- RATATATA (BABYMETAL x Electric Callboy)
- Song 3 (BABYMETAL x Slaughter To Prevail)
- Kon! Kon! (feat. Bloodywood)
- KxAxWxAxIxI
πΏ DISC ONE β SIDE B
- Sunset Kiss (feat. Polyphia)
- My Queen (feat. Spiritbox)
- Algorism
- METALI!! (feat. Tom Morello)
- White Flame -η½η-
ποΈ DISC TWO β SIDE C
- from me to u (feat. Poppy) β Major Lazer Remix
- from me to u (feat. Poppy) β Jordan Fish Remix
π€ DISC TWO β SIDE D
- from me to u (feat. Poppy) β Live From The O2
- My Queen (feat. Spiritbox) β Live From Intuit Dome
- Algorism β Live From Saitama Super Arena
And that final side makes the deluxe edition particularly interesting for fans whoβve followed BABYMETALβs increasingly massive live shows.
π¬π§ BABYMETAL AT THE O2
British fans get a particularly tasty bonus with a live version of βfrom me to uβ featuring Poppy, recorded at The O2 in London.
BABYMETALβs rise in the UK has been something to behold.
What once seemed like one of metalβs strangest new experiments has developed into a genuine arena-level phenomenon.
Cute choreography?
Yep.
Massive riffs?
Absolutely.
Deathcore collaborations?
Why not?
Electronic chaos?
Chuck that in as well.
A crowd of thousands screaming along while fox signs fill an arena?
Thatβs BABYMETAL, butt. π¦π€
π¦ FIFTEEN YEARS OF BABYMETAL
The deluxe release arrived as BABYMETAL continued celebrating more than 15 years of pushing their own interpretation of heavy music across the globe.
From their early kawaii-metal explosion to huge international tours, festival appearances and increasingly ambitious collaborations, the group have gone from curiosity to genuine global metal heavyweights.
And METAL FORTH feels like a perfect snapshot of where BABYMETAL currently sit.
Theyβre no longer simply combining J-pop and heavy metal.
Theyβre pulling ideas from metalcore, deathcore, electronic music, alternative metal, progressive music and pop, then inviting musicians from across those worlds to join the madness.
Itβs chaotic.
Itβs colourful.
Itβs ridiculously catchy.
And somehowβ¦
it works.
πΏ VINYL COLLECTORS ARE GOING TO WANT THIS ONE
Special-edition vinyl has become massive over the past few years, with splatter pressings, picture discs, alternative covers and ridiculously limited colour variants becoming increasingly common.
Zoetrope records, though, still have that little extra βOOOH, LOOK AT THAT!β factor.
And BABYMETAL are pretty much the perfect band for one.
Their entire universe has always mixed music with strong visuals, costumes, mythology, choreography and theatrical presentation.
So putting METAL FORTH onto an animated zoetrope record feels completely on-brand.
The UK edition has been listed at around Β£39.99, although availability can vary β and releases like this have a habit of disappearing once collectors start circling.
Hide the bank card.
Actuallyβ¦
Too late.
Weβve already ordered three. ππ³π₯
π¦ THE FOX GOD APPROVES
Seeing SU-METAL, MOAMETAL and MOMOMETAL proudly showing off the records makes the whole thing even better.
Thereβs something wonderfully old-school about artists getting genuinely excited over physical music.
Streaming might dominate how most of us listen nowadays, but you canβt stick Spotify on your shelf.
You canβt admire the pressing.
You canβt examine the artwork.
And you definitely canβt spin Spotify around at 33β RPM and watch tiny animated BABYMETAL graphics come alive.
Wellβ¦
You could spin your phone around.
But weβd strongly advise against it. π
π€ THE RIFF REPORT VERDICT
BABYMETAL have never exactly been known for doing things quietly.
So naturally, when it came to producing a deluxe vinyl edition of METAL FORTH, they didnβt just change the colour of the record and call it a day.
They made the bloody thing move.
With a stacked collection of collaborations, additional remixes, arena recordings and one seriously gorgeous zoetrope pressing, METAL FORTH (Deluxe Edition) feels like something designed specifically to make collectors reach nervously for their wallets.
And judging by that videoβ¦
The band look pretty chuffed with it too.
All hail the Fox God. π¦π₯
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Zero Apologies.
πΈ The Riff Report Blog
#BABYMETAL #MetalForth #KawaiiMetal #HeavyMetal #TheRiffReport
