Set For Release April 1 Via RAL/Sony Music

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Photo Credit: Amuse, Inc.

BABYMETAL--2015's breakout all-girl-fronted Japanese heavy metal/teen-pop hybrid group--announced their sophomore album will be released April 1, 2016 via RAL/Sony Music Entertainment (for the U.S. release only) and revealed their initial U.S. tour dates on their "BABYMETAL WORLD TOUR 2016" (full tour itinerary below). The new album (title TBA) is available now to pre-order via the BABYMETAL's official webstore, both as a stand alone CD and special pre-order bundles. The group's album and world tour announcement video is streaming below.

News of the new album was revealed in front of BABYMETAL's hometown fans over the weekend during their two headlining shows at Japan's Yokohama Arena (26,000 people in attendance over two days).

Says KOBAMETAL (producer and mastermind behind the group): "As prophesied by the FOX GOD, a new album will be released on April 1, 2016, also known as the FOX DAY. Since the release of BABYMETAL's debut album in 2014, we have been racing across the globe non-stop on our World Tour. Through the last tour I have come across people from all over the world and have had the chance to feel that miraculous moment when everyone came together via BABYMETAL. Our new song "The One" contains lyrics that speak of uniting the world, or a crowd favorite at concerts, "Road Of Resistance", that never fails to bring our fans together, every BABYMETAL song makes up this extraordinary story. I continue to believe that the songs of BABYMETAL continue to push them forward to discover new possibilities. All I can say right now is for all of you to wait patiently for the coming of the FOX DAY."

2015 was a breakout year for BABYMETAL, the young trio of 17-year-old SU-METAL (Vocal, Dance) and 16-year-olds YUIMETAL (Scream, Dance) and MOAMETAL (Scream, Dance), backed by a four-piece band packing a heavy metal arsenal: they re-released their 2014 chart topping self-titled debut album (released digitally 5/12/15 and physically on 6/16/15 via RAL/Sony Music Entertainment), were the most sought-after band at Rock On The Range (U.S.'s premiere rock festival) and completed sold-out dates at Chicago's House of Blues and New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom (part of their 2015 world tour); they've won several awards including the "Breakthrough Act" award at the 2015 Metal Hammer Golden Gods, the "Spirit of Independence" award at the 2015 Relentless Kerrang! Awards, MTV Europe's "Wildcard Best Japanese Act" and several LOUDWIRE Awards. In addition, they were awarded the "Discovery Prize" at GQ Japan's "Men of the Year 2015" Awards and the "Women of the Year" Award at VOGUE Japan's "Women of the Year 2015" Awards. In July, 2015, they became the first Japanese artist to appear on the cover of METAL HAMMER.

Since forming in 2010, BABYMETAL have already achieved two major debut singles: "IJIME, DAME, ZETTA!" and "MEGISTUNE", both of which ranked in the Top 10 Oricon Chart in Japan. Their first studio album Babymetal also earned the #1 spot on Japan's album chart and Billboard's World Album Chart The official live music video for their debut album's lead single "Gimme Chocolate!!" has garnered over 36 million views on YouTube. 2014 saw BABYMETAL headline numerous sold-out shows from New York to London, including the 20,000 capacity Saitama Super Arena in Japan. They performed at major festivals in multiple countries such as the UK's massive Sonisphere in front of 65,000 festival-goers and supported LADY GAGA on her "Artrave: The Artpop Ball" tour.

U.S. tour dates confirmed for the "BABYMETAL WORLD TOUR 2016":

• 5.4 - Playstation Theater - New York, NY
• 5.7 - Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA
• 5.8 - Monster Energy Carolina Rebellion (Festival) - Concord, NC
• 5.10 - The Fillmore - Silver Spring, MD
• 5.11 - The Fillmore - Detroit, MI
• 5.13 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL
• 5.14 - Northern Invasion (Festival) - Somerset, WI