Heavy Metal World Cup: Alestorm vs Babymetal
The Kawaii metal warriors Babymetal take on the pirate metal innovators Alestorm

The first match of the Heavy Metal World Cup 2018 takes place between Alestorm (representing Scotland) and Babymetal (representing Japan).
Babymetal are the strong favourites here, having won the inaugural Heavy Metal World Cup back in 2014. But this time, Scotland are represented by Alestorm, instead of Bleed From Within – so who knows what's going to happen!
Here's how they stack up...
Babymetal
Members: 3 (sort of)
Albums: 2
Genre: Kawaii metal
Biggest Song: Gimme Chocolate
Most Likely To: Worship the Fox God
Alestorm
Alestorm
Members: 5
Albums: 5
Genre: Pirate metal
Biggest Song: Keelhauled
Most Likely To: Fuck you with an anchor
Who do you want to win? The poll below is open for 24 hours. Go go go!
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Luke Morton joined Metal Hammer as Online Editor in 2014, having previously worked as News Editor at popular (but now sadly defunct) alternative lifestyle magazine, Front. As well as helming the Metal Hammer website for the four years that followed, Luke also helped relaunch the Metal Hammer podcast in early 2018, producing, scripting and presenting the relaunched show during its early days. He also wrote regular features for the magazine, including a 2018 cover feature for his very favourite band in the world, Slipknot, discussing their turbulent 2008 album, All Hope Is Gone.