Tales of the Destinies

A day later than usual due to my attendance at Hyper Japan, today we explore Tales of the Destinies. At one point during my Wembley Celebration Series I described Babymetal's music as "batshit crazy". Hands in the air, I should have reserved that phrasing until now. Tales of the Destinies isn't just batshit crazy however, it's completely and utterly not of this world.

Coming off the heels of arguably Metal Resistance's most formulaic track in No Rain, No Rainbow, TotD is an experimental, prog-metal mix of every idea the band have ever had and then some. There is a distinct hint it may have come out of a jam session from album closer The One, sharing as it does a reprise of the lead guitar line (EDIT: TotD & The One were in fact originally one song, split into two later. Credit: /u/american_daimyo).

It sweeps in with a suddenness, like the moment of silence in a movie before a bomb hits, before blasting in like a demented Sargent Pepper. It's got a hurried, frantic and slightly staccato burst of vocals after a solo guitar reprise opens things. As is the case throughout a number of Metal Resistance track the three girls have a well balanced vocal opening, swinging lines between them. Moametal & Yuimetal in sharp, almost chanted blasts followed up by a smoother delivery from Su-metal closing each stanza. There is a lot of call and response threaded through, the younger girls taking up what will undoubtedly be the crowd lines.

As the track opens up further the tempo drops mildly into a broader, Su centred delivery section before quickly shifting back to Moa & Yui punctuating the rhythm with English count downs "3,2,1, 3,2,1, zero". We get further short, sharp frantic blasts of guitar and synth before another broad, open section in which Su-metal dominates once more.

Things continue to undulate, shift and change in a way I can't really do justice in words. It is busy, bustling and constantly keeping you on your toes. Tales of the Destinies is a track that requires at least 5-10, maybe more, listens before you can confidently predict what is coming next. Eventually once you do settle into the track a new level of enjoyment comes out as constant surprise fades into following the epic journey the songs carries you.

One point that almost always still springs a surprise is when the track suddenly breaks down into a ragtime, blues jazz, piano interlude. This only lasts a few seconds however, before everything kicks back into top gear with guitar and drums immediately putting back the forward momentum. I genuinely laughed out loud at this piano moment the first time I heard it. It's mad, ludicrous, out of place and yet somehow perfectly at home. This is Babymetal cutting loose and having their most fun. Lord help them when they eventually play it live!

Lyrically Tales has depth as well. The track seems to be an autobiographical promise that Babymetal are creating their own destiny. Perhaps a playful swipe at all the reviewers that declared them a fad and a flash in the pan.

They set things up, drawing on the Japanese cultural troupe that certain things can't be helped. If you're having a bad day, forgot your keys/umbrella/jacket it's not something to sulk about or get angry over as "it can't be helped" (in Japanese 'Shouganai'). They sing that's not it but the real answer can't be found. Not to worry though.

They move on taking about rebirth, moving forward with a never ending melody. "The One will be with you, we are the destinies." It speaks not only to Babymetal's destiny but ours as well. Together we have found each other and are moving forward as one. The reprise nature of the music is balanced by the foreshadowing lyrically to the themes to come in album closer "The One".

The final sections assert that Babymetal are aiming for "the big chance", they can't be stopped now as they are creating a destiny in which only they can travel. 'We never look back, now and forever" they urge us to get ready. If you're not ready by the end of "Tales of the Destinies", then prepare for quite the time as Babymetal are firmly here to stay, and they know it.

So what are your thoughts on Tales of the Destines, crazy genius or just pure crazy? Let me know down below! Next week see's the final part in the series as we look to album closer and live epic The One. Hope to see you there.

Until then... See You!!

Resistance Review Series:

Part 1 - First Wembley, Now The World

Part 2 - Awadama Fever

Part 3 - Yava!

Part 4 - Amore (Su-metal Special)

Part 5 - Meta Taro

Part 6 - From Dusk Till Dawn

Part 7 - Syncopation

Part 8 - GJ! (Moametal Special)

Part 9 - Sis Anger (Yuimetal Special)

Part 10 - No Rain, No Rainbow

24/07/16 - Part 12 - The One (All Versions)

Wembley Celebration Series:

Part 1 Babymetal Birth, Babymetal Death (Su-metal Special)

Part 2 Megitsune

Part 3 Gimmie Chocolate

Part 4 iine!

Part 5 Akatsuki

Part 6 Doki Doki Morning

Part 7 Onedari Daisakusen (Yuimetal Special)

Part 8 Song 4 (Moametal Special)

Part 9 Uki Uki Midnight

Part 10 Catch Me If You Can

Part 11 Rondo of Nightmare

Part 12 Headbangya

Part 13 Ijime, Dame, Zettai

Part 14 Road of Resistance

Bonus Karate Special