[7] On September 28, 2018, Babymetal announced a 12-inch vinyl single that would be released worldwide on Record Store Day on November 23, 2018.

[9] The song was re-released as part of the band's album Metal Galaxy with additional vocals from Arch Enemy frontwoman Alissa White-Gluz.

"Distortion" is a speed metal tune composed of "screeching, pummeling guitars",[10] "metalcore-like chug-riffs", and a catchy chorus, quickly switching between "heavy" and "sugary",[1] and resulting in a "darker", more mature song compared to previous music released by the band.

[12] In the United States, "Distortion" debuted at number two on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart for the week May 19, 2018.

[16] A live performance of the song at Download Festival 2018 was uploaded to YouTube on September 28, 2018, which was later released in audio form as a B-side to the vinyl single.