UPDATE: According to a representative for Babymetal's agency's US branch Amuse, Yui is still part of Babymetal. Supposedly this is all part of the concept and narrative of "THE CHOSEN SEVEN" but they are not saying much else besides that. She will be completely absent from this tour which suggests something that would prevent her from coming to the US. Fans are relieved but still perturbed as the whole situation could have been avoided with a heads up that Yui needs some time off for *something.* Anything is better than complete radio silence. If it wasn't for a variety of press and fans making inquiries it's likely we would have never gotten an announcement at all. You don't play with your fans' hearts like this.
Babymetal is composed of three principle members: Sumetal, Moametal, and Yuimetal. Sumetal handles the bulk of the vocals and Moametal and Yuimetal both handle dancing for all songs and vocals for one or two. A full backing band codenamed the "Kami band" handles all the instruments and are just as important to the group as a whole as the girls themselves. Over the past few years the girls have had meteoric success playing across the globe and at many prestigious festivals. They've created quite a stir amongst traditional metalheads on one hand while being accepted by some of those same metalheads' heroes on the other including Rob Zombie, Metallica, Judas Priest, and many others.
During December, Yuimetal was absent from two of the group's shows in Hiroshima due to illness. No explanation was ever given as to what she was afflicted by (which is her right) but at least we got word of it. What is worrying is that she was absent tonight with no prior notice given to fans at the venue, online, or otherwise. Yui is on posters and media for the tour so being unexpectedly absent is highly unusual and even now, hours after the show, there has been no official word. With the accidental death of longtime guitarist Mikio Fujioka just before the end of last year and now Yui's absence, cracks might be beginning to show in the fox mask.
The set list was just an hour long with ten songs. Three songs were new (including "Distortion") but this is no way to start a tour, or any show in general, where you're a headliner.
Understandably fans are worried.
.@BABYMETAL_JAPAN START TALKING. WE WANT ANSWERS. WHERE. IS. YUIMETAL. pic.twitter.com/hzmdj0chCz
— jessica (@JessKarpinski) May 9, 2018
@BABYMETAL_JAPAN Just put on a confusing performance in Kansas City. Yuimetal is gone. No acknowledgement of Mikio's death. No encore. Your US fans are not going to be happy. #Babymetal
— TJ Rubley (@tj_rubley) May 9, 2018
Awesome show ! New songs. New outfits. Additional dancers... But where is #YuiMetal ? #BABYMETAL pic.twitter.com/1iLk0qNffE
— MetalJohn (@metaljohnradio) May 9, 2018
Even Japanese fans are getting antsy.
Where is YUIMETAL?
— Kaede⊿⁴⁶ 振り飛車党 るりぺん (@C05nogi_ARIAKE7) May 9, 2018
Is her physical condition not improved yet?
I don't know what happened, but I pray for a good direction.
SU-METAL, YUIMETAL and MOAMETAL are BABYMETAL.
#BABYMETAL
#Distortion
#BMWT2018
The most concerning part is the fact there has been no announcements from talent agency Amuse. It's been a complete media blackout and this has fueled many a rumor and speculation. More benign reasons like visa issues or sickness would be an easy way to assuage fans but the silence is defeaning.
Wheres Yui. You made Moa cry on stage right in front of me. We need answers Koba.
— N̛̝̖͑ͦOͨ̿͘R̨A̪̳͆̊D̼̰̝ͪ̈͌-͡M҉̙ET̸̍A̴͓̞̹L (@MetalNcarnet) May 9, 2018
Some people have gone full negative and understandably upset on the situation since there is no explanation yet.
Dear @BABYMETAL_JAPAN management:
— BrianNLS (@Brian__NLS) May 9, 2018
This handling of Yuimetal's apparent departure from #BABYMETAL could not have been worse. If you want to succeed in the West, be more transparent. The legends and all are fun, but this was a very bad move.
Announce Yui's situation. NOW. pic.twitter.com/QdVwjlyVs5
The next show is on Thursday. Hopefully it will herald Yui's return and some sort of explanation. Is it all just part of Babymetal mastermind Koba's grand plan? Is her absence part of the story of "THE CHOSEN SEVEN?" If not, and if there isn't an official announcement, the rumor mill will continue to go nuts.
Hopefully this has not come to pass.
Mr. Koba, I don't feel so good... #babymetal #yuimetal pic.twitter.com/ft3TBol9nE
— Goldberg Weinstein (@GoldbergSalem) May 9, 2018
