The Hu Bring Mongolian Thunder to The Wiltern

The Hu

Mongolian legends The Hu tore through the walls of The Wiltern last weekend, leaving no soul spared. The band, which was conceived in 2016 and consists of a quartet, is internationally recognized as the pioneers of Hunnu Rock, which brings the rich culture of their home country to venues worldwide. Witnessing them live reaffirmed for me that this majestic quartet are well deserving of their own genre. Their skull crushing hums echoed through The Wiltern that evening, almost like a rumble premeditating a volcano about to tremble. The Mongolian guitar, jaw harp and fiddle harmoniously coated the throat singing, a magical act in which the singer's voice produces two pitches simultaneously, as smoke filled the stage and everything below it.

The Rasmus

The Hu was also joined by Finnish band The Rasmus, who in 2025 made their return to the states after 19 years. The Rasmus covered favorites like Guilty and my personal favorite In the Shadows, and the band made a surprise announcement that they would be returning later this year for a full tour run, which we eagerly await.

Apocalyptica

While The Rasmus got everyone jumping and shaking, symphonists Apocalyptica provided a metal symphony worthy of a proper headbang. The trio covered an entire set of Metallica, including Master of Puppets, Enter Sandman and Ride the Lightning.

The night was a crossroads where the steppe winds of Mongolia, the dark romanticism of Helsinki and the thunderous legacy of Metallica all collided into something singular and unforgettable. If this is only a sneak peek of what The Hu has in store, we eagerly await the release of their third studio album, HUN, scheduled for July 24, 2026.

All photos by Nucorejess.