Mongolian folk-metal sensation the HU has announced Rumble of Thunder: Deluxe Album, an expanded edition of their acclaimed 2022 LP featuring seven bonus tracks. These include four acoustic renditions and three newly recorded singles including a previously released reimagining of "This Is Mongol" with Alice in Chains vocalist-guitarist William DuVall.
Today (March 31st), the HU have offered up the second of these newly recorded singles, a star-studded revamp of "Black Thunder" featuring Bad Wolves singer Daniel "DL" Laskiewicz as well as the one and only Serj Tankian, of System of a Down. It arrived with an epic music video directed by Michael Lombardi (The Retailiators, Five Finger Death Punch, Papa Roach). Watch and listen above.
"'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," the HU bandleader Gala commented. "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 added, "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."
Rumble of Thunder: Deluxe Album is due out June 30th via Better Noise Music.
