Metal fans love rules… and then love breaking them even more.
In the first Are They Rock or Metal? episode of 2026, Collin and Tom take on one of the most confusing, chaotic, and weirdly heavy bands to ever explode out of Japan: LADYBABY. On paper, this should be a disaster—kawaii aesthetics, idol energy, and a history that includes a massive pro wrestler in a schoolgirl outfit. In reality? It might be way more metal than you’re ready to admit.
This episode isn’t just about deciding whether LADYBABY belongs in the metal camp—it’s about why visuals don’t negate heaviness, how intention matters more than aesthetics, and why metal has always thrived on upsetting people who take it too seriously. Along the way, Collin and Tom spiral into LADYBABY’s origins, the Babymetal comparison, the wrestler-frontman era, and the sheer cultural whiplash that made the band impossible to ignore in the first place.
Expect unfiltered opinions, unhinged tangents, and a verdict that feels obvious by the end—but only after the debate gets gloriously out of hand. If you’ve ever argued about genre labels, rolled your eyes at “novelty bands,” or secretly enjoyed something you swore couldn’t be metal… this episode is absolutely for you.
Hit play. Get uncomfortable. Because LADYBABY is metal, and the explanation is way more fun than the answer.
DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.
Check out more from the Influencers of Metal Podcast!
Lindsay Schoolcraft returns to the Influencers of Metal Podcast for a Halloween edition of What Have You Been Listening To?
From Jared Dines and Stevie T to underground creators and friends of the show, Collin and Tom celebrate the metal YouTubers, streamers and internet personalities making a difference in the community.
Collin and Tom welcome progressive musician Tom de Wit (TDW) to explore the best of progressive metal!
Sabaton brought tanks, pyro and 18 songs of Swedish power metal to Toronto — but getting through the parking chaos, opening bands and merch prices was a battle of its own.
Collin and Tom dive into their favourite September listens, revisit one massive release that narrowly missed August, and more!
Collin finally saw HammerFall headline Toronto — and somehow walked away loving them even more.
HammerFall and Sabaton are invading the GTA in the same week, so Collin and Tom are building their dream setlists!
Collin and Tom summon a whale and dive into Gojira’s discography to settle one of the toughest Heaviest Songs rankings yet.
Powerwolf has werewolves, vampires, church organs and enough Catholic imagery to make one hell of a Sunday service — but does the gimmick overshadow the music?
Some bands spend decades chasing their masterpiece. Others release it almost immediately, and never top it.
Metal meets the squared circle again as Collin introduces an extremely underprepared Tom to wrestling themes from Killswitch Engage, Fozzy, Code Orange, Megadeth, White Zombie, Metallica and more.
Forget the trade war — we’re heading south of the border to pick six of our favourite American bands!
Alice in Chains helped bring a darker, heavier sound to grunge, but does that make them metal?