[REVIEW] BABYMETAL @ COCA-COLA COLISEUM

7/2/2025

(Written for ADDICTED Magazine)

When BABYMETAL rolled into Toronto’s Coca-Cola Coliseum on July 2, you could already feel the buzz before the show even started. Outside the venue, all types of fans were lingering outside — a bunch in full cosplay, others draped in flags or merch dating back to the band’s earlier years. Inside, the crowd look to be a mix of longtime devotees and newcomers, all buzzing with anticipation for what the Japanese metal-pop phenomenon had in store. I even saw a little girl enter the venue sporting a black tutu and band shirt ready to rock out!

Once the venue walls echoed the ever-familiar voice to introduce this newest instalment in the band’s mythology and the iconic “BABYMETAL DEATH” chant kicked in, it was game over. First time goers to a show (like myself) can really see what the fuss is about from the get-go with the opening guitar riff and drums feeling like it’s reverberating your body from the inside. The trio: Su-metal, Moametal, and the group’s latest full-time member, Momometal, launched into the set with the kind of explosive energy that makes you forget you’re indoors. And it wasn’t just hype; the music combined with the energy of the choreography even in the initial song was already locked in and intentional. With over a decade under their belts, their synchronicity as a unit really showed.

The setlist leaned heavily on fan favourites while weaving in new material from their recently released album Metal Forth back in the end of June. Songs like Gimme Chocolate!! and Megitsune had the crowd holding their horns and foxes up screaming along word for word, even in Japanese. A testament to how global this band’s reach has become. PA PA YA!!, complete with its chaotic pace and bouncy rhythm, was another highlight, with fiery visuals heating up the stage as fans jump in sync like hell is about to burst from the floor.

But what truly elevated the show was how well the big tracks on the new album fit in the show - something to appreciate as bands certainly try to navigate this carefully. Tracks like METALI!!, Song 3, and RATATATA stood tall on their own, not at all feeling like placeholders for the older hits. METALI!! brought a heavy, riff-forward presence bolstered by visuals featuring an expected guest appearance from Tom Morello on-screen that really brought to life the music video (much like what happened with a lot of the songs they performed throughout). Song 3 was heavy on groove with moments that flirted with hardcore - perfect for those metalheads looking for arguably the band’s most aggressive track instrumentally and this was pretty evident on stage. And RATATATA? That one turned into an all-out dance-metal eruption, with synchronized crowd movements and heads banging in every direction. It was the kind of crowd response that speaks to the power of the song’s catchiness and really taps into the fun energy of Electric Callboy.

The production value was also top-tier, but not overwhelming especially for the decent size of Coca-Cola Coliseum. Laser beams sliced through the venue, LED screens flared to life with animated scenes from their lore, and smoke cannons punctuated key breakdowns. All of it felt earned and never gimmicky - I mean, who would be surprised to see towers of fire at a metal show anyways? The spectacle felt always in service of the music and the message. There were moments where the crowd’s roar nearly drowned out the band itself, especially during Road of Resistance, which closed the night with a full-throttle Dragonforce-esque push of emotion and fire much like how the show started in the first place - a true full circle moment. The call-and-response vocals in that track really made you feel how many people were there that night no matter where you were in the venue.

The Kami Band deserves special mention for holding it down with their usual combination of skill and showmanship. Tight as hell, their blistering solos especially before METALI!!, their theatrical flair, and polarizing costumes just adds that extra layer of depth to the show. They’re key to the chaos and cohesion of BABYMETAL's sound that really couldn’t be replaced by pre-recorded instrumental tracks. Even (who I’m hoping truly is) Kobametal adorning his apparent infamous skeleton onesie even made an appearance camera in-hand to document a hyped-up crowd.

With that said, it was nice to see the band take time to interact with their audience as well. Despite the choreography, the visuals, and the mythos around the band, there was a charming connection between the members and the crowd. Looking at the members, Su-metal's vocals dominated throughout the set, balancing sweetness and power with ease. Moametal, was definitely the energy spark, bouncing between aggressive headbanging and cheeky crowd interaction. And Momometal, though newest at her role, looked truly comfortable and confident adding her own style while fitting seamlessly into the dynamic duo fans have known before her introduction to the BABYMETAL legend.

Even between songs, the energy never dipped. The transitions were tight, the pacing was perfect, and the momentum kept building in waves. You could tell the band was as excited to be there as the fans were. And for those who’ve followed BABYMETAL since the beginning - through lineup changes, international tours, and viral moments - the Toronto stop must have been a powerful reminder of their global staying power.

What really lingers after a show like this isn’t just how well-executed it was. It’s the sense of connection you feel in the crowd, the cross-cultural joy of screaming lyrics in a language you don’t speak, and the realization that this band that’s equal parts theatrical and sincere has crafted something few others have. They’re not just mixing metal with pop for shock value anymore. They’ve created a genre of their own, and it continues to evolve as their concepts keep developing too.

With Metal Forth now available, this tour feels like the start of a new chapter and a great time for new fans to jump on the bandwagon. Seeing this level of performance and longevity, the natural next step feels like a bigger venue and production if another Toronto date is in cards. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s in the future but either way, BABYMETAL still knows how to blow the roof off a venue no matter what size, and then some.

Keep up with the latest on BABYMETAL on their Instagram and Website.