The HU, Solence in Helsinki
September 4, 2024, Kulttuuritalo Helsinki, Finland
The Hu from Ulan Bator, founded in 2016, became a wold-wide phenomenon within a short time and can attract quite a Metal crowd pretty much anywhere. Naturally their shows in Helsinki and Tampere were almost sold out. Well, surely several other bands have been opening doors, for example Hanggai and Tengger Cavalry (maybe also Huun-Hur-Tu) with their combination of Mongol (Shaman) throat singing, traditional instruments and Rock / Metal. (And if you have never heard anything of those bands, I recommend to check them out!) Somehow it was The HU being at the right time at the right place, they have been touring the world several times, played sold-out shows and collaborated with Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach and Lzzy Hale of Halestorm and they contributed to EA Games’ Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. They definitely made an impact here at Tuska 2023, but such a gig in a hall with light effects and a 1,5 h set list is definitely to be preferred.
First on were Solence (start photo) with the slightly difficult warm-up job at the culture hall in Helsinki. As usual, many fans preferred to arrive at the venue close to the headliner showtime. However, the Swedish -core act impressed with a hyperactive show and a faible for the funny-bizarre, which reminded me a bit of Cheap Trick. Therefore on one hand I can understand why those bands had been combined – the fun factor. On the other hand, I felt that those genres don’t quite fit to be put into one concert evening, and therefore I don’t really know what to think about this gig.
The stage changeover was done quickly and right on time the band members Gala, Enkush, Jaya and Temka (plus 4 more tour musicians) entered the stage to promote their latest releases (a live and an instrumental album) on their HISHIGTEN Europe Tour 2024. The audience did not require any additional warm-up – during the intro the first “HU HU HU” chants erupted and basically never ceased to fire up the band during the whole show. Well, one of the strong points of The HU song material (with lyrics in Mongolian language) is the inclusion of sing-along parts that do not require any linguistic excercise. Then there is this unique groove that gets you hooked immediately and suits headbangers particularly well, you could call The HU the Mongolian version of AC/DC – as both bands have this talent for grooving Rock/Metal ear candy. But there are also aggressive riffs that could suit Slayer, and when this big live act (2 drum kits, 3 E-guitars plus all the traditional instruments Morin Khuur horsehead fiddle, Tovshuur Mongolian guitar, Tumur Khuur jaw harp) kick off with some Metallica covers, the massive sound wall can be compared to the originals.
Well; I had actually preferred The HU originals to the Metallica covers, although I do understand why they put it into their program – still, they had not really needed it, the Finnish audience was wax in their hands from the very first moment!
Summing up – great audience, great music and sound, likeable band and hardly any talking between fantastic song material, they did everything right. One of the best gigs of this year! Don’t miss this band when they drop by your area!
THE HU are
Galbadrakh “Gala” Tsendbaatar – morin khuur, throat singing
Nyamjantsan “Jaya” Galsanjamts – tumur hhuur, tsuur, throat singing
Enkhsaikhan “Enkush” Batjargal – morin khuur, throat singing
Temuulen “Temka” Naranbaatar – tovshuur, backing vocals
Touring members
Unumunkh “Ono” Maralkhuu – percussion, tumur hhuur, backing vocals
Jambaldorj “Jamba” Ayush – guitars, backing vocals
Nyamdavaa “Davaa” Byambaa – bass, backing vocals
Odbayar “Odko” Gantumur – drums
