Ijime, Dame, Zettai

Background and release

The single was first announced after the concert Legend "I" at Shibuya O-East on October 6, 2012. An early version of the song can be heard in a video uploaded to the band's official YouTube channel entitled "Babymetal - My First Heavy Metal in Tokyo 2012", which also features part of a live performance of "Iine!". An interview with the producers of the band was published in the December issue of Marquee to promote the single's release in January.

The single was released in four versions: a standard edition and three physical limited "I", "D", "Z" editions. The DVDs included in the limited editions contain either footage of the music video for "Ijime, Dame, Zettai", or of a live performance by Babymetal. The single also had a promotional release to customers who purchased tickets to live performances of Legend "I", "D", or "Z".

Unlike previous singles released under Juonbu Records, no songs from the single appeared on a Sakura Gakuin album, due to "Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!" having been already released the same nendo (school year).

"Ijime, Dame, Zettai"

"Ijime, Dame, Zettai" has a melodic speed metal sound, with lyrics pushing for the eradication of bullying. The serious vocals of Suzuka Nakamoto, coupled with the more comical vocals of Yui Mizuno and Moa Kikuchi give the title track a more distinctive sound. The song is performed in the key of C♯ minor; the key shifts to F minor and G♯ minor in the bridge, finishing in E minor. According to Blabbermouth.net, the song "quickly created a buzz due to its mix of melodic speed metal, sensational lyrics around the theme of "Ijime" and the band's performance, which incorporates the "Wall of Death.""

When asked about the member's favorite lyrics on Babymetal, Nakamoto chose a lyric in the song, explaining that "there is one phrase that means "I will protect you no matter what." I feel very connected to that because we play the song at the end of our set. All of us are super tired from the whole show, but there's one part in our choreography where we all walk to the center and look into each other's eyes and it's like, "OK, let's do this." It also reflects to where we are in reality. To me, it's a very, very important part of our show and that's why I like it."

According to the band's website, the "Nemesis" version of the song, which is found on limited editions of the single, features guitars recorded by former Arch Enemy guitarist Christopher Amott.

Other songs

Written by the same contributors as the band's previous single "Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!", "Catch Me If You Can" contains elements of "digi-rock" (digital rock) and industrial metal, as well as a namahage-themed "death growl interlude", while the lyrics consist of a more comical theme of playing hide and seek.

With arrangement by Yuyoyuppe, "Babymetal Death" begins with a symphonic intro, building up to a death metal number as voices shout out the phrase, letter by letter "Babymetal Death!!". The pun found in the name derives from the Japanese devoicing of the "/u/" sound, which is exploited in the word "death" (desu). As a result, the phrase can be read as "We are Babymetal" (Babymetal desu), which the band members used in the early years.

Reception

Kazumi Nanba of Rolling Stone Japan reviewed the title track, commenting that with accordance to the "eradication of bullying" in the title, the song is very straightforward and filled with a cute interjections, mentioning a balance between the seriousness and humor in the metal accompaniment, though it is excessively exquisite.

The single debuted at number six on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart on the week of January 21, 2013, selling 19,000 copies in its first week of release. The song also managed to peak at number five on the Oricon Daily Singles Chart.

Music video

The music video for "Ijime, Dame, Zettai" was teased on December 8, 2012; it was uploaded in its entirety to the official YouTube channel on November 27, 2012.

The concept of the video originated from the song title, depicting a world where metal music is persecuted, and followers of the genre are hunted down. To combat this, the three members are summoned to revitalize the spirit of metal, forming the concept known as the "Metal Resistance". The costumes worn in the video carry tones of red and black, as well as medieval armor styles in the image of Joan of Arc. During the bridge of the song, Mizuno and Kikuchi take the challenge of engaging in a "metal guitar battle" using guitars that were warped and damaged in earlier scenes.

A live performance of the song at the Sonisphere Festival in 2014 was uploaded to the channel on August 26, 2015.

Live performances

The song was premiered at the Sakura Gakuin concert Sakura Gakuin 2011 Nendo: New Departure at the Shibuya Duo Music Exchange on July 24, 2011. A month later, the song was performed at the annual Tokyo Idol Festival.

On November 21, 2012, the band performed the song on the Nippon Broadcasting System program MC Plus. In addition to collaborating with Tower Records for the 26th rendition of the event No Music, No Idol?, the band performed at several events, including the new year concert "One Song! Explosive Live!" at HMV Club Quattro in Shibuya on January 7, 2013, the Anime Festival Asia 2012 Show Screening at Tower Records in Shibuya on January 12, 2013, and the "Ijime, Dame, Zettai" in Osaka event on January 14, 2013.

On stage, the song begins with Mizuno and Kikuchi running across the stage from opposite ends, cueing the audience to mosh via the Wall of Death. During the chorus, the three members jump and cross their arms into an "X", while shouting "Dame!" (No!). Overall, the live performances has inspiration from those of the band X Japan.

Credits and personnel

Recording and management

Personnel

Credits adapted from "Ijime, Dame, Zettai" standard and limited "I" single liner notes.