The Hu pay tribute to their ancestors.
Formed ten years ago in Ulaanbaatar by traditional vocalists and instrumentalists Galbadrakh “Gala” Tsendbaatar, Nyamjantsan “Jaya” Galsanjamts, Enkhsaikhan “Enkush” Batjargal, and Temuulen “Temka” Naranbaatar, the band released their fourth album, HUN, in 2026 with the support of Better Noise Music.
The four musicians are joined on stage by Unumunkh “Ono” Maralkhuu, Jambaldorj “Jamba” Ayush, Odbayar “Odko” Gantumur, and Nyamdavaa “Davaa” Byambaa, who handle the more Metal-oriented instruments.
If you’re already familiar with The Hu, you know what to expect from this new album, which blends the usual tovshuurs, morin khuur, tumur khuur, tsuur, and traditional Mongolian throat singing with much more traditional Rock/Metal elements – whether it’s the simple yet catchy rhythm section or even the catchy vocal parts – as heard right from the start on Warrior Chant, the opening track, which builds significantly to reach a powerful climax. The band treats us to another collaboration, this time with NOTHING MORE on Lost Soul, a high-energy track where the vocal duet with Jonny Hawkins will undoubtedly inspire others, taking a more Western-style approach; but the band quickly returns to melancholy with The Men, a mid-tempo yet still catchy track whose intensity builds gently before igniting during the solo. The final is quite unifying, then the sound becomes calm and mysterious again on Echoes of My Father, the next track, which also transports our minds across the steppes as the vocalists tell their story in the form of a long ballad before transitioning into Shadow, a groovy track that returns to heavy distortion. The track remains energetic and danceable almost throughout, ensuring the band a positive reception if they play it live, while Horsemen offers an almost unsettling intro before returning to energetic, choppy riffs like a furious gallop, leading up to a grand final worthy of a concert. Next up is Greed, a significantly calmer track where a plaintive vocal line contrasts with a more powerful one over a haunting instrumental that occasionally features effective distorted passages, followed by The Real You, which suddenly picks up speed and uses dissonant folk-inspired sounds to add a touch of darkness to a devastating rhythm section. This track is undoubtedly inspired by thrash, but the leads give it a very different flavor before returning to a more accessible rhythm on Grey Hun, a track that darkens with the arrival of the vocals, while remaining quite upbeat and festive, as is their custom. Things return to a gentler tone on Universe (Long) with its almost prog-rock-like tones that build in intensity while adding intoxicating Mongolian touches, allowing us to savor the journey for over eight minutes before leading into Second Face, the much shorter closing track that returns to a more energetic blend featuring an intriguing and catchy vocal duality, offering the liveliness of folk to wrap up the album.
With HUN, The Hu offers us a new foray into their world, once again telling stories – most of them unknown – set to music by musicians deeply committed to their traditions. The combination remains as effective as ever.
75/100