21.05.2025 The Hu

Graspop Metal Meeting

Dessel (Belgium)

The third day of Graspop Metal Meeting moved steadily along, and it was time to head back into the Marquee, which was already packed to the brim. Unfortunately, that also meant the tent was noticeably hotter and stuffier than the blazing afternoon sun outside. The reason for the crowd was the Mongolian band The Hu, who spice up their metal with traditional Mongolian influences.Their set drew from their two released albums, "Rumble Of Thunder" and "The Gereg", supplemented by various singles they’ve put out over the years. While the band officially consists of only four members, their live lineup doubles that number on stage. So it wasn’t just crowded in front of the stage, with all the musicians and their instruments, it was crowded on it as well. Particularly eye‑catching were the unusual, violin‑like instruments known as horsehead fiddles, the topshurs, and the large drums positioned at the back of the stage. On top of that, the vocals were shaped by traditional Mongolian throat singing, giving well‑known songs like Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper” a completely unique sound. The crowd in the tent clearly loved it. Between songs, loud “Hu! Hu! Hu!” chants echoed through the tent, happily acknowledged by the band. No one stayed still, there was constant movement in front of the stage. The songs were varied, though they shared certain similarities, yet never felt repetitive or dull. After just 50 minutes, the sauna session came to an end. Under frenetic applause and loud cheers, the obligatory band photo was taken on stage as the final notes of “This Is Mongol” faded away.
The band had already caught my attention at Wacken Open Air years ago, but somehow I had never managed to see them live until today — always because another band I wanted to see overlapped. They made it very clear that this had been a mistake. Once again, these guys turned the Marquee into a massive party, making the time fly by. The unusual sound, the visual impact of the instruments, and the traditional clothing all contributed to making this gig an unforgettable experience. What stood out especially was how wholeheartedly the crowd joined in, with the band’s infectious energy spreading effortlessly to the audience. If you want to have a genuinely great time at a concert, The Hu are highly recommended.