BxMxC

"BxMxC" (pronounced "bee-em-see") is a song by Japanese heavy metal band Babymetal. First released as part of the Japan Complete edition of Metal Galaxy in 2019, the song made its international release as a digital single on October 9, 2020.

"BxMxC"
12" single cover
Single by Babymetal
from the album Metal Galaxy
Language
  • Japanese
  • English
ReleasedOctober 9, 2020 (2020-10-09)
GenreTrap metal
Length3:03
Label
Composer(s)
  • Metal Cypher
  • Megmetal
Lyricist(s)Metal Cypher
Producer(s)
Babymetal singles chronology
"Pa Pa Ya!!"
(2019)		 "BxMxC"
(2020)		 "Divine Attack (Shingeki)"
(2022)
Music video
"BxMxC" on YouTube

Background and release

With the release of the band's third album Metal Galaxy in 2019, "BxMxC" was not included in the track listing for international editions. Consequently, the song was first made available internationally through the band's debut live performance at the show Legend – Metal Galaxy in January 2020, with its double live album having been made available on streaming services on September 9, 2020. The song proper was made available on streaming platforms such as Apple Music on October 9, 2020, by Babymetal Records.[1]

"BxMxC" was also released as a 12" vinyl single in Japan on December 9, 2020, with a live performance of the song from Legend – Metal Galaxy as its B-side.[1] The single artwork includes lettering of the song title designed by Toshihiro Egawa.[2]

Composition

"BxMxC" is described under the genre of trap metal, containing elements of hip hop combining the flow Su-metal with the screams of Moametal. The sense of the genre has been described as freestyle, analogous to the varied elements of metal music adapted by the band in general. Lyrically, there are recurring references to a concept called the "Metal Cypher".[3][1]

Musically, the song uses hip hop elements with deep bass rifts to contrast with the Auto-Tune vocals, with significant use of the nine-string guitar.[4]

Reception

Will Hodgkinson of The Times wrote in a review of the band's live performances that, compared to the overall unfavorable opinion, "BxMxC" was "exhilirating".[5]

"Pa Pa Ya!!" charted and peaked on the Oricon Digital Singles weekly chart at number 25 for the week of December 21, 2020.[6] In the United States, "BxMxC" charted on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart at number sixteen on the week of October 23, 2020,[7] becoming the act's tenth song to place on the chart.[8]

Music video

The music video for "BxMxC" was uploaded to YouTube on October 8, 2020, to coincide with the international release of the digital single, and is the first music video released to not be based on a previous live performance since "Karate".[1] Directed by Shimon Tanaka (who had also previously directed the music video for "Doki Doki ☆ Morning"),[9] the video makes visual references to the repeated mentions of the "Metal Cypher" as a rap battle performed to break new ground in the heavy metal genre.[3] The concept of the video has been compared to Mortal Kombat internationally,[10] with depictions of the band members taking on elements like fire and lightning, and ultimately celebrating their victory with a crowd of fans.[11]

Track listing

Digital download[12]

  • "BxMxC" – 3:03

12" single

Charts
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Japan (Oricon)[6] 25
US World Digital Songs (Billboard)[7] 12

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various October 9, 2020 (2020-10-09) Digital download, streaming
[12]
Japan December 9, 2020 (2020-12-09) 12" single
  • BMD Fox Records
  • Toy's Factory
  • Amuse, Inc.
 [1]

References
  1. "BABYMETAL、メタルの新境地を開拓した「BxMxC」MV公開". BARKS (in Japanese). 2020-10-09. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  2. Toshihiro Egawa [@Toshihiro_Egawa] (October 24, 2020). "BxMxCのロゴデザインさせて頂いておりますdeath(◜◡‾)" [I had the opportunity to design the logo for BxMxC [death(◜◡‾)]] (Tweet) (in Japanese) – via Twitter.
  3. "BABYMETALがサイファー？トラップメタル「BxMxC」MV公開（動画あり）" (in Japanese). 2020-10-09. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  4. "ヤング・ギター2019年11月号『BABYMETAL』". Young Guitar (in Japanese). p. 56.
  5. Hodgkinson, Will. "Babymetal review — the limitations of the Japanese group's schtick were laid bare". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  6. "オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2020年12月07日～2020年12月13日 21～30位 | ORICON NEWS". ORICON NEWS. Archived from the original on 2020-12-16. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  7. "Babymetal | Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2021-10-03. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  8. McIntyre, Hugh. "Babymetal, BTS, NCT And Blackpink: Notable Moves On This Week's World Songs Chart". Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  9. Tanaka, Shimon [@SmnT] (October 9, 2020). "8年ぶりにBABYMETALのMV作りました！CG作りました！リリースから1年経つ曲のMVを出すのとか、なんか素敵。" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. Marple, Krista (2020-10-09). "Babymetal Performs Amid a Mortal Kombat Style Battle Royale in New Video for "BxMxC" -". mxdwn Music. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  11. Dowd, Rachael (2020-10-09). "Watch BABYMETAL's electrifying new video for "BxMxC"". Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  12. "BxMxC - Single by BABYMETAL". 2020-10-09. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
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