Babymetal, the popular hybrid J-pop and metal girl group and band, will be performing at the 2016 Alternative Press Music Awards(APMA). Not only that, they will be performing alongside Rob Halford, the singer and songwriter known for being the lead vocalist for Judas Priest.

Babymetal will be performing at the "2016 Alternative Press Music Awards" alongside Rob Halford, the famous singer, songwriter, and lead vocalist of Judas Priest. [KGC-138/STAR MAX/IPx 2016 6/10/16 Babymetal backstage at The Download Festival in Donington Park. (London, England, UK)]

According to an article written by Blabbermouth, it reports that Rob Halford will join Su-metal, Yuimetal, Moametal, and the Kami Band for a performance at the 2016 APMA. Su-Metal, the lead singer and leader of Babymetal, provided a statement on the news of her and her bandmates performing alongside Halford.

“Honestly, I am still at a loss of what to feel. But to be able to perform together with the Metal God, I am in disbelief.”

As for Rob Halford, he too expressed his excitement in performing alongside Babymetal. Despite not knowing what his role will be in the performance, he sees him performing alongside the popular metal girl group as a sign of how far metal has come along and where it is going.

“It’s really cool to hear and watch such a strong young Japanese metal band make solid growth in the world with such unique conviction and invite me to headbang along with them for this special appearance. Further proof of the continuing power exchange from the roots of metal into the future metalsphere!”

Babymetal and Rob Halford first met at the "2015 Rock On The Range Festival." They took a picture together backstage. [Image via Babymetal's Official Facebook]

Ever since 2014, when Babymetal signed on to a major label, they have been on a roll. So far, 2016 has been their year, with the release of their second major studio album titled Metal Resistance. It reached number two on the Japan Oricon Chart, number two on the Japan Billboard Chart, number seven in Australia, number 36 in Germany, number two in U.S. Hard Rock Chart, and number one on the U.S. World Chart. Not only that, Babymetal dominated their world tour, selling out every stop during the United States leg of their tour. And if that wasn’t proof enough that Babymetal is the real deal, they won at the Kerrang! Awards 2016 for “Best International Band” too.

Now Babymetal might add another “Best International Band” award to their many other awards at the 2016 APMA. If for some reason they do not win, the awards show itself is many firsts for Babymetal nevertheless such as being the first U.S. award show Babymetal will be a part of. Whatever the outcome, Babymetal is very excited, a sentiment Su-metal expresses on behalf of the rest of the band.

“I am extremely thrilled that Babymetal is nominated among a great list of other bands for ‘Best International Band.’ I am above ecstatic seeing how we have been able to connect with our fans from across the globe through our music, surpassing language barriers and just making it to far places all over the world on our tours. I just hope that we, Babymetal, will be able to continue to bring our music to more people worldwide, here on out.”

The 2016 Alternative Press Music Awards will take place on Monday, July 18, at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio. According to an article by Metal Injection, the 2016 APMA will air live around the world via Amazon and Twitch streaming services. The show starts at 7 p.m. EST. It can be viewed by visiting the dedicated 2016 APMA page at Amazon.

[Photo by Danny E. Martindale/Getty Images]