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If there’s one thing that 2014 might have been best known for in metal, it was the surprise success of Babymetal. The band, fronted by three teen girls, combined J-pop with metal, and while it was instantly popular in their homeland of Japan, it caught on around the world, especially in North America, where the band opened for Lady Gaga, played a handful of sold-out shows in the States, and triumphantly kicked ass at M for Montreal. Earlier this year, it was announced that the band had signed with RAL/Sony, who released their debut album for the first time in the United States (even though it sold over 25,000 as an import). But with the announcement of their sophomore album and a US tour, it looks like 2016 is shaping up to be the year of Babymetal in the States.

The band’s new album, which is still untitled, will be out on April 1, but it’s no joke. It’s already available for preorder here. And while much of America will be celebrating April Fool’s Day, in an announcement video, they’re calling 4/1 “Fox Day.” They’ll be playing the Tokyo Dome on the day of the album’s release, followed by London’s Wembley Arena the following night. Their tour will begin at Wembley Arena on April 2nd, and will conclude at the Tokyo Dome at a later date TBA. In May, they’ll be doing a short US tour that will find them playing a few of the World’s Loudest Month festivals, the Carolina Rebellion and the Northern Invasion, as well as stops in New York, Philly, Baltimore/DC, Chicago and Detroit. Tickets will be available for all the non-festival shows on Friday, December 18, and you can find out more here. Here’s what the band’s mastermind and producer Kobametal says about the album release:

“As prophesied by the FOX GOD, a new album will be released on April 1, 2016, also known as the FOX DAY. Since the release of BABYMETAL’s debut album in 2014, we have been racing across the globe non-stop on our World Tour. Through the last tour I have come across people from all over the world and have had the chance to feel that miraculous moment when everyone came together via BABYMETAL. Our new song ‘THE ONE’ contains lyrics that speak of uniting the world, or a crowd favorite at concerts ‘Road of Resistance’ that never fails to bring our fans together, every BABYMETAL song makes up this extraordinary story. I continue to believe that the songs of BABYMETAL continue to push them forward to discover new possibilities. All I can say right now is for all of you to wait patiently for the coming of the FOX DAY.”

Here’s where you’ll be able to get your Babymetal fix in the States:

Bram Teitelman

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