A Japanese pop/metal band, and an animated death metal group. Makes an interesting lineup, right? Correct.
At Houston’s 713 Music Hall, metalheads came together to experience the first show of 2023’s Babyklok tour, featuring kawaii-metal originators BABYMETAL along with Dethklok, a band with a fanbase so rabid that they’ve become one of the largest economic powers in the world (their virtual world that is).
The show kicked off just before 7PM with Jason Richardson, who played a short set of power metal before ceding the stage to Dethklok. Being an animated band, the visuals were a key element of this set. Scenes from their Metalocalypse tv show played out across the large screen backdrop, with the band themselves silhouetted on the stage. The sold-out crowd and long entry line were reminiscent of those in the tv show, with fans packing the floor of the venue.
With a 17-song set, including two live debuts (“Aortic Desecration” and “SOS”), Dethklok’s set was incredibly fun, and brought a bit of the cartoonish nature of the band to real life. Around 9PM, Dethklok left the stage to make room for BABYMETAL. A surprising number of fans used this changeover period to leave the show, though the venue remained packed throughout the rest of the night.
Just before 9:30, the headlining act took the stage. Fans pressed up against the rail, vying to get as close as possible to the band. The kawaii-metal band took the stage in trademark fashion, with their musicians fully masked and somewhat hidden behind the main members. Su-metal, Moametal and Momometal emerged from the wings in full garb, with outfits reminiscent of armor.
Opening up the show with “BABYMETAL DEATH” and the ever-popular “Gimme Chocolate!!” BABYMETAL brought the energy that fans were anticipating to the stage. With dance moves choreographed to precision, the band played through an 11-song set including songs off of all four of their albums.
Fans were moshing, crowdsurfing, singing along in both English and Japanese, and overall having a good time throughout the show. If you have the opportunity, definitely catch a show before the tour ends.
BABYMETAL and Dethklok wrap up their tour on October 12th, 2023 in Los Angeles, CA.
I'm a Houston-based concert and automotive photographer. I've been a music fan my whole life, and previously was the director for Coog Radio, the University of Houston's student radio station. I listen to a bit of everything, from blues to rock to EDM, but predominantly metal. Some favorites include Slayer, Iron Maiden, and Metallica. When I'm not behind the camera, you can catch me skating, going to car events, and buying too many coffee table books.
