ALBUM REVIEW: Human Herds – Uuhai
Mongolian folk metal group, UUHAI, are finally ready to put out their debut record Human Herds. The album, as well as their musical style, blends powerful rock chords with throat singing and more traditional instruments like horsehead fiddles, creating soundscapes that represent both the history and nature of Mongolia alike. In their own words, it acts as a “heartfelt love letter” to their homeland. And whether you’re a casual listener, a diehard rock fan, or a history nerd, this is an album that will blow you away, an album that will transport you to a whole new land.
Opening with the aptly titled Beginning, the track acts as a relatively small teaser for what’s to come with dramatic rock metal infused folk that seamlessly blends electric guitars with more traditional instruments. Not only are you transported to a world filled with Far East sounds, you can also find yourself placed in a variety of lands ranging from Ancient Greece to the Middle East to even Australia thanks to the variety of instruments used across the record.
Yet the main goal first and foremost is capture the spirit and vibrant history of Mongolia, whether through action-like soundscapes that visit some of the more intense battles and historical moments as heard in songs like Ancient Land and Dracula; the ethereal scenes as heard in Khurai that very easily fall in the category of being hauntingly beautiful thanks to the delicate compositions and use of natural sounds like animals and water; all the way to more energetic, feel-good songs that capture celebratory moments as heard in Paradise and Khar Khulz, the latter being a track that UUHAI want you to sing along to.
It’s difficult to pinpoint a single moment that stands out as the entire album is a stunning musical journey through a rich history about a land and culture that some may have little knowledge on, yet the one thing that some will take away from the record as a potential main highlight is the use of Tuvan throat singing. In this instance, two songs come to mind that perfectly demonstrate this style of vocals where it can be as powerful as it can be haunting; for example the title track itself, that could also be placed as a storytelling track of an intense battle, brings in a growling version of throat singing that serves to elevate the song into something more epic; whilst the eponymously titled Uuhai uses it to demonstrate a more atmospheric chant that places you somewhere more sacred that you want to sit, close your eyes, and take in every sensory detail around you.
A stunning listening experience that few words can perfectly summarise. It’s a record that one needs to sit back and listen to with no interruptions, and by the end will be sat in awed silence.
Rating: 9/10
Human Herds is out now via Napalm Records.
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