The HU / The Funeral Portrait

The HU Headline Halloween Night In Buffalo, NY

***The HU – Electric City, Buffalo, NY***

Mongolian folk-metal band, The HU, are currently on the road supporting metal giants Iron Maiden. However, they made sure to make the most of their time while in North America and squeezed in 9 headline shows of their own, with The Funeral Portrait as openers. Buffalo, NY lucked out to be on that short list of dates.

Fans lined up outside the fairly new club in downtown Buffalo, NY many in costume given it was Halloween night. Many that showed up have seen the 8 piece {while on tour} traditional Mongolian / metal band previously as they have been to Western New York previously, as openers. Being their first time here as headliners, there was a buzz in the crowd about performing a longer set this time around.

The HU, which translates to the Mongolian root word for “human being” has been making their mark steadily since they appeared on the scene in 2016. Most of the band appeared to be sporting leather war regalia straight out of the 13th century, as they sing invocations to a Mongolian sky deity and odes to 13th century warlord Genghis Khan. Not that anyone seems to really notice the majority of the songs are sung in Mongolian by the band’s lead singers. As they belt out their lyrics in a deep guttural drone-like style known as throat singing, the crowd chants along. The words might be unknown to many of us in the venue, however the emotion is there and very real. The connection is in the music, if you ever needed any proof. They are extremely impressive live, not only on record.

Not only have they covered Metallica, they recently released a cover of current tour companions, Iron Maiden. They put their signature touch to the classic The Trooper, which they treated the crowd to as well as fan favorite, Wolf Totem.

The HU consists of core members Galbadrakh “Gala” Tsendbaatar {lead vocalist / throat singer and the morin khuur}, Nyamjantsan “Jaya” Galsanjamts {throat singer and the tsuur}, Enkhsaikhan “Enkush” Batjargal {throat singer and the morin khuur}, and Temuulen “Temka” Naranbaatar {backing vocals and the tovshuur.} They are joined by touring members Unumunkh “Ono” Maralkhuu {percussion, tumur hhuur, backing vocals}, Jambaldorj “Jamba” Ayush {guitarist, backing vocalist}, Nyamdavaa “Davaa” Byambaa {bassist, backing vocalist}, and Odbayar “Odko” Gantumur {drums}.