Arriving at Liberty Hall I was pleasantly surprised to see the biggest line I had ever seen at the venue, a testament to The Hu’s Australian fanbase which has exponentially grown since they exploded onto the scene with their 2019 album ‘The Gereg’. There was a raw enthusiasm in the air and speaking to others in line I discovered that more than a few would be seeing The Hu for the 2nd time in 3 days, attending the Sydney show in addition to Knotfest last Saturday, which again spoke volumes about the band’s Australian fanbase.
Opener The Omnific provided the enthusiastic Sydney crowd with a mesmerizing journey through the depths of progressive instrumental metal, showcasing their unparalleled musicianship and innovative approach to the genre. Hailing from Melbourne, the band consists of two bassists (Matt Fack and Toby Peterson-Stewart) and a drummer (Jerome Lematua), creating a unique sonic landscape that was both intricate and powerful. The band’s show was a masterclass in technical proficiency with each member displaying virtuosic skill and precision, tracks like ‘Objets de Vertu’ and ‘Fountainhead’ demonstrating their ability to weave complex rhythms and melodic motifs together seamlessly while maintaining an undeniable groove that kept the audience entranced. This musical complexity did not come at the cost of strong crowd engagement, as is sometimes the case with instrumental artists, as the band made a clear effort to interact with their eager fans throughout the entirety of the set.
I was only recently made aware of The Omnific and after binging their tracks over the past few days and seeing them live I can say that what truly sets the band apart is their ability to transcend the confines of traditional metal, incorporating elements of jazz, funk, and even classical music into their compositions. This fusion of genres results in a sound that is both innovative and refreshing, captivating listeners and challenging the boundaries of what progressive metal can be, and I look forward to watching the continuation of their strong upwards trajectory.
After a brief break, The Hu took the stage. Experiencing a live show by The Hu felt like being transported to another place, ancient traditions colliding with modern metal to form a spectacle of epic proportions. Hailing from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, The Hu seamlessly blend traditional Mongolian throat singing, horsehead fiddles (morin khuur), Mongolian lutes (tovshuur), and jaw harps (tumur khuur) with hard-hitting modern metal instrumentation to create a sound that is both primal and transcendent. From the moment they took to the stage The Hu commanded the Sydney crowd’s full attention with their engaging stage presence and electrifying energy, the band’s trio of frontmen consisting of Gala, Jaya and Enkush compelling all to partake in their metal celebration. The band played a fantastic mix of songs from both their latest release, 2023’s ‘Rumble of Thunder’, as well as their debut album ‘The Gereg’, fan favourite tracks including ‘Wolf Totem’, ‘Black Thunder’ ‘Yuve Yuve Yu’ resonating with primal intensity, galloping rhythms and soaring melodies which captivated the audience and incited a frenzy of movement, chanting and emotion. The Hu closed off the night with ‘This is Mongol’, an uplifting song honouring the warrior spirit that lies within all of us.
In addition to their musical prowess, The Hu’s live show is a celebration of culture and heritage that pays homage to Mongolia’s rich history and traditions. Transcending language and cultural barriers, it connected the audience to something primal and raw and reminded me of the power of music to unite and inspire. With their unique blend of tradition and innovation it is not hard to see why The Hu have effectively carved themselves out a place as one of the most exciting and captivating bands in the world of metal.
Review by Cal McGlinchey
