BABYMETAL: DEATH LEGEND 1997

[@papa_xan]

Karen: On my 16th birthday my daddy bought me a car. Suzuka: On my 16th birthday I was crucified by my friends while a crowd of thousands chanted "DEATH" and was reborn a metal goddess. You enjoy that car though....

[@facufeg86]

Su: "Well, when i turned 21 i was crucified again and i ascended to Goddesshood (though she already was since the day she was born but, we made it official). Just another normal birthday" 🦊🤘👸🏻❤

[@Zedem0n]

This is the song I show my friends when they say BABYMETAL isn't metal. Usually that shuts them up real fast :D.

[@adamazri928]

This song, although it is heavy but I dont think it can go against "In The Name Of" which is more of a heavy and dark ritual song for the Fox God. I think they will be more than surprised if they see that.

[@renzlucero6241]

Just show them both songs..haha..

[@jasoneffler9903]

Black Babymetal Sis Anger would shut them up too!

[@I_scribbles]

🤣

[@DaElfer]

Gwar would be saying "Damn. they crucified a 16 year old. Thats too crazy for us" lol

[@tiaopiak]

(Translation of the lore in front of this performance.) Legend 1997 It is the story that, receiving the legendary corset from the god of the Metal, she abandons being human and shall be reborn as a goddess. The gene which has been determined from ancient time is destined to be guided, boarding on the ark of time. The apocalypse prophesied the DOOMSDAY. Towards it, there remains... little time... Koba Metal, creator of BabyMetal is a huge X-Japan and Metallica fan. This concert Legend 1997 (Dec 21, 2013) coincide with Su Metal's birthday on Dec 20. The same year both BabyMetal became independent from idol group Sakura Gakuin and Su Metal graduated in March. So this crucifixion is symbolizing the end of Su Metal's life as an idol to become a full time Metal Queen. The breaking and collapse statue is an homage to Metallica "And Justice For All" live concert, where the Lady of Justice statue breaks, just like the Goddess statue breaks at the end of this performance., also shows the end of her idol life/persona. #notacult

[@facufeg86]

LONG LIVE OUR GODDESS QUEEN SU!!!!! #notacultatall 🦊🤘👸🏻❤

[@emb5091]

Yeah, seeing Rob perform with the girls was great, but I love seeing the cam videos of the girls performing with the Red Hot Chili Peppers while they toured together. There is one video of Su jumping all over the stage along with Flea (now known as Flea-Metal), and one video of Chad (Chad-Metal) bringing out a cake for Su's birthday and singing to her.

[@rickwagner-]

⚡ 💀 💕 / 💀 💀 💀 This song was used as their concert opener for quite a few years. Without the crucifixion though. : ) For 'Legend 1997' it was the closing song. I've told this story many times, but I saw BABYMETAL open for Korn & Stone Sour in Chula Vista, CA back in 2017. The concert was on Yui's Birthday (June 20th). There were Korn fans on either side of me, who were expecting something called BABYMETAL to be pretty mellow. They opened with 'BABYMETAL Death'. The look of shock on their faces was priceless. One turned to me and said, "I didn't think they were going to be so heavy!".

[@autohmae]

I really miss Babymetal Death... well and Yui too of course. It's nice to know she is still alive. ;-)

[@rickwagner-]

@@autohmae Once again, Aiko is "best girl' for keeping us in the loop.

[@autohmae]

@@rickwagner- Seems to me they are friends and talks a bit more freely about things.

[@Tyranastrasza]

Su, Yui and Moa are the chosen ones by the Fox God, in order to unify the world as The One through their singing. In order to do that, they are assisted by the Kamis (gods) of Guitar, Drums, Bass (the Kami band) and here, Su abandon her mortal life as an Idol to be reborn as a Metal Godess. #notacult

[@omneil]

I hope this helps. Opening Translation: Legend 1997. (referring to the year of Su's birth) It is told that receiving the legendary neck brace from the god of Metal, she shall abandon her human life and be reborn as a goddess. The bloodline which has been passed down from ancient times is destined to be the guide, boarding the ark of time. The apocalypse is prophesied DOOMSDAY comes There remains... little time. Great Reaction. She gives up being a human to become a Metal Goddess. In order to unite the world through Metal Music. Only the Fox God knows.

[@tommyo2450]

Road of Resistance Live in Japan.. An epic show closer.. Song (guitar parts) collab with Dragonforce.. Great reaction and long live BM!

[@t.pepperbag6342]

My kind of a birthday party 🤘🦊

[@tiaopiak]

Unlike this special performances done at the end of the concert which has extra special meaning. Usually BABYMETAL DEATH is performance is done at the beginning of a concert, the song both introduces the band and hyped the crowd up. The Japanese word "desu" (です) is a copula (= to be). The Eastern Japanese almost drop "u" of this word, so the word "desu/des" sounds like "death". And someone started writing "DEATH" instead of "です" (desu). It makes sense only where the Japanese word "desu" is expected to come. The title "BABYMETAL DEATH" means only "We are BABYMETAL." Same as with Su Metal DEATH means only "I am Su Metal". Yup Japanese like puns. So the crowd is basically shouting both DEATH and WE ARE / I AM at the same time.

[@ANDOR-]

The crucifiction always symbolizes some big change within the band, in the lore or just a momentous occasion (like the two Tokyo Dome concerts with 55k fans each). This time it was Sumetal's idol persona being crucified so she could be reborn as a metal godess. In real life terms: All three Babymetal girls were part of a J-Pop Idol group named Sakura Gakuin (Su from 2010 - 2013, Moa&Yui from 2010 - 2015) and they symbolically became independent from their former group with this. This actually happened earlier that year because Su had to leave Sakura Gakuin when she graduated Middle School (which is their whole theme), but I think Kobametal, their producer, wanted to make it perfectly clear that Babymetal is here to stay.

[@mitchellhodgemeyer7306]

So, "Babymetal Death" is typically an opening track that they often use at their live shows. As others have already mentioned, When they say "Babymetal Desu" it's a play on words that acts as a Japanese introduction, but also plays on the English word "death." Their band name by the way is itself a play on words, as the word "baby" is written very similarly to the the word "heavy," so their name is a play on the words "heavy metal." As you mentioned at the beginning of your clip, the narration and the story here is that Su-Metal is giving up her mortal life to become a goddess of metal. There are more details of course, but the basics are that the neck brace is passed down to her by the metal gods and it is sort of like her being crowned. There are also details about the genes of metal being passed down (hence all the DNA looking graphics) and boarding the Ark of Time and Doomsday nearing, but Su-Metal ascending to become a metal goddess is the main part that goes with the performance. As you've probably guessed by now, there is much lore and many Legends" ("Legend" is what they have titled many of their themed performances) associated with the band - such as their marching orders being handed down by the Fox God, the gods of metal, and their "kitsune" (fox-head) hand sign that they use instead of the typical metal horns. I'm sure you will dig discovering these things as you head deeper down the Babymetal fox hole. Anyway, there are some interesting collaborations Babymetal has with other artists. The Halford one is cool, but I think my favorite one is with Chad Smith from Red Hot Chili Peppers when he completely catches Su-Metal off guard with a birthday tribute on stage. You can do a search for that and it will pop right up I think. As for what to check out next, I would say something awesome from their new album - such as "BxMxC." There's no "official" clip for that, but I have linked a pretty cool fan clip next: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJuxeXSQdqaEq8k Another unofficial clip you could check out is them performing "Kagerou." I have linked a clip of that next: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2fHhqmOmLSmY5I There's a ton of good stuff to check out from Babymetal on the new album as well as their past ones, so I'm sure you'll get some cool further recommendations in other comments. Enjoy dude.

[@randumo24]

This song was generally used as an intro for most of their concerts when they were still a trio. As you can tell, the instrumentals are great for it. The vocals are simplistic. They consist of spelling out the letters of Babymetal, and each of the girls basically introducing themselves three times. It was just a great way to get hyped for a show.

[@docmetal8194]

What's to explain? Everyone knows that to be transformed from a J-pop Idol into the Queen/Goddess of Metal you need to be crucified. 😁 Su-metal has been crucified 4 or 5 times now (maybe it's required, like maintenance on a car). Anyway, another good reaction. A big plus with BABYMETAL is they always keep you guessing on what they may do next. 🦊🤘

[@meimemeime]

Nice Reaction!!! SUMETAL was born in 1997/12 and this show is her 16th birthday celebration. This is the story of how, by a sign of the Fox God, she abandoned her human and was reborn as Metal Goddess. By the way, In the case of BABYMETAL, it is a "Kitsune sign", not a "melodic sign". "Kitsune" is a fox. I hope you continue to enjoy your BABYMETAL. Put your Kitsune🦊 up! from Japan.

[@robertbradshaw8246]

With the death of SUMETAL. She is declaring to the world that BABYMETAL is no longer a ( JPOP ) band. But is now a full metal band.

[@ernestrimbeck7630]

The ones where they come up from under the stage already on the cross are pretty cool

[@ConsumptiveSoul]

It was just a typical 16th birthday for Su Metal Our Queen, Our Metal Queen. Moa and Yui done it before

[@zayn9990]

One of the best shows ever

[@baumi-metal9123]

though most monarchies will say something else, I say there's only ONE Queen! The Queen that rulez Metal ! How can some people say, this isn't metal??? Blasphemy!

[@Dragon-Believer]

The song is a play on words. Death sounds like Des which means 'I am'. So they're saying Death but also introducing themselves. It's the intro song on their first album. If you heard Doki Doki Morning or Gimme Chocolate and bought the CD this is the first song you would hear :) The neckbrace you might have noticed. That is an homage to the drummer of X-Japan. He broke his neck headbanging and had to wear a neck brace after that. It's also a reference to their own song 'Headbanger' in which they make the same homage. The producer that put this all together is a big fan of Metallica and X-Japan. There are two Metallica homages. That is the guitar riff from 'One' at the start and the statue crumbling is an homage to 'And Justice for All'.

[@maximushaughton2404]

That moment when you realise that you've just watched one of the most metal things you could see. And it was done by 3 little girls in Tutu's. Yes do the one with Rob Halford, it should be 2 songs.

[@victoriawebber8104]

3, Babymetal performs Karate before the 2 Priest songs with Rob.

[@tonygriffin_]

Opened up KZbin. Saw The Heavy was reacting to 'that' performance of 'Death'. Put on headphones and cranked volume to 11. Pressed 'Like' cos I knew I was definitely going to like this. Pressed 'Play'. Watched The Heavy fall ever deeper down the Fox Hole. Enjoyed every moment. A good start to the day. Another great reaction to the ever surprising Babymetal. Have you seen Corey Taylor's new video 'CMFT must be stopped'? He includes Babymetal in the huge list of cameo slots from many Metal artists, which no doubt pleased the Fox God immensely. Oh, and if anyone asks, we're definitely #NotACult. Recommendation for your next shot of live concert footage of Babymetal would be the best Metal song ever about playing Hide and Seek, with Kami Band solos at the start and English subtitles, Catch Me If You Can - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJibhpKgZcyjgqs . Keep on being heavy!

[@3aday208]

keep up the great work, more babymetal please.....

[@flemmingstergaard4690]

I love the teatrics in this one.

[@Dragon-Believer]

Have you seen the live debut of 'In the Name Of'? It's even better than this.

[@flemmingstergaard4690]

@@Dragon-Believer Nope will do, thx

[@Dragon-Believer]

@@flemmingstergaard4690 www.dailymotion.com/video/k5o0iAbAXEKwferPqTW

[@flemmingstergaard4690]

@@Dragon-Believer Yep awesome theatrics, thx

[@derwolf9670]

Great reaction... More 🤘 Babymetal 🤘 please. Thanks...

[@saundrawilliams8037]

Hey!!! Great reaction! I love this one! Its definitely got to be the most baddass introductory song in history!!! You weren't far off when you said this was Su leaving her life for another, but a few specifics... So Legend 1997 is the concert title (named so after Su's year of birth as you said) and the song is Babymetal Death. The only lyrics in this one are them spelling out B.A.B.Y.M.E.T.A.L, and then saying Desu a lot, while in the breaks the girls say [name]-metal desu, and then Babymetal desu, and then just desu a whole lot more....to explain this.... The word desu in Japanese typically means "i am, we are, it is, ect." So, when saying Babymetal Desu they are saying " We are Babymetal", and then "I am [name]-metal". Adding to that, the "u" in desu is typically silent so it sounds like they are saying Dess rather than De-su, and when Japanese people pronounce the english word death it comes out sounding just like dess (or desu), and since the Japanese love their puns....Babymetal Death was made. Is that metal or what?!? Moving on to the stage theatrics! To be more specific, this show was (I believe) their last show affiliated with thier origin idol group Sakura Gakuin, or their first show after fully going independent from Sakura Gakuin. The stage show represents Su leaving behind her idol self to be reborn as the metal goddess chosen by the Fox God to spread metal back into the world! I dont know about you, but this has got to be the absolute most awesome way to celebrate your 16th (or was it 15th?!) Birthday. Just imagine that convo... "I had a cool party with all my friends for my birthday! What'd you do?" "Oh...Nothing much. Just went to a concert, stood around a bit, got crucified while about 10,000 people around me bowed and chanted death, had a cake...ya know...the usual." Lolol!!!! SU HAS NOW BEEN CRUCIFIED AT LEAST 4 TIMES! (Just thought I should point that out)... Its also this concert that officially retired the Babybones (the actors in skeleton suits that portrayed the musicians in all of the prior lives with a few exceptions). As for their performances with other artist, there's been many, but a few big ones are with Rob Halford I think at the AMPA Awards (2014 I think), and then there are a few with Dragonforce, but I'm not sure where to point you for those...sorry. As far as other recommendations go, you've already covered GC, Headbangerrr, Karate, and now Death...a few fan favs are left, and then really any song in any order would work. Try Megitsune (like THE Babymetal song), Road of Resistance (co-written by Herman Li and Sam Totam(spelling?) And they even play the studio guitars!!), Ijime Dame Zettai (an anti-bullying song, means Bullying, No, Absolutely but they've called it No more Bullying, Forever.), and maybe Catch Me if You Can(a cute song about the Japanese version of hide-n-seek). I think that covers most of the fan favs from "the golden years" or when Yui was still there. My current fav, and one I would love to see you react to as I think you'd really like it, is Rondo of Nightmare with Mischiefs of God intro live at Budokan (venue) Black Night (concert title). This song is arguably their most darkly toned, as its about a girl trapped in a recurring nightmare being chased by an "it" she can't escape from, and at the end she accepts this and falls to the darness!!! The intro is absolutely badassery and really showcases the Kamiband members' godly skills! In anycase.....^_^' sorry for the wall of text, but I wanted to fully answer your questions. Kitsune up! \m/ (Edit: typos, and a sentence of info, and more typos)

[@rickwagner-]

"To be more specific, this show was (i believe) their last show affiliated with thier origin idol group Sakura Gakuin, or their first show after fully going independent from Sakura Gakuin." That's pretty close. Su graduated from Sakura Gakuin on March 31st, 2013. The 'Legend 1999' concert celebrating Yui and Moa's 14th birthdays was on June 30th, 2013. This 'Legend 1997' concert was December 21st, 2013, the day after Su's 16th birthday.

[@saundrawilliams8037]

@@rickwagner- Ahhh so Yui and Moa were still part of SG. Didn't Moa become SCP after Su? Or was there a gap between them filled by someone else?

[@rickwagner-]

@@saundrawilliams8037 After Su graduated, Marina Horiuchi became the third Class President. She was one of four SG seniors born in 1998, so they were collectively known as the '98s, or NMHR (Nene, Marina, Hinata & Raura). Moa was the fourth Class President, so your "gap" guess is correct. : )

[@saundrawilliams8037]

@@rickwagner- Ahhh! I've just barely started learning more about SG, so thanks for the info!!! I'm mostly in it for more about the BM girls, but from seeing that I've become interested in other SG members as well...ahhh the fox hole is leading me through wonderland!!!

[@fredrikwallin7954]

the song "Megitsune" is, in my opinion, well worth worth a reaction. :)

[@drakeffbe8661]

Hi, nice reaction! There weren't any story behind, it was just Su's 16th birthday party, crucified and her friends chanting "death" on her with fans #notacult Usually, this song used as intro/opening of the show (their way to hype up the crowd) but for this video, was the ending. You should do "Rondo of Nightmare with mischiefs of god" next, It's one of Su-Metal solo with Kami band intro.

[@outwest1014]

The neck brace is a symbol of Metal Music because of Yoshiki, drummer and songwriter for X Japan. He so violently head-banged while drumming that he damaged his neck and had to wear a neck brace. You need to react to the official MV Headbanger to understand the neck brace. The crucifixion symbolizes the reincarnation of Suzuka, Jpop Idol into Su-Metal, Metal Goddess. Believe or not this is beginning of the concert. X Japan is the greatest metal band you likely never heard of. It's not just me, Gene Simmons thought so too.

[@PlezurBazar]

This is actually the closing song of this particular concert, but the song is primarily used as an opening in most of their early concerts.

[@turbozed]

There's no story behind this. It's just your typical crucifiction ceremony to celebrate Su's 16th birthday, which was the day before the show.

[@METALSKINMETAL]

🤘🤘🤘 #notacult All hail The Fox God

[@facufeg86]

All hail Queen Su! Yeah, we are not a cult at all 🦊🤘👸🏻❤

[@eyjii99]

You should check out road of resistence

[@Grington300]

They only crucify Su on special occasions #Notacult

[@adamazri928]

Well to make it simple, this song is about rebirth. Su-Metal, the lead singer was apart of an Idol group called Sakura Gakuin. So, basically, she was chosen by the Fox God (Babymetal's deity) to die and reborn as Metal Goddess like she is now. This song usually play first or at the very end of their concerts. As for the neckbrace was a nod to their other song "Headbanger". A different story. Also, if you want more heavy, you should try Sis Anger or In The Name Of. Both very different entirely yet heavy and dark as hell.

[@PENTA_pischner]

Yeah give us some Rob Halford with Babymetal. Can't wait for 'Painkiller' and 'Breaking the Law' #Notacult

[@steffenjachnow8176]

"BABYMETAL DEATH", by the way, is the opening track of their 2014 released (self-titled) debut album. Speaking of my favorite song: It's *"Rondo of Nightmare"* from this said album. Here is my most favorite live performance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/boildZyCgrONmac

[@sirmoonslosthismind]

as you said, su was being reborn as a metal goddess. jesus on the cross is the most well-known symbolism for rebirth on the planet. nobody involved knows any more about christianity than that, so don't look for more than what's there in that department. as others have pointed out, "babymetal desu" (with the u generally silent) means "we are babymetal". there is no TH sound in japanese, so the english word "death" is also pronounced "desu" by japanese people, and at some point it became cool to substitute the english word for the japanese one in the written dialog of vampires, zombies, metal artists etc.

[@raid7752]

This is where SU-METAL became our METAL GODDESS QUEEN and an IDOL LEGEND!!! Watching BABYMETAL is like getting punched in the face by three kawaii Asian girls, and you know what I'm ok with that. Its times like this when you realize three kawaii Asian girls are more METAL than you.

[@miseryillussion6259]

Check out sis anger or no rain no rainbow pls

[@lucyferina]

The band X Japan is a big influence for them. when they introduced themselves they cross their arms to form an x also the drummer of X Japan injured his neck due to constant headbanging and now has to always wear a neck brace. The X, the neck brace and the song headbanger are all nods to X Japan

[@tackle47]

But metal elitist say this is not metal. I call bullshit. Ijime Dame Zettai at Sonisphere 2014 is the moment when Banymrtal truly arrived in the Western metal scene and a must watch performance.

[@lordrahl2345]

Great reaction. Check out Awadama Fever, their response to those critics calling them bubble gum metal and a gimmick.

[@BsEIYxin]

I really dont care if anyone want to call this metal or not. Its effing awesome music, it makes me happy and my toes and brain tingle. Edit: is it DEUS they chant?

[@seanortigoza3931]

Nice. I recommended this song on your reaction video to Karate.

[@Hadesillo]

As our fellow kitsunes and megitsunes have surely explained everything already, I'm just here to say that we are #NotACult.

[@たかし-w4n]

Let you hear road of resistance.

[@quicksilver8818]

#notacult

[@hero-pjapan5514]

this time ,Su metal was dead....and rborn as God of metal

[@skyboggart]

Su didn't allow Moa and Yui to eat chocolate, so they crucified her.

[@Rina-eg7zw]

I'm--- Wow. I've been lied to by the fanbase for so long.

[@miseryillussion6259]

@@Rina-eg7zw 😂😂😂

[@KillingMachine44]

#NOTACULT

[@bignade00]

more epica & delain plz

[@athlonen]

Everyone already filled you in on the theatrics as well as the lyrics, so I won't get into that. They also filled you in on the story of the neckbrace, so I won't do that either. what I *WILL* do is fill you in on the music. If you haven't noticed, this song pays tribute to Metallica. the opening riff? You've heard it. One, by Metallica (darkness, imprisoning me, etc. etc.).. straight rip from that. As others have said, on their first tour, this was their opening song of their set, as it serves as an introduction to them (see the meaning of "desu", as it relates to the play on words for "death"). For this show, as it was their last song; Back in the day of Metallica's "..And Justice For All" album and tour, the album cover has a picture of Lady Justice (who Metallica named "Doris"). On that tour, Metallica had a statue of Doris on stage, and at the end of the show, Doris' head would fall off. Note that the same thing happens here, except that it looks like it could be a statue of Mary (think Jesus' mother). Interestingly enough, the opening song for this show was "Ave Maria" (Hail Mary). And finally, contrary to all Western beliefs, there is no religious context or connotations to this show.

[@melodicbunny9679]

obligatory #notacult

[@saikisfang9339]

I listen to this, I feel like I can chew through a brick wall. I let my little Jack Russell listen to this, he becomes a 150 lb Rottweiler and wants to help. I saw Band Maid, Babymetal, and Nightwish, but I did not see any Lovebites on your channel, you might want check out "Thunder Vengeance" live. It was inspired by Slayer when they were at the Download festival." When Destinies Align" is excellent also live or MV. Lovebites draws inspiration from Halestorm (their name), Maiden,Priest, etc.

[@theheavy3468]

Thanks for being active on the page. Lovebites: When Destinies Align is on the channel, check it. KEEP IT HEAVY! 🤘

[@saikisfang9339]

@@theheavy3468 Have you seen the live version?

[@nicod1361]

@@theheavy3468 Heavy found a comment to reply to,so I noticed you have not seen or done a reaction to this yet,and as a big fan of Floor Jansen myself I think you would be remiss if you let this one slip by : Floor & Irene Jansen - Who I am live at P60, Netherlands (2007 : kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZzMd2SLmcmAg9k

[@ЛидияКафтанюк-т8я]

🔯✡️✝️🎌🖤

[@てぃちゃ-q5m]

please babymetal BxMxC react

[@KillingMachine44]

Here's the link to the best performances docs.google.com/document/d/1H60365tPtIg1kitKzzXxeroyMv4YNGHy0AaGGPvMkMw/edit?usp=sharing

[@jakemuller8626]

yep this one is satanic like and i love it lol \m/

[@bockermay]

#NotACult

[@sigsegv111]

well, this almost made me unsubscribing from the channel ... babymetal is just crap ... there's a lot of good metal on the youtube and a lot of porn on the internet that deserves my time ... but not babymetal ..