Friedman hails ‘fantastic’ Babymetal

Former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman says the fact Babymetal polarise option is a mark of a great band.

He lives in Japan and praised the Japanese trio last year for their “fresh” sound. His solo band guitarist Takayoshi Ohmura is also a member of Babymetal’s backing group.

He tells Metalholic.com: “You have to either absolutely love them or you totally hate them, – and I think that’s the mark of great things.

“I love them. I’m a huge supporter of them and I think they are a fantastic unit.”

But he sees why some music fans are quick to dismiss Su-Metal, Yuimetal and Moametal’s material. “I could totally see a metal purist go, ‘This is not right. This is not what metal’s supposed to be. I can’t stand it,’” he says. “I totally get it. But that’s what I also love about them. I mean, it breaks a lot of rules, and I’m all about breaking rules.”

Friedman moved to Tokyo in 2003 and says the culture in the country has had a profound effect on his music.

He adds: “If you’ve seen some of the stuff I’ve done in Japan, I’ve injected my own metal into pop situations where metal shouldn’t go. But because it’s me, and because it’s the way I did it, it worked. I kind of forced it. And I think that spirit is very metal.”

Friedman released his latest solo album Inferno last year and will return to North America in September for a run of shows to support the album.

Babymetal are the cover stars of the latest edition of Metal Hammer, available now in print, digital and via TeamRock+. Find out more: http://goo.gl/mLXkMA

Marty Friedman North American tour dates

Sep 09: Baltimore Soundstage, MD Sep 10: New York The Gramercy Theatre, NY Sep 11: Pittsburgh Altar Bar, PA Sep 12: Philadelphia North Star Bar, PA Sep 13: Boston Brighton Music Hall, MA Sep 15: Cleveland Beachland Ballroom, OH Sep 16: Toronto Virgin Mobile Mod Club, ON Sep 17: Detroit Token Lounge, MI Sep 18: Chicago Reggie’s IL Sep 19: St Louis Pops, MO Sep 20: Kansas City Riot Room, MO Sep 22: Denver Marquis, CO Sep 23: Salt lake City Liquid Joes, UT Sep 25: Seattle El Corazon, WA Sep 26: Vancouver Rickshaw, BC Sep 27: Portland Aladdin, OR Sep 29: San Francisco GAMH, CA Sep 30: Los Angeles Whisky, CA Oct 01: Anaheim HOB, CA Oct 02: Las Vegas Backstage Bar, NV Oct 03: Ramona Mainstage, CA

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Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more for Louder. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, The Tragically Hip, Marillion and Rush.