New Japanese Metal Girl-Group Fruitpochette; Babymetal Imposters?

When MetalSucks reader Steven R. sent in a link to a video by the J-pop girl-group metal band Fruitpochette, I was all set to write a post about how Babymetal imposters have finally arrived.

But it turns out that Fruitpochette — originally simply called Frupoche — have been around since 2012. That’s two years after Babymetal first formed, but a full year to two years before Babymetal exploded — especially internationally — so I think any claims that Fruitpochette are a machination of the J-pop industry meant to capitalize on Babymetal’s success are unfounded. They’re more like peers: Shadows Fall to Babymetal’s Killswitch Engage, Megadeth to their Metallica (minus Mustaine’s shenanigans).

(Side note: Royal Thunder frontwoman Mlny Parsonz copped to loving Babymetal in this week’s edition of the MetalSucks Podcast. Listen here!)

So how about we just assess Fruitpochette’s video for “Parasite” on its own merit? This video came out in September of 2013, so it’s already a year and half old. But man, it just doesn’t pack the same punch as Babymetal, does it? The song isn’t as catchy, the musicianship not as good, the frontwomen not as engaging. No wonder Babymetal caught on in a big way and these guys haven’t gotten there yet. I admit, though… it is pretty catchy, even if it’s no “Megitsune.” Watch for yourself and see what you think.