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THE HU Reveal “This Is Mongol (Warriors Remix) Feat. William DuVall of Alice In Chains”

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THE HU—Mongolian rock sensation and UNESCO “Artist For Peace” ambassadors—  shared a new version of their 2022 groundbreaking single “This Is Mongol.” With featured guest vocalist/guitarist William DuVall of Alice In Chains now appearing on the updated track, “This Is Mongol (Warrior Souls)” further highlights the song’s original message of promoting Mongolian culture and empowering environmental awareness by adding English-translated lyrics, sung by DuVall—who also produced and mixed the single–and an unforgettable chanting chorus: “Hey, We are warrior souls, rolling like a river of fire / We are warrior souls, running down the dragon to slay / This is our way (This is our way).”  These themes are seen throughout the “This Is Mongol (Warrior Souls)” music video which also premiered today. The video was co-directed by Michael Lombardi, co-producer and lead actor of The Retaliators–the 2022 horror-thriller in which members of THE HU appeared and whose soundtrack included music from the band’s discography—and includes an exclusive sneak peek of the film which is out now on Blu-Ray via Better Noise Films.

“We are so excited to be performing our single, ‘This is Mongol (Warrior Souls),’ with William DuVall,” exclaims THE HU’s tovshuur player and backing vocalist Temka. “He’s not only an amazing vocalist but also has unique rhythm and technique to his performance, and his style matches our energy and our throat singing. The song is about the warrior souls that are within us, and its purpose is to inspire you and awaken your soul. We hope everyone enjoys this piece of art.”

“It was such an exciting and fulfilling challenge to write and produce something that remained true to The Hu’s sensibilities while also resonating with my own,” shares William DuVall. “‘Warrior Souls’ is a testament to the fact that, no matter where we come from, in the end, we all want the same things-to prosper in our own time despite the odds arrayed against us, making previous generations proud and leaving a worthy legacy for the future. I’m honored by this collaboration and very proud of the result.”

Lombardi shared details on working with THE HU and the video’s inspiration, stating:

“I had the immense pleasure of working with The Hu in the feature film ‘The Retaliators.’ Their contributions ranged from acting, songs appearing in the film and also on ‘The Retaliators’ soundtrack. On their track, ‘This is Mongol,’ their lyrics encompass a proud declaration of possessing a warrior spirit. The Hu believe we all have the warrior spirit within us. Through inspiring with their hearts and courage, they awaken that warrior spirit in all of us. I have witnessed that the messages in their music are a total reflection of how they live and how they tackle their artistic process. The Hu approach their craft with professionalism, courage–and with infectious energy.”

Meanwhile, having sold-out tours across the globe and appearances at some of the top-rated music festivals including Coachella, Lollapalooza and Download Festival—just to name a few—THE HU will be performing their first-ever virtual concert in the metaverse on March 3 in partnership with ARD Financial Group (ARD). Tickets will go on-sale February 13 at this link: www.hu.rocks. Throughout the show, fans will experience a virtual world created by METAFORSE that highlights the THE HU’s home country of Mongolia and its traditions and cultural importance of which the band have shared throughout their music by utilizing traditional instrumentation, throat singing and singing entirely in the Mongolian language with their self-appointed brand of “hunnu rock.”

To date, The HU have accumulated over 329 million combined streams and 290 million video views. The group have captured a diverse fanbase by landing their music on movie soundtracks (The Retaliators), creating original music for EA Games’ Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, being handpicked by Metallica to cover their hit single “Through The Never” on the 2021 Metallica Blacklist album alongside covers from high-profile artists including Miley Cyrus, Chris Stapleton, Phoebe Bridgers and more and being the first-ever rock/metal band to receive the prestigious UNESCO “Artist of Peace” Designation. 

Catch THE HU at one of their below festival dates and stay tuned for upcoming shows and new music over the coming weeks.

THE HU TOUR DATES

6/7     Nickelsdorf, AT – Nova Rock

6/15   Clisson, FR – Hellfest 2023

6/16   Landgraaf, NL – Pinkpop 2023

6/29   Werchter, BE – Rock Werchter 2023

7/5     Aix-les-bains, FR – Musilack 2023

7/6     Madrid, ES – Mad Cool Festival 2023

7/19   Bontida, RO – EC9 

Music News

THE HU Share Part Two of “Black Thunder”

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Compelling breakthrough Mongolian rock group THE HU are excited to reveal the second part of their epic single/cinematic music video, “Black Thunder (Part Two),” . Watch it streaming below.

“Black Thunder (Part One)” was released in July and has since garnered over 1.4 million views. Revolver Magazine (7/8) lauded it as “another breathtaking slice of Mongolian folk-metal that has all of the HU’s signature sonic tenets—ancient throat singing techniques, traditional string instruments and stadium-sized metal heft.” The videos for “Black Thunder” were filmed in the band’s native country Mongolia and tell a powerful story of battle, faith, and death while celebrating traditional Mongolian values both lyrically and visually. They were directed by Erdenebileg Ganbold and THE HU’s producer Dashka.

Both “Black Thunder” parts are now available as digital streams along with the full extended version, which is also featured on their upcoming second album RUMBLE OF THUNDER due September 2 via Better Noise Music. Pre-order RUMBLE OF THUNDER HERE

THE HU have spent the majority of 2022 touring across the globe on their “Black Thunder” headlining run, appearing earlier this year in the U.S., Mexico, Japan, Australia and New Zealand including key festival appearances at Coachella (U.S.) and Fuji Rock Festival (Japan). The worldwide act will return to the U.S. supporting Five Finger Death Punch and Megadeth alongside opening act Fire From The Gods. The tour will wrap October 15 ending in Salt Lake City, UT, after which THE HU will then head over to Europe and the UK to continue with headlining shows for the remainder of the year. For tickets and a full list of upcoming shows, please visit: https://www.thehuofficial.com/tour-1.  

Music News

Mongolian Rock Sensation THE HU Announce New Album

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Share new single with video for “Black Thunder”

Mongolian rock act THE HU announced details of their long-awaited sophomore album RUMBLE OF THUNDER, recorded via Better Noise Music, and released a new single called “Black Thunder” along with an official music video. The band’s 12-track second studio album is set for release September 2 and includes “This Is Mongol,” their eco-conscious single released in May, that now boasts over a million streams in less than two months. “Black Thunder” incorporates Mongolian values, telling a powerful story of battle, faith, and death lyrically and visually. The band has been teasing new music from their sophomore album on their headlining Black Thunder Tour, at Coachella, and soon at Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival, in Australia and New Zealand, on tour with Five Finger Death Punch and Megadeth, and later in Europe and the UK – a full list of dates below. This new music was recorded in their homeland of Mongolia, after their debut album ‘The Gereg’ landed at #1 on the World Album and Top New Artist charts in its first week of release. Pre-order RUMBLE OF THUNDER HERE. See below for a full tracklist. Fans can purchase tickets to watch THE HU on tour HERE.

Vocalist GALA shared, “‘Black Thunder’ is the crown jewel of our second album. The music video is split into two parts and conveys the core values of men through visuals. Our producer Dashka chose a unique location in Mongolia to shoot the video, where we had a great time riding the horses in the vast grassland of our countryside. We hope that our pride in our culture shines through, as we aimed to bring viewers joy and a piece of our culture through this video.” Speaking on their next studio album, he continued, “Our second album will include ‘Black Thunder,’ along with many new songs. We can’t wait for you to listen and enjoy it as much as we enjoyed recording it.”

THE HU’s last official video was set in the Mojave Desert and highlighted their unique core values of natural preservation and spiritual connection with the earth. The video for “Black Thunder” also features an epic backdrop, this time in Mongolia. Directed by Erdenebileg Ganbold and producer Dashka, the video is action packed, taking the viewers through battle and a funeral procession ritual.

Earlier this year, THE HU impressed various media with powerful, energizing performances on their Black Thunder Tour and at Coachella, with SF Gate’s Ariana Bindman writing, “The last time I fell in love, it wasn’t with a person. It was with a seven-piece Mongolian heavy metal band belting out guttural war cries while playing Motorhead-style riffs with traditional horsehead fiddles, electric guitars and flutes. Behind me, people of all backgrounds bob their heads, raise their fists and scream in harmony. I’m watching THE HU at Coachella, the first music festival I’ve attended since the world forever changed. And they’re f—king epic.”

This summer, THE HU will hit stages across North America, as they head out on tour with Megadeth, Five Finger Death Punch, and Fire From The Gods. The tour starts in Portland, Oregon on August 19, spanning over 30 dates, and closes out on October 15 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Concertgoers are promised an intense multi-faceted night of heavy rock music. Tickets are on sale now HERE.

‘Rumble of Thunder’ Tracklist

  1. This is Mongol
  2. YUT Hövende
  3. Triangle
  4. Teach Me
  5. Upright Destined Mongol
  6. Sell The World
  7. Black Thunder
  8. Mother Nature
  9. Bii Biyelgee
  10. Segee
  11. Shihi Hutu
  12. TATAR Warrior
Music News

THE HU Reveal New Single & Video “This Is Mongol”

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Acclaimed Mongolian rock band THE HU released a new single called “This Is Mongol” ahead of their second official studio album set for release later this summer via Better Noise Music. With “This Is Mongol,” as with all of their music, THE HU connects the world to Mongolian culture and its unique core values of natural preservation and spiritual connection with the earth. These core values are on full display in the new, epic official video for “This is Mongol,” also released today. The deeply meaningful lyrics uplift the Mongol people, as the band wishes for prosperity and peace among all. Previously debuting at #1 on the World Album and Top New Artist charts with their 2019 debut album THE GEREG, the band is excited to start dropping new music for fans. Currently on their Black Thunder Tour this spring, THE HU also recently played at Coachella, earning an array of critical acclaim. They will also join Five Finger Death Punch and Megadeth on tour later this summer.

Speaking about the video, singer and tumur hhuur player Jaya said, “We shot in the Mojave Desert, Nevada and the environment reminded us of Gobi Desert in Mongolia. We enjoyed shooting the video, which happened during our tour and gave us a little break to reminisce about home. The song perfectly matched the environment we made the video in. It was one of the best memories we created as a band and it was special because our producer Dashka was with us to oversee the whole process.”

Enkush, who also sings and plays the morin khuur, shared his thoughts on their tour dates with Five Finger Death Punch and Megadeth, “We grew up listening to Megadeth and can’t express how much they have inspired and motivated us to do what we love every day, so you can only imagine our excitement for our next tour with them. Everybody knows Megadeth is one of the four biggest trailblazers in thrash metal and to be performing with a modern band such as FFDP is truly going to be legendary. Although it will be our first time performing with them, we will bring our A-game on this tour.”

Thrilled to be sharing more of their Mongolian roots, producer Dashka said, “Creating this song meant so much to me. We are announcing our arrival through music and specifically through this song. In these uncertain times, I hope we are bringing positivity, empowerment and strength to fight for better days.”  

In celebration of their new single and upcoming album, THE HU also released an official music video directed by John Connor Hammond. The visual is set in the Mojave Desert and showcases the band energetically performing their inspiring new single “This Is Mongol.” 

On the morin khuur and serving as a vocalist, Gala talked about their recording process, “Our second album was recorded during Covid lockdown, where we used the time to put our best effort and astounding amount of energy to focus on the work. Therefore, it is our hope to present our listeners with unique songs that have their own characteristics.”

Temka, who plays the tovshurr and sings background vocals, also spoke about their upcoming album, “The new album has great quality, composition, melody and overall it is sensational. The lyrics that Dashka wrote consist of our traditional values, virtues and wisdom of our ancestors. Our fans can expect to hear and feel the messages we try to deliver through our songs, such as love and respect for parental love, the importance of sustainability and cultural heritage. We can’t wait for our fans to listen and enjoy our second album and are excited to be performing for fans whom we have yet to meet. We will see you very soon and send our regards to our fans all over the world!”

Soon after, THE HU will continue their trek across North America, as they head out on tour with Megadeth, Five Finger Death Punch, and Fire From The Gods. The tour, presented by Live Nation, will kick off in Portland, OR on August 19 and span over 30 dates, closing out on October 15 in Salt Lake City, UT. Concertgoers are promised an intense multi-faceted night of heavy rock music. Tickets are on sale now HERE.

Most recently, the band headlined a tour last fall through North America after joining Halestorm’s headlining tour, reuniting with frontwoman Lzzy Hale, their special guest on “Song of Women” from their #1-charting debut album THE GEREG. In addition to those tours, THE HU also performed a slew of high-profile festival dates including Austin City Limits, Outside Lands, Rocklahoma, Inkcarceration and more. Those dates coincided with THE HU’s appearance on Metallica’s Special 30th Anniversary ‘Black Album’ Reissue Covers Project, for which they covered the legendary band’s “Through the Never.” They appeared on the track listing alongside some of the biggest names in music – Elton John, Miley Cyrus, Yo-Yo Ma, St. Vincent, Phoebe Bridgers, J Balvin with the Neptunes, Weezer, and many more – who offered their own renditions of Metallica’s songs that originally appeared on the iconic LP. 

Interviews

Q&A WITH THE HU

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—Can you tell us which songs from the upcoming album will be performed on the “Black Thunder” tour, why you’re excited to play them and how they represent a new chapter for THE HU?

THE HU: For the “Black Thunder” tour, we’re excited to be performing songs from our new album including “Mother Nature,” “Tatar Warrior” and “ShihiHutu.” We have been working hard on our second album and hope to have it ready soon. It will be focused on showing the unique qualities of the Hunnu Rock genre and consists of many new songs that reinforce the different aspects of it. So far we’ve been getting positive response from our fans and we can’t wait to perform all of our new songs for them.

–What inspired you to call the tour “Black Thunder”?

THE HU: We originated in Mongolia and through our music we try to make our fans feel the freedom and energy of the spirit of our vast land and high mountains. Likewise, the “Black Thunder” name is inspired by the unique scenery that can only be seen in Mongolia in which the thunder rumbles right before the rain in the high mountains, the number of clouds in the sky and the force of the lightning are heard, and seen many, many miles away We tried to communicate the energy and feeling you would get experiencing that and hence we named the tour “Black Thunder.”

—A Coachella performance is a prestigious booking since the festival has always stood for musical integrity. Can you discuss what it feels like to be performing at Coachella for the first time in your career? Are there any other artists you’re excited to see performing on the day you play?

THE HU: It is such an honor to be part of Coachella. We’re more than thrilled to be included and it has always been our dream to be performing on that stage representing Mongolia for the first time. We feel that it’s a great opportunity to meet with many of our loyal fans and artists that we love. There are so many talented great artists playing on the day we perform and for the rest of the festival, and if we get a chance, we would love to see all of them.

–You’ve performed in many cities in North America. Can you tell us what it’s like to play for audiences here and how they might be different from ones in Europe?

THE HU: We’ve toured many cities and several continents and met with so many awesome people. Every place has its own characteristics that can be felt through their greetings, hand gestures and chants before, during and after the concerts. In that regard, we would say the biggest differences that we can recall would be the amount of people who would sing along and who’ve memorized the lyrics. Each continent has different accents on singing in Mongolian and we love all of our audiences and their uniqueness.

–What is your favorite part about touring North America? Do you guys ever have the time to explore cities on days off (restaurants, museums, etc.) and if so, what has that been like?

THE HU: Our favorite thing about touring in North America is visiting different places and meeting people. Not only do the restaurants and establishments differ, but each one of them has a unique style. On our days off, we’ve had a chance to taste the most amazing barbecue in Texas, Asian fusion mixed with Mexican spices and sushiritto, etc and explore around everywhere we go. Like their cuisine, Americans are always willing to go the extra mile to make people feel welcome and accepted–we’ve had many people guide us through their cities and towns.

Music News

THE HU ANNOUNCE NORTH AMERICAN “BLACK THUNDER TOUR” DATES

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Critically celebrated Mongolian rock band THE HU is set to head out on tour this spring. Today, they announced their “Black Thunder Tour” with a series of headlining dates, beginning in San Diego, CA on April 16 and ending in Mexico City, MX on May 31. The tour, which the band talks about in a new Q&A below, will continue the live music celebrations that the band is set to kick off during their Coachella sets on Friday, April 15 for the first weekend of the musical festival and on Friday, April 22 for the second. Fans will be able to purchase tickets for the tour starting tomorrow, Wednesday February 16, for the fan presale, Thursday, February 17, for the local presale, and Friday, February 18 for the general on sale. All ticket sale times begin at 10AM local time. For more information on “The Black Thunder Tour,” visit https://www.thehuofficial.com/tour-1.

The tour will continue to tease new music from THE HU’s highly anticipated sophomore album, due later this year from Better Noise Music. The album was recorded in their homeland of Mongolia over the last several months, during which, the group gave an update from the studio to fans via their YouTube channel HERE. Fans can also expect special previews of the project with live performances of new songs that the group originally premiered on their North American 2021 tour. See a new Q&A with THE HU discussing the album and touring below.

This past fall, THE HU headlined a tour through North America after joining Halestorm’s headlining tour, where they reunited with frontwoman Lzzy Hale, their special guest on “Song of Women” from their #1-charting debut album THE GEREG. In addition to those tours, THE HU also performed a slew of high-profile festival dates including Austin City Limits, Outside Lands, Rocklahoma, Inkcarceration and more, with the Austin-American Statesman giving a rave review for their ACL set, writing, “File this one under noise you didn’t think you needed. The eight-piece Mongolian band the Hu plays its guitars with bows and man buns, with backing “whoa” chants and punishing drums…It’s music built on tradition with an eye on the past.”

Those dates coincided with THE HU’s appearance on Metallica’s Special 30th Anniversary ‘Black Album’ Reissue Covers Project, for which they covered the legendary band’s “Through the Never.” They appeared on the track listing alongside some of the biggest names in music – Elton John, Miley Cyrus, Yo-Yo Ma, St. Vincent, Phoebe Bridgers, J Balvin with the Neptunes, Weezer, and many more – who offered their own renditions of Metallica’s songs that originally appeared on the iconic LP.

The band is excited to share more news on new music and further touring in the coming weeks on their social media channels and encourage everyone to give them a follow so they don’t miss out on anything: Website, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok