BABYMETAL: News, discography and tours

Halestorm frontwoman Lzzy Hale issued a forceful statement on Tuesday, October 1, 2026, condemning sexual assault as New York state prosecutors reopened the investigation into the alleged October 2024 gang‑rape of a woman at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Hale posted an image‑text on Instagram that began, "If you are the kind of man who thinks it’s OK to reduce another human being to nothing more than something you can stick your [dick] into, there is something severely wrong with you," and continued, "You are not a ‘promising young man’, you are a sick monster that needs to be punished and prevented from having contact with other humans." She added, "And if you are the kind of man who stands idly by while witnessing a rape (yes, even if you saw it in a group chat, you are still a witness to that rape), you are not ‘the good guy’; you are an accessory to the sexual assault and also need to be brought to justice, because we don’t want your kind walking among us either." The Instagram post followed a civil lawsuit filed on September 16, 2026, by a Jane Doe against Cornell University. The 101‑page complaint alleges that seven fraternity members gang‑raped the plaintiff in October 2024 while she was intoxicated and unable to consent. The suit lists claims of sexual assault, battery, negligence, breach of contract, and violations of New York’s Human Rights Law. It also alleges that the accused men were allowed to mitigate their conduct by submitting essays, a detail that Hale referenced in her caption: "And if you are in a position of power to hold these men accountable for their actions and do nothing, take their side, or let them off with a fucking ‘writing assignment’, you should be stripped of your power and privilege of walking among us." Halestorm, co‑founded by Lzzy Hale and her brother Arejay Hale in 1997, has become one of the most commercially successful American rock acts, selling over three million albums in the United States. Their 2012 single "Love Bites (So Do I)" earned the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance. The band is currently touring North America as a supporting act for BABYMETAL, promoting their 2025 album "Everest." On the night of the Instagram post, Halestorm performed at the Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, Arizona, and they have additional European festival dates scheduled for the summer of 2027. Hale’s statement underscores a broader cultural push against sexual violence on college campuses and highlights the responsibility of bystanders. By explicitly naming the behavior of both perpetrators and passive observers, she aligns her platform with ongoing advocacy efforts and reinforces the message that silence constitutes complicity. The renewed investigation by New York prosecutors may set a precedent for how universities handle similar allegations in the future. Fans of both Halestorm and BABYMETAL are encouraged to follow official channels for ticket updates and to support organizations that assist survivors of sexual assault. The band’s official website provides further details on upcoming shows and avenues for charitable contributions related to the cause.

BABYMETAL kicked off their largest North American headlining tour on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Denver's Ball Arena, with American hard‑rock band Halestorm as direct support. The Japanese pop‑metal trio performed six tracks from their 2025 album METAL FORTH, marking the first leg of a tour that will span more than 30 cities across the United States and Canada. The opening night featured Su‑Metal (Suzuka Nakamoto), Moametal (Moa Kikuchi) and Tsugumi (formerly known as Yui Mizuno) delivering a high‑energy set that blended their signature blend of J‑pop melodies and heavy metal riffs. The setlist included "Shine," "The One," "Starlight," "Metal Galaxy," "Road of Resistance" and the new single "Karma." According to the band's official press release, "We are thrilled to bring METAL FORTH to our fans in North America and share the stage with Halestorm, a band we deeply respect." ("Estamos emocionados de llevar METAL FORTH a nuestros fans en Norteamérica y compartir el escenario con Halestorm, una banda a la que respetamos profundamente.") Halestorm, fronted by vocalist Lzzy Hale, performed a 45‑minute set that featured hits such as "Love Bites (So Do I)" and "Uncomfortable." In a brief interview after the show, Hale said, "BABYMETAL brings a unique energy that pushes the crowd to another level. It's an honor to open for them on this massive tour." ("BABYMETAL aporta una energía única que lleva al público a otro nivel. Es un honor abrir para ellos en esta gira masiva.") Ticket sales for the tour have been robust, with venues like the Toyota Center in Houston and the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto reporting sell‑outs within weeks of the announcement on May 15, 2026. The tour is scheduled to conclude on November 20, 2026, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, featuring a special guest appearance by guitarist Kiko Loureiro of Megadeth on selected dates. Industry analysts note that the 2026 North American leg represents a significant milestone for BABYMETAL, as it is the first time the band has booked arenas of this size across the continent. The tour is expected to generate approximately $45 million in gross revenue, according to Pollstar data, underscoring the growing mainstream appeal of the genre‑blending act. Fans can expect a dynamic visual production, with elaborate lighting, synchronized choreography, and a live band that includes guitarist Takayoshi Ohmura and drummer Hideki Harada. The concert experience aims to fuse the theatricality of Japanese idol culture with the intensity of heavy metal, a formula that has propelled BABYMETAL to global stardom since their debut in 2010.

Stage Tour, the long‑awaited spiritual successor to the Guitar Hero franchise, is set to launch on December 10, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch. The rhythm game, developed by the revived RedOctane studio, will feature a base soundtrack of more than 90 tracks, including a collaboration between BABYMETAL and Electric Callboy titled “RATATATA.” The announcement, made on the official RedOctane channels last night, confirms pricing, peripheral options and a new roguelite Tour Mode that promises endless replayability. RedOctane, the original studio behind Guitar Hero, announced in 2023 that it had been re‑established and was working on a brand‑new rhythm title. The developers wrote at the time, “This game won’t be Guitar Hero, DJ Hero, Guitar Freaks or Rock Band. This is something new.” Over the past months the studio has been revealing the Stage Tour soundtrack piece by piece, culminating in the full list of confirmed songs. In addition to “RATATATA,” the setlist includes “Get The Funk Out” by Extreme, “Square Hammer” by Ghost, “Dani California” by Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Psychosocial” by Slipknot, “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure, “In The Stars” by The Rolling Stones and many more. Tracks from Olivia Rodrigo, Blink‑182, Metallica and other artists remain to be announced. The game will support existing instrument controllers, but RedOctane also offers new peripherals. A bundle that includes the game and a Kramer wireless guitar controller is priced at £119.99. A two‑guitar bundle costs £179.99, while the “Band bundle,” which adds drums and a microphone, is listed at £269.99. Pre‑orders are now live on the RedOctane website. The company highlighted that Stage Tour introduces an “all‑new roguelite Tour Mode, where every run brings new choices, challenges and opportunities for your band, creating an endlessly replayable experience.” Industry observers note that the release marks the first major new entry in the rhythm‑game market since Guitar Hero Live’s 2015 debut, which led to a multi‑year hiatus for the genre. By reviving RedOctane and delivering a robust tracklist that spans rock, metal, pop and alternative, the studio aims to attract both veteran players and a new generation of fans. The inclusion of BABYMETAL, a Japanese metal‑idol group, underscores the global scope of the soundtrack and is likely to generate particular interest among the band’s dedicated fanbase. Fans of the original Guitar Hero series can expect a familiar gameplay foundation—note‑hitting on a scrolling track—combined with modern features such as cross‑platform play and the aforementioned roguelite mode. The launch date positions Stage Tour for the holiday shopping season, a strategic move that could boost sales and re‑energize the rhythm‑game community. As the full Mario Kart World soundtrack recently arrived on Nintendo Music, RedOctane’s timing suggests a broader resurgence of music‑focused gaming experiences in late 2026.

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.