The HU - Wolf Totem (REACTION!) 

Now that you've ventured into another culture you should give Alien Weaponry a listen. Its a bunch of teenagers from New Zealand who made a metal band that uses all modern instruments like any normal metal band but they sing in Māori. They have some really groovy and heavy stuff on the songs that they sing in Maori

The HU did an excellent cover of Sad but True by Metallica. Would love to see a comparison video from you guys!

Mongolian warriors were noted for riding horses in battle. Motorcycles are sometimes referred to as an iron horse. I think it’s modern symbolism referencing the past. Also I’m glad you chose the video with lyrics. It definitely enhances things. Uve Uve is a great song too

The Mongolian language really seems to be a perfect fit for heavy metal lyrics.

They have a couple of their songs that they've recorded with modern rock artists that also have English lyrics. My favorite is Song of Women feat. Lzzy Hale. So happy y'all checked these guys out and I hope you do more

Oh man, you all also need to check out Alien Weaponry. It's a New Zealand thrash band with lyrics in Maori. That shit is fire.

You should try Deutschland by Rammstein, it's quite memorable and cinematic!

Should check out their cover of Sad But True, it's wild

I love the Hu! Please check out more of their music! Have you checked out Heilung? I think you'll enjoy their song "Krigsgaldr". They use a mix of old sources and mythology, and sing in different languages like Old Norse, Old German, and English. They stand out a bit due to have a female singer, Maria Franz, who is fantastic.

So happy to finally see you guys reacting to The HU. If you're looking for more different stuff, feel free to do some folk metal/rock and the likes. Korpiklaani, Heilung, Hanggai, Alien Weaponry, there's a bunch of bands out there with a sound you've probably never heard before.

Your comments were spot on. You're MEANT to think of a Mongolian battlefield. The Mongols took most of Asia at one point. Mongol horsemen were scary and not to be f*cked with. The motorbikes in the clip are symbolic of those horses. The chanting is like a war cry.

Hu is great. They have a youtube channel called "Hu's in the kitchen" where they cook for each other while on the road, usually more traditional Mongolian recipes. They're really awesome imo. They've toured here in America and made it to Atlanta even. If you're interested in more like this Ulytau is a Kazakh band that blends a similar sort of steppe music with modern rock/metal. They're more symphonic than Hu though.

If you want a good example of the overtone singing, Shireg Shireg is a stripped down, very traditional song. It adds a couple of instruments, flute type instrument and a mouth harp. There are only studio vids on this though.

I just saw them last night in Portland, there were 8 dudes up there just killing it! They were very grateful to the audience, handing out drumsticks, picks, even set lists...then they came back out and covered Metallica in Mongolian. Great live show!

The song they made for Jedi Fallen Order (game) is amazing! It feels even more familiar but with unfamiliar sounds.

C4 energy drinks: "could you have our drinks front and center on the table" Lost In Vegas: "sure thing" Ryan: *Reaches for a different drink in a plastic cup off screen.... George: *Reaches for a bottle of water/lemonade off screen.... Lolz

Such a cool album. I got to see these guys play live at Aftershock 2019 in Sacramento. They were cool as shit to watch, and they really seemed to enjoy being there in CA with people jamming to their songs. Glad you guys got to check this out 🤘

This signifies what you guys always say "shout out to all you free thinkers"...! I recently found this group and have enjoyed their small discography.

Never heard of them. Thanks for the introduction. I really liked this. Although completely different, I could relate to my own cultural heritage.

This is why I love your channel ,Free Thinkers out here just enjoying music of all types and willing to explore all edges of music. Love the sound of this music , heard them a bit ago , has a wonderful sound mix of ancient and modern .

My two favourite songs by the Hu are, "Shireg Shireg" and "The Legend of Mother Swan." Really beautiful songs.

The metal band Tengger Cavalry used throat singing combined with extreme metal earlier than The Hu but weren't quite as well known, they were formed in 2010, The Hu 2016. I think they quit in 2019 after the main guy Tianran Zhang's suicide. I haven't actually head the later TC albums but first ones were pretty interesting, like a combination of melodic death metal and folk metal.

The Hu have collaborated with a lot of Western artists (this is the first time I’ve heard this song without Jacoby Shaddix) so that might help. Also recommend Alien Weaponry and Bloodywood.

I'll add my voice to the others asking for Alien Weaponry and Bloodywood. One thing I'll add is that you should check out the music of Tanya Tagaq. Very popular in Canada, she combines Inuk (Indigenous Canadian) throat singing with rock music. She's not as heavy as the others mentioned, but is absolutely amazing.

Definitely gotta do more of them. YUVE YUVE YU is a great one too

I'm glad you guys did this. When I discovered these guys a while ago I went do the rabbit hole of Mongolian throat singing. Some amazing content out there!

If y’all had fun checking this out you should Check out Bloodywood - Aaj It’s like Indian Nu Metal/metalcore. I love it lol

Just imagine seeing a Mongolian Horde coming over the hills, had to be pure terror.

I really like the HU, The whole album is great. Heavy and tribalistic.I do think the lyrics to this and many of their songs are actually direct or slightly reimagined poems of the old Mongolian empire and how they thought as warriors.

Now that you are trying the Hu, you need to try listening to Heilung next. The song Krigsgaldr is a trip

Fun fact... That video (at this point in time) has 48 Million views. That is over 15 times as many views as there are people in Mongolia (3.3M).

I found the Hu thru Pandora on my Wardruna station. If y'all did Wardruna I would die with a smile.

I wasn't one of those people but I'm really glad you did this one! The Hu were the last band I saw live before the apocalypse when they played to a weeks ahead sold out gig in Belfast Northern Ireland and it was one of the best nights out I've had, they were great live and seemed genuinely pleased and greatful for the rapturous reception they got from their Irish audience (it was the only gig in Ireland and I met people that had come up from all over the south and the rest of the province for the show). They're actualy not the first Mongolians to have done this, i.e. bringing Mongol folk music up to date with rock / metal elements. Before them was Yat-Kha, and if you want to hear one of their tracks I would reccomend Karangailyg Kara Hovaa (Across the Black Steppe) theough thats more hard rock/punk and less metal so its sounds a little different. I love it, can't beat that throat singing!

You wanna see a movie? you should react to the video for Deutschland by Rammstein.

That was fun, guys 🙂 thanks for making us smile

Loving the support for Alien Weaponry in the comments. Would love to see Ryan and George tackle Kai Tangata.

This one reminds me of Alien Weaponry & their song, 'Kai Tangata'. You should give that one a listen & review, too.

So glad you checked this out. You should really review their cover of Sad But True by Metallica. Hearing a song you're possibly familiar with, and being able to compare it to how they interpret it, push this song and others they do into perspective. And this is a fantastic band. I really believe any intelligent football coach or sport coach of any kind, should incorporate this song into pre-game rituals. If it doesn't get you pumped and ready to go, you're dead.

The Great Chinggis Khaan is one of my favorite songs by them

My favorite meaning to this song.... Don't start none, wont be none.

A lot of these guys are classically trained and have attended University for their native instruments!

The HU band did an awesome cover of a Metallica song, 'Sad But True'. It was done using the same instruments, throat singing, and language as this song. You should check it out.

Yesssss😎✌✌👍.....the Hu are incredible....well done

Like many others, I was hyped to see you guys tackle this song. But, honestly, biggest props go to the intro, recognizing that your turned it away, but then you brought it back with practicing what you preach. It's what we're here for guys. Keep it up Much love from Minnesota I would second any voters for Yuve Yuve Yu, and throw in The Great Ghinggis Khaan for consideration.

I like this song with Jacoby from Papa Roach. It fills in the gaps and everything Jacoby does just hits with me, check it out.

Oh, and they also remind me of 90s Wu Tang, when you hear them chant Hu, hu, hu! RZA also uses samples of a violin on Wu Tang Forever that has the same nerve.

The whistle and the drone from the beginning is throat singing. The drone sound is one note and the whistle is produced by manipulating the droning overtones with your tongues shape

That was an interesting listen and I would add it to a custom playlist. Since you tried this, I would recommend Wardruna's latest album, Kvitravn with the song of the same name. Tbh, its takes a couple of listens thru to get but it should hook ya after that (or at least has me and those I've shared it with hooked). They use traditional norse instruments weaved with nature sounds and lyric content related to ancient norse literature.

These guys are great live. I got to see them in 2019 at the Aftershock Festival. They were on the 3rd stage but drew a huge crowd! Everyone in the crowd was chanting Hu between every song!

This song is fire: I haven't watched the video yet, but its fire!

Enjoyed ur reaction.. btw.. Plz checkout indianfolkmetal band called Dymbur. The song Child Abuse & Rape Culture. These guys write song on sensitive issues. Would love to see ur reaction to their song Child Abuse and Rape Culture which has elements of indian folk instruments and metal too..

Check out next Song Of Women featuring Lizzy Hale from Halestrom and The Hu’s cover of Sad But True official videos

Jumped in at the deep end on this one. There are a couple of other Mongolian metal bands out there, Tengger Cavalry and Nine Treasures, heavier sound, and came out well before The HU. You should also check out Wagakki Band, mix of Japanese traditional instruments and vocals, with modern instruments and arrangements. They do a cover of Bring Me To Life with Amy Lee that is pretty interesting.

Theres no place on earth that the Metal isn't in the people.

So thankful to see this video!!!! There's so much to discover in the world of music. This track seemed to have y'all shook 😂😂😂

The video clips add alot to....the visuals are cool😎

Thats in the beginning was indeed a way of throat singing. There a three forms and the one we heard in the Video in the beginning is called 'sygyt' the highest form. Sygyt means 'to whistle'

This is my son's ring entrance music (boxing). He has Mongolian and Aztec blood in his veins.

I'm open to music and I believe it's great. I bought it on vinyl. Their Sad But True version is awesome and the video is way better than Metallica's version.

People: Meh, metal is dead. The Hu: Hold my beer.

The beginning part is a part of traditional Mongolian throat singing!!

At the beginning of the song, yes, that was throat singing.

We all actually have multiple tones and overtones in our voices. They are always there. Throat singing basically brings the those overtones forward to be easily heard.

Thank God I've lived long enough to have experienced something as interesting and far out as Mongolian heavy metal.

I just wanted to say that I think it's about time you do another song by these guys! 😁

Obligatory "now do Heilung" comment. Alfadhirhaiti is a good introduction

I got to see these guys live in '19. They're only getting bigger. They're on Jedi: Fallen Order with "Sugaan Essena". If you're not completely comfortable with the genre you should check out their colabs with the singer of Papa Roach and Halestorm. Killer.

The HU have also done a awesome cover of METALLICA's Sad but True!

If you go deeper into the hu, try the great chiggis khan. It’s so hype

What they're doing in the beginning is called throat singing. Darroh from Fair to Midland also used it a bit. Really miss FTM.

Their version of Sad But True is amazing and has an incredible video, you guys should check it out.

WOW! I've waited so long for you guys to do this song, I have no idea how I missed it when it happened! Please do Heilung next. It's like Viking folk music and amazing. Love you guys, you continue to set the bar for what you do.

Nice Choice for a Reaction! 😊 I hope one day You both could check out the band. Planet of Zeus The song "No Tomorrow" I'd love to hear both you're opinions on their music. The Hu also has a song featuring Lizzy Hale of Halestorm called "Song of women"

They also have done a cover of Sad But True by Metallica lol it sounds awesome

Hu and Lizzy Hale "Song of Women"!! Should have done it for international women's day - but it's still epic.

They did an awesome cover of Sad But True!

I've listed to the HU a bit- I actually like them. I bet this rocks in Mongolia!

As a side note the infamous mongrels motorcycle gang were the guys on the bikes

A majority of the musicians were trained at the University in Mongolia and are adept at many different styles of music especially classical

WOW!! Someone threw you guys in the deep end of The Hu! I was eased into it with the alternate version of Wolf Totem ft. Jacoby Shaddix (from Papa Roach) You guys did NOT disappoint! Keep on keepin' on free thinkers :)

I've been hoping and waiting for you guys to stumble upon The Hu. Do some more, and let it grow on you. You kept saying it had a "ritualistic" sound to you...perhaps the word you were looking for was "tribal"...and it totally grabs you right in the gut in a way that is difficult to explain but is undeniable. These guys have become ambassadors of their culture and are taking the world by storm.

They do a collaboration with Jacoby Shaddox from Papa Roach with this song… Pretty dam good 👍

Saw this band before the pandemic closed everything down. Everyone in the audience showed nothing but love for this band. They put on one hell of a show

You have to do their sad but true remake!! Shit goes hard!

Dream Theatre bridges in the sky starts and ends with this type of vocal technique. Great song too

These guys are Mongol and the Mongol Empire created by the great Genghis Khan in the 13th century was the largest contiguous land empire in the history of the world. They were outstanding warriors and this song reflects that time and spirit.

as the song nears the end, you can't help but wonder if a village is about to be stomped into the mud....

Sophisticated humming

If y'all are interested in hearing music from some other cultures, I'd highly recommend the bands Alien Weaponry and Heilung!

If you ever get the chance to see them live, then by all means, do. They are probably the most powerful live band I've ever seen. Something about the music and presentation strikes you at your most primal, in a way that no other band that I've seen ever has.

The lyrics come from an old Mongolian war folk song from around the time shortly after the Death of Genghis Kahn aka Chinnghis Kahn

Thank you, great reaction! Their videos are all stunning. You should check out their Song of Women. They had already written the song when they asked Lzzy Hale from Halestorm to write some English lyrics. Her voice matches up perfectly. If you haven't already listened, Dimash is another great vocal talent that has millions of fans, but the mainstream music media doesn't cover him. Start with SOS,

They're fabulous live. They'll be at Coachella on 4-15 and in Vegas on 4-17. You should check them out.

For more on throat singing, the movie 'Genghis Blues' is about bluesman Paul Pena's discovery and mastery of throat singing, virtually on his own. Pena wrote the Steve Miller hit 'Jet Airliner'.

Bloodywood Ari Ari next! A metal band from india that really caught me by surprise!

Yuve Yuve Yu is more upbeat, think you guys would like that song more

Awesome song. Happy to see the reaction!

Aman Amarth, song/video- Way Of The Viking

As someone who is part Mongolian, it's amazing to see the genuine reaction of the throat singing and traditional instruments