One of Japan’s most popular metal bands, BABYMETAL, have announced that their long-awaited third album will finally be released this year.

Back in 2011, the world was formally introduced to the musical stylings of BABYMETAL. Formed with the intention of fusing heavy metal and the Japanese idol genres, the group were at first an incredibly divisive concept amongst hardcore fans.

However, after the release of a handful of singles, and their debut album in 2014, music-lovers the world over soon were singing the praises of this eclectic collective.

As time has gone on, the group released their second album in 2016, and finally made their way to Australia for the Good Things festival, where we noted they were one of the day’s highlights.

Now, it has been revealed that fans are set to receive some new music this year.

Taking to Twitter on Monday, April 1st (what fans have come to nickname ‘Fox Day’), the group shared out an image of what is ostensibly their next album cover, noting it will have a worldwide release of 2019.

The announcement of this new album coincides with the announcement of new live dates in Japan, with June performances being nicknamed ‘BABYMETAL Awakens’, while July shows have been given the name ‘BABYMETAL Arises’.

Considering the fact that founding member Yuimetal left the group in October of this year, it appears as though these mid-year dates will be the official unveiling of BABYMETAL’s new era.

According to promotional shots released in anticipation of the new record, it’s looking like BABYMETAL’s vocalists are set to continue as a duo, announcing no official plans to replace Yuimetal in the band.

Though we’ve got no idea what the new record will sound like, there’s a chance it could follow in the darker footsteps of 2018 singles ‘Distortion’ and ‘Starlight’.

Whatever the case, it seems as though we won’t have that long to wait before we find out for sure.

Check out BABYMETAL’s ‘KARATE’: