Live Review: The Hu – O2 Academy, Birmingham
8th October 2026
Support: Skald
Words: Matthew Caldwell
The Hu’s appeal extends far beyond your typical metalhead. Of course, there were plenty of familiar faces in the audience, but the demographic is remarkably varied. Walking into the O2 Academy, you’re greeted by the usual suspects clad in battle jackets (mine was left in the car; I know how hot that venue gets), alongside more casually dressed punters than you’d typically expect at a metal show. It’s a testament to the breadth of appeal The Hu have carved out for themselves over the past few years.
The opening act was French Nordic folk ensemble SKÁLD. There was an air of anticipation, not least because of the unfamiliar stage setup. I’ve never seen so many drums in one place, and every single one was put to good use. The band’s greatest strength lay in their pulsating percussion, complemented by Marie Potosniak’s hypnotic vocals, which were as powerful as they were haunting.
It wasn’t long before the crowd fell into a collective swaying, bobbing motion. Clearly, SKÁLD were going down well. It felt as though we were part of a giant, atmospheric meditation circle. The band were visually impressive, too, sporting medieval and pagan-inspired costumes alongside long, flowing hair. My personal favourite of their set came in the form of ‘Hross’, which, if my Old Norse is up to scratch, is an ode to Odin’s eight-legged steed, Sleipnir. By the time their final song ended, the crowd’s response had confirmed that SKÁLD were a worthy choice of support for The Hu.
At 21:10, it was time for the main event. The Hu took to the stage wielding all manner of weird and wonderful instruments. There are several things you wouldn’t normally see at a metal show, but in the hands of these Mongolians, traditional folk instruments prove every bit as effective as electric guitars when it comes to creating a heavy sound. As they launched into ‘Lost Soul’, Galbadrakh Tsendbaatar stood tall, wielding his morin khuur, and it was easy to see why the band have been on the ascent over the past few years. His throat singing was raw, primeval and brimming with passion. Seeing The Hu is a spectacle in itself.
Also vying for the audience’s attention was Jaya Galsanjamts, whose charisma and energy were infectious. His vocals provided the perfect accompaniment, and when he sang, you listened. A huge screen behind the band displayed the song titles in both Mongolian and English, a welcome touch for a band whose lyrics are predominantly in their native language.
‘Horsemen’ is a heavy, galloping beast of a track that works brilliantly in the studio but proves even more effective live. I glanced around, expecting to see the first mosh pit of the night. Alas, none was forthcoming. In fact, the audience as a whole seemed rather subdued, despite the energy and ferocity on display on stage. That didn’t dampen the band’s spirits, though. After each song, they expressed their love for and appreciation of the crowd’s support.
It would be difficult to complain about the setlist, with fan favourites drawn from across the band’s three albums, the bulk of the material coming from this year’s brilliant release, Hun. The heavy hitters were saved for the end, as ‘Yuve Yuve Yu’, ‘Wolf Totem’ and ‘This Is Mongol’ drew the loudest cheers when their titles appeared on the screen.
As the lights went out and the band left the stage, very few people seemed inclined to call it a night. In the darkness, it was possible to make out something looming menacingly at the back of the stage as a giant inflatable made its appearance, reminiscent of Iron Maiden’s Eddie. The band soon returned for an encore and asked whether we were familiar with Iron Maiden’s ‘The Trooper’, which they covered back in 2024.
If you didn’t know the original, you’d have little idea that the song tells the story of the Charge of the Light Brigade, with The Hu delivering the lyrics in their native language. When it came to the solos, both were electrifying. This felt less like a conventional cover and more like a statement of intent: The Hu are only getting started, and given a few more years, they could become a very big deal indeed. It’s easy to see why Iron Maiden chose them as one of the support acts for their Eddfestshow at Knebworth earlier this year.
As the lights came up, I approached a fan to ask for her thoughts on the show. She was more than happy to oblige. Selina Travil, originally from Barnsley, said:
“Both SKÁLD and The Hu played amazingly. I haven’t been to a concert in about 10 years, so I am so glad I chose this one. You didn’t need to understand Mongolian to appreciate them. It was a fantastic show.”
It’s difficult to argue with that assessment. Both bands were on top form, and the sound quality was excellent, which was a concern given the sheer number and variety of instruments on stage. If this is what 10 years of The Hu has brought us so far, what on earth will the next 10 years look like? If they continue at this rate, they’ll be something truly special.
For all the latest news, reviews, interviews across the heavy metal spectrum follow THE RAZORS’S EDGE on facebook, twitter and instagram.
