Karate (song)

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This article is about Babymetal song. For Tenacious D song, see Tenacious D (album).
"Karate"
Single by Babymetal
from the album Metal Resistance
Released February 25, 2016 (2016-02-25)
Format Digital download
Genre Melodic metalcore, groove metal, nu metal
Length 4:23
Label
Writer(s) Yuyoyuppe
Producer(s) Yuppemetal
Babymetal singles chronology
"Gimme Chocolate!!"
(2015)		 "Karate"
(2016)
Music video
Babymetal - "Karate" on YouTube

"Karate" (stylized as "KARATE") is a song by the band Babymetal from their second studio album, Metal Resistance. Written and produced by Yuyoyuppe (also known as Yuppemetal),[1] the song was released as a digital single on February 25, 2016.

On May 26, 2016, it was announced by WWE's Triple H on Twitter that the song, along with A Day to Remember's "Paranoia", would be used as one of the official theme songs of NXT TakeOver: The End.[2][3]

Background and release

"Karate" was first released as a digital single on February 25, 2016. Simultaneously, the song was available as an instant download upon pre-ordering the album. The song was also included in a teaser for the album Metal Resistance and music video, which was uploaded to YouTube the same day. Moametal expressed that "Karate" is her favorite song, explaining how "karate has a courtesy: "Start with a bow and end with a bow." This is something important we value in our lives, because we never forget courtesy and a feeling of gratitude wherever we go."[4][5]

Composition

According to Su-metal, "Karate" is reminiscent of the song "Megitsune", which "is popular among international fans. [The song] has not only Babymetal vibes, but also has Japanese elements. Its lyrics portray a strong will to go on, no matter what happens in your life."[4] The song contains elements of metalcore, "played here with remarkable restraint",[6] groove metal, and nu metal,[7] "and the heartfelt chorus shows a stronger alliance with J-pop melody."[6] Loudwire's Graham Hartmann described the song as "incredibly charming. Instrumentally, it’s also heavy as hell. The song’s main riff is way low on the sonic spectrum, chugging away in a no-nonsense djent fashion."[8]

Reception

"Karate" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Lars Gotrich of NPR Music described the song as "catchy and grandiose" praising the vocal performance of Su-metal, comparing her to Evanescence lead vocalist Amy Lee.[6] Jon Hadusek from Consequence of Sound called the song, as well as "From Dusk Till Dawn" essential tracks from the album.[9] While reviewing Metal Resistance, Jordan Bassett of NME praised the song, describing it as "fast and furious until jangling, arpeggiated guitar alters the rhythm."[10] Hartmann praised the song's chorus, calling it "one of the catchiest pieces [Babymetal] has crafted to date."[8]

The song peaked at number two on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart on the issue dated March 19, 2016, spending six weeks on the chart.[11]

Music video

File:Pat-Morita (Karate Kid).jpg
The choreography for "Karate" was inspired by action sequences from karate films, such as those of Kesuke Miyagi (pictured) from The Karate Kid.

Directed by Daisuke Ninomiya,[12] the music video for "Karate" was released on March 17, 2016. Lars Gotrich of NPR Music described the video: "Backed by a band now clad in deep purple and black warrior gear, the trio battles with martial arts masters and ghosts in white robes and studded face covers. After being briefly struck down, the three young women rise up together and flash the devil horns and pull them to their hearts. It's a tender moment, delivered with the ever-present wink."[6] Yuimetal explained that the choreography shown in the video was inspired by the martial arts moves seen in karate, while Su-metal described the white figures in the video as representing their former selves, expressing the desire to break down barriers by fighting themselves to move forward. While working on the choreography for the song, the band members watched a variety of videos with karate, such The Karate Kid, adapting some of the moves into their dance.[13]

Gotrich praised the music video, stating, "Where past music videos have played up the presumed silliness of three Japanese girls flashing devil horns and doing coordinated dance moves to heavy riffage, the stark and stylish visuals for "Karate" reflect a more dramatic tone."[6] The music video would later join the Loudwire Battle Royale Hall of Fame, after spending five straight weeks at number one based on fan votes.[14]

Live performances

"Karate" premiered at Yokohama Arena on December 12, 2015, during the final dates of the Babymetal World Tour 2015,[15][16] and was added to the setlist of the Babymetal World Tour 2016, performed on the first tour date at Wembley Arena.[17] The song had its first televised performance at TV Asahi's Music Station on April 22, 2016.[18] The song's choreography contained interpolations of karate moves, as shown in the music video.[13]

Credits and personnel

  • Suzuka Nakamoto – vocals (lead)
  • Yui Mizuno – vocals (lead and background)
  • Moa Kikuchi – vocals (lead and background)
  • Kobametal – producer
  • Yuyoyuppe – lyrics, composition, arrangement, mixing
  • Adrian Breakspear – recording
  • Watametal – recording

Chart performance

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Billboard World Digital Songs[11] 2

References

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  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ BABYMETAL、米プロレス団体WWEの大会テーマソングに採用 (Japanese)
  3. ↑ Triple H Twitter
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Billboard.biz charts are only accessible by subscription; searching "Babymetal" on "Charts", their performance can be found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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