Babymetal Debut New Song, Perform with Rumored New Member

In October, Babymetal went from a trio to a duo when Yuimetal announced that she was leaving the group, citing ongoing health concerns, and would pursue a solo career under her birth name, Mizuno Yui. Since then, no successor has been named, even as the band has launched not one but two new singles and announced a new album and extensive tour dates. Consequently, most of assumed the group was planning to continue without replacing Yuimetal.

But we may have been wrong! Kerrang! reports that Riho Sayashi, member of the Japanese pop group Morning Musume, has performed with the group twice this month: first at the Yokohama Arena in Japan, and then, earlier today (June 30), at the Glastonbury festival. So while Sayashi still hasn’t been officially proclaimed a new Babymetaller, it seems like a safe assumption that she has the gig.

Assuming this to be the case, tradition tells us her she’ll be known as ‘Rimetal’ or ‘Saymetal’ or something similar (Su-metal’s birth name is Suzuka Nakamoto and Moametal’s birth name is Moa Kikuchi — I’m sure you see the pattern).

While we wait for confirmation, check out fan-filmed videos from today’s Glastonbury performance below. These include the debut of a new song, “Shanti.” Babymetal’s new album, Metal Galaxy, it will be out October 11, and can be pre-ordered here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pAtJol3K00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC6PrMq2y3M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eNhrm28LIc