Babymetal is composed primarily of a trio of girls: Suzuka Nakamoto, Yui Mizuno, and Moa Kikuchi (known as Su-metal, Yuimetal, and Moametal respectively). The three girls have an average age of just under sixteen and are members of the idol unit Sakura Gakuin in the case of Yui and Moa and a former member, Suzuka. Su-metal is the main vocalist and Yuimetal and Moametal are backup vocals and primary dancers. Depending on the performance they have two sets of backup musicians. The first is called Babybone and consists of skeleton-themed dancers who mimic instrument playing while dancing about the stage [in other words, the music is a backing track]. The second is a live band in white robes and facepaint playing the real deal. This time around it is the latter and it makes all the difference. Their presence helps bring Babymetal from just being girls singing to a metal backing track to a full-fledged show. They bust out a mix of melodic death metal, speed metal, and heavy metal to go with the girls' J-Pop styling.

The Fonda Theater in the heart of Hollywood plays host this night. This is Babymetal's first concert in America and it sold out almost instantly, with most of the tickets being snatched up within the hour. Due to a discrepancy in the guest list, I was unable to enter for almost half the concert and thus unable to take photos with my usual camera. Words along with what little my insufficient cell phone captured out will have to do.

I'd be lying if I said Babymetal isn't polarizing. Fans clash with non-believers all across the internet arguing the validity of the group. Are they a band? Are they a gimmick? It doesn't really matter. I have listened to many female fronted metal bands over the years and this should be treated no differently; they may not have the same chops as singers like Nightwish's Floor Jansen, Arch Enemy's Angela Gossow, or Within Temptation's Sharon den Adel but they still have a place in the metal world. There is no question whether or not Babymetal, as a whole, is metal. If you listen to the tracks sans vocals you will hear the same crunchy guitars and double-bass drumming like other bands. What makes Babymetal their own thing and keeps them well-rooted in the idol world are the lyrics; the sometimes silly themes merged with the music to make a not-too-idol, not-too-metal mashup. Songs like "Gimme Choco" (which sounds like it is) and "Ijime, Dame, Zettai" (roughly "bullying is a no") are interspersed with heavier ones like "Headbanger" and "Megitsune." People who are familiar with idols are probably going to be more accepting of it than a "pure" metalhead will. If you keep an open mind, see how people are enjoying themselves, and give them a shot, maybe you will too. Don't even think about their ages or where they came from. Just listen.

The night started just past 8PM with the traditional opener of "Babymetal Death." It's a droning, heavy track that gives way to some good riffs. This is how the girls introduce themselves at every show and the crowd erupted as soon as it began. This was followed by "Ii ne!" which really kicked things into high gear. One thing that is undeniable is that the girls are on point with their movements. Those familiar with idols know why. If you're not, idols are just as much about the dancing as they are the singing. Complex formations and movements are stock-in-trade and only having three people to deal with is a cakewalk for these veterans.

As the night went on fans were treated to songs like "Uki Uki Midnight," "Catch me if you can," and "Akatsuki." The last is Su-metal's own and speaks of a love separated and how it will endure even when alone. Her voice breaks through the room's stillness before joining with the dual guitars and rousing the crowd from its reverie.

Two-thirds through through the set were "Megitsune" and "Doki Doki Morning" which is the song that started Babymetal. This marks a beginning for me too; I first started listening to Babymetal in May of 2013 thanks to the YouTube PV for "Megitsune." It's a very "Japanese"-sounding song and utilizes the traditional koto, shamisen, and shakuhachi to complement the guitars and thudding bass drum. By far it is one of their best songs and I hope others like it will come in the future. Hearing it through my headphones is one thing and seeing it live while in the midst of the crowd is another. The crowd was at a fever pitch and chanted along to the chorus and jumped in the air. The music for this one was written by a man referred to as NORiMETAL (and is his only writing credit) and he dearly needs to write more.

Things ended right around 9:30PM with staple songs "Headbanger" and "Ijime, Dame, Zettai." The finale was just as heavy as the beginning. It was a short show and yet still satisfying. For the concert the girls only had one album worth of songs to work with, but that will soon change. The masterminds behind Babymetal are undoubtedly furiously writing new material as we speak.

The crowd was high energy and loved every moment of the show. Fans deep in the crowd were covered in a layer of sweat both their own and product of their neighbors. I spoke with a few fans right after the show. One was deaf but still ecstatic at the fact she was able to go. It's always a sign of a good time if you're temporarily unable to hear and loving it. Another talked with some friends about what time they had arrived.

"We arrived at 4:30 and were on the side."
"6:50 for me."
"Oh, so after the doors opened?"
"No, in the morning."

He narrowly missed the honored position of first in line by minutes while he was parking his car.

At the very end one of the girls spoke a few words of English: "I am happy to see you! Thank you for coming! See you (next time)!"

We're happy to see you too. Come back soon. Maybe to San Francisco?

Babymetal will continue their journey across America by supporting Lady Gaga on her Art Rave tour. Their next set of stops are:

7/30 (W): Phoenix, AZ - US Airways Arena
8/1 (F): Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand Garden Arena
8/2 (Sa): Stateline, NV - Harveys Lake Tahoe
8/4 (M): Salt Lake City, UT - Energy Solutions Arena
8/6 (W): Denver, CO - Pepsi Center

They will play the last stop of the Babymetal World Tour on August 9 in Montreal at the Heavy Montreal Festival.

Setlist, from memory:

1. Babymetal Death
2. Ii ne!
3. Uki Uki Midnight
4. Akumu no Rondo
5. Onedari Dai Sakusen
6. Catch Me If You Can
7. Akatsuki
8. 4 no Uta
9. Megitsune
10. Doki Doki Morning
11. Gimme Choco

Encore

12. Headbanger
13. Ijime Dame Zettai

For more information on Babymetal, please visit:

-Official Babymetal website: http://en.babymetal.jp/home/

-Babymetal on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BABYMETAL.jp

-Babymetal on Twitter: https://www.youtube.com/BABYMETAL