Scott's Spotlight #54: The Hu
Welcome to Scott’s Spotlight (#scottsspotlight) issue #54. For more information about this series, please click here:
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Hu are you? No, not who, but Hu! The Hu (not to be confused with The Who), are a Mongolian Folk Metal band formed in Ulanbaataar, Mongolia in 2016. Much like Myrath in issue #50, they are from a quite exotic location to most Westerners. The band was formed at the Mongolian State Music and Dance Conservatory by Bayarmagnai "Dashka" Dashdondog (who I believe is an instructor from the conservatory) who would be their producer and songwriter. He recruited 4 students from the conservatory to create the band. The line-up is as follows:
Galbadrakh "Gala" Tsendbaatar – morin khuur, throat singing (2016–present)[43]
Nyamjantsan "Jaya" Galsanjamts – tumur hhuur, tsuur, throat singing (2016–present)
Enkhsaikhan "Enkush" Batjargal – morin khuur, throat singing (2016–present)
Temuulen "Temka" Naranbaatar – tovshuur, backing vocals (2016–present)
As for those unusual instruments, morin khuur is also known as a horsehead fiddle, a traditional Mongolian bowed string instrument, and a national symbol of Mongolia. A tumur hhuur is a Mongolian version of a Jaw Harp or “Jew’s Harp”. The tsuur is a Mongolian woodwind instrument, similar to an end-blown wooden flute, but that requires the player to use their throat to create a droning sound along with the whistling sound of the instrument itself. Finally, a tovshuur is a 2 or 3 stringed Mongolian lute. The band is augmented by a guitarist, bassist, drummer and a percussionist when playing live.
The name “The Hu” comes from the Mongolian word for human being:
“We took the name because of the inclusive nature. It's not about being Mongolian; it's about being human.”
— "Temka" Naranbaatar, 2019, The Guardian
The Hu quickly gained attention prior to the release of their first album in 2019, titled “The Gereg”. The term Gereg refers to a diplomatic passport carried by Mongolian nobles and officials during the 13th century. The band was soon featured on NPR (National Public Radio in the USA), which put a spotlight on their music. Two songs from the album charted in the US after the band released videos of the songs in late 2018. “Wolf Totem” hit #1 on Billboard’s Hard Rock Digital Song Sales Chart, making them the first Mongolian artists to hit #1 on any Billboard chart. “Yuve Yuve Yu” hit #7 on the same chart. “Wolf Totem” also hit #22 on Billboard’s Hot Rock Tracks chart. Before the end of 2019, they had two more music videos from the album: “Shoog Shoog” and “The Great Chinggis Khan”. They were soon congratulated by Mongolia’s president for their accomplishments in promoting the country. By the fall of 2019, they played a 23 city European tour. This was followed by a US tour as well. A deluxe version of “The Gereg” would be released by 2020 which also included versions of some of the songs with well known American rock stars such as Danny Case of the band From Ashes to New on a version of “Yuve Yuve Yu”, Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach on a “Wolf Totem” and Lzzy Hale of Halestorm on “Song of Women”. In 2020, they put out a version of the Metallica song “Sad But True”.
In mid 2022, The Hu began releasing singles for the follow up album “Rumble of Thunder” which would be released in September of that year. The first is titled “This is Mongol”, followed by “Black Thunder”. A third single called “Bii Biyelgee” would also be released. The UK magazine “Metal Hammer” would name the album as the 15th most anticipated album of the year. As with its predecessor, well known musicians wanted to collaborate with The Hu. Among them are William DuVall of Alice in Chains on a version of “This is Mongol (Warrior Souls)”, Serj Tankian of System of a Down and “DL” from Bad Wolves on a very cool rendition of “Black Thunder”, and a singer called “LP” (stage name of Laura Pergolizzi) on “Mother Nature”.
Along the way, The Hu also provided music for two “Star Wars” video games: “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” in 2019 and “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” in 2023.
In June of 2024, The Hu released a live album, “Live at Glastonbury” which was recorded during their set at the famous festival a year earlier. Additionally in 2024, The Hu were tapped to open for heavy metal legends Iron Maiden on their North American tour. In honor of the event, The Hu recorded an insanely cool version of the Iron Maiden Classic “The Trooper” and released it on an EP with the three collaborations of the songs from “Rumble of Thunder” and two additional tracks from that album “Segee” and “Shihi Hutu”.
The Hu are apparently done recording their third album, and have released an EP titled “Echos of Thunder” which contains alternate versions of songs from “Rumble of Thunder” in June of 2025. No word on when the new, as yet untitled album will be released, but don’t be surprised if you see a review of it on my blog when it does.
If you have never heard The Hu’s unique blend of traditional Mongolian music and metal, I hope you will check it out in the Links for Listening below.
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Prog On!
Scott
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LINKS FOR LISTENING:
From “The Gereg”:
“Wolf Totem” (Official Video)
“Yuve Yuve Yu” (Official Video)
From “Rumble of Thunder”
“This is Mongol” (Official Video)
“Black Thunder” (Official Video)
From “The Trooper”(Official Video)
“The Trooper”
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