REVIEW: The Hu - HUN
- Danielle Henderson
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Having a warrior chant as an opener to their new album, HUN, it could only be done by the folk metal masters that are THE HU. Their goal is to grow and reach audiences all over the world, to share their world with their audiences. THE HU’s sound is so iconic that it has pioneered its own genre. The concoction of heavy rock riffs and traditional Mongolian instruments alongside throat singing is captivating, and it sounds incredible.
First brought under the spotlight in 2019 by NPR, the band’s popularity has skyrocketed in the West, seeing them playing shows and festivals globally with no slowing down in sight. The band consists of members Galaa, Jaya, Enkush, and Temka, between them playing traditional Mongolian instruments such as the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), tumur khuur (jaw harp), tovshuur (lute), and tsuur (flute).
HUN is their third full length album, and it's a step up from their previous work, giving more of their signature style with a bit more grittiness, a bit more edge, and a story to tell. Warrior Chant begins with an atmospheric pounding beat and evolves into a layered loop, at its midpoint there’s a chant that makes you ready for battle, fiercely powering through you. The biggest surprise on the album is the track Lost Soul, featuring vocalist Jonny Hawkins from NOTHING MORE. This collaboration brings a whole new dimension to not only the genre but THE HU’s overall sound, giving a glimpse of what could be if they took a slightly different route. The track teeters on a more synth driven sound which hasn’t been fully embraced before by the band, but it works and is truly unique; there is genuinely nothing like this anywhere in the music world. Of this song, Galaa said, “To be not lost on your life journey, not losing your values, and go through life and having a courage to face the life obstacles are messages we are sending our fans through this song” which echoes as the group stay true to their roots in this track and throughout their career.
The ripping riffs of The Men come crashing in, playing what feels like a guitar solo but sounds like a fiddle. Echoes of My Father builds tension as the story unfolds, the breathy vocals harmonising with the instrumentals, sounding like spirits in the mist. Drums beat in a regimental fashion, throat singing reverberates, the intricate melody laying underneath; the output is magic. The horse is a prominent animal in Mongolian culture, so a track called Horsemen shouldn't come as a surprise. The track is built of many elements, another awe-inspiring “guitar” solo, echoing whinnies both from real horses and instrumental soundalikes, embedded in a classic rock setting. Greed bounds in, this time with a western style focus, a guttural scream and ground rattling throat singing throwing everything back to where it should be.
A highlight worth mentioning in Grey Hun, one of the album’s singles, is the furious solo that electrifies. The sheer madness of it grips you. On the other hand, The Universe at eight minutes long takes its time to show off, but it is beautiful and worth every second. Going out with a bang we have Second Face, a bouncy tune that warrants a crowd to dance without abandon.
The power of THE HU is their ability to transcend the boundaries of language and location, and share their culture with the world. Mongolia is the most sparsely populated country on Earth, with only three and a half million living across six hundred and four square metres, which is roughly six and a half times larger than the UK. With such a rich and vibrant culture that could be seen as overlooked by the West, THE HU are able to amass listeners of all ages and walks of life, bringing them together to discover something they would have never dreamed of experiencing.
Score: 8/10
HUN will be released on the 24th July 2026 via Better Noise Music.
Words: Danielle Henderson
Photos: Blgunee Hiroshi
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