The HU is a Mongolian folk metal band that has brought “The Hun” tour to the US. They are winning overall who see them! Their music videos have gone viral and their album “The Gereg” is a gem! Music Madness recently caught up with them at New Haven, Connecticut’s iconic Toad’s Place.
South Florida rockers, The Haunt, opened the show. They fired up the crowd as an opening band should. The band is on the road promoting their latest EP, “Social Intercourse”. This is a must-hear for those who are not familiar with this band. While their EP is melodic and ethereal, their live performance is anything but. Fronted by singer Anastasia and her guitarist brother Maxamillion Haunt and backed by drummer Nick Lewert and bassist Nat Smallish, the Haunt was high energy. They had the crowd on their feet, dancing and rocking out with fists in the air.
The Haunt’s lyrics are deep and personal. Certainly not something you would expect from such a young sister and brother team. However, at the age of 12, Anastasia penned “All Went Black”. The song became a battle cry for those who feel bullied and alone. Mind you, their music is not loved by just the young. The audience at Toad’s Place that evening had an average age of the siblings’ parents no doubt (or higher). Their music and their stage presence won everyone over. Anastasia is in her late teens and Maxamillion is in his early twenties so they have many miles in front of them. Because this band is “the real deal”, keep your eyes open for them. You will be seeing much more of them no doubt!
The HU has brought ancient-based music forward with a modern-day twist since 2016. The band plays handmade traditional Mongolian instruments and sings with a style known as throat singing. They have combined these ancient ways with a classic heavy metal sound. The band calls their music “Hunnu Rock” but those who hear them call it mesmerizing.
The band has been included on the bill of several well-known rock festivals in 2021 in the US including Rocklahoma, Inkcarceration, Firefly, and Blue Ridge Rock Festival. Their fanbase has increased significantly no doubt due to this exposure. The band sings in Mongolian not English. However, those who hear them are drawn in by their hauntingly beautiful vocals. Instrumentation that has never been heard in the traditional metal world added to those vocals creates a hands-down winner.
Visually, this band is as exciting as they are musically. They were dressed in tunics clasped with ornate leather belts and wore footwear unlike that of the Western world. As a result, they appear as though they could have ridden the great Mongolian plains with their ancient ancestors. The video for their song, “Wolf Totem” begins with an ancient Mongolian warrior on horseback riding across the plains. Behind him follows a group of modern-day warriors on motorcycles. Certainly, this is meant to tie the old ways with the new, much like the band does with their music.
The audience at Toad’s Place was enthralled by the HU’s performance. The venue was packed that evening, often a surprise for a midweek show. Folks chanted “Hu Hu Hu” wildly along with metal maned flutist, Jaya. Hearing The Hu was not enough for their fans. People stood on chairs to get a better view, my vertically challenged sister included. Merchandise was flying off the shelf all evening with only the odd-sized shirts available by the end of the night. Everyone was hot and sweaty by the end of the night in spite of cooling Autumn temps. Clearly, this was a sign of everyone headbanging and rocking out! Both bands won the crowd over which was a pleasant surprise for such different styles of music.
Bands like Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly have combined Celtic music with punk in a very successful way. Therefore, it should be of no surprise that The HU could successfully combine the music of the Mongolian culture, known for its power and rich history, with the genre of heavy metal. The HU is on tour in the US until the end of October. They will return to Europe in March of 2022 for a month-long tour. Above all, do yourself a huge favor and see them! Tour dates…… HERE
