Over 800 years ago, Mongolian emperor Genghis Khan conquered vast areas of Europe.
While that empire has long since disappeared, Mongolians are again roaming across Europe, now dominating music festival stages in the form of The HU, including Download Festival, Hellfest, and Glastonbury."For us, this summer is the European festival season and we get to see our crazy fans during this time," band member Temka says via a translator.
The hard rock band have become Mongolia's biggest cultural export since Genghis Khan, ever since 2018 when their videos for songs 'Yuve Yuve Yu' and 'Wolf Totem' went viral.
The band's combination of metal riffing and Mongolian folk music fascinated millions of viewers, introducing the world to the country's culture.
Since then, the band have toured across the world, collaborated with metal's biggest names, released their debut album, 'The Gereg', and were rewarded for promoting Mongolian culture with the country's highest honour, The Order Of Genghis Khan.
Last year, the band released their second album, 'Rumble Of Thunder', and have now expanded upon it with a deluxe edition.
The HU – their name being the Mongolian root word for 'human' – began as the brainchild of producer Dashka.
Students at the Mongolian State Music And Dance Conservatory auditioned for a place in the band, including Temka and his Tovshuur – a traditional Mongolian three-stringed lute.
"I was very, very curious, more than anything," Temka recalls. "When Dashka brought in this idea and auditioned me, I was very curious as to how it would sound and how it would be performed.
"As a musician, I was so intrigued to try it out and potentially bring a new genre into the world. What [Dashka] likes to say is, 'Ancient Mongolians are actually very hard metal rockers to the core'."
Alongside Temka, The HU features Gala and Enkush on Morin Khuur (a Mongolian fiddle) and Jaya on Tsuur (Mongolian flute) and Tumur Hhuur (jaw harp).
Together, Gala, Enkush, and Jaya take lead vocals by utilising the tradition of throat singing, where they simultaneously produce a low drone and higher notes that can mimic the whistle of wind. All four studied at the Conservatory, and Temka is amazed by the band's development as musicians since forming.
"After all of the hours that we have put in for The HU, it has been amazing that each one of us has been able to develop as an artist. We've been developing together and becoming tighter than ever before.
"It's been really nice to understand what each one of us expects and how they like to perform and how we can improve, and we see the improvements in each other not only artistically, but also as people. We love the message that we are bringing to the people."
Performing live on recordings, the original quartet doubles to eight musicians when touring to fully expand their sound and give it that heavy metal energy.
On the deluxe edition of 'Rumble Of Thunder', the band have rerecorded a selection of album tracks in acoustic form. "We've all performed acoustically since grade school and at the conservatory, and for many years as an artist I've performed acoustically," Temka says.
"Our songs and techniques, and the instruments we use have so many unique attributes that some of the songs sound even more beautiful when performed acoustically. We wanted our fans to listen to that and appreciate the beauty of the traditional musical instruments as well."
Among the millions of people who fell in love with The HU via their initial videos, the band have gained prominent fans from the Western metal world.
Previously, the band collaborated with Papa Roach's Jacoby Shaddix and Halestorm's Lzzy Hale, and were selected by Metallica to cover 'Sad But True' for their massive 'The Black Album' anniversary.
The HU's tradition of collaboration continues with the deluxe edition featuring William DuVall of Alice In Chains, Bad Wolves' DL, and System Of A Down's Serj Tankian.
"I am a big fan of Serj Tankian and Alice In Chains," Temka says. "Ever since I was in school I've been listening to them. They're amazing artists who produce legendary music to this day.
"To have them perform The HU's music and adding their unique style to it is like a dream come true. If we get the chance, I would love to perform with them onstage."
After their European tour, The HU will embark on an American tour, co-headlining with Asking Alexandria. However, Temka promises the band will return once again to Australia.
"We will always say 'yes' to Australia," he says. "You guys are some of the most loyal and crazy metalheads that we have ever seen.
"The energy just hits the roof every time we perform there. So yes, we will be seeing you very soon in Australia."
'Rumble Of Thunder' deluxe edition is released 30 June. Pre-order it.
