HALLOWOLFBAT: THE HU
From House of Vans Chicago
with: Doomriders and Lightning Born
Halloween Night
Thursday 10/31/20

Hallowolfbat: Is an installation/ performance/ exhibition/ party that’s something to behold and witness live, especially with Mongolia’s The HU headlining the event from House of Vans Chicago.
The installation pieces on display throughout the night at House of Vans were designed by Dennis McNett of Wolfbatt Studios, along with special guest collaborators who together transformed the entire interior of House of Vans into enthralling works of art, which were moveable, and gigantic in scope- some pieces ranging in height of twelve feet or so.
The venue was transformed into a world of fantasy and spectacle, brought to life by ethereal and strikingly visual art concepts and exploits from mythological creatures, such as gigantic wolves, and gigantic skulls of the dead.
And the musical performances, highlighted by Mongolia’s The Hu, along with support from Doomriders and Lightning Born, added to the doom and mystical fright of it all.
As far as The HU, who are making a splash stateside, all the way again from Mongolia- a band that blends metal along with traditional Mongolian throat singing and a dash of acoustic folk metal thrown in for good measure.
The HU’s first two videos (“Yuve Yuve Yu” and “Wolf Totem”) Immediately went viral upon release, garnering the band over 30 million views.
The explosive reaction to The HU has resulted in a number of features and reviews about them in international media and print publications, all the way to NPR, Metal Hammer, Decibel Magazine, and also in Playboy.
The band’s name The HU is the Mongolian root word for human being. The HU call their style “Hunnu Rock”- which is inspired by the Hunnu, an ancient Mongolian empire, known as The Huns in western culture. Some of the band’s lyrics include old Mongolian war cries infused with poetry.
Founded in 2016 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia by their producer Dashka, along with members Gala, Jaya, Temka, and Enkush.
The HU combines heavy rock music with traditional Mongolian instrumentation like the Morin Khuur, which is a horsehead fiddle, Tovshuur, which is a Mongolian guitar, Tumur Khuur, which is a jaw harp, which Gala performs with amplified effect, making it sound like it’s equal in electric to the entire band, along with guttural throat singing along with heavy bass and drums to anchor the sound.
“The Gereg”- the HU’s first release (which actually came out stateside last week), displays in it’s entirety what the band is all about, with most of the songs on the setlist at the House of Vans back on Halloween last October 2019.
The word Gereg was used as the first Diplomatic “Passport” by the Mongol empire during the time of Genghis Khan. The album contains nine songs including the viral hits “Yuve Yuve Yu” along with “Wolf Totem”.
Along with openers Doomriders and Lightning Born, the event titled Hallowolfbat made for an enduring and unforgettable way to spend Halloween, with like minded folk who were enthusiastically present and soaking in the display of striking visuals and metal might.
Can’t say enough about The HU, and how they are so honest and forthright in their presentation and gifts for incorporating a blend of traditional and otherworldy folk with metal.
Cheers- Bobby Talamine – Music Photographer