Distortion (Babymetal song)

"Distortion" is a song by Japanese heavy metal band Babymetal. First released as a digital single on May 8, 2018, to promote the band's Babymetal World Tour 2018, the song later had a physical 12-inch release on Record Store Day on November 23, 2018, by BMD Fox Records, earMusic, and Babymetal Records.

"Distortion"
A cloudy sky with the sun partially covered by a cloud, and seven silhouettes standing below on a dark, red landscape.
Digital single cover
Single by Babymetal
from the album Metal Galaxy
Language
  • Japanese
  • English
ReleasedMay 8, 2018 (2018-05-08)
GenreMetalcore[1]
Length3:05
Label
Composer(s)Takemetal
Lyricist(s)
  • Takemetal
  • Dk-metal
Producer(s)
Babymetal singles chronology
"Karate"
(2016)		 "Distortion"
(2018)		 "Starlight"
(2018)
Music video
"Distortion" on YouTube

Background and release

On February 27, 2018, Babymetal announced the Babymetal World Tour 2018.[2] On April 1, 2018, Babymetal uploaded a teaser for Metal Resistance Episode VII, titled "The Revelation" ,[3] which hinted the presence of a dark side composed of "seven metal spirits".[4] The spirits mentioned were seen in the music video for "Distortion" uploaded on May 7, 2018, representing the Apocrypha of Babymetal,[5] and the song was distributed to the iTunes Store, Apple Music, Spotify, and other music distribution services the following day.[6] It was the band's first release since the death of Kami Band guitarist Mikio Fujioka on January 5, 2018.[7]

On September 28, 2018, Babymetal announced a 12-inch vinyl single that would be released worldwide on Record Store Day on November 23, 2018. The single included a live performance of the song at Download Festival as a B-side, and a Japanese limited edition included a jacket cover different from that released in other regions.[8]

Moametal favors the beginning of the song for "lifting [her] up", as well as the interlude for providing a call and response with the audience.[9]

The song was re-released as part of the band's album Metal Galaxy with additional vocals from Arch Enemy frontwoman Alissa White-Gluz.

Composition

"Distortion" is a speed metal tune composed of "screeching, pummeling guitars",[10] "metalcore-like chug-riffs", and a catchy chorus, quickly switching between "heavy" and "sugary",[1] and resulting in a "darker", more mature song compared to previous music released by the band.[10]

Reception

"Distortion" debuted at number six on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 for the week of May 21, 2018.[11] Due to being released exclusively in a digital format, the song charted at number two on the Oricon Digital Singles chart for the week May 21, 2018, with first-week downloads of 16,468 copies.[12] In the United States, "Distortion" debuted at number two on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart for the week May 19, 2018.[13]

Following the physical release of "Distortion", the song charted at number 42 on the Oricon Singles chart for the week of December 3, 2018, with first-week sales of 1,791 copies.[14]

Music video

The music video was released on May 7, 2018.[5] The video features the "unrevealed Dark Side, the Apocrypha" of the lore of the Metal Resistance, featuring the Chosen Seven hinted in the teaser, in a world where "power is distorted through time and space."[15] A warrior is shown fighting against "scary-looking figures cloaked in shadows" and fighting the darkness.[1] The members of Babymetal do not appear in the video.[16]

Live performances

"Distortion" was first performed live on the first tour date of the band's Babymetal World Tour 2018 at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 8, 2018, along with the premiere of other new songs.[17] Notably, Yuimetal was absent from the entire show, which was not addressed prior to the performance.[16] A live performance of the song at Download Festival 2018 was uploaded to YouTube on September 28, 2018, which was later released in audio form as a B-side to the vinyl single.[8]

Track listings and formats

Digital download[18]

  • "Distortion" – 3:05

12-inch single[19]

  • A. "Distortion"
  • B. "Distortion" (live at Download Festival 2018)

Charts
Chart performance for "Distortion"
Chart (2018) Peak
position
Japan Billboard Hot 100[20] 6
Japan (Oricon)[14] 42
Japan Digital Singles (Oricon)[12] 2
UK Physical Singles (OCC)[21] 26
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[13] 2

Release history
Region Date Format Label Editions
Japan[22] May 8, 2018 Digital download
Standard
Europe[23] earMusic
Worldwide[18]
Japan[19] November 23, 2018 12"
  • BMD Fox Records
  • Toy's Factory
  • Amuse, Inc.
 Limited
United Kingdom[24] earMusic
Canada[25]
  • Babymetal Records
  • Cooking Vinyl
United States[26]

References
  1. Hill, John (2018-05-07). "Hear Babymetal's Apocalyptic New Song "Distortion"". Revolver. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
  2. "BABYMETAL WORLD TOUR 2018 Confirmed !!". BABYMETAL. Archived from the original on 2018-02-27. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  3. "BABYMETAL新章で「7つのメタルの魂の物語」描く（動画あり） - 音楽ナタリー". Natalie Music (in Japanese). Natasha Inc. 2018-04-01. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  4. Hill, John (2018-04-03). "See Babymetal Tease Upcoming Graphic Novel in "Metal Resistance Episode VII" Video". Revolver. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  5. "BABYMETAL - "Distortion" surprise single available now!". earMUSIC - news, artists & new releases. 2018-05-08. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  6. "BABYMETAL、ワールドツアー開始直前に新曲「Distortion」発表 - 音楽ナタリー". Natalie Music (in Japanese). Natasha Inc. 2018-05-08. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
  7. Schatz, Lake (2018-05-07). "BABYMETAL reveal their "dark side" with new single "Distortion": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 2018-06-05.
  8. "BABYMETAL、「Distortion」最新ライブ映像を公開 アナログのリリースも決定 | Daily News | Billboard JAPAN". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2018-09-28. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
  9. "BABYMETAL Talk 'Metal Galaxy', 'PA PA YA!!', Metallica & Glastonbury 2019 - Videos". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  10. "Louder's Tracks Of The Week: new music from Babymetal, Biffy Clyro and more". LOUDER. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
  11. "【ビルボード】BOYS AND MEN「進化理論」が14.3万枚を売り上げて総合首位 ベビメタ「Distortion」ダウンロード2位＆三代目JSB「恋と愛」ストリーミング1位でそれぞれ総合6位と9位 | Daily News | Billboard JAPAN". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2018-05-16. Archived from the original on 2018-05-16. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
  12. "オリコン週間 デジタルシングル（単曲）ランキング 2018年05月07日～2018年05月13日". ORICON NEWS (in Japanese). 2018-05-21. Archived from the original on 2018-05-16. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
  13. "World Digital Song Sales : Page 1". Billboard. 2018-05-19. Archived from the original on 2018-05-18. Retrieved 2018-05-18.
  14. "2018年11月19日～2018年11月25日 オリコン週間 シングルランキング 41～50位". ORICON NEWS (in Japanese). 2018-12-03. Archived from the original on 2018-11-28. Retrieved 2018-11-28.
  15. "BABYMETAL Kick Off World Tour, Release New Video, 'Distortion': Watch". Billboard. 2018-05-11. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
  16. Herman, Tamar (2018-05-09). "BABYMETAL Kicks Off World Tour in Kansas City Without Member Yuimetal". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-05-10.
  17. "BABYMETALワールドツアー開幕、10月に日本で凱旋ライブ開催 - 音楽ナタリー". Natalie Music (in Japanese). Natasha Inc. 2018-05-09. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
  18. "Distortion - Single by BABYMETAL on Apple Music". iTunes. Apple Inc. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 2018-05-08.
  19. "TOY'S STORE" (in Japanese). Toy's Factory. 2018-09-28. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
  20. "Billboard Japan Hot 100 | Charts | Billboard JAPAN". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). 2018-05-21. Archived from the original on 2018-05-16. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
  21. "Official Physical Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. November 30, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  22. "BABYMETALの「Distortion - Single」をApple Musicで". iTunes JP (in Japanese). Apple Inc. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 2018-05-08.
  23. "'Distortion - Single' van BABYMETAL op Apple Music". iTunes BE (in Dutch). Apple Inc. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
    "Distortion - Single par BABYMETAL sur Apple Music". iTunes FR (in French). Apple Inc. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
    "Distortion - Single di BABYMETAL su Apple Music". iTunes IT (in Italian). Apple Inc. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
    "Альбом "Distortion - Single" (BABYMETAL) в Apple Music". iTunes RU (in Russian). Apple Inc. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
    "Distortion - Single de BABYMETAL en Apple Music". iTunes ES (in Spanish). Apple Inc. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
    "BABYMETAL adlı sanatçının Distortion - Single albümü Apple Music'te". iTunes TR (in Turkish). Apple Inc. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
    "Distortion - Single by BABYMETAL on Apple Music". iTunes GB. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2018-05-08.
  24. "Babymetal to release Distortion 12-inch vinyl". Metal Hammer. Louder Sound. 2018-09-28. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
  25. ""Distortion" 12 Inch Vinyl Release". BABYMETAL. 2018-09-28. Archived from the original on 2018-09-28. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
  26. "RSDBF '18 Special Release: BABYMETAL - Distortion". Retrieved 2018-11-21.
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