Following the success of their acclaimed 2022 sophomore effort RUMBLE OF THUNDER, groundbreaking Mongolian rock group THE HU—who use traditional Mongolian instrumentation, throat singing and perform entirely in their native language—have announced a deluxe version of the album will be released June 30 via Better Noise Music. RUMBLE OF THUNDER: DELUXE ALBUM will further highlight the band’s “stadium-sized metal riffs and thunderous vocal melodies” (Revolver Magazine) with seven new tracks: four acoustic renditions and three newly recorded singles featuring guest appearances and English-translated vocals from some of rock’s top musicians including William DuVall of Alice In Chains, Serj Tankian (System of A Down), DL of Bad Wolves and international solo artist LP (Laura Pergolizzi). Pre-orders for the album across all digital platforms as well as physically on CD and vinyl are available now at https://thehu.ffm.to/rumblethunderdeluxe.
THE HU have today (March 31) unveiled the deluxe album’s second single, the volcanic anthem “Black Thunder (feat. Serj Tankian and DL of Bad Wolves).” Following the release of the eco-conscious single “This Is Mongol (feat. William Duvall of Alice In Chains),” in February, “Black Thunder (feat. Serj Tankian and DL of Bad Wolves)” includes a refreshed look at the culturally shaped track with a new perspective and English-translated vocals. Its original “visually stunning” (Louder Sound) music video was filmed in THE HU’s home country of Mongolia, logging 3 million views to date. The video of the Serj Tankian and DL featured track directed by Michael Lombardi (The Retailiators, Five Finger Death Punch, Papa Roach)–is also out today. View it streaming below or directly HERE.
“‘Black Thunder’—the latest single from our sophomore album, ‘Rumble of Thunder’—is the composition we worked on the longest, and because of that, we recorded many different variations of the song,” shares THE HU band leader GALA. “The lyrics and the video have several different meanings on the surface as well as on a deeper level. Therefore, every version of ‘Black Thunder’ carries a certain unique idea. Our producer and our band members were amazed by the additions that were made by DL and Serj and their unique singing styles, which added to our beloved song. DL’s powerful vocals, topped by the Serj’s signature voice and one-of-a-kind Armenian-American style, is shedding different light to The HU’s music. We hope our fans enjoy this featured version and feel the soul of the song through their ears.”
TANKIAN shares his experience working with THE HU, stating: “I had discovered the Hu’s music from a YouTube video that a friend sent me and was instantly struck by their powerful and delightful merging of Mongolian folk and metal. A few years back I had scored a film called Furious where we also used the legendary Tuva singing and heavy guitars. So, when they reached out to collaborate, I was intrigued. I appreciate the pride with which they represent their culture through music. It led me down a historical rabbit hole of Mongolians and Armenia. Genghis Khan conquered Armenia along with the rest of Europe, but the Mongols also later teamed up with Armenia to fight the Turkish hordes. Happy I had the chance to collaborate with the Hu and learn all of this in the process.”
Says DL: “Working on this version of The HU’s ‘Black Thunder’ was so much fun and so different from what I normally get to do. Their vision, their voices…they’re special. This is more than music, it’s a movement, it’s culture, and I’m honored that I was presented with the opportunity to be part of it.”
A force to be reckoned with, THE HU’s music has received over 329 million combined streams across digital platforms, 290 million video views, two Top 5 Mainstream Rock charting radio singles, sold-out worldwide headlining tours and appearances at the biggest music festivals across the globe (Download, Coachella, Lollapalooza). The band were the first-ever rock/metal band to be awarded UNESCO’s “Artist For Peace” designation in 2022 and also were the first group and 12th overall recipients of the highest state award in Mongolia, the Order of Genghis Khan, which was granted to the band by the President of Mongolia, Kh. Battulga in 2020. They have further added to these accreditations by becoming the first-ever Mongolian band to perform in the metaverse following their virtual concert, “Rumble of Thunder V1.1,” which took place last night (March 30).
THE HU will continue to bring forth their stimulating live show to fans across the world throughout 2023 with their summer “Rumble of Thunder 2023” European tour which includes appearances at Glastonbury Festival (UK), Hellfest (FR) and a return to Download Festival (UK) plus more. The group will also return to the U.S for festival appearances in the fall at Louder Than Life (9/21-24) in Louisville, KY and Aftershock Festival (10/5-8) in Sacramento, CA. Full dates and ticket information can be found at https://www.thehuofficial.com/tour-1.
THE HU TOUR DATES
6/7 Nickelsdorf, AT – Nova Rock
6/8 Interlaken, CH -Greenfield Festival
6/10 Southampton, UK – Southampton Guildhall
6/11 Donington, UK – Download Festival
6/13 Liverpool, UK – O2 Academy Liverpool
6/14 Bristol, UK – O2 Academy Bristol
6/16 Landgraaf, NL – Pinkpop 2023
6/17 Clisson, FR – Hellfest
6/20 Lille, FR – L’Aeronef
6/21 Norwich, UK – University of East Anglia
6/22 Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy Glasgow
6/23 Newcastle, UK – NX Newcastle
6/24 Somerset, UK – Glastonbury Festival
6/27 Frankfurt, DE – Batschkapp
6/28 Strasbourg, FR – La Laiterie Artefact
6/30 Werchter, BE – Rock Werchter 2023
7/2 Heslinki, FI – Festival Helsinki
7/4 Hamburg, DE – Grosse Freiheit 26
7/5 Luxembourg, LU – Rockhal
7/6 Aix-les-bains, FR – Musilack 2023
7/8 Madrid, ES – Mad Cool Festival 2023
7/10 Marseille, FR – Espace Julien
7/12 Munich, DE – Backstage Werk
7/13 Dresden, DE – Alter Schlachtohf
7/15 Wroclaw, PL – Center Concert A2
7/16 Vizovice, CZ – Masters of Rock
7/17 Budapest, HU – Budapest Park
7/20 Bontida, RO – Electric Castle Festival
7/22 Nordfjordeid, NO – Malakoff Festival
9/23 Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life Festival
10/6 Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival
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