BABYMETAL: News, discography and tours

Halestorm released the single “I Miss The Misery” on April 10, 2012, as part of their second album The Strange Case Of… The track, written by vocalist‑guitarist Lzzy Hale, emerged from personal turmoil surrounding her parents’ divorce and a toxic past relationship. The song quickly became a fan favourite, amassing 86 million views on YouTube and surpassing the Grammy‑winning “Love Bites (So Do I)” in popularity. The Strange Case Of… was recorded in multiple Los Angeles studios while the quartet lived together in a house in Marina del Rey, which Hale described as a “summer camp” where the band bonded with strangers until the early hours. Producer Howard Benson pushed Hale to expand her range, repeatedly telling her, “Nope, I think you can sing higher than that,” a challenge that she says built lasting confidence. The album’s first single, “Love Bites (So Do I),” won the Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance in 2013, but “I Miss The Misery” soon eclipsed it, becoming the defining anthem of the record. “I was definitely pushing vocally, versus the first album,” Hale recalled, noting that the relentless touring schedule—up to eleven consecutive days—helped her discover her limits and strengths. The song’s opening banshee scream, “OOOOOOH! I miss the misery!” was a deliberate choice to start with the voice rather than the riff, a decision Hale says has become her signature. Its raw lyrics, including the controversial line “I miss the rough sex / Leaves me a mess,” sparked debate but also highlighted a shift in women’s sexual expression within rock. “2012 wasn’t that long ago but it was in terms of women and evolution,” Hale said, adding that the track encouraged her to double down on bold themes in later releases such as Do Not Disturb. Fans have embraced the track as an empowerment anthem. Hale explains that the song helped listeners break away from abusive relationships, stating, “It’s beautiful how people can take this song with me being a little tongue‑in‑cheek, and actually find that deeper meaning.” The track’s longevity is evident in its YouTube metrics and its role in shaping Halestorm’s identity, leading to festival headlining slots and a Grammy win. In September‑October 2024, Halestorm will support BABYMETAL on their North American tour, bringing the song’s energy to a new generation of metal fans. The decade since the release of “I Miss The Misery” reflects broader cultural changes, including the impact of the #MeToo movement and increased openness about mental health and sexuality in rock. Hale’s candid discussion of her family’s divorce and a cheating ex‑partner underscores the personal stakes behind the anthem. As Halestorm looks ahead, the song remains a cornerstone of their catalog, illustrating how a confessional track can evolve from a personal catharsis to a universal rallying cry for empowerment.

The Download Festival 2026 kicks off today, June 10, at Donington Park in Leicestershire. The festival will feature headliners Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses, and Linkin Park, each a UK exclusive for the year. Other big names announced for the event include Bad Omens, Cypress Hill, Tom Morello, Trivium, Halestorm, Pendulum, Mastodon, BABYMETAL, Architects, and Feeder. According to the BBC Weather forecast, there will be light rain showers throughout the five days of Download 2026, with a moderate breeze also likely to be present on each day. Festival organiser Andy Copping spoke to NME in 2024 about the importance of creating a platform for new and emerging talent. "I’ve always wanted to do that, and you can see it in how we’ve been developing the other stages like the Dogtooth stage and the Avalanche," he said. The weather forecast for each day is as follows: Wednesday, June 10, will have thundery showers and a gentle breeze, with rain looking likely all day. Thursday, June 11, will have light rain and a moderate breeze, with rain likely throughout the morning, afternoon, and evening. Friday, June 12, will have light rain showers and a moderate breeze once again, with lighter rain expected in the morning and lunchtime, but lower likelihood later in the day and into the evening. Saturday, June 13, will have sunny intervals and a moderate breeze, with sun breaking through the clouds. From 4 pm there will be uninterrupted sunshine, with temperatures from 12 to 21°C. Sunday, June 14, will have more sun with a moderate breeze, with a slight chance of drizzle between 2 pm-7 pm. Temperatures will range from 14 to 23°C. The festival will also feature secret sets that will be revealed on the weekend itself, as well as sets from TokenGrass – a bluegrass tribute to Sleep Token – and a Rage Against The Machine tribute act fronted by a Nicolas Cage impersonator, titled Nic Cage Against The Machine.

RedOctane Games, the company behind Guitar Hero, has announced a new rhythm game titled Stage Tour, set to be released for PC and consoles in the autumn of 2026. The game will feature songs by prominent bands such as Ghost, BABYMETAL, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. According to the announcement, Stage Tour promises to be "a redefining evolution of rhythm games". This suggests that the game will introduce new and innovative features to the genre, potentially setting a new standard for future rhythm games. The inclusion of BABYMETAL in the game is particularly noteworthy, as the Japanese metal idol group has gained a significant following worldwide. Their unique blend of heavy metal and J-pop has captivated audiences, and their presence in Stage Tour is likely to attract fans of the band to the game. Other bands featured in the game include Ghost, known for their theatrical live performances, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, a renowned rock band with a wide range of hits. The diverse lineup of artists in Stage Tour suggests that the game will cater to a broad range of musical tastes. As the release date approaches, fans of rhythm games and the featured bands can look forward to experiencing the new and innovative gameplay that Stage Tour has to offer.

HALESTORM's frontwoman Lzzy Hale expressed her excitement about the band's upcoming North American tour as the support act for BABYMETAL. The trek will kick off on September 2 at Denver, Colorado's Ball Arena. During an appearance on the May 10 episode of 'Whiplash', the 95.5 KLOS radio show hosted by Full Metal Jackie, Lzzy Hale spoke about the tour, stating: 'I'm so excited about the idea because it's a little off center'. HALESTORM will be performing in various cities across North America, including Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. The tour is expected to be a unique experience for fans of both bands, with BABYMETAL's energetic live performances and HALESTORM's heavy metal sound. Lzzy Hale also mentioned that she is looking forward to performing with BABYMETAL, saying: 'It's going to be a really fun tour'. The tour will be a great opportunity for fans to see two of the most exciting bands in the metal scene today. With BABYMETAL's Su-metal, Moametal, and Tsugumi, and HALESTORM's Lzzy Hale, the tour promises to be an unforgettable experience.

In 2014, a viral song introduced metal to Babymetal. The band, consisting of Su-metal, Moametal, and Tsugumi, gained international attention with their unique blend of heavy metal and J-pop. According to an interview, 'Having people fire unfamiliar words at us was really frightening.' This quote highlights the challenges the band faced in the early days. The song 'Gimme Chocolate' became a viral sensation, bringing Babymetal to the world stage. With their debut album 'Babymetal' released in 2014, the band has since become a household name in the metal scene. The band's success can be attributed to their energetic live performances and catchy songs like 'Gimme Chocolate' and 'Megitsune'. As stated in an article by Louder Sound, 'one bizarre but brilliant song about chocolate brought Babymetal to the world - and confused the hell out of the heavy metal scene'. This statement showcases the impact Babymetal had on the metal scene, bringing a fresh and unique sound to the table. In conclusion, Babymetal's rise to fame is a testament to their hard work and dedication to their craft. The band continues to tour and release new music, solidifying their place in the metal scene.