The HU – Hun

The pioneers of Hunnu rock are back with their third studio album, Hun, blending ancient traditions with modern metal textures. Now firmly established as a true phenomenon on the rock/metal scene, The HU manages to elevate their formula without ever betraying the soul of their Mongolian origins.

The Warriors’ Chant

This new venture opens with an initiation into a beguiling, otherworldly journey. “Warrior Chant” and its rallying cries “hu! hu! hu!” provide a perfect primer for laying the foundations of a universe where ancestral tradition closely partners with contemporary aggression.

Very quickly, the album gains momentum with “Lost Soul,” featuring Jonny Hawkins of Nothing More. When it comes to collaborations, the band knows how to surround itself with the best. After Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach) and Lzzy Hale (Halestorm) for the deluxe edition of The Gereg in 2020, it is now the turn of the American frontman (and labelmate from Better Noise Music) to lend his voice to the Mongolian world. The track thus offers a very modern sound, carried by Hawkins’ distinctive voice, which blends perfectly with the traditional chants. But while the song functions as a radio-friendly lead single, the Asian group does not need Western reinforcement to assert its rock signature. Witness the fervor of “The Real You” at a blistering tempo, or the raw power of “Grey Hun.” The latter also features a chorus sung in English, which any listener can connect with (“Live the life you meant to have”).

A Father Figure and Epic Gallops

The HU’s music continues to speak for itself. Despite the language barrier, one can sense a overarching theme focused on human nature and mankind with a capital M.

After paying homage to women and mothers on their previous records, the band now shifts its gaze toward masculine heritage. The HU presents us with “Echoes Of My Father,” a sentimental ballad dedicated to the father figure. Quieter and more intimate, the track stands out for its pared-down, moving approach, paying tribute to the men who shaped them. A salute to the fathers of yesterday and tomorrow.

In a more traditional register, “The Men” extends this reflection by portraying Humanity in search of wisdom. A masculine thread that also appears on the epic “Horsemen,” with its galloping rhythm that instinctively evokes a ride across the vast Mongolian steppes. The track fuses ancient diphonic singing with a remarkable morin khuur solo, and in a single piece sums up the quintessence of The HU’s sound.

The Journey’s Summit

It is in the latter half of the record that the centerpiece sits: “Universe.” A nearly nine-minute track that unfolds several phases of extraordinary richness. Initially launched by a gorgeous intro where traditional music, singing, and piano weave a dreamy, floating atmosphere, the piece then shifts into electric guitars with heavy riffs and incisive melodies. A soaring ascent of stunning beauty.

To conclude this voyage, The HU offers a genuine gem. “Second Face,” with its danceable energy, reveals a new facet of the band and closes the set on a note as refreshing as it is unexpected.

An album that is complete, visceral, and deeply human, confirming that rock music knows no borders.

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