The Hu

Not to be confused with The Who.

The Hu
The Hu performing in 2019. L–R: Temka, Gala, Jaya, Enkush
The Hu performing in 2019. L–R: Temka, Gala, Jaya, Enkush
Background information
OriginUlaanbaatar, Mongolia[1]
GenresFolk metal
Years active2016–present[1]
Labels
Members
  • Gala
  • Jaya
  • Enkush
  • Temka
Websitewww.thehuofficial.com

The Hu (stylized as The HU; pronounced as "the who"[2]) is a Mongolian folk metal band formed in 2016.[1][3] Incorporating traditional Mongolian instrumentation, including the morin khuur, the tovshuur, and throat singing,[4][5] the band calls their style of music "hunnu rock", a term inspired by the Xiongnu, an ancient nomadic empire based in Mongolia proper,[6] known as Hünnü in Mongolian. Some of the band's lyrics include old Mongolian war cries and poetry in the Mongolian language.[7][8]

The Hu consists of Galbadrakh "Gala" Tsendbaatar, Nyamjantsan "Jaya" Galsanjamts, Enkhsaikhan "Enkush" Batjargal, and Temuulen "Temka" Naranbaatar. They have released the studio albums The Gereg (2019) and Rumble of Thunder (2022).

  1. ^ a b c Rutherford, Kevin (18 April 2019). "The Hu Brings Mongolian Metal to No. 1 on Hard Rock Digital Song Sales Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  2. ^ McGreevy, Ronan (14 February 2020). "Meet the Hu: the Mongolian metal band conquering the world". The Irish Times.
  3. ^ "Mongolian metal sensation the Hu discuss their musical influences". puregrainaudio.com. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  4. ^ "The Hu, a New Breakthrough Band from Mongolia, Plays Heavy Metal with Traditional Folk Instruments and Throat Singing". OpenCulture.com. 9 January 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  5. ^ "'The HU', a Mongolian Heavy Metal Band, Will Make You Want to Shred Something". The Inertia. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  6. ^ Miller, Bryan K. (2024). Xiongnu: The World's First Nomadic Empire. Oxford University Press. pp. 53, 56, 243. ISBN 9780190083694.
  7. ^ Cengel, Katya (5 January 2019). "How a Mongolian Heavy Metal Band Got Millions of YouTube Views". NPR. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  8. ^ Ortiga, Kara (28 May 2019). "This Insanely Popular Mongolian Metal Band Makes Music Using Traditional Instruments". Vice Media. Retrieved 6 June 2019.