Few bands have reshaped modern heavy music quite like The HU.
Since introducing the world to their unique blend of Hunnu Rock and Mongolian folk traditions, The Hu have built a global following without compromising the culture that sits at the heart of everything they create.
With their third album Hun released today, the band enters another chapter, meaning “human” in Mongolian, the record explores shared human experiences while continuing to celebrate the history, philosophy and traditions that have made The HU one of heavy music’s most distinctive voices.
We spoke with bassist Temuulen “Temka” Naranbaatar, through translator Solongo, about the meaning behind Hun, preserving Mongolia’s nomadic heritage, Australia’s special place in the band’s story and why Star Wars remains one of his proudest career moments.
When asked what it means to finally share Hun with the world, Temka admits the release has been a long time coming:
“We’re very very excited to be releasing our album this week because not only we dedicated a long time to make make it, but also, you know, this is only the third album we we are releasing to our fans.”
He hopes listeners connect with more than just the music:
“We really hope our fans to understand the message that we you know try to to deliver. Not only the music composition, but also the lyrics was under under a concept that we tried to use Mongolian philosophy.”
If fans don’t immediately understand every layer of the record, he’s happy for them to keep exploring it:
“We hope that they will listen to it over and over again and ask questions when they feel like it as well.”
Stand out tracks
While every track holds meaning, two songs stand above the rest for Temka:
“If I had to choose choose an important song from the third album, I would choose the Echoes of My Father.”
He explains the song explores the importance of fathers within families and society, reflecting on the relationship from both a son’s perspective and as fathers themselves.
Creating the accompanying video (below) alongside their own children made the experience even more personal.
‘Echoes of My Father’ video
The other standout is ‘Horsemen’, a tribute to Mongolia’s inseparable bond with horses.
“You cannot imagine Mongolians, you know, separately from their horses.”
“Our nomadic life and and the horses have been a constant throughout history.”
‘Horsemen’ video
For The HU, keeping those stories alive is central to the band’s identity, Temka says the members are more than capable of writing conventional rock songs, but that would never replace what makes The HU unique:
“It is, you know Mongolian music, Mongol like the traditional music adds that no one can, nothing can replace.”
He believes their traditional instruments allow the band to preserve something much bigger than themselves:
“It kind of helps us to deliver deliver the essence of the last remaining nomadic culture culture in the world.”
Rather than viewing it simply as national pride, Temka sees it as preserving part of humanity’s shared heritage:
“For us, it’s important to keep that tradition moving forward and inspire kids and people to be you know using the traditional instruments and keeping it alive.”
‘Grey Hun’ video
Love for Australia
Australia also holds a unique place in The HU’s history, the band’s first visit coincided with the COVID lockdowns, leaving them unexpectedly living in Australia for two months:
“It felt like the country itself has this untamed nature, which we absolutely loved.”
He says the band felt a genuine connection with both Australia’s landscapes and its people, adding they’re already hoping to return:
“We are hoping… we come back back to Australia in 2027, and yeah, we’re gonna do a proper tour in there as well.”
Away from music, Temka admits he’s a passionate gamer, making one particular career achievement especially memorable.
“Having our songs featured in the Star Wars game was one of the best thing ever.”
He says working with EA on a Star Wars title remains his favourite collaboration outside of music, even as opportunities from the gaming industry continue to grow, when he’s not making music or gaming, there’s only one thing that truly distracts him.
“The only thing that pulls me away from the music, besides my family, is of course a football.”
“I love proper football.”
Whether it’s creating music inspired by centuries of Mongolian history or relaxing with football and video games, Temka’s passions all come back to connection. That’s exactly what Hun hopes to achieve.
The HU – Hun Track Listing
- Warrior Chant
- Lost Soul (Digital version features Jonny Hawkins of Nothing More)
- The Men
- Echoes of My Father
- Shadow
- Horsemen
- Greed
- The Real You
- Grey Hun
- Universe
- Second Face
Listen/stream here.
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